1. Big win for Twitter, Google at US Supreme Court in internet liability cases
Tags: International News
Recently social media platforms Twitter and Google have registered a big victory in the US Supreme Court. The court ruled that Internet companies could not be held liable for content posted on their sites.
An overview of the news
The judges delivered their ruling on two cases in which families of victims of a terrorist attack claimed that Google and Twitter should be held accountable for aiding and abetting ISIS, which resulted in the death of their loved ones.
The decision has far-reaching implications for the tech industry, intellectual property rights and freedom of expression.
In particular, these judgments highlight the evolving legal landscape surrounding online platforms and their role in shaping public discourse.
2. PM Narendra Modi holds bilateral meeting with Japanese PM Fumio Kishida in Hiroshima
Tags: International Relations International News
On May 20, PM Modi held a bilateral meeting with his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida ahead of the G-7 summit in Hiroshima, Japan.
An Overview of the News
Discussed enhancing India-Japan friendship in trade, economy, culture and Indo-Pacific cooperation.
Emphasised efforts to synergize between the G-7 and G-20 Presidencies and the voices of the Global South.
Prime Minister Modi unveiled a statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Hiroshima as a symbol of friendship and peace.
G-7 summit priorities include nuclear disarmament, economic resilience and security, regional issues, climate and energy, food and health, digitization and science and technology.
Later, Prime Minister Modi had a productive meeting with President of South Korea Yoon Suk Yeol to strengthen bilateral friendship in key developmental areas.
About G-7
It is an intergovernmental political forum.
It consists of seven member states: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
In addition to the seven member states, the European Union is also part of the G7 as a non-enumerated member.
Formation - 25 March 1973
First G6 Summit - 15 November 1975
Japan:
It is also called Nihon or Nippon and is an archipelago in the western Pacific Ocean in East Asia.
It is made up of four main islands Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu and Honshu is the largest island of Japan.
Its highest mountain is Mount Fuji.
It is the third largest economy in the world after the United States and China.
Capital - Tokyo
Currency - Yen
Prime Minister - Fumio Kishida
3. NIA arrests 3 under 'Operation Dhvast' against terrorist-gangster-narco nexus
Tags: National National News
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The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has recently arrested three people under 'Operation Dhvast' against the terrorist-gangster-drug-trafficker nexus.
An overview of the news
Following its searches at 129 locations in eight states, the NIA has detained one person each from Moga (Punjab), Bhiwani (Haryana) and North-East district (Delhi).
According to the NIA, the investigation of these cases pertains to conspiracies related to targeted killings, terror financing of pro-Khalistan organisations, extortion and other such criminal activities.
About National Investigation Agency (NIA)
Its real name is National Investigation Agency, commonly known as National Investigation Agency. It was constituted under the National Investigation Agency Act, 2008.
Realizing the need for a central agency to investigate terrorism and some other criminal acts after the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attack, the NIA was formed.
It acts as the central counter-terrorism law enforcement agency.
The cases are assigned to the NIA by the Central Government in accordance with Section VI of the NIA Act, 2008.
It is headquartered in New Delhi and has branches in Hyderabad, Guwahati, Kochi, Lucknow, Mumbai, Kolkata, Raipur and Jammu.
The founding director general of NIA was Radha Vinod Raju.
4. Supreme Court upholds Tamil Nadu law allowing jallikattu
Tags: National National News
The Supreme Court on May 18 upheld the validity of a Tamil Nadu law that allowed Jallikattu, a bull-fighting sport.
An overview of the news
The Supreme Court has upheld the constitutional validity of the amendment made by the Tamil Nadu government to the Central Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.
About Supreme Court’s Judgement
In a unanimous judgement, a five-judge Constitution bench headed by Justice KM Joseph noted that the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Tamil Nadu Amendment) Act, 2017, the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Maharashtra Amendment) Act, 2017 and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Amendment) Act, 2017 The Prevention of Cruelty to Persons (Karnataka Second Amendment) Act, 2017 was enacted by the respective state legislatures and received the assent of the President.
