Current Affairs 11th|12th|13th May 2024
This week has been packed with news, from the world of cryptocurrency to international relations. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the key happenings from May 11th to 13th, 2024, keeping you informed on Current Affairs 11th|12th|13th May 2024.
NATIONAL AFFAIRS
1) DoT organized ‘Telecom Design Collaboration Sprint’ in Bengaluru
On May 9, 2024, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) hosted the first-ever ‘Telecom Design Collaboration Sprint’ at the International Institute of Information Technology Bangalore (IIIT-B) in Karnataka.
This partnership focuses on deep-tech quick ideation and creative solution development for a future-ready telecom stack.
Participants:
It brought together 15 major startups/Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) in the Radio Access Network (RAN), Core ecosystems, academics and research institutions like as IIT Madras, Centre For Development Of Telematics (C-DOT), IIT Delhi, and others.
Objectives of Sprint:
There are 3 primary objective of sprint
Collective Strengths: Startups will use their knowledge in critical 5G infrastructure, driving innovation and acceleration.
Collaboration seeks toward holistic 5G solutions that match industrial demands while anticipating future improvements.
By aligning efforts, we can unleash the full market potential in telecom, thereby creating a level playing field for entrepreneurs to compete and thrive.
Key Points:
- After in-depth discussions had concluded, the initiative then formed Outcome-Based Focus Groups to directly address the shortcomings in the Indian telecom ecosystem and proactively prepare for the arrival of future technologies like 6G.
- These groups will concentrate on core infrastructure, Distribution Units (DUs), Radio Units (RUs), Central Units (CUs), and other aspects designed to fill present gaps and meet future demands.
- Two more working groups were formed to help concentrate efforts.
Click here to read from source
2) UAE-India CEPA Council inks MoU with Indian Chamber of Commerce
The UAE-India CEPA Council (UICC) and the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen economic and commercial ties between the UAE and India.
Aim:
To raise awareness about the UAE-India bilateral economic cooperation and the advantages of the UAE-India Comprehensive Economic cooperation Agreement (CEPA).
Key Points:
- UICC and ICC build a comprehensive relationship centered on public promotion, raising awareness, and mobilizing business sector players to promote international economic involvement.
- This will involve dialogue, information exchange, and cooperative activities to help members communicate and develop organizational responsibilities.
- It will increase trade volumes, extend the advantages of favorable trade policies to businesses, and provide chances for economic growth in India and the UAE.
- The UICC was formed in 2024.
- Bilateral trade increased by about 16% to USD 84.5 billion for the fiscal year April 2022–March 2023. Sectors such as gems and jewellery, medicines, and fruits and vegetables experienced substantial development.
About Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC):
- Director General– Dr Rajeev Singh
- Headquarters– Kolkata, west Bengal
- Establishment– 1925
Click here to read from source
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
3) Belize, Jamaica, St. Vincent and Grenadines Received WHO Certification for Eliminating Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV and Syphilis
On May 7, 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) certified three nations in the Americas: Belize, Jamaica, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines for eradicating mother-to-child transmission (EMTCT) of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Syphilis.
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, organized a ceremonial event in Kingston, Jamaica.
Criteria for Certification:
- Countries with a mother-to-child HIV transmission rate of less than 5%.
- Nations that offered prenatal care and antiretroviral therapy to at least 90% of pregnant women.
- Countries that had less than 50 new cases of congenital syphilis per 100,000 infants.
- Nations with an HIV rate of less than 500 per 100,000 live births.
PAHO Elimination Initiative:
- In 2019, member nations of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) adopted the Disease Elimination Initiative.
- It aspires to eliminate more than 30 communicable illnesses in Latin America and the Caribbean by 2030, including HIV and syphilis transmission from mother to child.
Key Facts:
- In 2015, Cuba became the first nation in the world to get WHO accreditation for eradicating HIV and syphilis transmission from mother to child.
- To far, 19 nations and territories have been accredited for eradicating mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis, with 11 of them being Caribbean countries.
Some of these nations are Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Bermuda, and the Cayman Islands. Botswana has been the first high-burden nation recognized by WHO to eliminate HIV transmission from mother to child by 2021.
Progress in Caribbean Countries:
- New HIV infections among children in Caribbean nations fell by 25% between 2010 and 2022.
- Between 2010 and 2022, yearly notified cases fell from 2000 to 1500.
