Minister Piyush Goyal Attends 6th India- Canada Ministerial Dialogue
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and Mary Ng, Canada's Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business, and Economic Development, co-chaired the sixth India-Canada Ministerial Dialogue on Trade and Investment (MDTI) in Ottawa. The MDTI serves as an institutional framework for discussing a broad range of trade and investment-related issues and areas for cooperation between the two countries.
The dialogue covered topics such as enhancing bilateral trade relations between India and Canada, investment promotion, cooperation in green transition, including critical minerals, and promoting business-to-business (B2B) engagements.
Additionally, Union Minister Piyush Goyal also reviewed India-Canada CEPA (Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement) negotiations. The CEPA negotiations were launched at the previous MDTI meeting in March 2022. Earlier, both Ministers launched CEPA negotiations with the possibility of having an interim agreement or EPTA (Early Progress Trade Agreement). Since then, seven rounds of negotiations have been held. India and Canada have a growing trade relationship, although the trade volume between the two countries has the potential for further expansion.
Forty-second ASEAN Summit Begins in Indonesia
The 42nd Summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was held in Indonesia with a theme of "ASEAN Affairs: Epicentre of Growth." The summit aimed to demonstrate the bloc's hopes and efforts to become the centre and driving force behind global development.
President Joko Widodo, who holds the presidency of the bloc, emphasized the enormous potential of the ASEAN region, which has a total population of around 650 million inhabitants and consistently outperforms the world average in terms of economic growth. He called on member countries to unite in terms of production power to make Southeast Asia the centre of global growth.
Adani Group Gets Financial Support from Three Japanese Banks
Multinational conglomerate Adani Group received financial assurances from three Japanese banks - Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking and Mizuho Financial Group.
Earlier, these three banks were not lenders to the group and as the group embarked on a series of expansion plans, their financial support will include loans for new projects and refinancing of high-cost debts. After a January report by Hindenburg Research which eroded the group's market capitalisation, the assurances came as a result to the group's investor road shows held across Asia and Europe to win back trust.
Existing lenders, including Standard Chartered and Barclays too have reaffirmed their confidence in the group's operations. All banks have pledged support to refinance bonds maturing in FY24 and FY26, and existing & new debt.
Reserve Bank of India Imposes Penalty Worth Rs 1.75 Crore on HSBC
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) imposed a monetary penalty of Rs 1.73 crore on the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) for violating the Credit Information Companies Rules.
The supervisory evaluation revealed that the bank furnished incorrect credit information about expired credit cards with nil dues to all the four Credit Information Companies.
Rocket Lab Launches Two Small NASA Satellites to Monitor Tropical Storms
Rocket Lab launched two toaster-size satellites for NASA, the first of four "cubesats" designed to provide hourly updates of typhoon and hurricane development in a bid to improve forecasting and provide new insights into how tropical storms evolve and intensify.
The TROPICS mission aims to improve the scientific understanding by obtaining microwave observations that allow seeing the inner structure of these storms approximately hourly.
These observations will complement the existing weather satellites, and ultimately then can be tied to the broader understanding of the entire earth system.
TROPICS, one of NASA's more convoluted acronyms, stands for Time-Resolved Observations of Precipitation Structure and Storm Intensity with a Constellation of Smallsats. The bargain-basement $30 million mission takes advantage of miniaturized electronics and the evolution of cubesats capable of taking on big-ticket science.
The cubesats aren't intended to replace larger, much more powerful and much more expensive weather satellites. But they offer a low-cost way to augment those "flagship" missions with complementary science and much shorter development times.
China's 'Mystery' Spacecraft Returns to Earth after 276 Days
An experimental Chinese spacecraft returned to Earth after staying in orbit for 276 days, completing a landmark mission to test the country's reusable space technologies.
The uncrewed spacecraft returned to the Jiuquan launch centre in north-west China as scheduled.
No details were given on what the spacecraft was, what technologies were tested, how high it flew, and where its orbits had taken it since its launch in early August 2022.
