Today's Current Affairs 5th June 2023

INTERNATIONAL

UAE to Host World’s Largest Conservation Conference in 2025

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has won the bid to host the 2025 World Conservation Congress (WCC) of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The WCC is the world’s largest and most important gathering of conservationists, and it is expected to draw more than 10,000 delegates from over 160 countries.

The UAE has a long history of environmental protection, and it is home to a number of important conservation initiatives, including the Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning Center and the Al Ain Oasis.

The 2025 WCC will be held in Abu Dhabi from October 10-21, 2025. The event will be an opportunity for conservationists from around the world to come together and discuss the most pressing environmental challenges facing our planet.

NATIONAL

India's first carbon neutral village to be developed in Bhiwandi taluka of Thane district

Union Minister of State Kapil Patil said, India's first carbon neutral Village is being developed in Bhiwandi Taluka of Thane district, This initiative aims to minimize carbon emissions and promote sustainable practices for a cleaner and greener environment. Along with the carbon-neutral village, 121 tribal villages are being developed as model villages. These model villages serve as examples for sustainable development, showcasing effective infrastructure, amenities, and improved living conditions.

In the Bhiwandi Lok Sabha Constituency, around 1,75,000 farmers are benefiting from the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Yojana. This scheme provides financial support to farmers, enhancing their livelihoods and promoting agricultural growth.

Several significant development projects are also have been completed in the Bhiwandi Lok Sabha Constituency, including the Thane-Bhiwandi-Kalyan Metro, Kalyan-Murbad Railway, Eight-Layer Majivada-Vadape Bypass, Shahapur-Khopoli Highway, among others. These projects have been instrumental in driving progress and enhancing connectivity in the region.

SPORTS

Top Indian sprinter Amlan Borgohain bags two gold medals at Flanders Cup 2023

Top Indian sprinter Amlan Borgohain bagged two gold medals, one each in the men’s 100 and 200-meter races at the Flanders Cup 2023 athletics meet, known as the International Antwerp Athletics Gala, in Merksem, Belgium.

Borgohain clocked 10.70 seconds to emerge as the fastest man of the meet. He holds the 100-meter national record of 10.25 seconds.

In the 200 meter, the 25-year-old Borgohain clocked 20.96 seconds to emerge winner ahead of Hofman 21.42 and Jamaica’s Samuel Rowe 21.88.

Meanwhile, Sapna Kumari finished behind Belgium’s Amber Vanden Bosch in the women’s 100m hurdles after clocking 14.10, in what was a two-woman field.

Max Verstappen wins Spanish Grand Prix 2023; Lewis Hamilton second, George Russell third

Max Verstappen emerged victorious at the Spanish Grand Prix, clinching the pole position and extending his lead in the Formula One championship by 53 points. Red Bull’s dominance continued as they celebrated their seventh consecutive triumph of the season.

Lewis Hamilton, a seven-time world champion, secured the second spot for Mercedes but trailed a substantial 24.090 seconds behind Verstappen. Hamilton's teammate, George Russell, completed the podium, marking a successful outing for the Mercedes team at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya, despite the cloudy yet dry conditions.

Sergio Perez of Red Bull, Verstappen's closest contender in what seems to be a season destined to crown the Dutch prodigy for the third time, fought back from an 11th-place start to finish fourth.

OBITURY

Veteran actress Sulochana Latkar passes away at 94

Veteran actress Sulochana Latkar, known for her iconic roles in over 250 Hindi and 50-odd Marathi films, and revered as the screen mother to many top stars, passed away here at the age of 94. She breathed her last at a private hospital on Sunday evening – June 4.

Her condition had worsened back in March as well. She was hospitalised and was discharged after three weeks. Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde had promised to bear all the expenses of her treatment and also gave Rs 3 lakh to the hospital for immediate treatment from the Chief Minister's fund back then.

About: Sulochana Latkar - Sulochana Latkar has been a part of 300 films, including Hindi and Marathi.She had played the mother to most Bollywood actors. Sulochana was awarded the Padma Shri Award in 199 and the prestigious Maharashtra Bhushan Award in 2009 from the Government of Maharashtra. Some of her popular films include Ab Dilli Dur Nahin, Sujata, Aaye Din Bahar Ke, Dil Deke Dekho, Aasha, and Majboor, Nai Roshni, Aayi Milan Ki Bela, Gora Aur Kala, Devar, Bandini amongst others.

Malayalam actor and mimicry artist Kollam Sudhi passes away at 39

Kollam Sudhi was an actor and mimic artist in Malayalam who died in a car accident. He was 39 years old and involved in an accident on Monday morning around 4:30 a.m. when his car collided with a goods carrier. Alongside him, injuries also occurred to Binu Adimali, Ullas, and Mahesh, three other mimicry artists who were travelling with him.

Sudhi and the mimicry specialists were making a trip back to their homes after ending an event in Vatakara. The accident resulted in Sudhi suffering a severe head injury. He died of his injuries after being rushed to a private hospital in Kodungallur. In Kodungallur, a private hospital is caring for the injured.

About: Kollam Sudhi - Kollam Sudhi was known for his mimicry abilities, he won hearts, particularly by impersonating actor Jagadeesh. He reportedly gained popularity as a result of his participation in the Star Magic show. He also showed up as a guest performer in numerous comedy shows in Malayalam too

IMPORTANT DAYS

World Environment Day

Every year on June 5, people, communities, and organisations from all over the world come together to celebrate World Environment Day to raise awareness of and take action on urgent environmental challenges. The United Nations created this important day to raise awareness of the pressing need to safeguard and conserve our planet's natural resources.

History - The United Nations General Assembly founded World Environment Day in 1972 to increase public awareness of environmental challenges and encourage action. It has since grown to be the largest global venue for environmental advocacy and is observed every year on June 5.

Theme - Theme for the World Environment Day 2023 is under the campaign #BeatPlasticPollution, 'Ecosystem Restoration'. It is a reminder that people's action on plastic matters as the material is slowly seeping into our oceans, soil and forest and causing irreparable damage. The day is hosted by Côte d'Ivoire and supported by the Netherlands.

BANKING AND ECONOMY

RBI imposes Rs 2.20 cr penalty on Indian Overseas Bank for rule violations

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed a monetary penalty of Rs 2.20 crore on Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) for violating various rules and regulations.

The penalty was imposed due to the bank’s failure to make a minimum mandatory transfer of a sum equivalent to 25 percent of its disclosed profit and a significant divergence between the non-performing assets (NPAs) reported by the bank and those assessed during inspection.

As per regulatory requirements, banks are mandated to transfer a certain portion of their profits to their reserve funds to ensure financial stability and cushion against unforeseen losses. IOB’s non-compliance with this rule has resulted in the imposition of a penalty.

Further, the bank offered interest on deposits of non-individual constituents at rates applicable to senior / super senior citizens, in certain instances, and it failed to implement control measures for ATMs relating to end-to- end encryption of communication between the ATM terminal/PC and the ATM Switch, within the timelines prescribed, according to the release.

The RBI in this regard sent two notices to the bank, advising the lender to show cause as to why penalty should not be imposed.