G7 Leaders Agree to Lend Ukraine $50 bn Using Frozen Russian Assets as Collateral
A Group of Seven summit opened with a pact reached on a US proposal to back a $50 billion loan to Ukraine using frozen Russian assets as collateral, giving Kyiv a strong show of support even as Europe's political chessboard shifts to the right.
Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni welcomed the heads of state of the G7 leading industrialised nations to a luxury resort in southern Italy, saying she wanted the message of the meeting to be one of dialogue with the global south and unity. She likened the G7 to the ancient olive trees that are a symbol of the Puglia region, "with their solid roots, and branches projected toward the future".
Three States Seek Shrinking of Eco-sensitive Areas in Western Ghats
Karnataka, Maharashtra and Goa, three of the six states where the Centre proposed eco-sensitive areas (ESA) to protect the Western Ghats, have sought a reduction in the extent of these ESAs to allow development works.
The states flagged the need for rationalisation of these ESAs, spread over 56,825 sq km in the Ghats in their discussions with an expert panel appointed by the Centre to finalise a draft notification. The current draft is in the fifth iteration, with its first version issued in March 2014. And with a consensus elusive so far, the latest draft notification, published in July 2022, is set to expire, too.
An expert committee will submit its report to the Environment Ministry by September despite a June-end deadline. While the panel will consider the states' demands, it will stick to the principles of ecological protection and follow a uniform approach.
The panel, headed by Sanjay Kumar, former Director General of Forests, and comprising members from the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, and the Indian Institute of Remote Sensing, was appointed in July 2022.
It has since held multiple meetings with officials from the six Western Ghat states — Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu — besides seeking inputs from Geological Survey of India, National Institute of Hydrology, Forest Survey of India and Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology.
Prem Prabhakar Appointed MD and CEO of SBICAP Ventures Limited
SBICAP Ventures Limited (SVL) named Prem Prabhakar as its new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer. With over 24 years of extensive banking experience, Prabhakar joined SVL from State Bank of India (SBI), where he held various senior roles including General Manager and Chief Dealer. His expertise in treasury operations and strategic leadership will guide SVL in achieving its growth objectives and enhancing investor relations.
Infosys in Top 100 most Valuable Global Brands
Information technology company Infosys was ranked among the 100 most valuable brands in the world, for the third consecutive year, by leading marketing data and analytics business Kantar.
Infosys was ranked as the 74th most valuable brand in the world and ranked as 20th most valuable global B2B (business-to-business) technology brand.
Infosys was recognised for its capabilities in domains like enterprise artificial intelligence (AI) where emerging technologies like generative AI and foundational technologies like cloud. Infosys' investments are paying rich dividends and has nurtured sub-brands such as Infosys Topaz for generative AI-powered solutions and Infosys Cobalt for enterprise cloud.
Rajib Kumar Mishra Ceases to be Chairman of PFS after SEBI's Order
Rajib Kumar Mishra ceased to be Chairman of PTC India Financial Services Ltd (PFS) as well as CMD of PTC India Ltd following the order passed by market regulator SEBI that restrained him from holding the director's post for six months.
PFS, promoted by PTC India Ltd, is a non-deposit-taking NBFC classified as an infrastructure finance company.
Mishra held office in PFS in the capacity of chairman and non-executive director and was also holding the position of Chairman & Managing Director of PTC India Ltd.
Wipro Launches Lab45 AI Platform to Boost Efficiency Across Business Functions
Wipro launched its Lab45 AI platform, designed to leverage generative AI (GenAI), machine learning (ML), and deep learning technologies to enhance efficiencies and transform business functions across industries. The platform is available to all Wipro employees and clients, running on a software-as-a-service (SaaS) model and supporting various state-of-the-art large language models (LLMs) from leading providers, as well as custom deep-learning models.
The platform allows seamless integration of language and visual processing for generating images from text prompts, as well as the ability to index, parse, and summarise content.
Divya Deshmukh Wins World Junior Girls' Chess Championship
Divya Deshmukh of India outclassed Bulgaria's Beloslava Krasteva and clinched the title in the World Junior Girls' Chess Championship.
With this win Divya, an International Master, ended the tournament with 10 points out of a possible 11, half-point ahead of the second-placed Mariam Mkrtchyan of Armenia at the Gift City.
The third place went to Ayan Allahverdiyeva of Azerbaijan, who scored a victory over Norman Kseniya of Russia to reach 8.5 points.
Rider Shruti 1st Indian to Win 3-star GP Event
Shruti Vora became the first Indian rider to win a three-star Grand Prix event, the Equestrian Federation of India (EFI) announced.