World number two Carlos Alcaraz continued his good work from the Barcelona Open and successfully defended his title at Madrid. Alcaraz beat lucky loser Jan-Lennard Struff 6-4 3-6 6-3 and won his fourth ATP Tour trophy of the year and his tenth overall.
The victory was the fourth ATP Masters 1000 trophy for Alcaraz, who became the youngest world number one in September 2022 when he won the US Open and held that spot for 20 weeks until Novak Djokovic took it back in January 2023.
ACC Decides to Move Asia Cup out of Pakistan
In a huge setback to Pakistan, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) decided to move the Asia Cup out of the country after PCB's proposal to host the tournament on a 'hybrid model' was rejected by the member nations.
Sri Lanka emerged as a front runner to host the six-nation tournament as extremely humid conditions in the UAE in the month of September could lead to injuries to players.
It will be interesting to see if Pakistan, after this snub, competes in the tournament, scheduled to be held from September 2-17.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was forced to propose an alternative after BCCI refused to send the Indian team to the neighbouring nation due to diplomatic tension between the two countries.
PCB had proposed that India play their games in the UAE while Pakistan host their matches on home soil.
Aryna Sabalenka Edges Out Iga Swiatek
Aryna Sabalenka beat world No. 1 Iga Swiatek to win the Madrid Open in the pair's second clash in a final this year (2023), with the Belarusian saying she hopes their burgeoning rivalry will continue to enthral tennis fans throughout the season.
The world No. 2 had lost all three previous meetings with Swiatek on clay, including a defeat in last month's (April) Stuttgart final, but produced an aggressive performance to win 6-3 3-6 6-3 and establish herself as a serious contender at the upcoming French Open.
Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy Inaugurates PM Jan Aushadhi Kendra
Union Tourism Minister G. Kishan Reddy inaugurated a PM Jan Aushadhi Kendra at Warasiguda in Secunderabad. Reddy said that these Jan Aushadhi Kendras provide affordable healthcare and generate self-employment opportunities for youth. The Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Janaushadhi scheme was launched to make quality generic medicines available to the common man at low cost.
ED Chief Sanjay Kumar Mishra's Tenure up till November, Centre tells Supreme Court
Defending the third extension given to Enforcement Directorate chief Sanjay Kumar Mishra, the Centre told the Supreme Court he would not continue in office beyond November.
"This officer is not some DGP of a state but an officer representing the country in a UN-like body and is in the midst of something. This court must not interfere with his tenure and from November onwards, he will not be there," Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told a three-judge Bench led by Justice BR Gavai.
"Mishra was given extension as FATF peer review is taking place and there are some guidelines which needed to be followed," Mehta said. FATF is a global anti-money laundering and terrorist financing watchdog that sets international standards aimed to prevent illegal activities, including terror financing.
Andhra CM Launches 'Jaganannaku Chebudam'
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy launched a toll-free helpline number 1902 as a part of the 'Jaganannaku Chebudam' programme.
The initiative aims at providing quality and prompt solutions to the grievances of people pertaining to welfare schemes and government services.
People can register their grievances round the clock and bring the issues to the notice of the Chief Minister through this programme. The programme also aims at creating awareness on government services and welfare schemes among the people.
The citizens, after registering their grievances, will be issued a YSR (Your Service Request) number. They will receive updates pertaining to the status of their grievances through IVRS and SMS-based communications. The people can also directly connect with the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) by dialling the helpline number, besides the Project Monitoring Units to get their grievances redressed.
Air Force Receives 1st Batch of Indigenous VTOL Loitering Munition
The air force received its first indigenously designed and developed loitering munitions. These are capable of operating from all kinds of terrain and high altitude areas and can take down targets at a range of over 50 km, without exposing any personnel to risk. Developed by Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), the autonomous system is designed for Vertical Take Off and Landing (VTOL) and has successfully demonstrated its capability to carry out precision strikes during trials and tests.
'Operation Trinetra' in Rajouri Mountains to Flush Out Hiding Militants
Security forces continued "Operation Trinetra" for the fourth consecutive day to track down terrorists hiding in the Kandi forested area in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district.
Five Army personnel were killed while a major-rank officer was injured in an explosion triggered by the terrorists in the Kesari hill forest area of Rajouri last week.
