1. Audi appoints Gernot Dollner as new CEO of the Management Board
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Audi appoints Gernot Dollner as new CEO of the Management Board
German luxury car maker Audi AG has appointed Gernot Dollner as the new CEO of the management board.
An Overview of the News
Gernot Dollner, who currently heads Volkswagen Group's product and group strategy, will replace Markus Deussmann as chairman of the management board of Audi AG with effect from September 1, 2023.
The appointment of Gernot Dollner is part of Audi's strategy to strengthen its product strategy and market position.
Audi AG,
It is headquartered in Ingolstadt, Bavaria, Germany.
It is a renowned German automotive manufacturer specializing in luxury vehicles.
Audi AG operates under its parent organization, the Volkswagen Group.
Balbir Singh Dhillon heads Audi India, which represents the brand in the Indian market.
2. IPS officer Ajay Bhatnagar appointed Special Director in CBI
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Ajay Bhatnagar, a senior IPS officer of the 1989 batch from Jharkhand cadre, has been appointed as the Special Director in the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) as per a Personnel Ministry order.
An overview of the news
Currently serving as Additional Director in the CBI, Bhatnagar will hold the position of Special Director until his superannuation on November 20, 2024.
Anurag, who was previously Joint Director in the CBI, has been promoted to the role of Additional Director in the agency for a period until July 24, 2023, which completes his seven-year tenure.
Manoj Sashidhar, a 1994 batch IPS officer from Gujarat cadre, has been appointed as Additional Director in the CBI for a three-year term. He is currently serving as Joint Director in the agency.
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has granted an extension in the deputation tenure of Sharad Agarwal, Joint Director of the CBI, for one year beyond May 31, 2023.
The Central Bureau of Investigation plays a crucial role in tackling high-profile cases, maintaining national security, and upholding the rule of law in India.
The appointments and extensions in the CBI are part of the ongoing efforts to strengthen the agency's capabilities and ensure its effectiveness in serving the nation's interests.
3. UN chief appoints Xu Haoliang of China as deputy head of UNDP
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UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has announced the appointment of Xu Haoliang from China as the new Undersecretary-General and Associate Administrator of the UN Development Programme (UNDP).
An overview of the news
Xu Haoliang will succeed Usha Rao-Monari from India in this role.
Xu has been serving as the UN Assistant Secretary-General and Director of the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support at the UNDP since 2019.
Prior to that, from 2013 to 2019, he held the position of UNDP Assistant Administrator and Director of the Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific.
He has worked in various capacities within the United Nations, undertaking assignments both in the field and at headquarters in regions such as Asia-Pacific, Europe, and Central Asia.
Before joining the United Nations, Xu worked in the field of civil engineering in China and the United States.
His academic qualifications include a bachelor's degree in engineering from Tongji University in China, a master's degree in management science from the Stevens Institute of Technology in the United States, and a master's degree in international affairs from Columbia University.
Xu is proficient in Chinese, English, and Russian.
About The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
It is the leading agency of the United Nations.
It works to eradicate poverty and reduce inequality in 170 countries and territories.
It helps countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities, and to build resilience to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
Its work is concentrated in three focus areas; sustainable development, democratic governance and peace building, and climate and disaster resilience.
4. Indian-origin Aarti Holla-Maini appointed as director of UNOOSA
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Indian-origin satellite industry expert Aarti Holla-Maini has been appointed as the Director of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
An Overview of the News
UNOOSA also focuses on the effective application of space science and technology to promote sustainable economic and social progress.
The Vienna-based UNOOSA plays a key role in facilitating international cooperation for space-related activities. His appointment follows the tenure of Italy's Simonetta Di Pippo.
The primary objective of UNOOSA is to promote global cooperation in the peaceful exploration and uses of outer space.
United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA):
It promotes and facilitates peaceful international cooperation in outer space.
UNOOSA aims to establish or strengthen the legal and regulatory framework for space activities.
It helps developing countries to harness space science and technology for sustainable socio economic development.
It was established in 1958 to aid and advise the Ad Hoc Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS).
COPUOS was created by the United Nations General Assembly to discuss the scientific and legal aspects of space exploration and uses.
UNOOSA serves as an advisory body to the Standing Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space.
UNOOSA has undergone structural changes and in 1993 it was transferred to the United Nations Office in Vienna, Austria.
5. Michael Mibach Joins US ISPF Board of Directors
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Mastercard CEO Michael Meibach joined the board of directors of the US-India Strategic and Partnership Forum (US ISPF).
An Overview of the News
US ISPF serves as an important forum for business and government leaders to advance the next phase of growth in the US-India partnership.
The strategic alliance aims to promote cooperation in various fields and the growth and development of the economies.
The partnership between the United States and India aims to foster innovation, drive digital transformation, and address global challenges.
About US ISPF
This is Washington D.C. and is the only independent non-profit organisation in New Delhi dedicated to strengthening the US-India partnership.
It is a trusted partner to businesses, non-profit organisations, the Indian diaspora, and the governments of India and the United States.
US ISPF is committed to building the most powerful partnership between the United States and India.
It actively promotes trade, investment and economic cooperation between the two countries.
The forum facilitates high-level dialogues, conferences, and events involving key stakeholders from the United States and India.
US ISPF focuses on key sectors such as technology, energy, healthcare, manufacturing and agriculture.
