NATIONAL:
1. Withdrawing AFSPA
Why in news – Assam aims to withdraw Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, (AFSPA) completely from the state by November 2023.
Key Points –
• Disturbed Areas (Section 3 of AFSPA) notification was removed by the Centre from the entire state of Assam in 2022.
• However, AFSPA is still in force in 8 districts of Assam.
About AFSPA 1958-
• Gives sweeping powers to the armed forces.
• Allows them to open fire’, even causing death, against any person in contravention to the law or carrying arms and ammunition.
• Arrest individuals without warrants, on the basis of “reasonable suspicion”, and also search premises without warrants.
GOVERNMENT SCHEMES:
1. NEP SAARTHI
Why in news – The University Grants Commission (UGC) has announced a new initiative titled “NEP SAARTHI”.
Key Points –
• SAARTHI - Student Ambassador for Academic Reforms in Transforming Higher Education in India.
• Aim - to involve students in the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
• Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to nominate 3 students from their institutions to be considered as NEP SAARTHIs.
• At least 300 students from higher education institutes from across the country would be selected as "NEP Saarthis".
ECONOMY:
1. Adani-Hindenburg Report
Why in news – The Supreme Court made public the report of the Sapre Committee in the Hindenburg-Adani row case.
Key Points –
• Minimum public shareholding - SEBI regulations require a publicly listed company to have a minimum of 25% of its shares to be held by the public.
• Related Party Transaction (Indian Accounting Standard 24) –
(a) A transfer of resources, services or obligations between a reporting entity and a related party, regardless of whether a price is charged.
(b) RPT transactions involve company’s directors, their relatives and their related companies.
(c) May lead to crony capitalism.
2. Car Export
Why in news – China became the world's biggest exporter of cars after overtaking Japan in the first 3 months of 2023.
Key Points –
• China’s car export - 1.07 million. (Japan - 954,185).
• In 2022, China overtook Germany to become the world's 2nd largest car exporter.
SUMMITS & CONFERENCES:
1. 76th World Health Assembly (WHA)
Why in news – PM Narendra Modi addressed the 76th session of the World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland via video message.
Key Points –
• He commended the WHO on 75 years of efforts in advancing Health for All.
• WHA is the legislative and supreme body of WHO.
• It appoints the director-general every 5 years and votes on matters of policy and finance of WHO.
About WHO (1948) –
• Its constitution came into effect on April 7, 1948.
• Specialized agency of the United Nations.
• Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, it has six regional offices and 150 field offices worldwide.
• WHO is also an arbiter of norms and best practices.
• Total member states – 194.
SCIENCE – TECH:
1. India – Israel Center of Water Technology
Why in news - IIT Madras and Israel government joined hands to establish “India – Israel Center of Water Technology” for Water Resources Management.
Key Points –
• Location - IIT Madras campus.
• M/o Housing and Urban Affairs would collaborate with MASHAV, Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation, to establish the centre.
• Sustainable Development Goal 14 - Life Below Water.
AWARDS & HONOURS:
1. Companion of the Order of Logohu
Why in news - Papua New Guinea conferred their highest award “order of Logohu ” to PM Modi.
Key Points –
• Reason - for championing the cause of unity of Pacific Island countries and spearheading the cause of Global South.
• Earlier, he was conferred the highest honor of Fiji, the Companion of the Order of Fiji.
IMPORTANT DAYS:
1. Commonwealth Day 2023
Why in news – India observes it on May 24.
Key Points –
• Theme - Forging a Sustainable and Peaceful Common Future.
• It is observed annually on March 13.
• It is also known as Empire Day.
• It was established in 1902 to pay tribute to Queen Victoria following her death on January 22, 1901.
Value Addition –
• Commonwealth - A union in which all countries once under British rule pledging allegiance to the British king or queen.
• Balfour Declaration (1926) - Commonwealth was officially formed.
• Total commonwealth nations – 56.
• Countries – Africa (21) > Caribbean and American (13) > Pacific Island countries (11) > Asia (8) > Europe (3).
• Population – Largest : India (1.4 billion), Smallest : Nauru (10,000).
SPORTS:
1. Cricket Kit Sponsor
Why in news – Adidas appointed kit sponsor for Indian cricket team till March 2028
Key Points –
• In 2019, Byju's took over BCCI sponsorship from Oppo.
BIHAR:
1. Cycle Scheme
Why in news – The Bihar government’s famed cycle scheme has been adopted in 6 African countries including Zambia.
Key Points –
• It was launched in 2006-07 and became successful in reducing gender disparity at the level of secondary education.
• A study was carried out in Zambia a year after the model was introduced there in 2015-16.
• Stusy shown that absenteeism of girls in schools reduced by 27%, late arrivals by 66% and average commuting time to schools by 35%.
POINTERS:
• Which body from India is among 13 international regulators taking part in first-ever Greenwashing TechSprint organised by Global Financial Innovation Network – RBI.
• The 2023 edition of South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship will be held in which city – Bengaluru.
• Which state high court directed state and its authorities to ensure that not a single Baobabs tree is cut for any purpose whatsoever by any authority until further orders of this court - Madhya Pradesh high court.
• Which body has issued a roadmap outlining solutions to cut global plastic pollution by 80 per cent globally by 2040 - UNEP.
• Recently, which two countries eliminated trachoma as a public health problem - Benin and Mali.
• As per a recent study by the ASI, which Shiva has tilted by 6-10 degree - Tungnath temple.
• NIA, along with Haryana Police and Punjab Police, conducted a joint crackdown across 8 states on terrorist-gangster-drugs nexus case under which operation - Operation Dhvast.
• Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav participated in G20 Mega Beach Clean Up campaign at which beach - Juhu Beach.
• Which body revived 1000-yrs old Monpa handmade paper-making art of Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh - Khadi and Village Industries Commission.
• Iranian President warnd which country against violating water rights over Helmand river – Afghanistan.