- English-speaking Caribbean nations had 36 instances of congenital syphilis per 100,000 infants.
About Pan American and Health Organisation (PAHO):
- Director: Jarbas Barbosa
- Headquarters: Washington D.C., United States of America (U.S.A.)
- Member states: 35 member states and 4 associate members in the Americas
- Formation: 1902
Click here to read from source
BANKING & FINANCE
4) RBI Lifts Restrictions on Bank of Baroda’s mobile app “BoB World”; Allows Onboarding Customers
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has relaxed limitations on the Bank of Baroda’s (BoB) mobile application “BoB World” effective immediately. This enables BoB to onboard clients via the BoB World application in compliance with the appropriate rules and current laws/regulations.
Background:
In October 2023, the RBI, acting under Section 35A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, ordered BoB to immediately cease the process of adding clients using its “BoB World” mobile application due to various supervisory concerns.
About BoB World App:
- In 2011, the Bank of Baroda released a trial mobile banking application called Baroda M-Connect.
- In September 2021, BoB introduced its cutting-edge, feature-rich mobile banking application, “BoB World”.
- The app offers over 220 services, accounting for almost 90% of all retail banking services.
- It allows for the creation of digital accounts with instant virtual debit card issuance, as well as the submission of online loan applications with instant disbursement for chosen loans.
About Bank of Baroda (BOB):
- MD & CEO- Debadatta Chand
- Headquarter- Vadodara, Gujarat
- Established in 1908
- Tagline- “India’s International Bank”
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5) SEBI Gives Approval To CARE Ratings’ Subsidiary to Offer ESG Ratings
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has approved CARE ESG Ratings Limited (CareEdge-ESG, formerly known as CARE Advisory Research & Training Limited), a wholly owned subsidiary of CARE Ratings Limited, to operate as a Category I Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Ratings Provider (ERP).
CareEdge-ESG registered under the SEBI (Credit Rating Agencies) Regulations, 1999 on May 2, 2024.
The ratings will help issuers identify strategies to improve their sustainability performance.
Note:
- In 2023, SEBI notified a change to the SEBI (Credit Rating Agencies) Regulations, 1999 to provide provisions for ESG Rating Providers.
- In April 2024, SEBI granted license to Investment Information and Credit Rating Agency (ICRA) subsidiary Pragati Development Consulting Services Limited (PDCSL) to give ESG ratings.
Click here to read from source
APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS
6) Russian President Vladimir Putin Proposes Reappointment of Mikhail Mishustin as PM
On May 10, 2024, Russian President Vladimir Putin requested that Mikhail Vladimirovich Mishustin (58) be reappointed as Prime Minister (PM) of Russia.
He offered his name for the Russian Federal Assembly’s lower body, the State Duma.
However, Mishustin’s nomination is only a formality in the Kremlin-controlled Parliament.
Mishustin, Russia’s Prime Minister for the past four years, offered his resignation to the Cabinet on May 7, 2024, when Vladimir Putin was formally sworn in as President of Russia for the fifth time during a ceremony at Kremlin Palace in Moscow, Russia.
About Mikhail Mishustin :
In January 2020, Russian President Putin named Mishustin as Russia’s Prime Minister for the first time. He succeeded then-Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, who resigned.
During his first term as Russian Prime Minister, he faced several problems, including the COVID-19 epidemic and the Russia-Ukraine war.
- He is a chief technocrat who has assisted Putin in navigating the conflict in Ukraine and dealing with the obstacles provided by Western sanctions in response to Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
- From 2010 until 2020, he headed Russia’s Federal Taxation Service.
- In 2022, he was selected to chair the new Coordination Council.
- In 2012, the Russian government awarded him the Order of Honour, and in 2015, the Order for Service to the Fatherland, Fourth Class.
About Russia:
- Capital: Moscow
- President: Vladimir Putin
- Currency: Russian Ruble
Click here to read from source
7) Rizwan Koita Replaces Mahesh Verma as Chairperson of NABH
Rizwan Koita, an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and director of the Koita Foundation (KF), has been named Chairperson of the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers.
He succeeded Padma Shri Dr. Mahesh Verma, Vice Chancellor of Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University (IPU) in Delhi, who became Chairperson NABH in 2022.
