Today's Current Affairs 25th June 2023

INTERNATIONAL

India and UAE signed a Mutual Recognition Arrangement for Authorized Economic Operators 

• India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on 23 June have signed a Mutual Recognition Arrangement for Authorized Economic Operators, The agreement was formally signed during the World Customs Organization's (WCO) Customs Co-operation Council meeting held in Brussels.
• Aim - The Mutual Recognition Arrangement aims to promote trade facilitation and ease of doing business between the two countries, It establishes a framework for recognizing Authorized Economic Operators (AEOs) from both India and the UAE.
• The recognition of AEO status will streamline customs procedures, reduce administrative burdens, and lower costs for authorized businesses.
• This agreement signifies an important milestone in the economic cooperation between India and the UAE and is expected to strengthen bilateral trade ties.
• By leveraging the benefits of the Mutual Recognition Arrangement, both countries aim to enhance trade facilitation, improve the ease of doing business, and encourage investments.

Global Startup Ecosystem Report 2023 Silicon Valley tops the list, Bengaluru – Known as the Silicon valley of India ranked 20th. 

• BENGALURU: Bengaluru has clinched the 20th spot, moving up two places, in Startup Genome’s The Global Startup Ecosystems Report (GSER) 2023.
• While remained on top, New York City and were tied at No.2, With this, the top three ecosystems have all held on to their positions from 2020.
• Among the emerging ecosystems, Pune has moved into the 31-40 range in 2023, from 51–60 in 2022.
• GSER is a comprehensive analysis of startup ecosystemsaround the world. The report, now in its 11th year, offers a detailed look into the world’s top startup ecosystems, while tracking emerging trends and challenges faced by entrepreneurs.

Vienna, the most liveable city' Economic Intelligence Unit’s Global Liveability Index report 

• According to the Economist Intelligence Unit’s - ETU report on global livability index 2023 Austria’s capital city Vienna tops the indix. Despite slipping in the rankings during the pandemic in 2021, Vienna bounced back and reclaimed the top spot in 2022, maintaining its position in 2023.
• The city's exceptional combination of stability, well-developed infrastructure, quality education and healthcare services, and rich cultural and entertainment offerings contributed to its continued success.
• Austria, has retained its position as the most liveable city in the world. Denmark's Copenhagen, secured the second spot, while Melbourne and Sydney, Australia, ranked third and fourth, respectively. While Canada's Vancouver occupied the fifth spot.

SPORTS

Cristiano Ronaldo sets Guinness World Record for 200 international caps 

• Cristiano Ronaldo has received a Guinness World Record after reaching 200 international caps for Portugal. The legendary forward is making his 200th appearance for A Selecao das Quinas in their Euro 2024 qualifier against Iceland. The 38-year-old has broken another record and is the most-capped player in international football.
• Cristiano Ronaldo’s achievement has been recognized by the Guinness Book of Records. The Portugal captain was presented with a certificate for his accomplishment before his nation’s clash against Iceland.
• It is yet another record to add to Ronaldo’s long list of accomplishments in international football. The Al Nassr frontman is the all-time top goalscorer in international football with 122 goals in 200 games to date. The legendary forward is showing no signs of stopping and isn’t intending on doing so anytime soon. The 38-year-old spoke this week about his future with the Portugal national team.
• About International Caps - A cap is awarded to players who make official appearances for their national team in international football, FIFA is the global governing body for world football, Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo holds the current record with 200 international caps. Badr Al-Mutawa of Kuwait previously held the record with 196 international caps.

SCIENCE & TEHNOLOGY

Covid Booster Vaccine – GEMCOVAC-OM is the first booster COVID-19 vaccine developed in India against the Omicron variant 

• Science and Technology Minister Dr Jitendra Singh today launched mRNA-based Covid Booster Vaccine – GEMCOVAC-OM in New Delhi. The vaccine is the first booster COVID-19 vaccine developed in India against the highly transmissible Omicron variant. The vaccine will be rolled out from this Monday and it will cost two thousand 292 rupees per dose. The booster vaccine can be administered to individuals who have received two doses of either Covaxin or Covishield.
• The booster vaccine can be administered to individuals who have received two doses of either Covaxin or Covishield The vaccine can be stored at 2 to 8 degrees Centigrade. It has demonstrated robust immune responses in phase – 3 clinical trials conducted at 20 centres across 13 cities in India. GEMCOVAC-OM is a needle-free, thermostable vaccine, which does not require ultra-cold chain infrastructure used for other approved mRNA-based vaccines, making it easy for deployment pan India. 

