NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Centre launches new mobile Number Series for Service,
Transactional Calls: The Centre has introduced
a new numbering series, 160xxxxxxx, for making service or transactional
calls, to help citizens easily identify legitimate calls and curb unsolicited
voice calls from telemarketers using 10-digit mobile numbers. Currently, 140xxxxxxx series has been
allocated to telemarketers for making promotional/service/transactional voice
calls. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) said in a statement
that since the 140xx series is being used extensively for promotional calls,
“consumers normally do not respond to such calls, and many important
service/transactional calls are missed”.
2. Nokia, Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya sign MoU to
research in 5G/ 6G communications: Finnish telecom gearmaker Nokia has signed an agreement
with the Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV) for carrying out joint
research related to 5G/6G communications
in the transportation and logistics sector. Nokia and Gati Shakti
Vishwavidyalaya, a university under the Ministry of Railways, will collaborate
on research opportunities in 5G/6G communications targeting air, land and sea
transportation use cases, as well as standards development, smart factory/
automation, and AI/GenAI labs.
3. Zupee collaborates with Gurugram Cyber Police for
Cyber Security awareness: India’s largest skill-based Ludo platform, Zupee has partnered
with Gurugram Cyber Police for the 11th edition of the Cyber Security Summer
Internship Program, titled ‘Cyber Warriors’. The month-long internship
aims to train selected candidates in cyber security under the guidance of
experts, fostering responsible digital citizenship and tackling real-world
cyber threats. 15,000 applications were received, with 1,100 interns selected,
including working professionals and college students, to undergo immersive
cyber security training.
4. PV Sindhu becomes brand ambassador for Greenday’s
‘Better Nutrition’: Indian badminton star, two-time Olympic medalist, and World Champion PV Sindhu has announced
her investment and brand
ambassadorship with Greenday’s ‘Better Nutrition’ brand. This
collaboration aims to combat micronutrient deficiencies in India through
biofortified foods, enhancing both consumer health and farmer livelihoods. The
company works closely with farmers, educating, empowering, and incentivising
them to cultivate nutrient-dense crop varieties.
5. Sushil Kr Singh named
Chairperson of Deendayal Port Authority: The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the
appointment of Sushil Kumar Singh
(IRSME) as Chairperson of Deendayal Port Authority, Kandla under
the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. Singh has been appointed as
Chairman of Deendayal Port Authority in place of SK Mehta (IFoS) with effect
from the date of assumption of charge of the post, for an overall tenure up to
the date of his superannuation on January 31, 2027 or until further orders,
whichever is earlier. Singh is an Indian Railway Service of Mechanical
Engineering (IRSME) officer of 1993-batch
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. 21st Shangri La Dialogue Ends in Singapore: The 21st
edition of the Asia Pacific premier defence meet, Shangri La Dialogue
or the Asian Security Summit, concluded in Singapore. The Shangri La Dialogue
was held at the Shangri La Hotel in Singapore. It was attended by over a
hundred delegates from Asia Pacific regions and from other parts of the world. The
Dialogue brings together security practitioners, including defence ministers,
senior officials and non-governmental stakeholders, to discuss the most
pressing security challenges in the Asia-Pacific, engage in bilateral
discussions, and identify fresh approaches.
2. Claudia Sheinbaum becomes first woman President of
Mexico: Claudia Sheinbaum secured a sweeping win to become Mexico’s
first female president. She succeeded her mentor and outgoing leader, Andres
Manuel Lopez Obrador, whose strong support among the impoverished contributed
to her victory. The 61-year-old climate scientist and former policymaker had
between 58.3 per cent and 60.7 per cent of the vote, according to a statistical
sample. Opposition candidate Xóchitl Gálvez had between 26.6 per cent and 28.6
per cent of the vote and Jorge Álvarez Máynez had between 9.9 per cent and 10.8
per cent of the vote.
3. 2 June – International Sex Workers’ Day: International
Sex Workers Day is commemorated on June 2 every year. This day is
observed to honour the sex workers and recognise the hardships they go through.
