NATIONAL NEWS

Ministry of Education and PARAKH

• Ministry of Education organized a workshop in New Delhi to discuss the integration of 60 school examination boards operating in different states and union territories.

• The key component of the scheme is PARAKH, a National Assessment Center set up under the National Council of Educational Research and Training.

• The central government is planning for uniformity of boards to facilitate seamless transition for students in different boards or regions.

• It aims to align curriculum standards, grading system and evaluation methods so as to enhance the credibility and recognition of certificates and grades obtained across all boards.
• The workshop highlighted the need to re-evaluate the rote-examination culture prevalent in the education system.
• PARAKH full name is -Performance Assessment, Review and Analysis of Knowledge for Holistic Development.
• It will act as a constituent unit of the NCERT.

Withdraw AFSPA from Assam by December 2023

• Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has announced that a target has been set to completely withdraw AFSPA from Assam by the end of 2023.

• The government aims to address concerns of human rights violations and promote accountability and transparency.

• AFSPA (Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act provides additional powers to the armed forces to maintain law and order in areas affected by insurgency and internal disturbances.

• Its goal is to enable the armed forces to deal with insurgency and maintain public order in areas affected by armed insurgency or insurgency.
• AFSPA gives the armed forces wide powers including arrest, search and shoot on suspicion in ‘disturbed’ areas.

Government Makes Unique ID Mandatory for Doctors

• Doctors will now have to get a Unique Identification Number (UID) to be able to practice medicine in the country, as per the new regulations by the National Medical Commission (NMC).

• NMC has been constituted by an act of Parliament known as the National Medical Commission Act, 2019.

• It has replaced the Medical Council of India (MCI), constituted under the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956).

• NMC regulates medical education and medical professionals.

• The Commission grants recognition of medical qualifications gives accreditation to medical schools, grants registration to medical practitioners, monitors medical practice and assesses the medical infrastructure in India.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

FIPIC Summit in Papua New Guinea

• PM Modi attended the third India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) Summit in Papua New Guinea.

• 14 countries from the Pacific Islands (PICs) attended the summit.

• The summit was led by Papua New Guinea's PM James Marape and PM Modi.

• As part of India's Act East Policy, the Prime Minister of India announced a 12-point development plan for the Pacific Island Nations.
• The 12-point development plan focuses on a number of areas including health care, renewable energy and cyber security.
• The two leaders also launched a translation of the Tamil classic ‘Thirukkural’ to the Tok Pisin language of Papua New Guinea.
• The translated book is co-authored by linguist Subha Sasindran and Sasindran Muthuvel, Governor of West New Britain Province of Papua New Guinea.

First Country to Introduce Health Warnings on Alcohol

• Ireland's health minister, Stephen Donnelly, signed new regulations that will carry warnings about the health risks of drinking alcohol, as well as the product's calorie count.

• This innovative step aims to raise awareness about the potential health risks associated with alcohol consumption.

• The introduction of health warnings on alcohol bottles and cans will serve as a powerful tool for public health promotion and education.

• The warnings will provide concise information about the health hazards linked to excessive alcohol consumption, encouraging individuals to make informed decisions.
• Health warnings include liver disease, heart problems, increased risk of cancer, mental health problems and other associated risks.
• By emphasizing the risks and potential harms associated with alcohol consumption on alcohol packaging, youth can be deterred from drinking at an early age.

India and Australia Sign Agreements

• The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was exchanged after a bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese in Sydney.

• India and Australia sign agreements in the field of migration, mobility partnership and green hydrogen.

• Prime Minister Modi invited Prime Minister Albanese and Australian cricket fans to India for the Cricket World Cup.

SPORTS

Mcdonald’s Delivers FIFA Sponsorship Renewal to 2026

• McDonald’s, the fast-food chain, has signed a new contract with FIFA to remain as a World Cup sponsor until the 2026 edition in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

• The renewal gives McDonald’s the title of ‘Official Restaurant’ sponsor of this year’s Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand and the men’s edition three years later.

• McDonalds and FIFA have a shared passion for bringing people together through the power of football.
• McDonald’s is a proud supporter of football and has sponsored FIFA tournaments since 1994.

