1. Presidential poll : Value of vote of MPs likely to go down to 700 from 708
Tags: Latest National News
The vote value of a Member of Parliament is likely to drop from 708 to 700 in the Presidential elections to be held in July due to the absence of the Legislative Assembly in Jammu and Kashmir.
The term of the current President Ram Nath Kovind is ending on July 24.
The value of an MP's vote in the presidential election is based on the number of members elected in the Legislative Assemblies of the States and Union Territories, including Delhi, Puducherry and Jammu and Kashmir.
The Electoral College for the election of the President consists of members of the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha and the Legislative Assemblies of states and union territories, including Delhi, Puducherry and Jammu and Kashmir.
Before being bifurcated into the two union territories of Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir in August 2019, the state of Jammu and Kashmir had 83 assembly seats.
The value of vote of a Member of Parliament
Since the 1997 presidential election the value of a Member of Parliament vote has been fixed at 708.
For the first presidential election in 1952, the value of a Member of Parliament's vote was 494.
This increased marginally to 496 in the 1957 presidential election, followed by 493 (1962), 576 (1967 and 1969).
Presidential elections were held in 1969 due to the death of President Zakir Hussain on 3 May 1969.
The value of an MP's vote in the 1974 presidential election was 723.
It was set to 702 for the presidential elections from 1977 to 1992.
Electing the President
The provisions for the election of the President are laid down in Article 54 of the Constitution of India.
This constitutional provision has been established by the Presidential and Vice-Presidential Election Act 1952.
The President of India has been recognized as the country's first citizen and head of state.
2. 'Asani' turns into severe cyclonic storm, Odisha and West Bengal on alert
Tags: Latest National News
Cyclone 'Asani' formed over the southeast Bay of Bengal intensified into a severe cyclonic storm on Sunday evening.
According to the India Meteorological Department, 'Asani' has turned into a 'severe' cyclonic storm, moving towards the east coast at a speed of 95-105 kmph.
Due to Asani, three states of West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha are expected to be affected where the Meteorological Department has been alerted.
Important facts
Asani means “wrath” in Sinhalese.
The list of names of cyclones was released in 2020 with 169 names, which included 13 names from 13 countries.
The cyclone that will form after Asani will be called Sitrang, and the name has been given by Thailand.
Ghurni, Probaho, Jhar and Murasu are the upcoming names of cyclones from India.
Other cyclonic storms’ names include Biparjoy (Bangladesh), Asif (Saudi Arabia), Diksam (Yemen) and Toofan (Iran) and Shakti (Sri Lanka).
Names from India that have been used already include Gati, Megh, Akash.
Other designations that have been used earlier included Ogni, Helen and Fani from Bangladesh; and Laila, Nargis and Bulbul from Pakistan.
There are six Regional Specialised Meteorological Centres (RSMCs) and five Regional Tropical Cyclone Warning Centres around the world, responsible for issuing advisories and naming cyclonic storms.
The naming of cyclones in the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea began in September 2004.
3. G7 countries pledge to phase out imports of Russian oil
Tags: Russia-Ukraine International News
The Group of Seven (G7) countries have pledged to ban or phase out Russian oil imports over the Ukraine dispute.
The announcement came as the G7 held its third meeting this year via video conference, which was also attended by Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The meeting was called to discuss support for Ukraine, and additional measures against Moscow, including on energy.
G7 leaders have personally criticised President Vladimir Putin for his actions in Ukraine.
The leaders celebrated the end of World War II in Europe following the surrender of German forces to the Allied Powers on 9 May 1945.
Russia has been accused of violating international rules-based order, in particular the United Nations Charter.
All participants were called upon to join the G7's support for the Ukrainian people and refugees and help rebuild Ukraine.
About G7
The G7 or the Group of Seven is a group of the seven most advanced economies.
The seven countries are Canada, the USA, UK, France, Germany, Japan and Italy.
It was formed in 1975.
G7 countries meet annually to discuss issues of common interest like global economic governance, international security and energy policy.
