Today's Current Affairs 13th May 2023

NATIONAL

Four-day Shri Anna Mahotsav begins in Dehradun

The four-day Shri Anna Mahotsav, Millets festival, has begun in Dehradun, Uttrakhand from Saturday. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurated Shri Anna Mahotsav at Hathibarkala. Thousands of farmers from across the state are participating in the four-day event.

While addressing the gathering on the occasion of Shri Ann Mahotsav the Chief Minister said that such events would encourage the cultivation of coarse grains. The Chief Minister said that “Shri Anna” is becoming the medium of all-round development in India and now every citizen of the country is also getting associated with it. More than 100 stalls of coarse grains have been set up in the festival.  On this occasion, Uttar Pradesh Agriculture Minister Surya Pratap Shahi and many other dignitaries also participated in the program. It may be recalled that along with organic farming in the state, the implementation of the National Natural Agriculture Mission scheme is being started in 11 districts of the state from this year itself. For this, the Government of India has also approved the operation of an agricultural mission program of about 796 lakhs on 6 thousand 400 hectares of land.

SCIENCE & TEHNOLOGY 

IBM and NASA Collaborate to Convert Satellite Data into High-Resolution Maps Using AI

IBM in collaboration with NASA unveiled a new geospatial foundation model designed to convert satellite data into high-resolution maps of floods, fires, and other landscape changes to reveal the planet’s past and hint at its future.

The model watsonx.ai geospatial offering is an artificial intelligence (AI) technology developed by IBM.

The platform’s potential applications include estimating climate-related risks to agriculture, infrastructure, and buildings, assessing forests for carbon-offset initiatives, and assisting businesses in developing strategies to address and adapt to climate change by employing predictive models.

The goal of the NASA and IBM collaboration is to provide an easier way for researchers to analyse and draw insights from large NASA datasets related to Earth processes.

This collaboration is part of NASA’s Open-Source Science Initiative (OSSI), a commitment to building an inclusive, transparent, and collaborative open science community over the next decade.

APPOINTMENS & RESIGNATIONS

Linda Yaccarino the new CEO of Twitter

Elon Musk has confirmed that Linda Yaccarino is the new Twitter CEO who he has appointed. Musk further revealed that Yaccarino will primarily focus on business operations while Musk will focus more on product design and new technology. Yaccarino will join as Twitter CEO officially in six weeks time,

About Linda Yaccarino - Linda Yaccarino is a notable figure in the media industry. Yaccarino has been with NBCUniversal for more than 20 years and has held a variety of leadership positions. Currently, she is responsible for all of NBCUniversal's global advertising and partnerships businesses.

As Musk previously confirmed that the new Twitter CEO will join in 6 weeks from now. It is also worth noting that Yaccarino is the first female Twitter CEO and also the first to come from a non-tech background. All ex-Twitter CEOs were from a tech background.

 SUMMIT'S & MOU's

India Semiconductor Mission signs MoU with Purdue University in US

The Indian Semiconductor Mission and Purdue University have inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the purposes of capacity building, research and development, and industry participation, according to Union Minister of Electronics and IT Ashwini Vaishnaw, who is now in the US.

About: India Semiconductor Mission - India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) is a specialized and independent Business Division within the Digital India Corporation that aims to build a vibrant semiconductor and display ecosystem to enable India’s emergence as a global hub for electronics manufacturing and design. Led by global experts of the Semiconductor and display ecosystem the mission aims to serve as a focal point for the comprehensive, coherent, efficient, and smooth deployment of the Program for Development of Semiconductor and Display Ecosystem in consultation with the Government ministries/departments/agencies, industry, and academia.

MoU signed between Telangana government and LSEG to set up tech centre in Hyderabad

In a major boost to the banking, financial services and insurance sector in Telangana, the London Stock Exchange Group PLC (LSEG) has announced its decision to set up a Technology Centre of Excellence in Hyderabad, generating employment for about 1,000 people in a year.

The announcement was made after IT and Industries Minister KT Rama Rao, who is currently on a tour of the United Kingdom, met with Anthony McCarthy, Group CIO, LSEG,

Following the announcement, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Telangana government and LSEG. The MoU was signed by Jayesh Ranjan, Principal Secretary (IT and Industries) and McCarthy.

About: LSEG - The London Stock Exchange Group is a leading global financial market infrastructure and data provider, operating in 70 countries worldwide and serving customers in 190 countries. With over 2,000 issuers across 100 countries and a benchmark of $161 linked to FTSE Russell indexes, LSEG continues to be a major player in the global financial industry.

G7 Finance Ministers, Central Bank Governors meet in Japan to tackle global economic challenges

The G7 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors met in Niigata, Japan joined by the Heads of the International Monetary Fund, World Bank Group, Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, and Financial Stability Board. The meeting took place from 11th-13th May.

During the meeting, many issues of global interest were discussed including the Russia-Ukraine war and debt vulnerabilities in developing countries.

Other issues included strengthening global economic resilience through climate action, global health architecture, economic security as well as financial digitalization and pursuing welfare enhancement by upgrading economic policies

The discussions held with Brazil, Comoros, India, Indonesia, the Republic of Korea, and Singapore were given due importance in respective issues. G7 members and Finance Ministers of these countries exchanged views on recent global economic developments and major challenges.

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

Cochin Port bags Sagar Shreshta award

Cochin Port has bagged Sagar Shreshta Award of Ministry of Ports Shipping & Waterways for best performance among all Indian Major Ports for best turnaround time in non-container port category, during the year 2022-23.

Union Minister for Ports, Shipping & Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal has given the award to M. Beena, Chairperson, Cochin Port Authority at a function held in New Delhi. The award is in recognition of the ‘excellent performance of the Cochin Port in handling dry bulk and liquid bulk cargo vessels’.

The port recorded 48 hours in turning around vessels of an average parcel size of 43,800 MT that arrived at the Port. The TRT is a performance parameter which is calculated on the basis of the notice of readiness by the vessel till pilot disembark time after operations, of a vessel that arrives at the port. Union Minister for Ports, Shipping Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal  given away the Award to Dr M Beena, Chairperson, Cochin Port Authority.

BANKING AND ECONOMY

Kotak Bank’s `privy league’ premium banking customers to get country’s first LED debit cards

Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited (KMBL) has launched a premium banking programme, Privy League, aimed at high-net-worth individuals. The programme offers lifestyle privileges and bespoke financial solutions. According to a statement issued by the bank, the Privy League will be the bank's flagship premium banking program and is designed to celebrate its customers' achievements. One of the features of this account is the Premium Metal Debit Card, designed by artist Arunanshu Chowdhury for the Privy League black tier, lets customers enjoy luxury deals and complimentary airport lounge access, among many other benefits. The Signature LED Debit Card, designed for Privy League Platinum tier, is India's first LED card, which lights.