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Current Affairs 18 May 2024
1. Kapil Sibal elected Supreme Court Bar Association President
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal has been elected as the president of
the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) in a recent election held in New Delhi. This marks his fourth term serving as the president of the prestigious lawyers’ body, succeeding senior advocate Adish C. Aggarwala.
the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) in a recent election held in New Delhi. This marks his fourth term serving as the president of the prestigious lawyers’ body, succeeding senior advocate Adish C. Aggarwala.Key Points:
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Kapil Sibal was previously SCBA president in 2001 and served two terms in the mid and late 1990s.
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His re-election reflects the legal community's confidence in his experience and expertise.
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Sibal will succeed the current president, Adish C. Aggarwala.
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This transition demonstrates the democratic process and ensures continuity in the SCBA's leadership.
2. UAE Launches 10-Year Blue Residency Visa for Environmentalists
Introducing the Blue Residency card in 2023 was a big step for
the United Arab Emirates to show its dedication to protecting the environment. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, the Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, announced this new visa program that gives people who have made outstanding efforts to protect the environment the chance to live there for 10 years.
the United Arab Emirates to show its dedication to protecting the environment. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, the Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, announced this new visa program that gives people who have made outstanding efforts to protect the environment the chance to live there for 10 years.Key Points:
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In the UAE, standard residency visas used to last for two years before the Blue Residency visa came out.
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UAE started the Golden Visas program in 2019 to bring in investors, business owners, and other highly skilled workers. The program lasts for 10 years.
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The UAE started giving out Green Visas in 2022. These visas are good for five years and are meant for skilled workers, freelancers, and business owners.
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These changes show that the UAE is now focusing on getting and keeping talented people from around the world in a variety of fields.
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The main focus is on areas that help the economy become more diverse and last for a long time.
About UAE:
Capital: Abu Dhabi
Prime minister: Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
President: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
3.Venezuela Becomes First Country To Lose All Glaciers
Venezuela is the first modern country to lose all of its glaciers,
which is a huge change in the environment. New research shows that the Humboldt glacier in the Andes, which used to be very big, has shrunk to less than 2 hectares, which means it is no longer a glacier but an ice field.
which is a huge change in the environment. New research shows that the Humboldt glacier in the Andes, which used to be very big, has shrunk to less than 2 hectares, which means it is no longer a glacier but an ice field.Key Points:
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The Sierra Nevada de Mérida mountain range in Venezuela originally had six glaciers.
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By 2011, only the Humboldt glacier remained, with the other five having melted.
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Initially, experts predicted Humboldt would last another ten years.
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Recent tests reveal Humboldt is melting faster than expected.
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Venezuela's political issues have hindered scientific monitoring and data collection.
About Venezuela:
Capital: Caracas
President: Nicolás Maduro
4.PhonePe launches UPI in Sri Lanka for Indian Tourists
PhonePe users can now make payments using UPI at LankaPay
QR merchants, eliminating the need for cash and currency conversions. The collaboration aims to offer unparalleled convenience to Indian tourists by providing a familiar and secure payment method during their stay in Sri Lanka.
QR merchants, eliminating the need for cash and currency conversions. The collaboration aims to offer unparalleled convenience to Indian tourists by providing a familiar and secure payment method during their stay in Sri Lanka.Key Points:
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PhonePe has partnered with LankaPay to bring UPI payments to Sri Lanka.
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This collaboration enables PhonePe users to make transactions at LankaPay QR merchants easily.
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It provides familiarity and security for Indian tourists and business travelers in Sri Lanka.
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The partnership aims to improve the payment experience and offer a cost-effective solution for merchants.
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Key figures, including PhonePe CEO Ritesh Pai, LankaPay CEO Channa de Silva, and Sri Lankan Central Bank Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe, praised the initiative.
5. ADB Sanctions USD 148.5 Million Loan to Improve Sikkim's Power Distribution System
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved USD 148.5
million loan which aimed to bolster, modernize and climate-proof distribution system to enhance reliability, quality and resilience of electricity supply in Sikkim, India.
million loan which aimed to bolster, modernize and climate-proof distribution system to enhance reliability, quality and resilience of electricity supply in Sikkim, India.Key Points:
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Upgrade and modernize Sikkim's Power Distribution System (PDS).
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Install around 770 kilometers of climate-resilient medium-voltage underground or covered conductors.
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Upgrade 26 existing power substations, including the installation of a supervisory control and data acquisition system.
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Deploy 1,500 units of public street lighting in remote areas.
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Conduct electricity conservation and safety awareness programs in 28 villages.