Shruti scored 67.761 points in the CDI-3 event held in Lipica, Slovenia. The Indian finished ahead of Moldova's Tatiana Antonenco (Aachen), who scored 66.522. Austria's Juliane Jerich (Quarter Girl) completed the top-3 with a score of 66.087.
Pema Khandu Takes Oath as Arunachal CM for Third Time in Row
BJP leader Pema Khandu was sworn in as Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister for the third consecutive term at Itanagar. Chowna Mein secured the Deputy Chief Minister's position again and a total of 10 other ministers were inducted into the Cabinet.
Elected leaders Ojing Tasing, Kento Jini, Balo Raja, Mama Natung, Dasanglu Pul, Pasang Dorjee Sona, Gabriel Denwang Wangsu, Wangki Lowang, Nyato Dukam and Biyuram Wahge took oath as Cabinet Ministers in the ceremony held at Dorjee Khandu Convention Hall. Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP president J. P. Nadda were present at the event held at Dorjee Khandu Convention Hall.
Former IAS Officer P. K. Mishra to Continue as Principal Secretary to PM Modi
Former IAS officer P. K. Mishra was re-appointed as the Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. His appointment will be co-terminus with the term of the Prime Minister or until further orders whichever is earlier.
Principal Secretary is a post in state governments and the central government of India. The position holder is generally a senior Indian Administrative Service officer or other senior civil servants. Principal Secretaries generally are the administrative heads of departments in a state government.
He is the 13th and current Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi. He is a 1972 batch Indian Administrative Service officer belonging to Gujarat cadre. During 2001–2004, Mishra has also served as the Principal Secretary to Narendra Modi, when he was the Chief Minister of Gujarat.
Arrest Warrant Issued against Yediyurappa in POCSO Case
The fast track court (POCSO court) issued an arrest warrant against B. S. Yediyurappa, the 19th Chief Minister of Karnataka, in a case registered against him on March 14 under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012.
The octogenarian is accused of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl who had come to him with her mother seeking his help in February.
With the arrest warrant issued now, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) probing the case will move to arrest the BJP leader.
Yediyurappa, meanwhile, has filed two separate petitions in the High Court of Karnataka, one seeking anticipatory bail and seeking stay of the investigation and for quashing of the complaint by claiming that he was "falsely implicated" and there is no ingredients of offences alleged against him in the first information report (FIR).
Ajit Doval Reappointed as National Security Adviser (NSA)
The Narendra Modi-led central government reappointed former IPS officer Ajit Doval as the National Security Adviser (NSA) and former IAS officer P. K. Mishra as the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister.
The appointments of both the officials are co-terminus with the term of PM Modi or until further orders.
Doval, a 1968 batch IPS officer was first appointed India's National Security Advisor to the Prime Minister in May 2014, after the Narendra Modi government came to power. He was re-appointed as the NSA in the 2nd term of the Modi government starting in 2019.
As NSA, Ajit Doval would head the National Security Council (NSC), whose primary role is to advise the PM on issues related to national and international security.
Doval joined the Indian Police Service (IPS) in 1968 and received the Kirti Chakra in 1988 for his distinguished services.
In addition, Doval was the youngest officer to receive the Indian Police Medal.
Notably, the post of NSA was created for the first time in 1998 when nuclear tests were conducted for the second time in the country.
NSG to Set Up Units in Ayodhya, Pathankot and Kerala
National Security Guards (NSG) will soon create its units in Ayodhya, Pathankot and Kerala. Confirming the development, a senior officer said that the process was in the pipeline for some time. The unit in Ayodhya will get operational in the next couple of months and the other two by the end of this year.
These units will help local police and other CAPF units in capacity building and lessen the response time for NSG in case of any adverse situation.
Notably, Ram Temple in Ayodhya which was inaugurated in January this year is among sensitive installations in India and is said to be on the radar of various terror outfits.
The decision to set up NSG hubs in Pathankot and Kerala comes after keeping in view the strategic importance of the border district Pathankot and Kerala transforming into a haven for fundamentalist forces and logistics hub for pan-Islamic terrorist groups.
Russia and Belarus Conduct Tactical Nuclear Weapons Drills amid Tensions with West
Russia and Belarus have commenced the second stage of joint drills focused on tactical nuclear weapons, aimed at bolstering readiness and deterring Western support for Ukraine. These exercises, initiated by Moscow in response to perceived provocations from Western officials, underline the Kremlin's strategic stance amid heightened tensions.
