1. Deby Sworn in as Chad’s President, Names Allamaye Halina as PM
Tags: Person in news International News
Mahamat Idriss Deby was sworn in as President of Chad, succeeding his late father after serving three years as an interim leader under military rule.
An Overview of the News
Deby won the presidential election on May 6, 2024, and will serve a five-year term.
President Deby has appointed Allamaye Halina, Chad's former ambassador to China and former director general of state protocol, as the new Prime Minister of Chad.
Allamaye Halina replaces opposition leader Succes Masra, who resigned on May 22, 2024.
Succes Masra was appointed Prime Minister in January 2024.
About Chad
Chad, officially known as the Republic of Chad, is an independent state.
It is located at the crossroads of North and Central Africa.
Capital:- N'Djamena
Official languages:- French, Arabic
Currency:- Central African CFA franc
2. DD Kisan launches AI anchors Krish and Bhumi
Tags: Science and Technology National News
DD Kisan, the government TV channel, is set to introduce two AI anchors, AI Krish and AI Bhoomi.
An Overview of the News
The Agriculture Ministry announced the channel's revamp, scheduled for May 26th, promising a fresh presentation catering to India's farming community.
These AI anchors are equipped to communicate in fifty languages and deliver news tirelessly, 24/7, 365 days a year.
Viewers across all states of India will have access to these AI anchors, who will disseminate vital information on agricultural research, global trends, market updates from Krishi Mandis, weather forecasts, and details about government schemes.
The introduction of AI anchors signifies a new era for DD Kisan, enhancing its ability to educate and inform farmers across the nation.
DD Kisan:
It is an agriculture television channel, was established by the Government of India and falls under the ownership of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
Launched on May 26, 2015, DD Kisan serves as the primary channel under the Doordarshan umbrella, focusing solely on agricultural content.
This state-owned channel aims to cater specifically to the needs and interests of India's agricultural community, providing valuable information and resources.
About Doordarshan (DD)
It is India's state-owned public television broadcaster.
Established by the Government of India on September 15, 1959.
Owned by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and operated under Prasar Bharati.
One of India's largest broadcasting organizations with extensive studio and transmitter infrastructure.
Provides television, radio, online, and mobile services across metropolitan and regional India as well as overseas.
Broadcasts on digital terrestrial transmitters, ensuring wide coverage.
3. Nepal marks the 2568th Buddha Jayanti and Lumbini Day Celebrations
Tags: Important Days International News
The 2568th Buddha Jayanti and Lumbini Day was celebrated in Nepal on April 23 and devotees gathered at the Maya Devi Temple in Lumbini, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to celebrate the occasion.
An Overview of the News
Monks from India, Nepal, and China led ceremonies, chanting hymns and making offerings in the sacred garden of the Maya Devi Temple.
The atmosphere was filled with reverence as devotees participated in rituals to commemorate Buddha Jayanti.
A peace procession was organized in the morning, drawing participants from various social groups including monks, civilians, and school children from different institutions.
The procession aimed to promote peace and harmony, echoing the teachings of Buddha.
International Representation:
Ambassadors from countries like India, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam, along with representatives from international organizations like BIMSTEC, attended a program held at the Lumbini Conference Hall.
Government's Commitment:
Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' affirmed the government's dedication to fostering Buddha's teachings and promoting Lumbini as a global hub for peace and spiritual tourism.
Nepal's government is actively engaged in initiatives to develop Lumbini as a prominent religious destination, aiming to attract millions of Buddhist pilgrims and tourists worldwide.
About Nepal
Capital:- Kathmandu
Currency:- Nepalese Rupee
Official language:- Nepali
President:- Ram Chandra Poudel
Prime Minister:- Pushpa Kamal Dahal
4. Spain Joins International Solar Alliance as 99th Member
Tags: International News
Spain becomes the 99th member of the International Solar Alliance (ISA), marking its commitment to solar energy initiatives.
An Overview of the News
Spain handed over the International Solar Alliance Instrument of Ratification during a meeting in New Delhi.
The ratification was completed by Ambassador José María Ridao Domínguez of Spain and the Head of Depository, Joint Secretary Abhishek Singh of the External Affairs Ministry.
ISA's Objectives:
The International Solar Alliance (ISA) serves as a collaborative platform to boost the deployment of solar energy technologies.
