NATIONAL NEWS

Union Health Ministry Launched SAKSHAM

• Union Health Ministry launched the SAKSHAM Learning Management Information System and it was launched by Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan.

• SAKSHAM stands for Stimulating Advanced Knowledge for Sustainable Health Management.

• It aims to provide online training and medical education to all health professionals across the country.

• This digital learning platform will facilitate comprehensive capacity building among health professionals.

• Currently, it offers over 200 public health and 100 clinical courses in an online format.
• SAKSHAM was developed by the National Institute of Health and Family Welfare in New Delhi.

Telangana Government Launches State Robotics Framework

• Telangana government launches State Robotics Framework to establish self-sustaining robotics ecosystem and position the state as a leader in robotics in India.

• This includes setting up a Robo Park with testing facilities and co-working spaces as well as a world-class robotics accelerator for startups.

• It aims to support research and development, promote collaboration between academia and industry, and promote the adoption of robotics technology.

• The framework focuses on leveraging robotics in agriculture, healthcare, industrial automation and consumer robotics to drive growth and development.

PMJJBY, PMSBY And APY Completed 8 Years

• Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY), Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) and Atal Pension Yojana (APY) completed 8 years of providing social security cover.

• PMJJBY, PMSBY and APY were launched by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on 09 May 2015 from Kolkata, West Bengal.

• The three schemes are dedicated to the welfare of the citizens, recognising the need for securing human life from unforeseen decentralisation and financial uncertainties.

• PMJJBY is a one-year life insurance scheme renewable from year to year offering coverage for death due to any reason.
• PMSBY is a one-year accidental insurance scheme renewable from year to year offering coverage for death or disability due to accident.
• The Atal Pension Yojana (APY) was launched to create a universal social security system for all Indians, especially the poor, the under-privileged and the workers in the unorganised sector.

Uttar Pradesh Government Plans to Develop a ‘Ramaland’ Theme Park

• The Uttar Pradesh (UP) government is planning to develop a theme park ‘Ramaland’ modelled on

• It will be developed to narrate the story of Lord Ram and attract tourists.

• It will attract children and adults to showcase the story of Ramayan.

• Under ‘Ayodhya Vision 2047’, the planned transformation of Ayodhya is estimated to cost Rs 30,000 crore.

• The development plans include around 260 initiatives covering tourism, aviation, infrastructure, housing, medical, energy, culture, urban improvement, transport and more.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

World Health Organisation Chief Declares End to COVID-19

• The World Health Organization (WHO) has ended the global emergency status of COVID-19.

• According to WHO’s Coronavirus Dashboard which has collated key statistics since early in the pandemic, the cumulative cases worldwide now stand at 765,222,932, with nearly 7 million deaths: the precise figure currently stands at 6,921,614.

• As of 30 April 2023, a total of more than 3 billion vaccine doses have been administered worldwide.

• On 30 January 2020, after the recommendation of the Emergency Committee, WHO had declared Covid-19 as a global health emergency.
• The WHO issued an updated Covid management plan on 03 May 2023.
• It will guide countries to manage Covid for the next 2 years.

BANKING

RBI Imposed Fine of Rs 1.73 Crore on HSBC Bank

• HSBC Bank has been fined Rs 1.73 crore by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for violating the Credit Information Companies Rules 2006.

• The central bank has accused the bank of providing false information about its credit cards to credit information companies.

• An investigation by the RBI has revealed that the bank had given wrong information about its expired credit cards.

• The RBI has imposed a hefty fine of Rs 1.73 crore on the bank for violating its rules.

• Apart from HSBC Bank, RBI has also imposed penalties on two co-operative banks for violation of norms.
• Thrissur Urban Cooperative Bank Ltd has been fined Rs 2 lakh for flouting gold loan norms.
• Bhilai Nagrik Sahakari Bank has been fined Rs 1.25 lakh for not depositing unclaimed deposits in time under the Depositor Education and Awareness Fund Scheme (DEAF Scheme).

AU Small Finance Bank Launches Business Cashback Rupay Credit Card

• AU Small Finance Bank has partnered with RuPay to introduce the Business Cashback RuPay credit card, an innovative solution tailored to meet the financial requirements of self-employed customers.

• The objective is to provide a diverse range of benefits to small businesses.

• The RuPay Credit Card simplifies financial operations for businesses with benefits like up to 2% cashback, 48 days interest-free credit, and instant loans.

• It also offers fire insurance, burglary, and housebreaking coverage, making it a one-stop solution for businesses.
• The credit card also provides lifestyle and travel benefits.

FPI Licence to Alchemy India Long Term Fund Relocated to GIFT City

• Kotak Mahindra Bank has issued the first-ever foreign portfolio investor (FPI) licence to Alchemy’s Fund for relocation to Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT) City.
• Foreign Portfolio Investment (FPI) involves an investor buying foreign financial assets.
• It involves an array of financial assets like fixed deposits, stocks, and mutual funds.
• Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) operates the FPIs.
• The bank has re-domiciled Alchemy India Long Term Fund from Mauritius to India’s GIFT City.
• In June 2023, Alchemy India Long Term Fund will complete 15 years of operation.

BUSINESS

MakeMyTrip Teams Up with Microsoft

• MakeMyTrip has tied up with Microsoft to make travel planning more inclusive and accessible by introducing voice-assisted booking in Indian languages.

• Microsoft Azure Open AI Service and Azure Cognitive Services will converse with the user to offer personalised travel recommendation

• The beta version of this integration has been introduced in English and Hindi for flights and holiday customers.

• The next stage of voice-assisted booking flow will cover other transport offerings.

SPORTS

Badminton Asia Appoints Chairman of the Technical Officials Committee

• Badminton Asia appointed Umar Rasheed, joint secretary of the Badminton Association of India (BAI), as the chairman of the Technical Officials Committee.

• As chairman of the technical officials' committee, Rasheed will oversee the development and implementation of rules and regulations to elevate officiating standards in badminton tournaments across the country.

• Rashid is committed to strengthening the governance of badminton in India and the region, by upholding the integrity of the game and ensuring high quality officiating in all tournaments.
• Rashid also serves as the General Secretary of the Assam Badminton Association, contributing significantly to the development of badminton in Assam and the Northeast region of India.

Cristiano Ronaldo Tops Forbes’ 2023 Highest-Paid Athletes

• Cristiano Ronaldo became the world’s highest-paid athlete after he signed a contract worth more than 200 million euros ($219.98 million) with Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr.

• After leaving Manchester United, Cristiano Ronaldo joined Saudi Football Club until 2025.

• His annual playing salary has increased by $75 million.

• Lionel Messi is in the second spot with $130 million while Kylian Mbappe is in third spot with $120 million.
• LeBron James ($119.5 million) and Canelo Alvarez ($110 million) are in the fourth and fifth spots respectively.

DEFENCE

Indian Navy Decommissioned INS Magar

• Indian Naval Ship (INS) Magar, Landing Ship Tank (Large) amphibious assault ship of the Indian Navy decommissioned after 36 years of exceptional service at the naval base in Kochi, Kerala.

• The chief guest for the event was Chief of Army Staff General Manoj Pande.

• The literal meaning of ‘Magar’ is a crocodile in English.

• This ship was commissioned by Admiral RH Tahiliani, Chief of the Naval Staff, on July 15 1987.
• INS Magar was built by the Kolkata-based Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE).
• INS Magar is 120 metres long and has a beam of 17.5 metres.
• It was deployed for milestone operations like Operation Pawan to support the Indian Peace Keeping Force in Sri Lanka.