Note: NABH, a constituent board of the Quality Council of India (QCI), establishes quality standards and accredits healthcare companies.
About Rizwan Koita:
Rizwan Koita began his career as a senior consultant with McKinsey & Company, assisting companies on business strategy and operations.
In 1999, he co-founded TransWorks (now Concentrix), one of India’s first BPO enterprises.
Transworks was bought by the Aditya Birla Group in 2003, marking one of the first successful company exits in India’s BPO industry.
He co-founded CitiusTech and served as its CEO from 2005 to October 2021.
CitiusTech became India’s first unicorn in the healthcare technology space in 2019.
Rizwan Koita has been a member of the NABH Board of Directors for the past two years and is actively involved in the organization’s digital health efforts.
About National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH):
- CEO-Dr. Atul Mohan Kochhar
- Headquarters– New Delhi, Delhi
- Established in– 2005
NABH has been recognized by the International Society for Quality in Health Care (lSQua) and is an institutional member.
NABH serves on the board of the Asian Society for Quality in Healthcare (ASQua).
Click here to read from source
ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS
8) Piramal Enterprises Approves To Merge with Unlisted Housing Finance Arm for Listing Norms
Piramal Enterprises Limited’s board of directors has authorized the merger with its fully owned subsidiary, Piramal Capital & Housing Finance (PCHFL).
Following the merger, PCHFL would be called Piramal Finance Limited (PFL).
Under the terms of the merger, Piramal Enterprises shareholders will receive one equity share of PFL for each share they hold in Piramal Enterprises, as well as one NCRPS (non-convertible non-cumulative non-participating redeemable preference share) of Rs 67 of PFL, subject to RBI approval.
On April 1, 2024, the merger process will begin and is expected to be completed within 9-12 months. In addition, Piramal Capital, an upper-layer NBFC, is scheduled to list by September 2025.
Piramal Capital is a Housing Finance Company (HFC). It must conform with the Principal Business Criteria (PBC), which demand a minimum of 60% of loans for housing finance and a minimum of 50% of loans for individual housing financing.
Click here to read from source
Click here to read: Current Affairs 10th May 2024
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
9) Kadet Defence Systems Introduced India’s 1st Loitering Aerial Munitions for Armed Forces
Kadet Defence Systems(P) Limited (KDS) has launched India’s first pioneering Loitering Aerial Munitions (LAM) for the Indian Armed Forces. The Defence Research and Development Organisation, in a unique collaborative effort, created this Light Attack Missile (LAM) through a Development and Production Partner (DCPP) model.
Furthermore, all indigenous LAMs are not only designed but also manufactured entirely within India, with over 90% of their components domestically sourced.
This demonstrates KDS’ commitment to fostering indigenous innovation and self-reliance in defense industry.
About India’s 1st LAM:
The i.LAM system includes cutting-edge technology like as Canister Aerial Loitering Munition (CALM), Combat Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) with standoff capabilities, and Tactical Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) UAVs.
LAMs can adapt to a variety of terrains and elevations (from deserts to plains, and even high-altitude locations above 5000 meters).
Capabilities: KDS’s LAMs may operate as both combat UAVs capable of precise strikes and Kamikaze drones for targeted engagements, similar to cruise missiles.
Additional info:
- KDS has obtained a contract to provide 50 LAM systems by the end of 2024, addressing the operational needs of the Indian armed forces.
- KDS plans to enhance LAM manufacturing and supply an estimated 5000 systems over the next two to three years.
About Kadet Defence Systems (P) Limited:
KDS is a private corporation that makes aeronautical goods, with a concentration on unmanned systems.
- Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO)- Avdesh Khaitan
- Headquarters- Bengaluru, Karnataka
- Established in 2011
Click here to read from source
10) Astronomers Detect Rocky Planet “55 Cancri e” with Atmosphere
Astronomers using NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) have identified atmospheric gasses at 55 Cancri e, better known as Janssen, a hot rocky exoplanet 41 light-years away from Earth.
Five planets orbit the Sun-like star 55 Cancri in the constellation Cancer, and among them, scientists have discovered an atmosphere for the first time.
Astronomers have achieved a significant breakthrough by confirming an atmosphere around a super-Earth, marking the first time a terrestrial world beyond our Solar System has been found to possess one.
Classified as a super-Earth, it surpasses Earth in size but falls short of Neptune’s. Presumably, its composition aligns with the rocky planets in our own solar system.
