DAILY GK 15-16 MAY

 DAILY GK 15-16 MAY 

1.         7th INDIA-FRANCE JOINT MILITARY “EX-SHAKTI”

·           The 7th India-France joint military “Exercise SHAKTI 2024” commenced at Umroi, in a fully developed and modern Foreign Training Node in Meghalaya.

·           Ex-SHAKTI is a biennial training exercise which is conducted alternatively in India and France.

·           Indian contingent is being represented mainly by a battalion of RAJPUT Regiment
French contingent from 13th Foreign Legion Half-Brigade (13th DBLE). 

·           India conduct 3 biennial training exercises with France namely

·           GARUDA– between Air Forces of India and France

·           VARUNA– between Navies of India and France

·           SHAKTI- is a joint military exercise between India and France

·           Chief of Army Staff: Manoj Pande

·           France President: Emmanuel Macron

·           Currency: Euro

 

2.         19TH UNITED NATIONS FORUM ON FORESTS 

·           The 19th session of the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF19) was held at the United Nations (UN) headquarters in New York, United States (US)

·           The forum was organized by UNFF Secretariat.

·           It was chaired by Zéphyrin Maniratanga of Burundi.

·           The forum undertook its midterm review of the International Arrangement on Forests.

·           The key outcomes of the session were High-Level Segment declaration and an omnibus resolution, which included the outcome of the midterm review as well as the new Quadrennial Programme of Work of the Forum for 2025-2028.

·           The Indian delegation was led by Jitendra Kumar, Director General of Forests and Special Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC).

·           UNFF  is a functional commission of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) with universal membership.

·           The Forum has set many milestones including the first UN Forest Instrument in 2007, the Global Forest Financing Facilitation Network (GFFFN) in 2015, and adoption of the first UN Strategic Plan for Forests 2030 and its six Global Forest Goals in 2017

 

3.         INDIA & IRAN SIGNED CONTRACT TO OPERATE CHABAHAR PORT IN IRAN

·           India and Iran signed a long-term contract of 10 years to operate the Shahid Beheshti Port Terminal at Chabahar Port, Iran.

·           The contract was signed by India Ports Global  Limited(IPGL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of India Ports Global Chabahar Free Zone (IPGCFZ) and by Port and Maritime Organisation (PMO), Iran.

·           As per the contract, IPGL is committed to invest approximately USD 120 million in equipping the port.

·           India has also offered a credit window of USD 250 million for mutually identified projects aimed at enhancing Chabahar-related infrastructure.

·           An inter-Governmental memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the development of the Chabahar port by India was signed in May 2015.

·           India took up the development of the Shahid Beheshti terminal under a tripartite agreement (Chahbahar Agreement) on Chahbahar signed with Iran and Afghanistan in May 2016.

·           Afghanistan is effectively no longer part of the arrangements since the takeover of the country by the Taliban in 2021.

·           Chabahar Port is a deep water port located in the Sistan-Baluchistan province in South Eastern Iran.

·           It consists of 2 important ports i.e. Shahid Kalantari and ShahidBeheshti.

·           Chabahar Port as a key hub for the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) project.

·           INSTC is a 72,00 km-long multi-mode transport project for moving freight among India, Iran, Afghanistan, Russia, Central Asia and Europe.

·           Iran President- Ebrahim Raisi

·           Currency- Iranian Rial

·           Capital- Tehran

 

4.         RAMCHARITMANAS, PANCHATANTRA AND SAHRDAYALOKA-LOCANA INCLUDED IN UNESCO’S MEMORY OF THE WORLD (MOW) REGISTER

·           United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has included: The Ramcharitmanas (Rāmacaritamānasa)Panchatantra (Pañcatantra Fables) and Sahṛdayāloka-Locana in its “Memory of the World (MOW) Asia-Pacific Regional Register”.

·           The inclusion of these literary works was made at 10th meeting of the Memory of the World Committee for Asia and the Pacific (MOWCAP) in Ulaanbatar, Mongolia.

·           The Asia-Pacific Member States newly inscribed 20 items from different countries (including 3 from India) during the 2024 cycle.

·           MOWCAP is a regional forum for UNESCO’s Memory of the World Programme (MOW) which was launched in 1992.

·           MOWCAP was formally established in 1998 during its 1st MOWCAP General Meeting held in Beijing, China.