The SC held that these rules by the states did not violate the Constitution and the Supreme Court's 2014 judgment banning Jallikattu.
About Jallikattu
Jallikattu is a traditional sport especially popular in Tamil Nadu.
In this sport, a wild bull is released into a crowd of people, and the participants try to catch the bull's hump and ride it for as long as possible or try to bring it under control.
It is celebrated every year during the Tamil harvest festival, Pongal, in the month of January.
The state government argues that instead of banning this age-old practice, it can be regulated and reformed.
5. Under "Clean Note Policy" RBI decided to withdraw Rs 2000 note from circulation
Tags: National Economy/Finance National News
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has decided to withdraw Rs 2,000 denomination banknotes from circulation under the "Clean Note Policy".
An Overview of the News
Rs 2,000 notes will continue to be legal tender.
Individuals can deposit the Rs 2,000 banknotes into their bank accounts or exchange them for other denominations at any bank branch.
From May 23, 2023, Rs 2,000 notes can be exchanged for other denominations up to a limit of Rs 20,000 at a time at any bank branch.
RBI's 19 regional offices with issue departments will also provide the facility to exchange Rs 2,000 banknotes up to a limit of Rs 20,000 at a time from May 23.
All banks to offer deposit and/or exchange services for Rs 2,000 notes by September 30, 2023.
Clean Note Policy:
The clean note policy was introduced by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in 1999 to address the issue of soiled and mutilated notes.
Banks are instructed not to give soiled, torn and mutilated notes to customers and instead deposit them with RBI.
Stapling of currency notes/packets is prohibited as per the policy.
The objective of the Clean Note Policy is to provide good quality currency notes and coins to the customers.
Soiled and mutilated currency notes can be easily exchanged at teller counters under the RBI's note refund rules of 2009.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI):
Establishment -1 April 1935, Kolkata
Founder - British Raj
Headquarters - Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Governor - Shaktikanta Das
6. Ministry of Civil Aviation organises curtain raiser event
Tags: National National News
The Ministry of Civil Aviation organised a curtain raiser event for Wings India 2024 and it is Asia's largest commercial, general and business aviation event to be held in January 2024.
An Overview of the News
Government is shifting focus from regulator to facilitator in capacity building for the aviation market.
India aims to become the largest aviation market globally by 2047.
Strategy for capacity building, removal of bottlenecks and simplification of procedures in the aviation sector.
The number of airports increased from 74 to 148 in the last nine years and the target is to have more than 200 in the next few years.
The UDAN regional connectivity scheme is capable of adding new airports and connecting tier-2 and tier-3 cities.
Wings India 2024 will be held in Hyderabad from January 18 to 21, 2024, to promote collaboration and showcase innovations in the aviation industry.
Ministry of Civil Aviation in India:
It is the nodal ministry responsible for the formulation of national policies and programs for the development and regulation of civil aviation.
It is responsible for formulating and implementing plans for the orderly development and expansion of civil air transport in the country.
Headquarter - New Delhi
Office holder - Jyotiraditya Scindia
7. India launches 'Operation Karuna' to provide aid to Myanmar
Tags: International News
India launched "Operation Karuna" to provide humanitarian assistance for people in Myanmar, which is affected by Cyclone Mocha.
An overview of the news
Three ships from India carrying relief material reached Yangon on 18th May.
Indian Naval Ships Shivalik, Kamorta and Savitri were the first Naval ships to arrive at Yangon with relief material on 18th May.
The ships are carrying emergency food supplies, tents, essential medicines, water pumps, portable generators, clothes, hygiene items, etc.
Indian Navy Committed to Ensuring Security and Growth for All in the Region
India has always been at the forefront in providing assistance to its neighbors during such calamities.
About Cyclone Mocha
Cyclone Mocha which recently hit Myanmar has been classified as an extremely severe cyclonic storm by the IMD.
It has been classified as a 'Super Cyclone' by the global weather website Zoom Earth.