Note: A team of researchers published their findings in the prestigious scientific journal “Nature” under the title “A secondary atmosphere on the rocky Exoplanet 55 Cancri e.” This way, we emphasize the active role of the researchers in publishing their work.
About 55 Cancri e:
- Dimensions: Radius: 1.95 x Earth, Mass: 8.8 x Earth.
- The planet circles its star at a distance of just 1.4 million miles (0.015 astronomical units), completing one full orbit in less than 18 hours.
- The JWST Infrared observation revealed the presence of a significant atmosphere rich in carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, water vapor, and sulfur dioxide, however precise quantities are unknown.
- A planet engulfed in a magma ocean is unsuitable to life. The discoveries concerning the planet will provide light on the early geological stages of rocky worlds like Earth.
Click here to read from source
11) IN-SPACe Signed MoU with GalaxEye For Testing Facilities
The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (IN-SPACe) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with GalaxEye Space, granting GalaxEye access to world-class labs and testing facilities run by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
GalaxEye is the first Indian startup to benefit from IN-environment’s premier co-working and testing environment as a partner in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
GalaxEye is now working on India’s first private constellation of Earth observation satellites, the ‘Drishti Mission’ (multi-sensor imaging satellite).
Note:
- IN-SPACe is an autonomous agency within the Department of Space (DOS), Government of India (GoI).
- GalaxEye Space is a Bangalore, Karnataka-based space firm that specializes in Earth observation satellites.
Click here to read from source
ENVIRONMENT
12) Ablennes joseberchmansis & Ablennes gracalii: ICAR-CMFRI Kochi Identifies 2 New Needlefish Species from Indian Waters
Researchers from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) in Kochi (Kerala) have discovered two new species of needlefish in Indian waters: “Ablennes joseberchmansis” and “Ablennes gracalii”.
Consequently, the researchers published their study of the new species in the Journal of Regional Studies in Marine Science.
Toji Thomas, a CMFRI research scholar, conducted the study under the supervision of Dr EM Abdussamad, CMFRI’s main scientist and Head of the Pelagic Fisheries Division.
The ICAR-CMFRI is a research institute that monitors and evaluates marine fisheries resources inside the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
Naming:
Researchers named the new needlefish species Ablennes joseberchmansis after Toji Thomas’ alma mater, St. Berchamn’s College (Kerala), and his instructor.
Similarly, they named Ablennes gracalii to honor both Toji Thomas’ mother, Grace, and his friend Alina
Research Insights:
- The needlefish genus Ablennes remains monotypic, with the worldwide widespread flat needlefish known as Ablennes hians (A. hians).
- Using integrated taxonomic methodologies based on mitochondrial genetic markers, researchers discovered that the species once thought to be a single organism is actually a complex comprising at least three distinct species.
- Genetic and molecular investigation, as well as taxonomy study, validated the unique traits of these newly described species.
- The researchers have scientifically defined and added two new species to India’s maritime biodiversity.
Characteristics and Habitat:
The study focuses on specimens gathered in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu.
These economically valuable fish are prized for their flavor and nutritional benefits.
These fish are distinguished by their green spines and large beaks with sharp teeth.
These fish species are common throughout the Indian coast and serve as pelagic resources in higher seas (0-20 meters).
Glyptothorax punyabratai: ICAR-NBFGR Discovers New Catfish Species in Arunachal Pradesh
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)-National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources (NBFGR), the premier center for fish genetic resources in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, identified a new catfish species, Glyptothorax punyabratai, in the Brahmaputra River drainage of Arunachal Pradesh.
Originating from the Tung Stream, a tiny tributary of the Tissa River within the Brahmaputra River basin, the species was subsequently named after Dr. Punyabarata Das, the founding director of ICAR-NBFGR, in recognition of his significant contributions to fisheries research.
Glyptothorax is a catfish genus in the order Siluriformes, family Sisoridae.
Discovery Details:
- The researchers deposited the holotype and paratype specimens of the new species in the National Fish Museum-cum-Repository of the ICAR-NBFGR in Lucknow.
- Subsequently, they reported their exciting discovery in the prestigious peer-reviewed publication Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters.