·           UNESCO Director-General: Audrey Azoulay

·           Headquarters: Paris, France

·           Established: 1945

 

5.         UNODC 3RD WORLD WILDLIFE CRIME REPORT

·           The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has released the 3rd edition of its World Wildlife Crime Report titled ‘World Wildlife Crime Report 2024: Trafficking in Protected Species’, which highlights the persistent issue of illegal trafficking in plant and animal wildlife.

·           Seizures in 2020 and 2021 were about half compared to previous years, likely due to COVID-19 disruptions rather than a true decline in trafficking.

·           From 2015 to 2021, 13 million items were seized, indicating illegal trade involving around 4,000 species across 162 countries and territories.

·           Approximately 3,250 of these species are listed in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Appendices.

·           The most trafficked species were corals (16%), crocodilians (9%), and elephants (6%).

·           For the first time, an indicator on progress towards Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target 15.7 was included to end trafficking of protected species of flora and fauna.

·           On positive front, trafficking of elephant ivory and rhinoceros horn elephant dropped.

 

6.         2024 SUPERBET POLAND RAPID & BLITZ;

·           The Five-time World Champion & World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen emerged as the winner of the 2024 Superbet Poland Rapid & Blitz, a part of World Chess Tour that was held in Warsaw, Poland.

·           The Norwegian chess player gained a total of 26 points to clinch the title after a total of 10 wins in a row.

·           The prize fund for each of the two tournaments will be USD 350,000 and USD 175,000 per event for rapid and blitz.

·           In addition, a bonus prize fund worth USD 275,000 will be awarded.

·           Wei Yi of China clinched the second spot with 25.5 points.

·           Jan-Krzysztof Duda of Poland finished third with 19.5 points and Praggnanandhaa claimed the fourth position in the tournament with 19 points.

·           Erigaisi Arjun finished fifth while Dommaraju Gukesh finished at 10th position.

 

7.         NEERAJ CHOPRA FINISHED SECOND AT THE DOHA DIAMOND LEAGUE 2024

·           The Olympic and World Champion javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra claimed the second spot in the Doha Diamond League 2024 at the Qatar Sports Club, Doha, Qatar.

·           The three-time Olympian for Czech Republic Jakub Vadlejch claimed the top spot with 88.38 meters throw while Neeraj Chopra missed the first spot by just 2 centimeters (88.36 meters).

·           The former world champion Anderson Peters of Grenada claimed the third spot with an 86.62m throw.

·           The next men’s javelin Diamond League meeting will be held in Paris on July 7,2024.

·           The Diamond League is a high-level multi-tier group of track & field meets conducted under the World Athletics (formerly known as IAAF or International Association of Athletics Federations).

 

8.         INTERNATIONAL NURSES DAY 2024 – MAY 12

·           International Nurses Day (IND) is annually observed across the globe on 12th May to honour the contributions of nurses to society and recognise their role in the overall healthcare system.

·           IND commemorates the birth anniversary of a English nurse, social reformer, and statistician Florence Nightingale (also known as the founder of modern nursing).

·           The theme of International Nurses Day 2024 is “Our Nurses. Our Future. The economic power of care”.

·           The annual observance of IND is led by the International Council of Nurses (ICN).

·           ICN is the world’s first and widest-reaching international organisation for health professionals.

·           Headquarters– Geneva, Switzerland

 

9.         INTERNATIONAL SUN DAY 2024  – MAY 3

·           International Sun Day (also known as World Sun Day) is annually observed across the globe on 3rd May to raise awareness about the significant benefits of solar energy in fostering a greener and healthier planet and promoting eco-friendly energy.

·           The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Government of India (GoI), organised a ‘Run for Sun’ Marathon at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi, Delhi

 

10.      SBI BECOMES INAUGURAL BANK TO JOIN INTERNATIONAL BULLION EXCHANGE

·           Public sector lender, State Bank of India (SBI), has become the first trading-cum-clearing member (TCM) at the India International Bullion Exchange (IIBX) – the country’s first bullion exchange in GIFT City Gandhinagar.

·           This enables SBI’s IFSC Banking unit (IBU) to trade on the IIBX platform.

·           The Reserve Bank of India recently permitted IBUs to act as trading members and trading and clearing members at IIBX as special category clients (SCCs)to import gold through the bullion exchange.

·           IIBX is a platform that enables trading in bullion with adherence to OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chain of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas for establishing supply chain integrity.

·           SBI Established : 1 July 1955

·           Headquarters : Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

·           Chairman : Dinesh Kumar Khara

 

11.      UAE TOPS GLOBAL FIBRE CONNECTIVITY

·           The UAE has once again been recognizedas the global leader in Fibre to the Home (FTTH) penetration.

