1. Myanmar court sentences Suu Kyi to 5 years in jail for corruption
Tags: Popular International News
A court in military-ruled Myanmar found deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi guilty of corruption and sentenced her to five years in jail.
The case was the first of 11 corruption charges against the Nobel laureate, each carrying a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.
A Myanmar junta court accused the 76-year-old leader of accepting a bribe of $600,000 cash and gold bars.
He has already been sentenced to six years in prison in other cases and is facing 10 more corruption charges.
Suu Kyi has been under house arrest since February 2021, when a military coup toppled her elected government.
About Aung San Suu Kyi
Aung San Suu Kyi born on June 19, 1945, Rangoon, Burma is politician and opposition leader of Myanmar.
She was the winner of the Nobel Prize for Peace in 1991.
She has held several government positions since 2016, including that of state counsellor, which essentially made her the de facto leader of the country.
She was sidelined when the military seized power in February 2021.
2. IFSCA Issues Framework for FinTech Entity in International Financial Services Centres
Tags: Economy/Finance National News
The International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA), has issued a “Framework for FinTech Entity in the IFSCs”.
The Framework aim is giving boost to the establishment of a world class FinTech Hub at GIFT IFSC comparable with other International Financial Centres (IFCs).
The framework proposes to cover financial technology (FinTech) solutions resulting in new business models, applications, processes or products in areas/activities linked to financial services regulated by IFSCA.
It covers advanced/innovative technological solutions which aid and assist activities in relation to financial products, financial services and financial institutions (TechFin).
The framework provides for a dedicated Regulatory Sandbox for FinTech products or solutions namely IFSCA FinTech Regulatory Sandbox.
3. NTPC Signs MoU with Energy Vault for Gravity-based Energy Storage Technology
Tags: Latest National News
NTPC Limited announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Energy Vault Holdings (“Energy Vault).
NTPC Limited the largest power generating utility in India.
The objective of the MoU is to collaborate and formalise a long-term strategic partnership for deployment of Energy Vault’s EVx™ gravity-based energy storage technology and software solutions based on the outcome of a joint feasibility study.
The technology also offers beneficial utilisation of coal ash for manufacturing of composite blocks for Energy Vault’s gravity based energy storage system.
About NTPC
It is a Central Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) under the Ministry of Power.
It aims to provide reliable electricity and related solutions in an economical, efficient and eco-friendly manner driven by innovation.
It became a Maharatna company in May 2010.
It is located in New Delhi.
It is India's largest power utility company with an installed capacity of 63925 MW (including JVs)plans to become a 130 GW company by 2032.
It was incorporated on November 7, 1975 under the Companies Act.
4. Exports of Indian chemicals register growth of 106% in 2021-22 over 2013-14
Tags: National Economy/Finance
The export of Indian chemicals has registered a growth of 106 percent in 2021-22 as compared to the year 2013-14.
India's chemical exports for 2021-22 set a record at US$ 29296 million, while India's chemical exports stood at US$ 14210 million in 2013-14.
The growth in exports of chemicals has been driven by a jump in shipments of organic, inorganic chemicals, agrochemicals, dyes and dye intermediates, specialty chemicals.
Today the Indian chemical industry has become a global player and earns foreign exchange for the country with the "Make in India" approach.
India’s position in chemical production
India is the sixth largest producer of chemicals in the world and the third largest in Asia.
India ranks 14th position in export of chemicals.
Today India is a leader in the production of dyes and contributes 16%-18% of the world's dyestuff exports.
Indian dye is exported to more than 90 countries. India is the fourth largest producer of agrochemicals in the world and manufactures more than 50% of technical grade pesticides.
About 50% of the agrochemicals in the world are exported from India.
India is the largest producer and exporter of castor oil in the world and is responsible for almost 85-90 % of total global exports in this segment.
5. Government scraps MP quota for admissions in Kendriya Vidyalayas
Tags: Latest National News
As per the admission guidelines for 2022-23, the central government has abolished the quota through which Members of Parliament could recommend names for admission in Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs).
Along with this special provision for admission of employees of the Ministry of Education, children and dependent grandchildren of MPs and children of serving or retired KV employees, the discretionary quota of Chairman of the School Management Committee has also been removed.
What was the MP quota and how much was the right of recommendation ?
Through the quota of MPs, 10 students could be recommended by each MP for admission to classes I to IX at the beginning of each academic year.
As per the rule 10 names should be restricted to children whose parents belong to the constituency of the recommending MP.
There are 543 MPs in the Lok Sabha and 245 in the Rajya Sabha who could have collectively recommended the admission of 7,880 students per year under the individual quota.
But according to the official figures, 8,164 admissions were done under the quota of MPs in 2018-19 i.e. crossed the prescribed limit.
The following admission quota has been retained
The special provisions that have been retained in the admission quota include admission of children of recipients of Param Vir Chakra, Maha Vir Chakra, Vir Chakra, Ashok Chakra, Kirti Chakra and Shaurya Chakra.
Recipients of National Bravery Award, 15 children of Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) employees, children orphaned due to Kovid-19, children of late Central Government employees, children showing special talent in fine arts etc will be able to take admission from the respective quota.
