V. Vidyavathi becomes new DG of Archaeological Survey of India

1.Italy develops ‘iFeel-You’ bracelet for social distancing

The Genoa-based Italian Institute of Technology (IIT) has come up with iFeel-You, an intelligent bracelet which will help users respect social distancing rules.The bracelet has been developed as the measures for safeguarding against the coronavirus lockdown is being gradually lifted.

It uses a radio signal only when another bracelet is approaching, it does not use GPS and therefore does not keep track of user locations.

It just reminds us when needed that we are not observing social distancing rules.

2.Zambia reopens Victoria Falls for tourists

Zambia has re-opened the majestic Victoria Falls for tourists, nearly two months after closing the world famous tourist destination due to the COVID-19 pandemic.The re-opening of the Victoria Falls has been welcomed by travel agencies and tour operators who have promised to adhere to health guidelines issued by the government.

The Victoria Falls has lately recorded its highest volumes of water in a decade, further enhancing its natural splendor.

The 108 meter tall Victoria falls is located on the Zambia-Zimbabwe border and is one of the world’s largest waterfalls in terms of water volume, it measures 1,708 metres in width.

3.India up at 74th place on WEF’s global energy transition index

According to the World Economic Forum (WEF), India has moved up two positions to rank 74th on a global ‘Energy Transition Index’ with improvements on all key parameters of economic growth, energy security and environmental sustainability.The WEF study measures readiness for clean energy transition in 115 economies showed that 94 have made progress since 2015, but environmental sustainability continues to lag.

Sweden has topped the Energy Transition Index (ETI) for the third consecutive year and is followed by Switzerland and Finland in the top three.

Surprisingly, France (ranked 8th) and the UK (7th) are the only G20 countries in the top ten.

For India, gains have come from a government-mandated renewable energy expansion programme, now extended to 275 GW by 2027.

India is one of the few countries in the world to have made consistent year-on-year progress since 2015.

4.EAM S Jaishankar participates in SCO Foreign Ministers’ video conference

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar took part in an extraordinary meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the eight member Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) including Pakistan and China.The meeting emphasised on cooperation to fight the deadly coronavirus including sharing of best practices.

The eight countries reportedly discussed sharing of information on best practices on containing COVID-19, particularly in the medicine, medical equipment, and pharmaceutical sector.

The SCO FMs meet happened days after BRICS FMs met. During the BRICS FMs meet, all the countries agreed to set up a $15 billion loan instrument to finance projects for the economic rebuilding of BRICS countries due to COVID-19crisis.

5.25% cut in TDS and TCS rates till 31st of March 2021

In a major announcement by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) and Tax Collected at Source (TCS) have been reduced by 25 per cent till 31st March of next year.This decision will increase cash flow of over 50 thousand crore rupees benefitting common people.

The date for filing Income Tax return for the last financial year has also been extended till 30th November, while the last date for filing tax audits has been extended from 30th September to 31st October.

The Finance Minister also announced reduction of statutory provident fund contribution by both employers and employees to 10 percent of basic wages from the existing 12 per cent for the next three months.

The decision has been taken to facilitate more take-home salary for employees and give relief to employers in payment of PF dues, resulting in a liquidity ease of  6,750 crore rupees.

6.Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) canteens to sell only indigenous products

Home minister Amit Shah appealed to people to use products made in India and ordered all Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) canteens to sell only indigenous products.He asked people to make the country self-reliant and use local products (products made in India) which pave the way for India to lead the world in the times to come.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has decided that all CAPF canteens will now sell only indigenous products across the country from next month.

The CAPFs — CRPF, BSF, CISF, ITBP, SSB, NSG and Assam Rifles, canteens together sell products worth about ₹2,800 crore annually.

7.Power distribution companies to get emergency liquidity infusion of Rs 90,000 crore

In a relief to Power Distribution companies, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a liquidity flow of 90 thousand crore rupees to the PFCs and RECs .Vivaad se Vishwas scheme has also been extended up to 31st December without obligation of any extra payment.