Its primary goals include enhancing energy access, ensuring energy security, and driving energy transition in member countries.
Origin of ISA:
The ISA originated as a joint initiative by India and France to combat climate change by promoting solar energy solutions.
It was conceptualized during the 21st Conference of Parties (COP21) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change held in Paris in 2015.
About Spain
King - Felipe VI of Spain
Prime Minister - Pedro Sánchez
Capital - Madrid
Official language - Spanish
5. India-UK Hold 16th Counter-Terrorism Meeting in New Delhi
Tags: International Relations
The 16th meeting of the India-United Kingdom Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism took place in New Delhi.
An Overview of the News
The Indian delegation was led by K.D Dewal, Joint Secretary for Counter-Terrorism in the Ministry of External Affairs.
The UK delegation was led by Chris Felton, Head of the Counter Terrorism Network for Asia and Oceania, Government of the United Kingdom.
Discussions centered around ongoing counter-terrorism cooperation between India and the UK.
Both nations emphasized the importance of strengthening international cooperation to combat terrorism comprehensively and sustainably.
The External Affairs Ministry stated that both sides shared their assessments of terrorist and extremist threats in their respective territories and regions.
Discussions included threats posed by globally sanctioned terrorist entities and individuals.
United Kingdom:
It includes England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
It is an island nation located in northwestern Europe.
Capital and largest city - London
Prime Minister - Rishi Sunak
6. Cabinet approves India AI mission with Rs 10,372 crore funding
Tags: National News
The Cabinet approved the India AI Mission with a budget outlay of Rs 10,372 crore for five years.
An Overview of the News
This significant step is aimed at fostering the development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in India.
The Prime Minister's Vision:
The announcement resonates with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's emphasis on AI development in India.
India aims to become a substantial contributor in the global AI landscape under his leadership.
Infrastructure Development:
A large computing infrastructure will be established, comprising over 10,000 GPUs.
This infrastructure will provide the necessary computational power for AI research and development.
Access to Stakeholders:
Startups, academia, researchers, and industry players will have access to the AI supercomputing infrastructure.
This inclusivity aims to cultivate an AI ecosystem with diverse stakeholders contributing to innovation.
National Data Management Officer:
A National Data Management Officer will be appointed under the mission.
Their role will involve coordinating with government departments to enhance data quality and availability for AI development.
Visionary Goals:
The India AI Mission is aligned with the vision of "Making AI in India" and "Making AI Work for India."
It aims to demonstrate the positive societal impacts of advanced technology and enhance India's global competitiveness in AI.
7. Lawrence Wong Shyun Tsai Becomes Fourth Prime Minister of Singapore
Tags: Person in news International News
Lawrence Wong Shyun Tsai, a US-trained economist and former civil servant, was sworn in as Singapore's fourth Prime Minister on May 15, 2024.
An Overview of the News
Oath of Office: The oath was administered by the President of Singapore, Tharman Shanmugaratnam.
Predecessor: Wong succeeded Lee Hsien Loong, who served as Prime Minister from 2004 to 2024.
Leadership Role: Wong will lead the fourth generation People's Action Party (PAP) government, known as the 4G government, as both Prime Minister and Finance Minister.
Term Duration: He is expected to hold the post until the general election, which is set to be held by November 2025.
About Lawrence Wong
Political Career: Wong was first elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) in 2011.
Previous Positions:
Deputy Prime Minister
Minister in the Ministry of Culture, Community, and Youth
Minister in the Ministry of National Development
Minister in the Ministry of Education
Other Roles:
Deputy Chief Executive in the Energy Market Authority
Chairman of the Monetary Authority of Singapore
Co-chaired the Multi-Ministry Taskforce overseeing the government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic
About Singapore
President - Tharman Shanmugaratnam
Prime Minister - Lawrence Wong
Capital - Singapore
8. IAF Joins Forces with Uttarakhand Government for Bambi Bucket Operations
Tags: National State News
The Indian Air Force (IAF) collaborated with the Uttarakhand government to conduct Bambi Bucket operations.
An Overview of the News
Utilizing the Mi-17 V5 helicopter, the IAF engaged in combating forest fires in Nainital, Uttarakhand.
A total of 23 sorties were conducted, amounting to 11 and a half hours of operation.