All the G7 countries and India are a part of G20.
The G7 does not have a fixed headquarters.
The UK currently chairs the G7 and has invited India along with Australia, the Republic of Korea and South Africa as guest countries for the G7 summit.
4. Sri Lankan president declares state of emergency for second time
Tags: Latest International News
Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa declared a state of emergency for the second time in five weeks on 6 May. Extensive powers have been given to the security forces.
Trade Unions halted public transport, blaming Rajapaksa for the economic crisis.
There has been unrest in Sri Lanka for several weeks due to the economic crisis.
As street protests intensified in Sri Lanka, Gotabaya first declared a state of emergency on 1 April, as citizens went through an economic crunch for food, fuel and medicines.
Process of declaring an Emergency in Sri Lanka
The power to declare a state of Emergency is vested in the President.
It is imposed under Article 155 of the Constitution of Sri Lanka.
The Public Security Ordinance (PSO) of 1947 provides the legal framework for a proclamation of emergency.
Under the Ordinance, a state of emergency may be declared "where the President is of the opinion that it is expedient to do so in the interest of public safety and the preservation of public order."
Emergency rules are valid for one month, but the President must seek ratification every 14 days for proclamations or extensions beyond one month.
Causes of economic crisis in Srilanka
Organic agricultural policy cut the government’s tax revenue.
Policy failure
COVID-19 hit Sri Lanka’s key foreign revenue earning sectors
Fast draining foreign reserves, a glaring trade deficit, and a related Balance of Payments problem.
Huge foreign loan and the drop in domestic production
The value of the Sri Lankan rupee has fallen to 300 against the US dollar, putting importers in trouble.
5. Rooftop solar energy panels to be set up in all CAPF establishments
Tags: National News
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI) in New Delhi on 6 May 2022, in order to realise the objectives of green energy and the efforts of the Government of India towards a carbon-neutral economy.
This umbrella MoU envisages cooperation between the two sides for jointly setting up solar rooftop PV power plants.
The move will help generate up to 71.68 MW of solar power and facilitate the use of green energy in a large number of security installations across India.
There are around 10 lakh personnel in CAPFs - CRPF, BSF, CISF, ITBP and SSB and they are deployed in different areas of security in different parts of the country.
Based on the available data, SECI has estimated a total solar power capacity of 71.68 MW in the campuses of CAPFs and NSG.
The SECI has expertise in the field of solar power projects.
6. PM Modi urges people to participate in Logo Design Contest for G-20 Presidency of India
Tags: Popular National News
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged people to participate in the logo design competition for the G-20 Presidency of India.
He said, it is a special competition which celebrates the creativity of the youth of the country.
The logo design competition window is open to the participants from today till 7th of next month.
The Ministry of External Affairs has invited logo designs for the upcoming G20 Presidency of India.
The first winner will get a prize of one lakh 50 thousand rupees and the next five best entries will receive 15 thousand rupees each.
The logo design should include artistic expressions of colour combination and arrangement in the national tricolour.
About G-20
The "Group of 20" (G20) is made up of finance ministers and central bank governors from 19 countries and the European Union.
Member countries - Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Republic of Korea, Turkey, United Kingdom and United States of America.
It is a major forum for international economic cooperation.
The G20 plays a strategic role in achieving future global economic growth and prosperity.
Origins of the G-20
In the wake of the 1997 economic crisis, the G7 finance ministers announced the creation of a "Group of 20".
The first official meeting of the G20 was held in Berlin in December 1999.
G-20 leaders have met every year since 2010.
Contribution of G -20
G20 member countries represent more than 80% of world GDP, 75% of international trade and 60% of the world's population.
Presidency of G -20
Its presidency rotates with each member country.
India will hold the Presidency of the G-20, for the first time, from 1st December 2022 to 30 November 2023 culminating in the G-20 Summit in 2023.
7. India's first Regional Rapid Transit System train
Tags: National News
The first train of the 'Regional Rapid Transit System' (RRTS) was handed over to the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) on May 7 at a function in Savli, Gujarat.