The International Sex Workers’ Day, advocates for improved working conditions
and respect for sex workers. On June 2, 1975, hundreds of sex workers occupied
the Saint-Nazier church in Lyon, France to protest against the harassment by
the police, fines levied by the law enforcement and to press them to
investigate the murders and exploitation of sex workers.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. Helen Mary becomes first woman brigadier in Pakistan
Army from minority community: Dr Helen Mary Roberts, serving in the
Pakistan Army Medical Corps, has made history by becoming the first woman
from Christian and minority community to achieve the rank of brigadier in the
Muslim-majority country. Brigadier Helen was among Pakistan Army officers
promoted as brigadiers and full colonels by the Selection Board. Brigadier Dr.
Helen is senior pathologist and has been serving in the Pakistan Army for the
last 26 years. According to data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics
in 2021, there are 96.47 per cent Muslims in the country, followed by 2.14 per
cent Hindus, 1.27 per cent Christians, 0.09 per cent Ahmadi Muslims and 0.02
per cent others.
SPORTS
1. Real Madrid’s Historic 15th Champions League Title: Real
Madrid etched their name in the history books once again by securing
a record-extending 15th UEFA Champions League title. The Spanish giants
showcased their trademark resilience and clinical edge, overcoming a valiant
Borussia Dortmund side with a 2-0 victory. With this triumph, Real Madrid
extended their remarkable run of success in Europe, securing their sixth
Champions League title in 11 seasons.
This feat matches the legendary team that initiated
Real’s love affair with the European Cup, having won the first five editions
from 1956 and another in 1966.
2. Nayana James win gold medal in long jump at Taiwan
Athletics Open 2024: Indian athlete Nayana James clinched the gold
medal in the women’s long jump event at the Taiwan Athletics Open 2024 in
Chinese Taipei. An Asian Athletics Championships bronze medallist, Nayana
recorded a distance of 6.43m for the top step on the podium in rainy conditions
at the Taipei Municipal Stadium. Nayana beat Japan’s Sumire Hata, the reigning
Asian champion, for the gold medal. Hata won the silver with a best effort of
6.37m while Yu Jeongmi of the Republic of Korea settled for bronze with 6.14m.
3. India batter Kedar Jadhav announces retirement: India
and Maharashtra batter Kedar Jadhav has announced his retirement
from international cricket, four years since his last appearance for the
national team. The 39-year-old, who made his international debut for India in November
2014 during an ODI against Sri Lanka at Ranchi, went on to play 73 one-dayers
as well as nine T20Is. Jadhav scored 1,389 runs at an average of 42.09 with two
centuries and six fifties for India in 73 ODIs. He also made 122 runs in the
six innings of the nine T20 Internationals that he played.
4. ICC announces ‘Highest Ever’ Prize Money for T20 World
Cup 2024: The International Cricket Council has announced
a record prize purse of USD 11.25 million (approx INR 93.5 crore) for
the 2024 T20 World Cup with the winners pocketing at least USD 2.45
million (approx INR 20.36 crore). The runners-up will receive at least USD 1.28
million (Rs 10.36 crore), while the losing semi-finalists walk away with USD
787,500 each. The previous edition in 2022 had a total prize pool of USD 5.6
million with winners England receiving USD 1.6 million. The four teams that
fail to make it out of the Super 8s will earn USD 382,500 each, while the teams
placed ninth, 10th, 11th and 12th receive USD 247,500 each. Participants who
finish 13th to 20th place will return $225,000 each.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. DBS retains India GDP growth forecast at 7% for FY25: Singapore-headquartered
DBS Bank expects India’s economic growth to stay in the 7
percent handle in the April-June 2024 quarter.
Thus, foreign bank also retained its India GDP growth
forecast for current fiscal at 7 per cent. Stable global growth, public and
household capex investments, rural recovery, a normal monsoon, and better
composition of trade backs our optimistic view. This came on the heels of the
Central Statistics Office (CSO) recently announcing that the country’s fourth
quarter (Jan-Mar 2024) GDP rose 7.8 per cent year-on-year and economic growth
for full fiscal 2023-24 grew at robust 8.2 per cent.