Click here to read from source
SPORTS
13) Mumbai City Beats Mohun Bagan 3-1 to Win the Indian Super League 2023-24 Final
Mumbai City Football Club (MCFC) defeated Mohun Bagan SuperGiants (MBSG) 3-1 in the 10th season of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 final at Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (Salt Lake Stadium) in Kolkata, West Bengal.
This is Mumbai City Football Club’s second ISL title; it also won the 2020-21 season against Atlético de Kolkata Mohun Bagan.
The Indian Super League 2023-24 featured 12 clubs.
ISL 2023-24 awards:
ISL Player of the League: Dimitrios Petratos (Mohun Bagan Super Giant)
- Golden Glove: Phurba Lachenpa (MCFC).
- Golden Boot: Dimitrios Diamantakos, Kerala Blasters FC
- Vikram Partap Singh of Mumbai City FC emerged as the league’s most promising talent, while Dimitrios Petratos, playing for Mohun Bagan Super Giant, claimed the Golden Ball award in recognition of his outstanding season.
- Best Pitch: Jamshedpur FC.
- Grassroots Award: FC Goa.
- Best Elite Youth Program: Bengaluru FC.
- Mohun Bagan Super Giants defeated Mumbai City FC to win their first Indian Super League (ISL) Winners Shield at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata.
- The prize money for the winner (MCFC) is Rs 6 crore, while the runner-up (MBSG) receives Rs 3 crore.
Click here to read from source
OBITUARY
14) Fomer Bureaucrat & Padma Bhushan Awardee Moosa Raza Passed Away
Padma Bhushan Awardee Moosa Raza, who served as Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) from 1988 to 1990, died at the age of 87 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu (TN). He was born on February 27, 1937, in the Villupuram district of Tamil Nadu.
He was awarded the Padma Bhushan for civil service in 2010.
About Moosa Raza:
Moosa Raza was a Gujarat-based Indian Administrative Service (IAS) official from 1960.
He held positions as Collector and District Magistrate in several Gujarat districts.
He was also the Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister (CM) of Gujarat and Advisor to the Governor of Uttar Pradesh (UP).
After retiring in 1995, he became director general of the India Islamic Cultural Centre (IICC).
Following his retirement, he served on India’s National Integration Council.
Since 2000, he has served as Chairman of the South Indian Educational Trust (S.I.E.T.), which operates six educational institutions.
Notable works:
- In 2023, he wrote his autobiography, “Of Giants and Windmills: An Autobiography”.
- His other notable works are “Of Nawabs & Nightingales, In Search of Oneness” (1995), “The Smile on Sorrow’s Lips” (2015), and “Kashmir: Land of Regrets” (2019).
Click here to read from source
IMPORTANT DAYS
15) Time of Remembrance and Reconciliation for Those Who Lost Their Lives during the Second World War – 8-9 May 2024
The United Nations (UN) designates the 8th and 9th of May as the Time of Remembrance and Reconciliation for Those Who Lost Their Lives During the Second World War to honor all victims of WWII (from 1939 to 1945).
In 2024, the 79th anniversary of World War II’s conclusion marks a day set aside to commemorate the staggering loss of 40 million civilians and 20 million troops.
This somber occasion also fosters reconciliation, moving forward from the devastating conflict.
Background:
- On November 22, 2004, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) enacted Resolution A/RES/59/26*, designating May 8-9 as a Day of Remembrance and Reconciliation for Those Who Died During World War II.
- The United Nations General Assembly urged all Member States, UN system entities, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and people to mark one or both of these days each year to honor all WWII casualties.
- In August 1945, the United States launched atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan, thus ending World War II.
Click here to read from source
16) International Day of Argania 2024 – May 1
On May 10th of each year, the United Nations (UN) observes the International Day of Argania to raise awareness of and promote the importance of the Argan tree (Argania spinosa), a native species of Morocco’s sub-Saharan region that thrives in dry and semi-arid environments.
In fact, on May 10, 2024, the fourth International Day of Argania was observed.
The theme for the 2024 International Day of Argania is “The Argan Tree facing the challenges of climate change.”
Background:
- In 2021, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) enacted Resolution A/RES/75/262, designating May 10 as the International Day of Argania.
- Morocco proposed a resolution that subsequently gained the co-sponsorship of 113 UN member states and was ultimately adopted by consensus. Subsequently, the first-ever International Day of Argania was commemorated on May 10, 2021.
Click here to read from source
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