5 and 6 May 2024 current affairs

National news

India Unveils First Indigenous Bomber UAV in Bengaluru:

• Flying Wedge Defence and Aerospace Technologies unveils FWD-200B, India’s first indigenous bomber unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).
• FWD-200B is a medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) UAV designed and manufactured entirely in India.
• Features a payload capacity of 100 kgs, capable of carrying optical surveillance payloads and precision air-strike weapons.
• Founder Suhas Tejaskanda states the FWD-200B fulfills India’s longstanding aspiration for producing a combat UAV domestically, overcoming past failures by agencies like DRDO.

Karnataka:

• Capital: Bengaluru (Executive Branch)
• Chief minister: Siddaramaiah
• Governor: Thawar Chand Gehlot

26th ASEAN-India Senior Officials’ Meeting in New Delhi:

• 26th ASEAN-India Senior Officials’ Meeting in New Delhi Co-chaired by Secretary (East) Jaideep Mazumdar and Permanent Secretary Albert Chua of Singapore.
• Singapore serves as the Country Coordinator of India for ASEAN-India Dialogue Relations.
• Attended by Senior Officials and representatives of all ASEAN Member States and Timor Leste.
• Review of ASEAN-India relations across political-security, economic, and socio-cultural pillars.
• Discussion on implementing Prime Ministers’ 12-Point Proposal to strengthen the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
• Exchange of views on regional and global issues of mutual interest.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations, commonly as ASEAN

• Founded: 8 August 1967

Headquarters: Jakarta, Indonesia

Manipur Governor Inaugurates ‘School On Wheels’ to Support Students in Relief Camps:

• Manipur Governor Sushri Anusuiya Uikey inaugurates ‘School on Wheels’ initiative in Imphal.
• Implemented by Vidya Bharati Shiksha Vikash Samiti Manipur to reach students in relief camps.
• School bus equipped with library, computers, sports items, and teacher visits different relief camps.
• Governor emphasizes the importance of education for children in camps, directs support for expanding the initiative.

Manipur state:

• Chief minister: N. Biren Singh
• Capital: Imphal
• Governor: Sushri Anusuiya Uikey

IFFCO’s Nano Zinc and Nano Copper Liquid Fertilisers Receive FCO Approval:

• IFFCO gains FCO (Fertilizer Control Order ) approval for nano zinc and nano copper liquid fertilisers, expanding its crop nutrition offerings .
• Nano formulations aimed at addressing zinc and copper deficiencies in agriculture to enhance crop production and quality.
• Zinc and copper crucial for plant enzyme functioning and chlorophyll production; deficiencies impact crop yield and quality.

IFFCO: Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited

• CEO: Dr. Udai Shanker Awasthi (1993–)
• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Founded: 3 November 1967, New Delhi

7th India-Indonesia Joint Defence Cooperation Committee Meeting Held in New Delhi:

• 7th India-Indonesia Joint Defence Cooperation Defence Secretary Shri Giridhar Aramane and Secretary General of Ministry of Defence, Indonesia, Air Marshal Donny Ermawan Taufanto, M.D.S. co-chair the meeting.
• Held in New Delhi on May 04, 2024, focusing on enhancing collaboration in defence industry, maritime security, and multilateral cooperation.
• Satisfaction expressed at the expanding scope of defence cooperation between both nations.
• Progress on bilateral defence cooperation initiatives reviewed, including Working Groups on Defence Cooperation and Defence Industries Cooperation.
• Emphasis placed on identifying means to enhance existing areas of collaboration, particularly in defence industry ties and maritime security.

Indonesia:

• Capital: Jakarta
• President: Joko Widodo

India Extends Duty-Free Import of Yellow Peas Until October 2024:

• India prolongs duty-free import timeline for yellow peas by four months, as per official notification.
• Initially allowed until March 2024, extended to April, June, and now October 2024.
• Decision aimed at stabilizing prices of pulse basket, as yellow peas imports play significant role.
• Duty on yellow peas first imposed in November 2017 at 50%, mainly imported from Canada and Russia.

International news

India and Nigeria Aim for Local Currency Settlement System Agreement to Boost Economic Ties:

• India and Nigeria agree to expedite the conclusion of a local currency settlement system agreement to strengthen economic relations.
• A seven-member Indian delegation, led by Additional Secretary in the commerce ministry Amardeep Singh Bhatia, visits Abuja for the second session of India-Nigeria Joint Trade Committee (JTC) after a five-year gap.
• Both countries identify focus areas for enhancing bilateral trade and investments, including crude oil, natural gas, pharmaceuticals, UPI, power and renewable energy, agriculture, education, transport, railway, aviation, and MSMEs development.

Nigeria:

• Capital: Abuja
• President: Bola Ahmed Tinubu
• Currency: Nigerian Naira

Appointment news:

Atanu Chakraborty Re-appointed HDFC Bank Chairman for Three Years:

• HDFC Bank Limited announces reappointment of Atanu Chakraborty as part-time chairman approved by RBI.
• Chakraborty’s reappointment effective from May 5, 2024, to May 4, 2027.
• Atanu Chakraborty is currently a part-time chairman and independent director of HDFC Bank Limited. He served the Government of India for 35 years as a member of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) in the Gujarat cadre.