·           This marks the eighth consecutive year the country has held this top position with a penetration rate of 99.3 percent,

·           The report placed the UAE above Singapore (97.1 percent), Hong Kong (95.3 percent), China (92.9 percent), and South Korea (91.5 percent).

 

12.      NEPAL'S KAMI RITA SHERPA CLIMBS MOUNT EVEREST FOR RECORD 29TH TIME

·           Nepal's Kami Rita Sherpa also known as 'Everest Man' broke his record by climbing the world's highest peak, Mount Everest for the 29th time.

·           The 54-year-old Sherpa climber and guide in the last spring season had climbed the 8848.86 meters tall highest peak two times within a week setting a record for the 28th summit.

 

13.      7TH JOINT ANTI-TERROR MOCK DRILLS EXERCISE TARKASH WITH US’ SOF

·           The 7th edition of the India-U.S. joint counter-terrorism exercise ‘Tarkash’ was held between the National Security Guard (NSG) and United States (US) Special Operations Forces (SOF) in Kolkata, West Bengal(WB).

·           NSG, commonly known as Black Cats, is a counter-terrorism unit of India under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Director General– Nalin Prabhat

 

14.      THE YOUNG UNIVERSITY RANKINGS 2024

·           According to the Times Higher Education (THE) Young University Rankings 2024, Mahatma Gandhi University (MGU) in Kottayam, Kerala, ranked 81(globally) has emerged as the highest-ranking Indian university.

·           Nanyang Technological University(NTU), Singapore has topped the global ranking for the 2nd consecutive year.

·           Apart from MGU, Anna University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu(TN) ranked 96th is the only Indian University featured among the top 100 on the 2024 ranking.

·           The 2024 ranking includes 673 universities, up from 605 in 2023.

·           The number of Asian universities in list are 327 in 2024.

·           India is represented by 55 institutions in the 2024 ranking, up from 45 in 2023 and 26 in 2020.

 

15.      SAHITYA AKADEMI FELLOWSHIP

·           The renowned English Author Ruskin Bond received the Sahitya Akademi Fellowship.

·           Madhav Kaushik, President of Sahitya Akademi handed over the plaque to Bond at his home (Mussoorie, Uttarakhand).

·           Ruskin Bond was named a recipient of Akademi’s highest honour in September 2021. Due to his illness, he was unable to receive the honour in person.

·           Bond published his first novel, The Room on the Roof in 1956 , which was also awarded the John Llewellyn Rhys Prize in 1957.

·           His notable works: ‘Vagrants in the Valley’, ‘Once Upon a Monsoon Time’, ‘Angry River’, ‘Strangers in the Night’, ‘All Roads Lead to Ganga’, ‘Tales of Fosterganj’, ‘Leopard on the Mountain’ and ‘Too Much Trouble’.

·           Bond received the Sahitya Akademi Award (1992) for his story collection “Our Trees Still Grow in Dehra”.

 

16.      EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE UN– MPTFO

·           The United Nations Development Programme has appointed Alain Noudéhou of Benin as the new Executive Director of the UN Multi – Partner Trust Fund Office (MPTFO).

·           He will succeed Jennifer Topping of Canada, who will complete her tenure by the end of May 2024.

·           UNDP was established in 1966 by the General Assembly of the United Nations.

·           It works in 170 countries and territories to eradicate poverty and reduce inequality.

·           Administrator – Achim Steiner

·           Headquarters– New York, United States

 

17.      CHIEF OF PERSONNEL OF INDIAN NAVY

·           Vice Admiral Sanjay Bhalla, assumed charge as the Chief of Personnel of the Indian Navy(IN). 

·           He will succeed Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan who assumed charge as Vice Chief of The Naval Staff.

 

18.      BHISHM- WORLD’S 1ST AIR-LIFTED PORTABLE HOSPITAL

·           The Indian Air Force (IAF) conducted maiden air drop test of BHISHM portable cubes, World’s 1st air-lifted portable hospital in Agra, Uttar Pradesh.

·           BHISHM portable cubes are part of broader initiative named “Project BHISHM- Bharat health initiative for Sahyog, Hita and Maitri”.

·           This initiative is specifically designed to treat up to 200 causalities, emphasizing rapid response and comprehensive care.

·           Indian Army also introduced its latest innovation named “Hexacopter Drone” mounted by Machine Gun. 

·           Sirin Hexadrones were developed by Ikran Aerospace and Technologies Private Limited (IAATPL).