International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup

• India for the first time won two senior individual medals in women's skeet at International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup stage in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

• Ganemat Sekhon won the silver, his second ever individual World Cup medal.
• Making her first appearance at the senior level, Darshana Rathore won the bronze medal and this was her debut performance.
• Asem Orinbay of Kazakhstan won the gold medal through shoot-off.

AWARDS & PRIZES

Eurovision 2023

• Sweden’s Loreen won Eurovision 2023 with the song ‘Tattoo’ in Liverpool, northern England, becoming the first woman to triumph for a second time in the contest.
• Finland’s Käärijä, a green-bolero-sleeved rapper, came second.
• He won the viewer vote, but it was not enough to overtake Loreen’s lead after the result from the juries in the 37 participating countries.
• Loreen is the only person after Ireland’s Johnny Logan to win the contest twice, and her victory puts Sweden level with Ireland as the most successful Eurovision countries.
• The 67th edition of the musical festival was held in the ‘City of Pop’ on behalf of Ukraine, last year’s winner, which was unable to host this year because of Russia’s invasion.

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

President of The Executive Committee of India Taekwondo

• Namdev Shirgaonkar was elected unopposed as the President of the executive committee of India Taekwondo.
• The election was held at 2 Hotel Sun City Residency, Andheri (East) in which 25 affiliated State Associations duly participated.
• Namdev Shirgaonkar, President, India Taekwondo, who holds a black belt in Taekwondo, has accepted to be elected unopposed as the head of India Taekwondo.
• Sharad D Madakare (retd. Deputy Charity Commissioner) along with Bhagwatrao Gaikwad (retd. Judge) served as the Returning Officer.

Brand Ambassador of Tripura Tourism

• Former India cricket captain and former BCCI chief Sourav Ganguly has been named as the brand ambassador for Tripura Tourism.

• The Tripura government believes that Ganguly's popularity and charisma will draw attention to the state's unexplored tourist destinations.

• The selection of Ganguly as the brand ambassador is expected to attract more visitors to Tripura and give a boost to the tourism industry.

• Tripura has 19 different tribal communities with a majority Bengali population and Bengali, English and Kokborok are the official languages of the state.

IMPORTANT DAYS

Indian Commonwealth Day

• Commonwealth Dayof India is celebrated every year on24 May.

• The theme for Commonwealth Day 2023 is ‘Forging a Sustainable and Peaceful Common Future’.

• In 2023, Commonwealth Day aims to promote a sense of shared humanity and solidarity.

• The occasion aims to bring together the 2.5 billion citizens of the Commonwealth to recognize their shared values and principles.

• Commonwealth Day provides an opportunity to recognize and acknowledge the achievements of the 54 Commonwealth countries.
• Focus areas include addressing climate change and promoting gender equality.
• The first commemoration of Commonwealth Day took place on May 24, 1902, on the occasion of Queen Victoria's birthday.

World Turtle Day

• World Turtle Day is celebrated every year on May 23, founded by American Turtle Rescue (ATR).

• American Turtle Rescue (ATR) is a non-profit organisation dedicated to the conservation and welfare of turtles.

• The theme for this year's World Turtle Day is 'I Love Turtles', emphasising the critical need to protect these species and their future in the face of shrinking habitats.

• The day aims to protect turtles, raise awareness of their disappearing habitats and encourage human action to support their survival.
• American Turtle Rescue provides Turtle Day lesson plans and craft projects for classroom teaching.
• World Turtle Day was established by ATR on 23 May 2000 and has its 24th anniversary in 2023.

MISCELLANEOUS

Hari Buddha Magar Conquered Mount Everest

• Hari Budha Magar, a double-amputee ex-British Gurkha soldier from Nepal, scaled Mount Everest with prosthetic legs.

• Magar acknowledged the collective effort that made his achievement possible, including support from the Government of Nepal and people around the world.

• Magar participated in Paralympic sporting activities to raise awareness of disability.

• In the past decade, he accomplished numerous mountaineering feats, including the ascents of Ben Nevis (1,345 m), Mont Blanc (4,808.72 m), Kilimanjaro (5,895 m), Mera Peak (6,476 m), and Mount Toubkal (4,167 m).