HDFC bank:

• CEO: Sashidhar Jagdishan 
• Founded: August 1994, Mumbai
• Headquarters: Mumbai

Mallika Nadda Appointed Chairperson of Special Olympics Asia Pacific Advisory Council:

• Mallika Nadda, President of Special Olympics Bharat, named Chairperson of Special Olympics Asia Pacific Advisory Council (APAC) for three years.
• Also serves as Chairperson of Special Olympics Bharat since 2021.
• Recognized social activist committed to serving the differently-abled, underprivileged, and women empowerment for over three decades.
• Holds a doctorate in history, affiliated with Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla, with a focus on urban studies.

RBI Approves Sanjeev Nautiyal as MD & CEO of Ujjivan Small Finance Bank:

• Reserve Bank of India greenlights Sanjeev Nautiyal’s appointment as MD & CEO at Ujjivan Small Finance Bank for three years, starting July 1, 2024.
• Nautiyal to join the bank earlier and serve as President until officially assuming the role of MD & CEO, as per an exchange filing.

Ujjivan small finance bank:

• Headquarters: India
• Founded: 1 February 2017
• Head: Mr. Ittira Davis

Ranks news

India Ranks 159th in 2024 World Press Freedom Index:

• India positioned at 159th out of 180 countries in the latest World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders (RSF).
• Despite a slight improvement from its previous rank of 161, India faces substantial challenges for journalists.
• Neighbouring nation Pakistan surpasses India, securing 152nd place, while Sri Lanka ranks 150th.
• Index highlights ongoing concerns regarding press freedom and journalistic safety in India.

Top 5 countries:

• 1^st Norway
• 2^nd Denmark
• 3^rd survey
• 4^th Netherlands
• 5^th Finland

Press Freedom Index Overview

• The World Press Freedom Index evaluates 180 countries based on the freedom and independence journalists have to work and report.
• The rankings shed light on the varying degrees of press freedom across the globe. In the Asia-Pacific region, which ranks as the world’s second most challenging area for journalism, several countries, including Myanmar, China, North Korea, Vietnam, and Afghanistan, are among the most dangerous for media personnel.
• Notably, no Asian country made it to the Index’s top 15 this year, indicating a pervasive challenge to press freedom in the region.

Sports news

Japan Wins 2024 Men’s AFC U-23 Title and Secures Paris Olympics Spot:

• Japan clinches second Men’s AFC U-23 Asian Cup title by defeating Uzbekistan.
• Final held in Doha, Qatar; Japan wins with a solitary goal and qualifies for 2024 Paris Olympics.
• Tournament held from April 15 to May 3, 2024.
• Japan wins gold, Uzbekistan takes silver, and Iraq claims bronze.
• Substitute Yamada scores decisive goal in injury time; Japanese goalkeeper saves crucial penalty.
• Top three teams in AFC U-23 tournament secure automatic qualification for Paris Olympics.
• Japan placed in Group D of Paris Olympics alongside Mali, Israel, and Paraguay.

Japan:

• Capital: Tokyo
• Prime minister: Fumio Kishida

ICC Announces Schedule for Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 in Bangladesh:

• ICC reveals fixtures for the ninth Women’s T20 World Cup, scheduled from October 3 to 20 in Bangladesh.
• Ten teams to compete in 23 matches across 18 days at Shere Bangla National Cricket Stadium and Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.
• Event unveiled in Dhaka with attendance from Bangladesh Cricket Board President, ICC CEO, and captains of India and Bangladesh women’s teams – Harmanpreet Kaur and Nigar Sultana respectively.

ICC:

• Headquarters: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
• Founded: 15 June 1909
• CEO: Geoff Allardice
• Chairman: Greg Barclay

Tejaswin Shankar Secures Victory in Men’s High Jump Event at USATF Festival:

• Tejaswin Shankar, India’s National record holder, wins men’s High Jump event at the USATF Festival in Tucson, Arizona, USA.
• Shankar clears 2.23 meters in his first attempt, equaling his season-best effort, to claim the top spot at the World Athletics Continental Tour – Silver event.
• Earnie Sears of USA takes second place, while Roberto Vilches of Mexico finishes third.
• Another Indian athlete, Sarvesh Kushare, clears 2.13 meters to secure fifth position in the event.

Indian Women’s 4×400 Metre Relay Team Qualifies for Paris Olympics:

• Indian women’s 4×400 metre relay team secures Paris Olympics qualification by finishing second in their second-round heat at World Athletics Relays in Nassau, Bahamas.
• Quartet of Rupal Chaudhary, M R Poovamma, Jyothika Sri Dandi, and Subha Venkatesan clinch ticket to Paris Games.

Team initially finished fifth in first-round qualifying heat but improves performance in second round to secure qualification.

Important days  Top of Form

International Fire Fighters’ Day 2024:

• Fire Fighters’ Day is celebrated every year on May 4. Check out the history, significance, quotes, and more.
• Every year on May 4th, people around the world celebrate International Firefighter’s Day to honour the brave men and women who risk their lives to keep communities safe from fires and other emergencies.
• This day holds special significance as it recognises the dedication and sacrifice of firefighters everywhere.

History: International Firefighter’s Day traces its origins back to a tragic event in Australia. On December 2, 1998, five firefighters lost their lives while battling a fierce blaze in Linton, Victoria.