National news
DD Kisan’s Launch of AI Anchors Krish and Bhoomi
- The government of India-run public broadcaster Doordarshan has announced that its channel DD Kisan will launch two artificial intelligence (AI) anchors, Krish and Bhoomi, on 26 May 2024.
- The DD Kisan channel was launched on 26 May 2015 and is celebrating the 9th year of its foundation.
Broadcast in 50 Language
- From 26 May 2024, the DD Kisan channel will become the first government TV channel to use AI anchors to broadcast information related to the latest prices in agricultural mandis, weather updates, and the latest research in agriculture done in India and abroad.
- The two anchors, which are basically computers that look like human beings, can speak in 50 languages. They can read the news 24 hours a day, 365 days, without stopping or getting tired.
First AI News Anchor in the World and India
- The first AI news anchor in the world was introduced by the Chinese state news agency Xinhua in 2018. The anchor named Qiu Hao was developed by Xinhua and the Chinese search engine Sogou.
- In India, the first AI news anchor named Sana was introduced by the India Today group on its Aaj Tak Hindi news channel in 2023. Sana has a human-like appearance and is fed data from a computer that it can read using text-to-speech technology. She is used to giving news updates several times a day
About DD Kisan
- Doordarshan launched a separate dedicated channel for agriculture, DD Kisan, on 26 May 2015. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the channel as a new initiative to promote the inclusive growth of farmers.
- The main purpose of the channel was to provide information related to agriculture to the farmers of the country so that they could make informed decisions regarding planting, harvesting and selling of their crops. The farmers are provided information regarding weather, mandi prices and various government schemes regarding the agriculture sector launched by the government.
AF Chief Inaugurates First-Ever EMRS in Karnataka
- Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) of Indian Air Force (IAF) has inaugurated the first-ever Emergency Medical Response System (EMRS) at Command Hospital Air Force (CHAF) in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
- The EMRS is a 24/7 telephonic medical helpline for serving IAF personnel and their families across India.
- This system aims to provide timely response by a team of medical and paramedical professionals to the caller experiencing an emergency anywhere in India.
- This facility also represents the IAF’s dedication to using technology to provide high- quality healthcare in the event of an emergency.
Banking news
Mahindra Finance Receives IRDAI Approval to Sell Insurance Products as Corporate Agent
- Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services Limited (MMFSL) has received the Certificate of Registration (Corporate Agency License) from Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDAI), an insurance regulator to act as a ‘Corporate Agent (Composite)’ under the Insurance Act, 1938.
- The licence will enable Mahindra Finance to sell life and general insurance policies offered by various insurers.
- The registration shall be valid from May 21, 2024 to May 20, 2027 and it enables the company to undertake further business activity of soliciting and procuring insurance business in the areas of life, health and general insurance – both group and individual.
- It would help the customers with their financial and insurance needs being met by a single entity.
IRDAI:
- Chairperson: Debasish Panda
- Founded: 1999
- Headquarters: Hyderabad
Award news
E -Rickshaw driver Arti of UP conferred UK’s Women’s Empowerment Award
- An 18-year-old woman E-rickshaw driver from the Bahraich district of Uttar Pradesh, Arti, has been conferred with the Amal Clooney Women’s Empowerment Award by the King of the United Kingdom, Charles III.
- The award ceremony was held at Buckingham Palace, London, England. Arti arrived at Buckingham Palace in a Pink E-rickshaw, which she received under the Mission Shakti scheme of the Uttar Pradesh government.
Amal Clooney Women’s Empowerment Award
- The Amal Clooney Women’s Empowerment Award is named after the famous English Barrister Amal Clooney. The award is sponsored by a British charity, Prince Trust International. The Prince Trust International was set up by King Charles when he was Prince of Wales.
- The Trust recognises and honours the work of young women who, despite all odds, succeed in their endeavours and make a lasting difference to the people around them.
- Arti was honoured for inspiring other young girls in her locality through her work with the government’s Pink E-rickshaw initiative.
Mission Shakti and Pink E-Rickshaw Scheme
Mission Shakti Overview
- Launch Year: 2020
- Objective: Empower women in Uttar Pradesh through safety, security, and self-reliance.
- Key Focus Areas:
- Providing a secure environment for women.
- Offering training and access to livelihood schemes.
- Promoting self-independence among women.
Pink E-Rickshaw Scheme
- Association: Part of Mission Shakti.
- Alignment: Integrated with the Mukhya Mantri Yuva Swarozgar Yojana.
- Target Beneficiaries:
- Women aged 18-40 years.
- Minimum educational qualification: 10th pass.
Training Program
- Duration:
- Safety, Security, and Self-Defence: 6 days.
- Entrepreneurship Development: 3 days.
- Content:
- Driving E-Rickshaws.
- Traffic rules and regulations.
- Safety and security protocols at workplaces.
Implementation
- Responsible Department: Micro Small and Medium Enterprises Department, Government of Uttar Pradesh.
- Implementing Agency: UP Industrial Consultant Limited (UPICON).
Financial Assistance
- Loan: E-Rickshaw provided at a low-interest rate loan.
- Subsidy: Rs 49,500 per recipient.
This scheme aims to empower women by equipping them with skills and resources to become self-reliant and economically independent
FTII Student Film Wins ‘La Cinef’ Award at 77th Cannes Film Festival
- “Sunflowers were the first ones to know” – a film by Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) student Chidanand S Naik and his team, has won the ‘La Cinef’ Award at the 77th Cannes Film Festival.
- The winner was officially announced at the festival. The film has been directed by Chidananda S Naik, shot by Suraj Thakur, edited by Manoj V and sound by Abhishek Kadam.
