International News
Peru and Slovakia sign the Artemis Accords for Peaceful Moon Exploration
Peru and Slovakia on May 30, signed NASA’s Artemis Accords, making them the latest in a rapid number of countries to join the U.S.-led agreement on the safe exploration of space. Both countries signed the accords at NASA’s Washington headquarters, but in separate ceremonies with Peru the first to add its name to the accords on May 30 followed by Slovakia. Peru became 41st and Slovakia 42nd countries to do so.
India Exim Bank Opens Nairobi Office to Boost East Africa Trade
The Export-Import Bank of India (India Exim Bank) inaugurated its East Africa Representative Office in Nairobi, Kenya, aiming to expand India’s business footprint in the resource-rich and demographically young continent of East Africa. This initiative seeks to enhance trade and investment ties between India, Kenya, and the broader East African region.
European Commission Excludes Tanzania From Conservation Grant
The European Commission (EC) has made a significant decision regarding Tanzania’s eligibility for a conservation grant under its NaturAfrica initiative. This decision has implications for conservation efforts in East Africa, particularly concerning the Eastern Rift Savannahs and Watersheds (ERiSaWa) component of the initiative.
State in News
Haryana Government’s Initiative for NRIs: Redressal and Investment Cells
In response to the needs of Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), the Haryana government has established two specialized cells to address their concerns and facilitate investments. These cells, announced by Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar during the Pravasi Haryana Divas 2017, aim to streamline grievance resolution and investment processes for NRIs.
Appointments News
Raj Priy Singh Appointed Director in Department of Rural Development
Raj Priy Singh, an Indian Forest Service (IFoS) officer of the 2010 batch, has been appointed as the Director in the Department of Rural Development under the Ministry of Rural Development. His appointment follows a recommendation for Central deputation by the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change and is governed by the Central Staffing Scheme (CSS).
Awards News
Vellayan Subbiah Named EY World Entrepreneur of the Year 2024
Vellayan Subbiah, Executive Vice Chairman of Tube Investments of India (TII) and Chairman of Cholamandalam Investment and Finance Co Ltd., secured the prestigious EY World Entrepreneur of the Year 2024 award, marking the fourth time an entrepreneur from India has won this global title. His visionary leadership and transformative strategies have propelled both TII and Chola to unprecedented success, earning him recognition on the global stage.
Banking News
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced a revision in the threshold for bulk fixed deposits, increasing the limit from Rs 2 crore to Rs 3 crore. This adjustment reflects the RBI’s strategy to refine liquidity management and align deposit classifications with current economic needs.
Economy News
Moody’s Maintains Stable Outlook on Three Indian PSU Banks’ Ratings
Moody’s Ratings (Moody’s) on Friday affirmed the Baa3 ratings on three Indian public sector banks — Bank of Baroda (BOB), Canara Bank, and Punjab National Bank (PNB). The rating agency maintained stable outlooks on the long-term ratings of all three banks, citing improved credit metrics, strong profitability, and adequate liquidity buffers. Moody’s believes that India’s strong operating environment will continue to support their credit fundamentals over the next 12-18 months.
Science and Technology News
IIT Kanpur, Centre of Excellence for UAVs, and DFI launch UDAAN
IIT Kanpur, in collaboration with the Centre of Excellence for UAVs and DFI, has unveiled UDAAN, a pioneering drone startup acceleration initiative. UDAAN aims to empower emerging drone ventures by offering them access to state-of-the-art facilities, expert mentorship, financial support, and tailored business development guidance, fostering rapid business growth.
ISRO Gives Details on Indo-French TRISHNA Mission
Space agency ISRO has announced a joint Indo-French infrared earth observation satellite mission, TRISHNA (Thermal Infra-Red Imaging Satellite for High-Resolution Natural Resource Assessment), to monitor surface temperature and water management around the world.
Awards News
SEBI Honoured with ‘Best Conduct of Business Regulator’ Award by The Asian Banker
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has been awarded the Asia-Pacific region’s ‘Best Conduct of Business Regulator’ by The Asian Banker. The award was received by SEBI’s Whole Time Member, Kamlesh Chandra Varshney, at a ceremony held in Hong Kong.
Sports News
French Open 2024, Check Complete list of Winners
The French Open 2024 witnessed a thrilling conclusion as the young Spanish sensation, Carlos Alcaraz, emerged victorious in the men’s singles final. In a gruelling five-set battle against the formidable Alexander Zverev, Alcaraz showcased his resilience and skill, conquering the German with a scoreline of 6-3, 2-6, 5-7, 6-1, 6-2.
Magnus Carlsen, Ju Wenjun Win Norway Chess Titles
The prestigious Norway Chess Tournament witnessed an electrifying conclusion as the reigning World No. 1, Magnus Carlsen, etched his name into the annals of chess history by claiming his sixth title. In a gripping final round, Carlsen outmanoeuvred the formidable Fabiano Caruana in an intense Armageddon match, solidifying his dominance on the global stage.
Books and Authors News
Bill Gates Unveils “Source Code”: A Memoir Revealing His Remarkable Journey
Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has revealed plans to release his highly anticipated memoir, titled “Source Code: My Beginnings.” Set to hit the shelves on February 4, 2025, this literary endeavour promises to offer an intimate glimpse into the life and experiences that shaped one of the world’s most influential tech pioneers.
Important Days
International Archives Day 2024 Observed on 9th June
On the 9th of June, we commemorate International Archives Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness about the crucial role of records and archives in our society. These repositories of knowledge serve as the guardians of our collective memory, safeguarding the stories, events, and achievements that have shaped our past and continue to influence our present and future.
World Accreditation Day 2024 Observed on 9th June
On June 9th of each year, the world comes together to observe World Accreditation Day, a global initiative established by the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) and the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC). This annual event aims to raise awareness about the vital role of accreditation in improving various aspects of our lives, from consumer protection to societal well-being, business operations, and government regulations.
Obituaries News
William Anders, Apollo 8 astronaut who took ‘Earthrise’ photo from space, killed in plane crash
Retired astronaut William Anders, one of the first three humans to orbit the moon, who captured the “Earthrise” photo during NASA’s Apollo 8 mission, died on June 7 when the small plane, he was piloting, crashed in Washington state.