Rajouri and Poonch districts in Jammu region, which were declared terrorism-free more than a decade ago, have been rocked by a series of deadly attacks since October 2021, resulting in the killing of 35 people, including 26 soldiers.
IAF's 1st C295 Completes Maiden Flight in Spain
The Indian Air Force's first C295 medium transport aircraft completed its maiden flight in Spain, ahead of its induction into the IAF later this year (2023), European firm Airbus Defence and Space said.
This first flight represents a significant accomplishment for the first Make in India aerospace programme, with the IAF set to become the largest operator of the C295 in the world.
The maiden flight took place at Seville and lasted three hours. IAF crews are at Airbus's Seville facility for training.
The maiden flight is yet another milestone in the C295 programme, and the induction of these planes will significantly boost the capabilities of the IAF vis-a-vis the Avro-748 aircraft they are replacing.
Renowned Bengali author Samaresh Majumdar died. He was 79.
Born on March 10, 1944, novelist Majumdar is best known for his 'Animesh' series. He was first published in the year 1967- a novel named 'Dour' (Run). One of his works was even was adapted into the 2013 film 'Arjun-Kalimpong E Sitaharan'.
Majumdar is also known for 'Uttoradhikar', 'Kaalpurush', 'Satkahan', and 'Adventures of Detective Arjun'.
The writer-poet has innumerable accolades under his belt, including Sahitya Akademi Award which he won for 'Kalbela' in 1984.
Apart from this, was conferred the Anand Award and Bankim Award. In 2018, the West Bengal government honoured him with the 'Banga Bibhushan' award.
Rabindranath Tagore Jayanti 2023 is a significant occasion that is celebrated to commemorate the birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore. He was a legendary poet, writer, philosopher, and social reformer who played a vital role in shaping the cultural and literary heritage of India. Born on May 7, 1861, in Calcutta, Rabindranath Tagore is widely regarded as one of the greatest literary figures in the world.
Rabindranath Tagore was born on May 7, 1861, in Calcutta, British India (now Kolkata, India). But, Rabindranath Tagore Jayanti is celebrated on May 9 every year. Rabindranath Tagore Jayanti 2023 marked his 162nd birth anniversary.
Rabindranath Tagore, also known as Gurudev, was a renowned Indian poet, philosopher, and polymath.
He was the first non-European to win the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913 for his collection of poems, Gitanjali.
His contributions to literature, music, and art have left a lasting impact on Indian culture and beyond.
The celebration of Tagore Jayanti started in the year 1941, the year after his death, as a way to honor and remember his life and legacy.
Ratan Tata Awarded Honorary Doctor of Literature Degree by Sister Nivedita University, Kolkata
Sister Nivedita University, Kolkata awarded an honorary Doctor of Literature degree to Ratan Tata at its inaugural convocation in Kolkata.
Other personalities who were awarded are Chandra Sekhar Ghosh, MD & CEO, Bandhan Bank; Manishankar Mukherjee, writer, novelist and researcher; Sanghamitra Bandopadhyay, Director, Indian Statistical Institute; Martin Kampchen, eminent author, translator, journalist and social worker, and Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Eminent sarod player.
Prof Dhrubajyoti Chattopadhyay, Vice- Chancellor, Sister Nivedita University handed over the degrees to the recipients.
Barbara Kingsolver, Hernan Diaz Share Fiction Pulitzer Prize
The Pulitzer Prize for fiction was awarded to two class-conscious novels: "Demon Copperhead," Barbara Kingsolver's modern recasting of the Dickens classic "David Copperfield," and Hernan Diaz's "Trust," an innovative narrative of wealth and deceit set in 1920s New York.
Beverly Gage's "G-Man," her widely acclaimed book on long-time FBI leader J. Edgar Hoover, was given the Pulitzer for biography. "His Name Is George Floyd: One Man's Life and the Struggle for Racial Justice," by Robert Samuels and Toluse Olorunnipa, won for general nonfiction.
Sanaz Toossi's play "English" won for drama and Jefferson Cowie's "Freedom's Dominion: A Saga of White Resistance to Federal Power" was honored for history.