- The Information and Broadcasting Ministry said this is a historic moment for the Indian Cinema. Indian films have been receiving accolades at international stage.
- FTII has performed remarkably well at Cannes with its students’ films being screened at the festival in past few years. The current recognition comes four years after another FTII student film ‘CATDOG’ won an award at the 73rd Cannes.
Rank And Report News
India Record Positive Growth Among Top 5 World Steel Producer in April
- According to the World Steel Association, India is the only country amongst the world’s top five crude steel-producing countries to record positive growth in production during April 2024.
- India, which is the second largest producer of crude steel in the world, recorded a growth rate of 3.9 per cent in April 2024 as compared to April 2023.
World steel association of India:
- Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium
- Founded: 10 July 1967
Oxford Economics’ Global Cities Index: Delhi Leads Indian Rankings:
- In the latest Oxford Economics’ Global Cities Index, Delhi emerges as the highest-ranked Indian city, securing the 350th position among the world’s 1000 largest cities. However, no Indian city managed to break into the top 300.
- The index, encompassing cities from 163 countries, evaluates cities across five key categories: Economics, Human Capital, Quality of Life, Environment, and Governance. New York clinches the top spot, with London, San Jose, Tokyo, and Paris following suit.
Indian Cities Rankings: Delhi Leads, Bengaluru, Mumbai Follow
In India, besides Delhi, other major cities like Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Chennai make appearances in the index. Bengaluru secures the 411th position, while Mumbai and Chennai follow at 427 and 472, respectively. Notably, South Indian cities seem to fare relatively better in the rankings.
Sports News
Atalanta wins the Europa League ends Bayer Leverkusen’s unbeaten run
- The Italian football club Atalanta BC defeated the German football club Bayer Leverkusen 3-0 in the final of the 2023-24 UEFA Europa League, played at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Republic of Ireland, on 23 May 2024.
- The defeat ended Bayer Leverkusen’s 51-match unbeaten record.
First European Trophy for Atalanta Football Club
- Serie A Italian football club, Atalanta BC, was playing its first European final. It was Bayer Leverkusen’s third European final, having won one and lost two.
- In the final, Ademola Lookman scored twice to give a 2-0 lead to the Atalanta side at half-time and scored his third and final goal of the match in the 75 minutes of the match to seal a historic victory for his side.
UEFA Europa League
- The Europa League is organised by the European Football governing body UEFA. It is considered the second most prestigious football tournament for European professional football clubs after the Champions League.
- The Europa League was started by UEFA in 1971, replacing the UEFA Cup.
- Sevilla football club of Spain is the most successful team in the tournament, having won it seven times.
- The Cup has been won 14 times by a club of Spain.
Italy:
- Capital: Rome
- Prime minister: Giorgia Meloni
- President: Sergio Mattarella
IOC Launches ‘Let’s Move India’ Campaign To Inspire People To Celebrate Athletes At Paris Olympics
- The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has launched the “Let’s Move India” campaign in collaboration with the Reliance Foundation and the Abhinav Bindra Foundation.
- The initiative aims to celebrate the Olympians heading to the upcoming Paris Olympics and encourage everyone to participate in physical activity.
Celebrating Olympians Through Movement: People of all ages, regions, and abilities are invited to recreate their favourite athlete celebrations or create their own unique movements. This inclusive campaign embraces a wide range of expressions, including catchy dance steps, hero tributes, or moves from India’s local games and sports.
International Olympic committee:
- Headquarters: Lausanne is a city
- Head: Thomas bach
Monu Ghangas Secures Paris Paralympics 2024 Spot In Men’s Discus Throw
- Indian para discus thrower Monu Ghangas has secured his spot in the Paris Paralympics 2024 with his best throw of 34.7m in the Men’s Discus Throw F11 event at the World Para Athletics Championships 2024 in Kobe, Japan, today.
- However, Monu failed to clinch a medal as he settled for the fourth position in the eight-member final. Oney Tapia from Italy clinched the gold medal in the final with a best throw of 42.76m while Mahdi Olad from Iran secured the silver medal with a throw of 42.36m. The bronze medal was grabbed by Bil Marnikavic from Australia with a throw of 37.82m.
Science and tech news
World’s Highest Observatory Inaugurated in Chile by University of Tokyo
- The University of Tokyo has inaugurated the Atacama Observatory (TAO), which has been awarded a Guinness World Record for being the highest observatory in the world.
- Situated at a staggering 5,640 meters above sea level on the summit of Cerro Chajnantor in the Antofagasta Region of Chile, TAO stands as a testament to human ingenuity and determination.
Unveiling a 6.5-meter Optical-Infrared Telescope
- At the heart of TAO lies a 6.5-meter optical-infrared telescope, designed to unravel the mysteries of the universe.
- This state-of-the-art instrument will focus on exploring the fundamental nature of the cosmos, contributing to our ever-expanding knowledge of the universe we inhabit.
Chile:
- Capital: Santiago
- President: Gabriel Boric
- Continent: South America
Important days
UNGA Proclaimed May 24 as the International Day of the Markhor
- The United Nations General Assembly has proclaimed May 24 as the International Day of the Markhor.
- This resolution, sponsored by Pakistan and eight other countries, aims to raise awareness and promote the conservation of this iconic and ecologically significant species found across the mountainous regions of Central and South Asia.
- The markhor (Capra falconeri), also known as the “screw-horned goat,” is the national animal of Pakistan. It is a majestic wild goat known for its striking spiral-shaped horns, which can grow up to 1.6 meters (5.2 feet) in length, making them the largest horns of any living caprid species.
United nation general assembly:
- Founded: 1945, New York, New York, United States
- Incumbent Dennis Francis