NATIONAL NEWS

20 Firms Shortlisted Under New EV Subsidy Scheme

The Centre has given certification to over 20 vehicle OEMs to take part in the short-term e-mobility promotion scheme EMPS.

According to sources, these 20 companies, including all the major two and three-wheeler manufacturers, can now avail of incentives under the scheme.

The process for granting EMPS certificates has been completed.

The scheme is now expected to fully pick up pace and support EV adoption in the country

The EMPS, which is valid for only four months (April–July 2024) with an outlay of Rs 500 crore, aims to subsidise electric two-wheeler, three-wheeler, and e-rickshaw purchases by consumers.

It may be replaced or extended once a new central government is formed in June.

The new scheme aims to support the adoption of over 3,30,000 e-two-wheelers, over 40,000 smaller e-three-wheelers (e-rickshaws or e-carts), and over 25,000 large e-three-wheelers (L5 category).

As such, the maximum incentive per electric two-wheeler has been capped at Rs 10,000, for e-rickshaws or e-carts at Rs 25,000, and for L5 vehicles, it has been kept at Rs 50,000 per vehicle    

 

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

National Ambassador for UNICEF Every Child Campaign

UNICEF India has appointed famous Bollywood star Kareena Kapoor Khan as its National Ambassador for its # For Every Child campaign in the country.

As a national ambassador, Kareena Kapoor will support the UNICEF India campaign to further every child’s right to early childhood development, health, education, and gender equality.

Kareena Kapoor was appointed UNICEF India’s Celebrity Advocate in 2014.

UNICEF appoints Goodwill Ambassadors and Celebrity Advocates to increase public awareness of the rights of children and women and UNICEF's work in protecting those rights.

 

BANKING

RBI's Innovation Hub Collaborates with mysaltapp and FICCI Ladies Organisation

The Reserve Bank of India’s Innovation Hub (RBIH) subsidiary collaborated with mysaltapp and the FICCI Ladies Organisation to release a white paper titled "At The Helm: Women Entrepreneurs Transforming Middle India."

The white paper revealed that only 3% of women entrepreneurs in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities have access to external funding.

This indicates a significant gap in funding availability for women entrepreneurs in smaller cities compared to major urban areas.

About 20% of India's Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are women-led.

The majority of these are sole proprietorships, with 5.2% of small enterprises being women-led and 2.6% of medium enterprises being women-led.

Indian women often bear the majority of family care responsibilities, affecting their business ventures and career opportunities.

86% of women relocated due to marriage, impacting continuity and access to employment or entrepreneurship opportunities.

Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities generally lack scalable employment opportunities compared to Tier 1 and a few Tier 2 cities, limiting economic growth for women entrepreneurs.

 

SPORTS

F1 Miami Grand Prix

The 24-year-old British Formula 1(F1) driver Lando Norris finally won his maiden F1 title by winning the Miami Grand Prix held at the Miami International Autodrome in Miami, Florida, in the United States of America.

He also broke the dominance of the Red Bulls Max Verstappen, who won four out of six races of the 2024 F1 season.

Lando Norris, who is currently with McLaren’s team, made his debut in the F1 circuit at the Australian Grand Prix in 2019.

In his 110th Grand Prix at Miami, he finally won his first F1 race title.

 

AWARDS & PRIZES

2024 Pulitzers Prize

Columbia University of the United States of America announced the 2024 Pulitzer Prize winners on 7 May 2024.

Columbia University announced the winners on the recommendation of the Pulitzer Prize Board.

The award will be conferred by the president of Columbia University in a ceremony later.

The Pulitzer Award is considered the most prestigious prize in the field of Journalism.

Public Service - Pro Publica. Pro Publica is a non-profit investigative journalist body in California. It was given the award for the investigative work of its reporters Joshua Kaplan, Justin Elliott, Brett Murphy, Alex Mierjeski and Kirsten Berg.

Investigative Reporting - Hannah Dreier of The New York Times

International Reporting - Staff of the New York Times. The award was given for its wide-ranging and revelatory coverage of Hamas’ lethal attack in southern Israel on October 7, Israel’s intelligence failures and the Israeli military’s response in Gaza.

Editorial Writing - David E. Hoffman of The Washington Post Newspaper.

Breaking News Photography - Photography Staff of Reuters news agency.

Feature Photography - Photography Staff of Associated Press news agency.

Audio Reporting - Staff of the Invisible Institute and USG Audio.

Fiction - Night Watch. The novel has been written by American novelist Jayne Anne Phillips.

Drama - Primary Trust. The Primary Trust has been written by American playwright Eboni Booth

 

APPOINMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

President of GST Appellate Tribunal

Justice (retired) Sanjaya Kumar Mishra was sworn in as the first President of the GST Appellate Tribunal on 6 May 2024.

The Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman administered the oath of office in New Delhi.

Justice (retired) Sanjaya Kumar Mishra has been appointed for a term of four years.

The former Chief Justice of Jharkhand High Court, Justice (retired)Sanjaya Kumar Mishra’s name, was approved by the Appointment Committee of the Union Cabinet headed by the Prime Minister.

The selection of Justice (retired) Sanjaya Kumar Mishra was recommended by a Search cum Selection Committee.

The GST Appellate Tribunal is an Appellate Authority constituted under the Central Goods and Service Tax Act 2017.

 

DEFENCE

65th Raising Day of BRO

The Border Road Organisation (BRO) celebrated its 65th raising day on 7 May 2024.

A ceremony was organised in New Delhi on the occasion, presided over by the Union Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane.

 The defence secretary praised BRO's contribution to building infrastructure in inhospitable areas and tough weather conditions.

The Border Road Organisation was set up on 7 May 1960 by the Pandit Nehru government to execute crucial road projects vital for the Army.

The BRO's main function is to construct and maintain roads in the border areas, which have been classified as General staff roads per the country's defence requirements.

It specialises in building roads of strategic importance for the armed forces at an altitude of 9,000 feet to 19,000 feet along the northern and Western borders.

The BRO also executes Agency Works entrusted to it by other Central government ministries and departments, state governments, and other semi-government organisations.

It has now diversified into building airfields, permanent steel and pre-stressed concrete bridges and accommodation projects.

 

IMPORTANT DAYS

World Asthma Day

Every year World Asthma Day is celebrated on the First Tuesday of May.

This year, World Asthma Day was celebrated on May 7.

In celebration of World Asthma Day 2024, the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) has selected the theme of “Asthma Education Empowers”.

This day is celebrated to raise awareness among people about Asthma.

The Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) was established in 1993.

The first World Asthma Day was observed in the year 1998.

Organised by GINA, World Asthma Day is observed to spread awareness about the challenges faced by people suffering from Asthma.

The day aims to bring together doctors, patients and organisations to work together in empowering people with Asthma and providing them with a better life.

 

OBITUTARY

Titanic' and 'Lord of the Rings' Actor Bernard Hill

Bernard Hill, actor known for his roles in "The Lord of the Rings" and "Titanic," passed away at the age of 79.

Hill portrayed Théoden, King of Rohan, in "The Lord of the Rings" film trilogy.

He played Captain Edward Smith, the captain of the Titanic, in the 1997 film "Titanic."

He also played Luther Plunkitt, Warden of San Quentin Prison, in Clint Eastwood's film "True Crime."

Hill's performance as Yosser Hughes in "Boys from the Blackstuff" earned him a nomination for a British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) award in 1983.

The series won the BAFTA for Best Drama Series.

The film "Titanic," in which he played Captain Edward Smith, won 11 Academy Awards.