Published on: May 20, 2024
Snippets : 20 MAY 2024
Snippets : 20 MAY 2024
- Manchester City won a historic fourth consecutive English Premier League
- India’s Chirag Shetty (right) and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy win Thailand Open trophy
- The Indian Army has started receiving the Russian AK-203 assault rifles after the deal with Russia saw back-to-back delays, partly due to the war in Ukraine
- An international team of astronomers recently detected a new, Earth-sized planet named SPECULOOS-3b, just 55 light years away, orbiting an ultra-cool red dwarf star
- Recently, the government released a circular warning its employees of a sophisticated cybercrime— vishing. Vishing is short form of voice+phishing, is carried out through a call on a mobile phone or landline. It’s a technique wherein a threat actor calls the victim over the phone and tries to trick him/her into clicking on malicious files or emails, which can then take one to a legitimate-looking website asking to share personal information
- Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has responded to tight liquidity conditions in the banking system by announcing a significant reduction in the government’s treasury bill sales and introducing a new selection of bonds for the Centre’s buyback operations. Bond Buyback is a process whereby the central government and state governments buy back their existing securities, by redeeming them prematurely, from the holders. Bond buybacks is a liability management tools widely used in government securities markets to manage refinancing and liquidity risks
- The Materiovigilance Programme of India (MvPI) is a platform launched in 2015 to monitor the safety of medical devices in India. It aims to collect and analyze data on adverse events related to medical devices, including electronic equipment, implants, consumables, surgical instruments, and in-vitro diagnostic reagents. It is operated by the National Coordination Centre (NCC) under the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) and regulated by the Central Drugs Standards Control Organization (CDSCO) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. India’s regulatory framework for medical devices falls under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, and Medical Device Rule, 2017, with a significant reliance on imported devices
- FSSAI prohibits calcium carbide in fruit ripening due to health risks from acetylene gas containing arsenic and phosphorus, recommending ethylene gas as a safer alternative. The regulation advises strict compliance, outlines health impacts, and highlights the dangers to consumers and handlers. It also urges reporting unauthorized use and provides guidance on safe fruit ripening practices.
- Venezuela has lost its glaciers due to global warming and human activities, impacting freshwater sources, aquatic ecosystems, and cultural aspects. This loss reflects a broader concern globally, with other regions like India and the Hindu Kush Himalayas facing similar challenges.
- Blue Origin’s NS25 completed its 25th flight, marking its seventh human spaceflight. The mission launched from Launch Site One in West Texas, flying 31 humans above the Karman line. New Shepard is a fully reusable sub-orbital launch vehicle, reusing nearly 99% of its dry mass, and uses environmentally friendly liquid oxygen and hydrogen for propulsion. The flight also carried postcards for Blue Origin’s educational initiative, aimed at inspiring students in STEAM fields. The crew included Gopi Thotakura, the first Indian space tourist, and Ed Dwight, the first Black astronaut candidate selected by President Kennedy.
- A recent development in international trade involves India’s initiation of discussions on the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC) during a visit to the UAE. This corridor, conceived in February 2023, aims to establish a major trade route connecting Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, with proposed ports and routes spanning India, the Middle East, and Europe. However, challenges such as construction requirements, technical standardization, handling costs, and diplomatic concerns pose significant hurdles to its realization. Additionally, strategic implications include competition with China’s Belt and Road Initiative and diplomatic relations among participating countries
- Australian Federal Budget’s recent document introduced the Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-professionals Scheme (MATES) for Indian Nationals, effective from NOV 1 2024. This scheme is a part of the Migration and Mobility Partnership Arrangement (MMPA) between Australia and India, promoting legal migration while addressing illegal migration concerns. MATES allows Indian university graduates and young professionals to work in Australia for up to two years without employer sponsorship, provided they meet eligibility criteria like age, English proficiency, recent graduation, and qualifications in specific fields.