·           Chief of Air Staff: Vivek Ram Chaudhari

·           Headquarters: New Delhi, Delhi

·           Established: 8th October, 1932

 

19.      JAPAN LAUNCHES WORLD’S FIRST 6G DEVICE

·           Japan has launched the world’s first high-speed 6G prototype device, with data transmission rate of 100 gigabits per second (Gbps), 20 times faster than the Gold Standard 5G technology.

·           The 6G device offers services covering an impressive range of 300 feet, showcasing the potential for a significant advancement in internet technology.

·           The 6G technology has the potential to provide real-time holographic communication as well as immersive virtual and mixed reality experiences.

 

20.      INDIA’S 85TH CHESS GRAND MASTER (GM)

·           Indian Chess Player P.Shyam Nikhil (31 year old) has become India’s 85th Grand Master (GM).

·           He achieved this feat after earning 3rd norm which is required for GM title at Dubai Police Masters 2024  in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

·           He drew with GM Bai Jinshi (China)in the final round.

·           To become a GM, a player has to secure 3 GM norms and cross the live rating of 2500 Elo points.

·           FIDE President: Arkady Dvorkovich

·           Headquarters: Lausanne, Switzerland

·           Established: 1924

 

21.      INTERNATIONAL DAY OF FAMILIES 2024 – MAY 15

·           The United Nations (UN)’s International Day of Families is annually observed across the globe on 15th May to raise awareness and highlight issues relating to families

·           The year 2024 marks the 30th anniversary of the International Year of the Family (1994).

·           The theme of International Day of Families 2024 is “Families and Climate Change”.

 

22.      PUBLIC SECTOR BANKS' AGGREGATE PROFIT SURGES BY 35%

·           Public sector banks' cumulative profit crossed Rs 1.4 trillion in the financial year ended March 2024, recording a growth of 35% over the previous year on a high base of Rs 1 trillion.

·           The 12 Public Sector Banks (PSBs) together earned a net profit of Rs 1,04,649 crore in 2022-23.

·           Out of the total profit of Rs 141,203 crore earned during the FY24, market leader State Bank of India (SBI) alone contributed over 40% of the total earnings.

·           In percentage terms Delhi-based Punjab National Bank had the highest net profit growth with 228% to Rs 8,245 crore

·           During the year, the only public sector bank out of 12 that reported a drop in profit was Punjab & Sind Bank.

·           The government has implemented a comprehensive 4R strategy: Recognising NPAs transparently, Resolution and recovery, Recapitalising PSBs, and Reforms in the financial ecosystem.

 

23.      INDIAN ARMY TO RECEIVE HERMES-900 DRONE

·           The Indian Army is set to receive the first Hermes-900 Starliner drone, also known as the Drishti-10 drone, enhancing its surveillance capabilities along the Pakistan border.

·           The Hermes-900 known as the Drishti-10 drone is being supplied to Indian forces including Indian Army and Navy by Adani Defence Systems.

·           The Indian Army has ordered two drones, with the first delivered to the Navy in January.

·           The second drone will go to the Army, and the third and fourth will be supplied accordingly.

·           The Indian Army is already operating the Heron Mark 1 and Mark 2 drones and has also placed orders for the Drishti-10 or the Hermes-900 drones under the last tranche of the emergency procurements approved by the government for the forces.

·           Adani Defence had signed a deal with the Israeli firm Elbit for the transfer of technology for the drones and stated that it has indigenized 70% of the birds and will work to increase it further.

·           Chief of Defence Staff : General Anil Chauhan

·           Chief of the Army Staff : General ManojPande

 

24.      WORLD UNIVERSITY RANKINGS BY CWUR

·           According to the Center for World University Rankings (CWUR), as many as 65 Indian universities and institutes from India, led by the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, are among the top 2000 globally

·           In the 2024 edition of the Global 2000 list by the CWUR, 32 Indian institutions moved up the ladder, while 33 saw a fall.

·           IIM-A, the country’s top institute stood at 410th rank globally, as compared to 419 last year.

·           It was followed by the Indian Institute of Science (501) and the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay(568).

·           The rankings are based on the analysis of 62 million outcome-based data points on four factors: Quality of education (25%), Employability (25%), Quality of faculty (10%), Research (40%).

·           In Asia, the University of Tokyo was the highest-ranked institution, at 13th spot

·           Globally, Harvard emerged as the top university for the thirteenth year in a row.

·           It was followed by two other private US institutions, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Stanford.

·           The UK’s Cambridge and Oxford ranked fourth and fifth.