About ADB:
Headquarters: Mandaluyong, Philippines
Founded: 19 December 1966
President : Masatsugu Asakawa
6. World’s highest competitive swimming pool opens in Bhutan
World Aquatics and the Bhutan Aquatics Federation have
inaugurated Bhutan's first competition swimming pool in Thimphu, through the Pools for All Programme. This facility, located at 8200 feet, is the world's highest swimming pool. Launched in 2019, the initiative aims to provide top-tier aquatic facilities globally, promoting aquatic sports. The new pool marks a significant milestone for Bhutanese aquatic sports development.
inaugurated Bhutan's first competition swimming pool in Thimphu, through the Pools for All Programme. This facility, located at 8200 feet, is the world's highest swimming pool. Launched in 2019, the initiative aims to provide top-tier aquatic facilities globally, promoting aquatic sports. The new pool marks a significant milestone for Bhutanese aquatic sports development.Key Points:
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Jigme Khsesar Namgyel Wangchuck is the Druk Gyalpo,the monarch of the Kingdom of Bhutan.
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World Aquatics President : Hussein AI-Musallam
7.Senior IPS Officers A.Y.V. Krishna & N.Venu Gopal Appointed as Additional Directors in CBI
In a significant development, senior Indian Police Service (IPS)
officers A Y V Krishna and N Venu Gopal have been appointed as additional directors in the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Their appointments underscore the government’s commitment to bolstering the investigative capabilities of the premier investigative agency.
officers A Y V Krishna and N Venu Gopal have been appointed as additional directors in the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Their appointments underscore the government’s commitment to bolstering the investigative capabilities of the premier investigative agency.Key Points:
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A Y V Krishna, a distinguished 1995-batch IPS officer from the Assam-Meghalaya cadre, has been appointed as an additional director in the CBI.
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He is currently serving as Inspector General in the CRPF.
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Krishna brings extensive experience and expertise to his new role.
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His tenure as additional director will last until August 6, 2028, according to the Personnel Ministry's order.
About CBI:
Founded: 1 April 1963
Headquarters: New Delhi
Founder: Government of India
8.Scotland cricket team unveil T20 World Cup jersey with Nandini dairy brand logo
In what comes as a proud moment for Kannadigas and dairy
farmers in Karnataka, the Scotland cricket team unveiled its new ICC T20 World Cup jersey with Karnataka Milk Federation’s (KMF) Nandini logo.
farmers in Karnataka, the Scotland cricket team unveiled its new ICC T20 World Cup jersey with Karnataka Milk Federation’s (KMF) Nandini logo.Key Points:
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The Nandini logo is displayed on the leading arm of the jersey in both English and Kannada.
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The jersey was launched in Edinburgh by members of the playing squad.
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Nandini, a well-known brand in Karnataka, is sponsoring the Scotland and Ireland teams in the upcoming T20 World Cup.
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The tournament will start on June 2 in the West Indies and the USA.
9.International Museum day observed on 18th May
International Museum Day, celebrated annually on May 18th in
the world to raise public awareness of the invaluable role museums play in preserving artistic, cultural, and historical artifacts. This day highlights the educational and cultural contributions of museums, showcasing their importance as repositories of knowledge and history.
the world to raise public awareness of the invaluable role museums play in preserving artistic, cultural, and historical artifacts. This day highlights the educational and cultural contributions of museums, showcasing their importance as repositories of knowledge and history.Key Points:
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In 2024, it falls on a Saturday, offering a great chance for people to visit museums and join special activities.
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Each year, the event has a theme that highlights important issues for museums worldwide.
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The theme for International Museum Day 2024 is “Museums for Education and Research.”
10.Print media veteran Naresh Mohan dies at 82
Former President of the Indian Newspaper Society (INS),
Naresh Mohan, passed away at the age of 82. He was admitted to the intensive care unit of a local hospital in Delhi few days ago. Multi-organ failure led to his demise, according to a report in the Tribune. His last rites were conducted at the Lodhi crematorium.
Naresh Mohan, passed away at the age of 82. He was admitted to the intensive care unit of a local hospital in Delhi few days ago. Multi-organ failure led to his demise, according to a report in the Tribune. His last rites were conducted at the Lodhi crematorium.Key Points:
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Mohan had a long and distinguished career with several prominent media organizations, including Hindustan Times, The Tribune, and United News of India.
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He served as the president of the Indian Newspaper Society (INS) during 1990-91.
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Current INS president Rakesh Sharma stated that the organization flourished under Mohan's tenure, greatly benefiting from his vision and leadership.
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