6. Religious freedom in India ‘significantly worsened’: US panel
Tags: National
In its 2022 annual report, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has said that the state of religious freedom in India has reached a "significantly worse" state than last year.
It has recommended that India be designated a 'Country of Special Concern' (CPC), i.e. the category of the worst performing governments on religious freedom criteria.
What is the USCIRF?
It is an independent, bipartisan body created by the US International Religious Freedom Act, 1998 (IRFA).
It has the authority to monitor religious freedom violations globally and make policy recommendations.
It is an entity formed by Congress and not an NGO or advocacy organisation.
It is led by nine part-time commissioners appointed by its President.
Meaning of 'Country of Particular Concern’ (CPC)
IRFA requires the USCIRF to annually identify countries that qualify for the CPC designation.
According to the IRFA, CPCs are countries whose governments engage in or tolerate "particularly serious violations" of religious freedom.
Such freedom is defined as a serious violation of the internationally recognized right to freedom of religion.
The other designation, for less serious violations, is the Special Watch List (SWL).
Other countries who have been designated as CPCs
For 2022, a total of 15 countries have been recommended for the CPC designation, based on religious freedom in 2021.
They are India, Pakistan, Burma, China, Eritrea, Iran, North Korea, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Nigeria, Syria and Vietnam.
7. 86% of india's adult population fully vaccinated against covid-19
Tags: Popular National News
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According to the ministry of Health and Family Welfare over 86 percent of the adult population is now fully vaccinated in the country against covid-19.
The country's COVID vaccination coverage has crossed the 188 crore mark.
more than 19 lakh vaccine doses were administered till 26 April.
So far, more than three crore 18 lakh vaccine doses have been administered to the age group of 12 to 14 years.
Over two crore 72 lakh precautionary doses have been given to identified categories of beneficiaries including health care workers, frontline workers and people above 18 years of age.
All people over the age of 18 who have completed nine months of taking the second dose are eligible for a precautionary dose.
first phase covid-19 vaccination
The nationwide vaccination campaign was launched on January 16 last year, in which health workers were vaccinated in the first phase.
The vaccination of frontline workers started from February 2 last year.
second phase of Covid-19 vaccination
The second phase of Covid-19 vaccination commenced on March 1 last year for people over 60 years of age and those aged 45 and above with specified comorbidity conditions.
vaccination for all people aged
India started vaccination for all people above 45 years of age from 1st April last year.
The government decided to expand its vaccination campaign by allowing everyone over the age of 18.
third phase of covid-19 vaccination
The third phase of vaccination began on January 3 for adolescents in the age group of 15-18 years.
8. Maximum all India power demand met crosses 201 Gigawatt
According to the Ministry of Power the maximum power demand crossed 201 GW (GigaWatt) on April 26.
Last year on July 7, 2021, the maximum power demand was recorded at 200.53 GW.
The increasing demand for electricity is expected to accelerate economic growth in the country.
In March this year, the demand for energy has registered a growth of about 8.9 percent.
The demand is expected to reach around 215 to 220 GW in May-June, the ministry said.
Government taking measures to enhance efficiency in coal transport to power plants.
The ministry urged all the stakeholders at the central and state level to work for uninterrupted power supply.
Domestic electricity demand is expected to double by 2040.
India’s installed capacity at present is about 400GW, of which coal, or thermal power, makes up more than 200GW.
The world's major coal producers are China, America, Australia, Indonesia, India.
The coal producing regions of India include Raniganj, Jharia, Dhanbad and Bokaro in Jharkhand.
9. Countries will have to ‘justify’ Veto Votes at UN
Tags: Latest International News
The 193 members of the United Nations General Assembly unanimously passed a resolution calling on the five permanent members of the Security Council to justify the use of the veto.
The move was for reform in the United Nations security council in the light of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The United States, China, Russia, France and Britain have veto power
What is the Veto Power at the UN ?
The veto power of the United Nations Security Council is the power of the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council to veto any “substantive” resolution.
Any member abstaining from voting cannot prevent the draft resolution from being passed.
Procedural votes are not counted for the exercise of veto power.
One of the major uses of veto power may be to block the selection of the Secretary General of the Council.
Issues with Veto Power
The veto power is controversial.
Supporters see it as a promoter of international stability, a check against military interference, and an important safeguard against US domination.
Critics say the veto is the most undemocratic element of the United Nations, as well as the main cause of inaction on war crimes and crimes against humanity.
It effectively prevents UN action against permanent members and their allies.
10. DCGI approves use of Covaxin for children age between 6 to 12 years
Tags: National Science and Technology
The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has given approval (EUA) to the corona vaccine 'Covexin' for children in the age group of 6-12 years.
Covexin has been developed by Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech.
DCGI has also approved Corbevax for emergency use for people between the ages of 5 to 12.
DCGI also approves ZycovD for children above 12 years of age.
About Drug Controller General of India (DCGI)
It is responsible for the approval of licences of specified categories of drugs such as blood and blood products, IV fluids, vaccines and sera in India.
It also establishes standards for the manufacture, sale, import and distribution of drugs in India.
It works under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