6. DBS Bank India appoints Rajat Verma as Managing Director
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DBS Bank India appointed Rajat Verma as the Managing Director and Head of Institutional Banking in India.
An Overview of the News
Rajat Verma joins DBS Bank India from HSBC India, where he held the position of Managing Director and Country Head of Commercial Banking in India.
Neeraj Mittal, the previous Head of Institutional Banking at DBS Bank India, has moved to a new role as Country Head of DBS Bank in Australia.
In his new role, Mittal will focus on expanding the DBS franchise in Australia as well as strengthening the bank's relationships with South-East Asia and South Asia.
DBS Bank Limited:
It is a Singaporean multinational banking and financial services corporation.
It is headquartered in the Marina Bay Financial Center in the Marina Bay district of Singapore.
The bank was formerly known as The Development Bank of Singapore Limited.
On 21 July 2003, the bank adopted the name DBS to reflect its global role.
DBS Bank is one of Singapore's "big three" banks,along with OCBC Bank and UOB.
Its major markets include China, India, Indonesia, Hong Kong and Taiwan.
DBS Bank offers a wide range of banking and financial services.
Its services include retail banking, wealth management, corporate banking, investment banking, trade finance, treasury and market services, and insurance solutions.
7. Alappuzha doctor K Venugopal selected for IMA award
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Dr K Venugopal, a doctor at Alappuzha's General Hospital, has been honored by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) for his contribution to the medical field.
An Overview of the News
The award was instituted by the IMA on the occasion of National Doctor's Day.
Dr K Venugopal has been selected for the award in the category of community service.
He is Chief Consultant in Respiratory Medicine at General Hospital, Alappuzha (city in Kerala).
The award ceremony will be held on July 1, 2023 at the IMA Headquarters in New Delhi.
About National Doctor's Day
National Doctor's Day has been celebrated on 1st July in India for the last 32 years.
It is celebrated in the honour of Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy, a renowned physician, politician, freedom fighter and education advocate.
The theme for National Doctor's Day 2022 was "Family Doctors on the Front Line".
Indian Medical Association:
Establishment - 1928
Headquarters - New Delhi
President - Sahajanand Prasad Singh
8. Greece’s centre-right leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis sworn in as Prime Minister
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Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the leader of Greece's centre-right New Democracy party, was sworn in as Prime Minister for a second term on 26th June.
An overview of the news
The swearing-in ceremony took place at the presidential palace in the presence of the leader of the Greek Orthodox Church, following the country's tradition.
Mitsotakis expressed his gratitude for the strong mandate given to him by the voters and pledged to accelerate institutional and economic reforms.
He emphasized that major reforms would be implemented rapidly, and he had ambitious targets for his next four years in power that could bring transformative changes to Greece.
With 99.67 percent of the vote counted, New Democracy secured 40.55 percent of the vote, more than twice the percentage obtained by the main opposition party, Syriza.
Under the new electoral law that prioritizes the first party, New Democracy secured a comfortable majority of 158 seats in the 300-member Parliament, while Syriza obtained 48 seats.
Kyriakos Mitsotakis, aged 55 and a Harvard graduate, comes from a prominent political family in Greece, with his father serving as Prime Minister in the 1990s and his sister and nephew also holding political positions.
About Greece
Greece is the southernmost of the countries of the Balkan Peninsula.
Greece has more than 2,000 islands, of which about 170 are inhabited.
President - Katerina N. Sakellaropoulou
Prime Minister - Kyriakos Mitsotakis
Capital - Athens
Currency - euro
9. Shankar Mahadevan receives honorary doctorate in UK
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Singer-composer Shankar Mahadevan received an honorary doctorate from Birmingham City University (BCU) in England.
An Overview of the News
Shankar Mahadevan's honorary doctorate is in recognition of his significant contribution to the field of music and the arts.
Shankar Mahadevan is 56 years old and a prominent member of the music composition trio Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy.
He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Professor Philip Plowden, Vice-Chancellor of Birmingham City University.
The ceremony took place in Birmingham.
United Kingdom:
It is an island nation located in northwestern Europe. It consists of four countries: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Capital - London
Prime Minister - Rishi Sunak
Emperor - Charles III
10. Cristiano Ronaldo receives Guinness World Record award
Tags: Person in news Sports News
Portugal's star footballer Cristiano Ronaldo has made another big record. Ronaldo has become the first football player in history to play 200 international matches.
An overview of the news
The 38-year-old Ronaldo set this record as soon as he was named in the playing XI against Iceland in the 2024 Euro Cup qualifying match.
The Guinness World Records team honored Ronaldo for this record before the match.
In the match held in Iceland's capital Reykjavik, Ronaldo scored a goal in the 89th minute and gave the team a 1–0 victory over Iceland.
With this win, Portugal have retained the top spot in Group J with wins from all four matches they have played so far.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo made his international debut for Portugal on 20 August 2003.
Now even after almost 20 years, this player is not only playing matches but is also playing an important role in helping his team win.
Ronaldo also holds the record for most international goals with 123 goals.
Player with most international matches
Kuwait's Bader Al-Mutawa is in second place in terms of playing most international matches, who has played a total of 196 matches so far.
Malaysia's Soh Chin Ain is third with 195 matches.
Lionel Messi of Argentina is joint 11th with 175 matches.
Team India captain Sunil Chhetri tops the list playing 137 international matches for India.