These state-of-the-art RRTS trains are being manufactured in the country under the 'Make in India' initiative at Alstom's factory in Savli, Gujarat.
Alstom is a French multinational company that acquired Bombardier Transportation early last year.
The Canadian-German company Bombardier built the Metro car for the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation.
The RRTS trains are capable of running at a top speed of 180 kilometre per hour.
The train set will be brought to the Duhai depot in Uttar Pradesh and will be maintained and operated from there.
The fully air-conditioned train comes with several modern commuter-centric features including cushioned seating, laptop-mobile charging, luggage racks and dynamic route-maps.
About NCRTC
National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) is a joint venture company of the Government of India and the states of Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan and UP under the administrative control of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
It is empowered to implement the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) project in NCR of India.
It ensures balanced and sustainable urban development through better connectivity and accessibility.
8. India gets its 100th unicorn startup
Tags: National News
The unicorn wave in India has reached an all-time high and the Neobank Open has become the 100th Unicorn in the country.
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry said that one in every 10 unicorns produced globally is from India.
Neobank startup, Open has become the 100th unicorn in India with the latest funding of $50 million from IIFL along with existing investors.
The Indian startup ecosystem is the third largest in the world in terms of number of unicorns.
India is now home to 100 unicorns, with a total value of $332.7 billion.
According to the ministry, in the first four months of 2022, India has generated 14 unicorns with a total valuation of $18.9 billion.
The year 2021 saw a huge jump in the number of unicorns, with a total of 44 startups entering the unicorn club throughout the year, with a total value of $93 billion.
Since the launch of the Startup India initiative on 16 January 2016, more than 69,000 startups have been recognized in the country till 2 May 2022.
What is a Unicorn?
A unicorn is any privately owned firm that has a market capitalization of more than $1 billion.
The term unicorn was first coined by venture capitalist Aileen Lee in 2013.
Some popular unicorns include SpaceX, Robinhood, and Instacart.
There are over 1,000 unicorn companies around the world as of March 2022.
9. India's first Flow Chemistry Technology Hub (FCT Hub)
Tags: National News
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India's first Flow Chemistry Technology Hub (FCT Hub) has been established at Dr. Reddy's Institute of Life Sciences (DRILS), Hyderabad.
This Centre of Excellence has been set up by the Government of Telangana in partnership with Dr. Reddy's Laboratories and Laurus Labs.
The centre will provide practical training and promote scientific capacity building.
This hub will ensure greater incorporation of flow chemistry techniques into pharma R&D and greater adoption of continuous synthesis for manufacturing of Active Pharma Ingredients (APIs).
Hyderabad, the capital city of Telangana, is regarded as the life sciences capital of India and an important life sciences hub in Asia Pacific.
Hyderabad contributes about 35% of India's total pharmaceutical production.
Hyderabad has more than 800 pharmaceutical companies, hosting the largest number of USFDA approved facilities globally.
10. Ukraine and Britain (UK) have signed a preferential trade agreement
Tags: International News
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Ukraine and Britain (UK) have signed a preferential trade agreement for the abolition of import duties and tariff quotas.
By signing this agreement Ukraine and the UK have legally abolished import duties and tariff quotas in bilateral trade.
The Preferential Trade Agreement will be valid for 12 months.
The agreement is set to promote exports of high value-added goods such as flour, cereals, dairy products, poultry, tomato paste, honey, corn, wheat, juice, mushrooms and sugar from Ukraine.
Recently the European Union also decided to abolish tariffs and quotas on Ukrainian industrial goods and food items.
About Ukraine-
Ukraine is a country located in Eastern Europe. It borders Russia in the east, Belarus, Poland, Slovakia in the north, Hungary in the west, Romania in the south and Moldova and the Black Sea in the south and the Black Sea and Azov Sea.
Capital - Kyiv
President- Volodymyr Zelensky
Prime Minister- Volodymyr Groysman
currency - hryvnia