Approximately 44,600 liters of water were utilized by the IAF in their efforts to extinguish the blazing fires in the mountains.
Bambi Bucket: A Revolutionary Tool
Inception: Introduced in 1983.
Inventor: Canadian Don Arney.
Functionality: Facilitates helicopters in transporting large water volumes beneath the aircraft.
Impact: Enables swift extinguishing of wildfires from the air.
Uttarakhand's 'Pirul Lao-Paise Pao' Campaign
Launch: Inaugurated on May 8, 2024, by Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami.
Campaign Oversight: Uttarakhand Pollution Control Board appointed to supervise.
Objective: Combating forest fires and forest devastation.
Operational Procedure:
Locals and youth collect dry pirul (pine tree leaves) from the forest.
Transport to designated collection centers.
Reward: Rs 50 per kilogram (kg) directly deposited into their bank accounts.
Purpose: Mitigating fire risk posed by pirul in Pine forests and utilizing them for productive purposes like electricity generation.
About Uttarakhand
Chief Minister: Pushkar Singh Dhami
Governor: Gurmit Singh
Capital: Dehradun
Wildlife Sanctuaries:
Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary
Benog Wildlife Sanctuary
Festivals:
Kangdali Festival
Uttarayani Mela or Uttarayani Fair
9. India, Iran Sign 10-Year Deal for Shahid Beheshti Port Terminal
Tags: International News
On May 13, 2024, India and Iran sealed a decade-long deal to manage the Shahid Beheshti Port Terminal at Chabahar Port, Iran, promoting regional connectivity and trade relations.
An Overview of the News
The agreement was inked between India Ports Global Limited (IPGL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of India Ports Global Chabahar Free Zone (IPGCFZ), and the Port and Maritime Organisation (PMO) of Iran.
Notable figures present during the signing were Sarbananda Sonowal, Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways of the Government of India (GoI), and Mehrdad Bazrpash, Minister of Roads and Urban Development of Iran.
Under the terms, IPGL is set to invest around USD 120 million to upgrade the port facilities.
Additionally, India has extended a credit line of USD 250 million for joint ventures aimed at bolstering infrastructure associated with Chabahar.
Background
In May 2015, India and Iran inked an inter-Governmental memorandum of understanding (MoU) to facilitate the development of the Chabahar port.
The contract for the port's development was finalized in May 2016, coinciding with the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Iran.
Under a tripartite agreement known as the Chahbahar Agreement, signed in May 2016 among India, Iran, and Afghanistan, India undertook the development of the Shahid Beheshti terminal as part of its commitment to the project.
Chabahar Port
Chabahar Port, situated in the Sistan-Baluchistan province of South Eastern Iran, comprises two major ports: Shahid Kalantari and Shahid Beheshti.
The project is a joint initiative between India and Iran, designed to facilitate trade by serving as a crucial transit port for Afghanistan and landlocked Central Asian nations.
India views Chabahar Port as strategically significant, offering a shorter and more accessible trade route that bypasses Pakistan, easing commerce with Central Asian countries.
Chabahar Port is integral to the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) project, a multi-modal transportation initiative spanning 7,200 kilometers. It aims to streamline freight movement between India, Iran, Afghanistan, Russia, Central Asia, and Europe.
About Iran:
President: Ebrahim Raisi
Capital: Tehran
Currency: Iranian Rial
10. ICG signs MoU with Hindalco for indigenous marine-grade aluminum
Tags: National
The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Hindalco Industries Limited.
An Overview of the News
The collaboration aims at producing and supplying indigenous marine-grade aluminium for ship construction in Indian public and private shipyards.
Benefits of the MoU:
Quarterly pricing, priority in supplies, and turnover discounts are among the benefits outlined in the MoU.
The agreement aims to facilitate better planning and cost management for shipbuilding projects by ensuring stable and predictable pricing over time.
Enhancing Fleet Capability:
Currently, the ICG fleet comprises 67 ships with aluminium hulls capable of operating in shallow waters.
The plan includes introducing more vessels using indigenously made marine-grade aluminium to bolster coastal security efforts.
Key Entities Involved:
The Indian Coast Guard is an Armed Force, Search and Rescue, and Maritime Law Enforcement agency under the Ministry of Defence.
Hindalco Industries Limited is the metals flagship company of the Aditya Birla Group.