The name of the storm 'Mocha' has been suggested by Yemen.
Mocha originated in the Bay of Bengal.
With a recorded wind speed of 277 kmph, Mocha has become the strongest all-season cyclone to form in the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal since 1982.
8. 75/25 Initiative and Empowered Portal
Tags: National National News
The Union Health Ministry announced the "75/25" initiative to provide standard care to 75 million people with hypertension and diabetes by 2025 through Primary Health Centers (PHCs).
An Overview of the News
75/25 Initiative:
40,000 primary health care medical officers will be trained on standard treatment workflow for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) through the SASHAKT portal.
India has the largest coverage of NCDs globally, aiming to reach 75 million people with hypertension under standard care in primary healthcare by 2025.
The initiative was launched during the G20 co-branded event "Accelerating Prevention and Management of Hypertension and Diabetes".
The scheme aims at the largest coverage of NCDs in primary healthcare across the world with a community-based approach.
SASHAKT Portal:
The National Health Systems and Resources Center (NHSRC) has developed a web portal named SASHAKT (Systematic Assessment of Health care providers Knowledge and Training).
The portal supports states in implementing and monitoring training for health workers.
The specific objectives of training monitoring software are as follows:
Planning: To assist states in planning training for health workers.
Quality Monitoring: Monitoring the quality of the training being conducted.
Real-time Status: To determine the real-time status of training of health workers.
Documentation and Reporting: Facilitates timely documentation and reporting on the status of training.
9. IGNCA organises Rabindra Jayanti in New Delhi
Tags: National National News
Rabindra Jayantiwas organised in New Delhi on 12 May by the Indira Gandhi National Center for the Arts (IGNCA).
An Overview of the News
The event was organised in collaboration with Sri Guru Gobind Singh Tricentenary University and Sanchara Foundation.
The 'Vigyan Vaibhav' portaldeveloped by IGNCA was launched during the event.
This portal is dedicated to seventy five Indian scientists.
Minister of State for Culture and External Affairs Meenakshi Lekhi inaugurated the portal.
The event included special cultural performances such as Rabindra Sangeet and a cultural presentation.
IGNCA:
It is a major government-funded arts organisation in New Delhi, India.
It is an autonomous institute under the Union Ministry of Culture.
It was launched on 19 November 1985 by Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
Indira Gandhi National Center for the Arts was formed and registered on 24 March 1987 in New Delhi.
10. Asia Petrochemical Industry Conference 2023
Tags: Summits National News
Union Minister of Health, Chemicals and Fertliser Dr Mansukh Mandaviya presided over the Asia Petrochemical Industry Conference 2023 in New Delhi on 19th May.
An overview of the news
The Chemical and Petrochemicals Manufacturers Association (CPMA) of India hosted the 41st edition.
The theme of the event was “Ushering in a Sustainable Future”.
Over 1200 delegates from seven member nations as well as participants from Europe, China, America, Mid East and other Asian Countries and global partners participated in the conference.
Mansukh Mandaviya said that the Indian chemical manufacturing industry has indeed been one of the emerging global manufacturing hubs for petrochemicals.
India is determined to be a trusted partner in the global supply chain of chemicals and petrochemicals to the world.
Objective of Conference
The main objective of the conference is to spur discussion and co-operation on the issues of the day being faced by the industry related to growth, trade, investment, and sustainability, in Asia-Pacific and also around the world.
About Asia Petrochemical Industry Conference
The conference is hosted on a rotational basis by the seven member countries–Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan and India.
It is a prominent event held annually in Asia that brings together industry professionals, experts, and stakeholders from the petrochemical sector.
The conference aims to facilitate knowledge exchange, foster collaborations, and address challenges and opportunities in the petrochemical industry across the Asian region.
About CPMA
It is the apex forum in the country representing the Indian Chemicals & Petrochemicals Industry.
It was established in 1993.
It offers its members a podium to collectively present their ideas, voice their concerns and offer suggestions on industry issues.
It provides a linkage between the industry, the Government and the society at large.