The Pulitzer Prize is an award administered by Columbia University for achievements in newspaper, magazine, online journalism, literature, and musical composition within the United States. It was established in 1917 by provisions in the will of Joseph Pulitzer, who had made his fortune as a newspaper publisher. Prizes are awarded annually in twenty-two categories. In twenty-one of the categories, each winner receives a certificate and a US$15,000 cash award (raised from $10,000 in 2017). The winner in the public service category is awarded a gold medal.
IIT Madras, L&T EduTech Collaborate to Launch Joint Skilling Programmes for Engineering, Science Students
The Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IIT M) will collaborate with L&T EduTech, the digitally-driven learning initiative by Larsen & Toubro, to launch industry skilling programmes for engineering and science students across India.
This initiative is being launched with the aim to bridge the gap that is required to make the students 'industry ready.' It will offer customised programmes for professionals across the industry to up skill themselves and achieve career progression. Pravartak Technologies will bring in experts from various engineering and science departments of IIT Madras while L&T EduTech will provide the industry expertise.
New Course by IITs: BTech in Chemical Engineering at IIT Indore
The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Indore launched a new course – BTech in Chemical Engineering for the academic year 2023-24. The programme intends to provide a holistic perspective to the students focusing on multidisciplinary, and hands-on approach.
The course is offered by 16 other IITs as well including IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Kharagpur among others.
The programme structure and curriculum are developed by leading experts in academia from India and the world and encompass the traditional and modern topics of chemical engineering. It is offered with multiple specialisations including Petrochemical, Biochemical, Energy, Pharmaceutical, Processing etc.
It is a four-year full-time undergraduate degree programme divided into eight semesters. In each semester, candidates will have to study 6 to 7 subjects along with elective options.
Uttar Pradesh Becomes First State to Make Digital Health Cards for Children
The Urban Development Department and Lucknow Smart City launched "School Health Program". Under the pilot project, the School Health Program was started by Lucknow Smart City in three schools in Lucknow.
Under this pilot project, 3 municipal schools including Aminabad Inter College, Kashmiri Mohalla Girls Inter College and Kashmiri Mohalla Montessori School were given the responsibility of health check-up of 1765 children. The team is making digital health cards by doing desk-to-desk examinations of the child.
A unique ID card will be made for each child, through which the child's parents, school and administrative officials can download this health card. Follow-up of the Digital Health Report is also done every six months. If a child is admitted to the hospital due to illness, then he can be treated through a health cover cashless card of Rs. 25,000.
By launching the "School Health Program" Uttar Pradesh became the first state to make digital health cards for children.
K. K. Shailaja's Autobiographical Work Titled 'My Life As A Comrade'
CPM central committee member and former health minister of Kerala, K. K. Shailaja's autobiographical work titled 'My Life As A Comrade' was published by Juggernaut Books, a Delhi-based publishing house. In her new book, My Life as a Comrade, co-written with Manju Sara Rajan, former CEO of the Kochi Biennale Foundation and journalist, Shailaja writes about the course of her life that started in a small settlement in Malabar and eventually led her to a Cabinet position in the State government.
In this superb memoir, she tells her story – from her childhood as a shy, fearful girl, her days as a school teacher where she learnt the art of managing difficult students to her entry into politics leading to a tenure as Health Minister where she dealt with two terrifying epidemics.
Delhi Metro Introduces QR Code-based Paper Tickets for Travel on All Corridors
Delhi Metro passengers will now be able to buy QR code-based paper tickets for travel on all its lines, the DMRC said, describing it a move towards a more transparent and human intervention-free mechanism.
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation will gradually phase out the concept of physical tokens.
At present, in addition to a token, the commuters will be able to buy a QR code-based paper ticket from the station counter. The DMRC has upgraded its AFC (automatic fare collection) gates, and token or customer care counters, to support the new feature.
By the end of May, the transporter is also targeting to introduce mobile-based QR tickets to make travel in Delhi Metro more seamless, easy, and time-saving, eliminating the need for queuing up for tickets at stations' counters.
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