The drills, announced last month (May 2024) by Russia's Defence Ministry, are a direct response to what Russian authorities describe as provocative actions and statements from the United States and its European allies. The first phase concentrated on nuclear mission preparation and deployment logistics, while the current exercises involve training in the use of non-strategic nuclear weapons in combat scenarios.
Every year on June 14, the world celebrates World Blood Donor Day, an occasion dedicated to recognising the critical role of voluntary blood donors.
The World Health Assembly unanimously declared June 14 as World Blood Donor Day. This day was established in order to emphasize the importance of safe blood donation and to ensure a stable supply of blood for the healthcare industry. The day also serves as a reminder of the crucial role played by blood donors in maintaining the health and well-being of communities around the world.
The theme for World Blood Donor Day 2024 is '20 years of celebrating giving: thank you blood donors!'
Rapid Test for Urinary Tract Infections Wins Longitude Prize
A high-tech, rapid point-of-care test for UTIs (Urinary Tract Infection), PA-100 AST System, developed by the Sweden-based in vitro diagnostic company, Sysmex Astrego won the £10 million Longitude Prize on Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) prize.
Of the 10-million-pound Longitude Prize, £2 million was awarded to various innovators to refine their technology and the final winner receives £8 million.
The winner, PA-100 AST System, is a high-tech, transformative, rapid, point-of-care test for UTIs that is seen as a game changer in the diagnostic sphere.
The winner of the Longitude Prize is set to spearhead the list of emerging rapid diagnostic technologies in a transformative manner.
UGC Announces New Fee Refund Policy for Higher Education Institutions
Amid ongoing grievances from students and parents over Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) failing to refund fees upon admission cancellations or withdrawals, the University Grants Commission (UGC) unveiled a robust fee refund policy for the academic session 2024-25.
During its 580th meeting, the UGC decided that HEIs must provide a full refund of fees for all cancellations or migrations of students up to September 30. A nominal processing fee of no more than Rs 1,000 will be deducted for refunds processed up to October 31, 2024.
This policy applies to all HEIs established or incorporated under Central or State Acts, as well as those recognised by the UGC under Section 2(f) of the University Grants Commission Act, 1956.
It also includes institutions deemed to be universities under Section 3 of the same Act, and all HEIs affiliated with a university.
In a significant move to enhance research culture, innovation, and technical education, the Chairman of the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), Prof. T.G. Sitharam, officially launched the AICTE Post-Doctoral Fellowship (PDF) Scheme for 2024.
Prof. Sitharam highlighted the scheme's goal of fostering a robust research culture and advancing knowledge within AICTE-approved institutions.
The scheme will award 200 fellowships annually. The fellowship tenure is initially one year with extension of one more year. The scheme covers all areas under the purview of AICTE including Engineering and Technology, Management, Design, Planning, Applied Arts, Crafts and Design, Applied Sciences, Computer Application, Hotel Management and Catering Technology, and Interdisciplinary Areas.
IIT Kharagpur Appoints Rintu Banerjee as Institute's First Woman Deputy Director
Rintu Banerjee was appointed as the Deputy Director of the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur. Banerjee, as per a statement, is the first woman to take over the charge of this position. With a career spanning various important portfolios, she has made significant contributions in the field of biotechnology.
Banerjee is the founder head and is presently the chairperson of P. K. Sinha Centre for Bioenergy and Renewables. She has also served as the Head of the Centre for Rural Development, Innovative and Sustainable Technology and Head of the Department of Agricultural & Food Engineering at IIT Kharagpur for three years.
'Billy and Molly: An Otter Love Story' to Open Mumbai Film Festival
National Geographic's documentary, 'Billy and Molly, An Otter Love Story', will kick off the screenings at the 18th Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF) in Mumbai. MIFF is scheduled to be held from June 15 to 21, 2024 in Mumbai. The opening film will be screened simultaneously in Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai and Pune on June 15. The film will also be screened during the Red Carpet event in Delhi on June 17, Chennai on June 18, Kolkata on June 19, and Pune on June 20.
Directed by Charlie Hamilton James is a heart-warming story about a man who forms an unlikely friendship with a wild otter while living in a remote Shetland Islands.
The Mumbai International Film Festival for documentary, short and animation films (MIFF) is a festival organized in the city of Mumbai (formerly Bombay) by the Films Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. It was started in 1990, and focuses on documentary, short fiction and animation films.
The festival aims to provide a platform for documentary and short film makers from all over the world to meet, exchange ideas and explore possibilities of co-production and marketing of documentary, short and animation films.
This biennial festival is traditionally held at the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA), Mumbai.
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