Rajasthan govt brings PCTS mobile app to ensure better healthcare for mothers, infants 

• Rajasthan Medical & Health Minister Parsadi Lal Meena launched the PCTS mobile app for online tracking, reporting and monitoring of health services being provided to pregnant women, mothers & infants in the state where he also released a poster related to it.
• Through the PCTS mobile app, more than 53 thousand ASHAs of the state will be able to do day-to-day reporting of health services related to women & children of their area on mobile and effective monitoring of this work can also be done.
• The Health Minister said that through this app, ASHA workers of the state will be fully updated with the health services provided to children & women. They will know on which day children and women are to be vaccinated or given the benefit of any other service.
• This will further strengthen the health services for women and children and consequently improve the health indices. Through this app, the officials of the department can get the progress report by talking directly to any ASHA and ANM of the state. Online entry of other services including vaccination of women and children can be done through this.

 IMPORTANT DAYS

Day of the Seafarer 

• Every year on June 25th, the Day of the Seafarer recognizes the valuable contribution seafarers make to international trade and the world economy.
• The Day of the Seafarer is a special day dedicated to all those who work closely with salt water, including Coast Guards, Navies, fishermen, marine biologists, and cruise ship captains. It commemorates the first recorded sea voyage around 3200 BCE, which was sponsored by the Egyptian Pharaoh Snefru, known for building several pyramids
• History – The Day of the Seafarer was established through a resolution passed during the 2010 Diplomatic Conference in Manila, where the revised STCW Convention was adopted. This day, observed on June 25th, aims to acknowledge and appreciate the exceptional contribution made by seafarers worldwide to international maritime trade,
• Theme - This year’s Day of the Seafarer reflects the 2023 World Maritime theme: “MARPOL at 50 – Our commitment goes on”. The 2023 campaign hashtag is #OceansWorthProtecting

SUMMIT'S & MOU's

GE Aerospace signs MoU with HAL, to produce fighter jet engines for Tejas Mk2 

• US-based GE Aerospace has signed a memorandum of understanding with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited to produce fighter jet engines for the Indian Air Force. As per the new agreement, Aerospace's F414 engines will be co-produced in India to power the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft Mk2. The development comes amid Prime Minister Narendra Modi's state visit to the US.
• The agreement “includes the potential joint production of GE Aerospace’s F414 engines in India". The US company said that it was still working with the goverment “to receive the necessary export authorization" for the same.
• The announcement will also advance GE Aerospace's earlier commitment to build 99 engines for the Indian Air Force as part of the LCA Mk2 program.

IOB Signed MoU With the Tamil Nadu State Rural Livelihood Mission 

• Indian Overseas Bank (IOB), a leading financial institution, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Tamil Nadu State Rural Livelihood Mission (TNSRLM) on Tuesday (20.06.2023). The primary objective of this collaboration is to foster the growth of Self Help Groups (SHGs) in the state and provide them with vital financial support.
• The collaboration is expected to catalyze the growth of SHGs targeting Rs.1875 Crores and increase the disbursal under DAY-NRLM (Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission) during the current Financial Year, effectively doubling the impact of financial assistance.
• The MoU signing ceremony witnessed the participation of esteemed representatives, including the Managing Director and CEO of Tamilnadu Corporation for Development of Women (TNCDW) and the General Manager of Indian Overseas Bank.
• Under the terms of the MoU, TNSRLM will facilitate eligible SHGs for credit linkage with Indian Overseas Bank. This strategic collaboration aims to streamline access to financial resources for SHGs, enabling them to undertake entrepreneurial activities, expand their ventures, and contribute to the economic development of the state.

8th Global Pharmaceutical Quality Summit 2023 held in Mumbai 

• The Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA) on 23 June successfully concluded the 8th edition of the Global Pharmaceutical Quality Summit at Mumbai, The theme for the Summit was, ‘Patient Centricity: New Paradigm of Manufacturing and Quality.
• The two-day Summit brought together industry leaders, global regulators, quality experts, and stakeholders to foster knowledge exchange and deliberate on areas of importance in shaping the pharmaceutical landscape in India.
• The event was inaugurated by Samir Mehta, Chairman, Torrent Pharmaceuticals and President, IPA.
• Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers and Health and Family Welfare addressed the summit.
• India played a vital role as the "Pharmacy to the World" during the COVID-19 pandemic by ensuring a steady supply of quality medicines and vaccines across the globe, The Indian pharmaceutical industry has demonstrated its potential both in terms of quality and quantity.
• About the Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA) - IPA was established in the year 1999 in Mumbai, IPA represents 24 research-based national pharmaceutical companies.
• Collectively, the IPA companies contribute to over 85 percent of the private sector investment in pharmaceutical research and development in India, IPA companies are responsible for more than 80 percent of the country's exports of drugs and pharmaceuticals, They also serve over 60 percent of the domestic market in India.