India’s power distribution sector is passing through a turbulent phase on the back of large accumulated dues to be paid to generators, liquidity issues due to restricted cash flow.

Discom payables to power generation and transmission companies currently stand at Rs 94,000 crore.

The commercial and industrial sector in India consumes around 52 per cent of electricity, followed by 24 per cent by domestic households and 18 per cent by agriculture sector.

8.President Kovind pays homage to former President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed on his birth anniversary

President Ram Nath Kovind paid homage to former President of India, Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed on his birth anniversary at Rashtrapati Bhavan.Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed was the fifth President of India from 1974 to 1977 and also the 2nd President of India to die in office.

Ahmed was chosen for the presidency by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1974, and on 20 August 1974, he became the second Muslim to be elected President of India.

Zakir Husain was the first muslim president of India.

Zakir Husain was also the first president of India to die in his office.

Husain was also the shortest-serving President.

9.Uttar Pradesh govt decides to give 50 percent subsidy on PPE kits

Uttar Pradesh government has decided to give 50 percent subsidy on PPE kits  to those nursing homes and registered hospitals who will provide treatment to the patients on the rates decided under Ayushman Bharat scheme.Government will also extend the registration for 6 months to those hospitals who are registered under Ayushman Bharat.

Also, All 75 districts in Uttar Pradesh are now corona infected as one positive case was found in Chandauli district. It was the only district left where no cases were found till date.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is specialized clothing or equipment worn by an employee for protection against infectious materials.

PPE prevents contact with an infectious agent or body fluid that may contain an infectious agent, by creating a barrier between the potential infectious material and the health care worker.

10.Karnataka’s ‘Get CETgo’ online coaching portal received overwhelming response

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister has informed that the Get CETgo online coaching portal for students appearing for CET and NEET has received overwhelming response.The portal has been helpful to students aspiring to get entry into professional courses for the next academic year.

COVID-19pandemic induced lockdown had deprived students aspiring to study professional courses from going to coaching classes.

Hence Karnataka Higher Education department had started GetCETgo online portal, mobile app and youtube channel to impart coaching for CET and NEET.

The platform is also helpful to students in small towns and rural areas as the lectures can be downloaded.

11.V. Vidyavathi becomes new DG of Archaeological Survey of India

IAS officer V. Vidyavathi is appointed as the new Director-General of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) effective from 12th May 2020.She is a 1991 batch Karnataka cadre officer.

Vidyavathi will be serving in the rank of Additional Secretary to the Government of India.

Her appointment is confirmed by the order of the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

12.PCB appoints Babar Azam as ODI skipper

The Pakistan Cricket Board announced Babar Azam as their captain in the ODI format, confirming his role as skipper in both white-ball formats.Babar Azam would lead the ODI and T20I sides for the 2020/21 season, while Azhar Ali will continue to be Test captain.

Babar, who was one of the world’s leading batsmen across formats last year and already the T20 skipper, replaced wicket-keeper batsman Sarfaraz Ahmed as the ODI captain for the 2020-21 season.

13.Akhil Kumar re-inducted into NADA disciplinary panel

Former Commonwealth Games gold-winning boxer Akhil Kumar has been re-inducted into the National Anti-Doping Agency’s Disciplinary Panel.Akhil, who is also serving in Haryana Police as ACP Gurugram, was formerly in the panel from 2017 to 2019.

The Arjuna award-winning Olympian is among the most accomplished names in Indian boxing and has also been the government observer for the sport between 2017 and 2019.

14.Maharashtra and UP to host National Hockey Championship

Hockey India finalised the hosts for the Men and Women National Hockey Championship for 2021.Hockey Maharashtra will host the 11th Hockey India Senior Men National Championship 2021, while Uttar Pradesh Hockey will host 11th Hockey India Senior Women National Championship 2021.

The 11th Hockey India Junior Men National Championship 2021 and the 11th Hockey India Sub Junior Men National Championship 2021 will be hosted by Hockey Haryana.

The 11th Hockey India Junior Women National Championship 2021 and 11th Hockey India Sub Junior Women National Championship 2021 will be hosted by Hockey Jharkhand.