Today's Current Affairs 18th April 2023

INTERNATIONAL

Syria becomes world's largest ‘narco-state

Syria has witnessed a troubling transformation into the world's foremost narco-state, as its economic survival now depends heavily on the production and export of Captagon, also known as the "poor man's coke".

As per a report by ANI, This highly addictive amphetamine has become the primary lifeline of the country's economy, generating more than 90% of its foreign currency. The pervasive presence and profitability of Captagon in Syria have raised concerns about the devastating impact of drug trafficking on the country's social fabric, health, and security. Collins Dictionary provides a definition of a "narco-state" as a nation where a significant portion of the economy is reliant on the illicit trade of narcotic drugs,

Note - Captagon, a banned illicit drug recognized by the UNODC (2021), is a synthetic stimulant that combines amphetamine and caffeine. Originally introduced by a German pharmaceutical company in 1961 for medical purposes such as treating conditions like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, narcolepsy, and depression, Captagon was later found to be highly addictive and detrimental to mental and physical health, leading to its prohibition.

NATIONAL

Kerala adopts Water Budget to tackle problem of summer water shortage, - The first of its kind in the country.

With an abundance of rivers, streams, backwaters and a good amount of rainfall contribute to the lush greenery in Kerala, many parts of which yet face acute water scarcity when it comes to the summers. And this has led to the state adopting a Water Budget — the first of its kind in the country.

The details of the first phase of the Water Budget in the state covering 94 grama panchayats in 15 block panchayats were unveiled on Monday by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

At the event, Vijayan said that the state was witnessing a reduction in water availability and therefore a water budget would be helpful in properly utilising the resource and preventing wastage.

Water experts welcomed the initiative and said it would help the state ascertain the demand and supply of the precious liquid resource and apportion it accordingly, as the problem was not one of availability, but of management

The usage of water, so has to be regulated in accordance with its availability in an area. That is where the water budget comes in. It would lead to awareness among the public against unnecessary wastage of water and through that we can achieve water conservation.

DRDO Industry Academia Centre Of Excellence Inaugurated At IIT Hyderabad

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Industry Academia Centre of Excellence (DIA-CoE) has been inaugurated at the Indian Institute of Technology -Hyderabad. This is the biggest such facility in the country. DRDO Chairman Dr Samir V Kamat inaugurated the facility at the campus of the IIT-Hyderabad at Sangareddy in Telangana. Speaking on the occasion, he said the centre will take up futuristic projects towards long-term directed research needed for DRDO. He said the DIA CoE IITH is the largest centre among all 15 CoEs in the country and DRDO team will work with IIT-H to identify the target projects in each of these domains and execute to complete in a period of 3-5 years.

The research cell, which marked the beginning of the collaboration between DRDO and IITH three years ago, has now been transformed into a Centre of Excellence. The CoE will have seven verticals of technology projects that will be undertaken at DIA-CoE at IITH.IITH director

SCIENCE & TEHNOLOGY

CRED launches P2P UPI payments on its app

Fintech major CRED has launched peer-to-peer UPI payments on its app, allowing CRED members to transact with CRED members or non-members by searching their contact list and adding phone numbers, or UPI ids.

The service will be limited to CRED members. To become a CRED member, one needs to have 750 or above credit score. “While UPI has created a revolution in digital payments with a focus on utility, CRED seeks to move beyond being transactional- creating an elevated UPI experience for members. This experience hinges on making payments instant, secure, and rewarding

The new payment experience has been introduced after the launch of Scan & Pay in October 2022. As scan and pay gain traction, CRED expects the number of merchants to grow. Now with the launch of P2P UPI payments, CRED members will have multiple payment options including offline payments (UPI P2P, Scan & Pay, Tap to Pay), online merchant payments (CRED Pay, CRED flash) and bill payments.

Himachal Pradesh creates India’s first DNA database for unidentified bodies

Himachal Pradesh has become the first Indian state to develop a DNA database for unidentified bodies, according to media reports. The process of creating this database had started in April 2022. So far, the database holds records of 150 DNA samples of unidentified bodies.

The database comes as a relief to those families which keep running from pilar to post with photographs and other details in a hope to find bodies of their loved ones. The database with DNA details will help massively in such cases, Assistant Director (DNA), Directorate of Forensics Services, Junga, Vivek Sahajpal told media.

It would be easy to match DNA details stored in database with DNA samples of relatives. This will lead to the right identification of bodies within seconds, he added. The database would also assist in criminal investigation of heinous crimes, identification of disaster victims, missing persons, repeated offenders, etc.

APPOINTMENS & RESIGNATIONS

Karnataka Bank appoints Sekhar Rao as interim MD and CEO

Karnataka Bank said that it has appointed Sekhar Rao as interim managing director and CEO following the completion of the term of the incumbent CEO.

Mahabaleshwara M S, the incumbent managing director and Chief Executive Officer (MD & CEO) of Karnataka Bank, demitted the office on April 14, after successful completion of his second term of three years, the bank said in a regulatory filing.

Rao, Executive Director, assumed charge as an interim MD and CEO with effect from April 15, 2023, in terms of RBI approval dated April 12, 2023, it said.

He has been appointed for a period of three months or till the appointment of regular MD and CEO whichever is earlier,

 IMPORTANT DAYS

World Heritage Day / International Day For Monuments and Sites

The International Day for Monuments and Sites also known as World Heritage Day is an international observance held on 18 April each year around the world with different types of activities, including visits to monuments and heritage sites, conferences, round tables and newspaper articles.

The International Day for Monuments and Sites was proposed by the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) on 18 April 1982 and approved by the General Assembly of UNESCO in 1983. The aim is to promote awareness about the diversity of cultural heritage of humanity, their vulnerability and the efforts required for their protection and conservation

World Heritage Day highlights a different theme each year that centers around a specific aspect of cultural heritage. The 2022 theme was “Heritage and Climate,” while the 2023 theme is “Heritage Changes.” The latter theme provides an opportunity to address issues related to understanding traditional knowledge and knowledge systems in the context of climate action. It also emphasizes the role of cultural heritage in supporting fair protection for vulnerable communities in climate action and responding to the UN Decade of Action.

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

Raj Subramaniam presented with Pravasi Bharatiya Samman

Raj Subramaniam, the Indian-American CEO of global transportation giant FedEx, has been presented with the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman, the highest civilian award given by India to persons of Indian origin and Indian diaspora.

Subramanian, 55, was presented with the award by India’s Ambassador to the US Taranjit Singh Sandhu at a ceremony at the India House on Saturday since he could not travel to India early this year to receive the award.

About : Raj Subramaniam – Raj Subramanian is the president and CEO of FedEx Corporation, one of the world’s largest transportation companies. His international leadership experience and keen business insights have contributed immensely to the success of FedEx.

About : Pravasi Bharatiya Samman - The Pravasi Bharatiya Samman is an award presented by the Government of India to individuals of Indian origin and diaspora who have made significant contributions in their respective fields and have enhanced India’s image in the international community.