News detail on 22 May 2021

International Tea Day 2021 – May 21

The United Nations(UN)’s International Tea Day is annually observed across the globe on 21st May to celebrate the cultural heritage, health benefits and economic importance of tea.
The observance of the international tea day is led by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO)of the UN.

Aim:

• To promote and support the actions to implement the sustainable production and consumption of tea and create awareness about the importance of combating hunger and poverty.
• To highlight the role of tea in rural development, poverty reduction and food security in developing countries.

World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development 2021 – May 21

The United Nations(UN)’s World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development is annually observed across the globe on 21st May to provide opportunity to provide understanding on the values of cultural diversity.

Renowned Conservationist Jane Goodall Won The Templeton Prize 2021

The prestigious Templeton Prize for the year 2021 was given to conservationist Jane Goodall.She was renowned for her expertise on chimpanzees and her globe-spanning advocacy of environmental causes.

About Jane Goodall:

i.Jane Goodall is an English primatologist,anthropologist and the world’s foremost expert on chimpanzees.
ii.She was the first to observe human-like behaviours amongst chimpanzees such as creating tools, and she demonstrated that they have individual personalities while she was in Gombe Stream National Park in Tanzania in 1960.
iii.She is the founder of the Jane Goodall Institute and the Roots & Shoots programme, and she has worked extensively on conservation and animal welfare issues.

MMA Fighter Conor McGregor tops the Forbes’ World’s 10 Highest-paid Athletes 2021

Forbes’ annual ranking of the World highest-paid athletes for 2021 was released. Mixed Martial Arts(MMA) Fighter Conor McGregor from Ireland topped the list with a total earning of 180 million USD(around 1313 crores). McGregor is followed by football players Lionel Messi (2nd) with 130 million USD and Cristiano Ronaldo (3rd) with 120 million USD and American footballer Dak Prescott(4th) with 107.5 million USD.

• The list features the athletes who were the top earners based on their earnings which include, prize money, salaries, bonuses and endorsements from May 1, 2020, to May, 2021(12 months).

Pinarayi Vijayan Becomes Kerala Chief Minister for The Second Time

On 20th May 2021,Pinarayi Vijayan was sworn in as Kerala Chief Minister for a second time, after guiding the CPM-led Left Democratic Front government to a historic second successive term in the 2021 election

Key points:
i.He is the first Chief Minister in Kerala to get a second consecutive term.
ii.The Left Democratic Front (LDF)alliance won 99 of 140 seats in this election.
 

Sir David Attenborough Appointed as COP26 People’s Advocate for the UN Climate Change Conference 2021

Sir David Attenborough, world-renowned broadcaster and natural historian, has been appointed as the People’s Advocate for the 26th United Nations (UN) Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26)-2021, which will be held in Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom (UK) in November 2021.UK and Italy will host COP-26.

• As a People’s Advocate, he will take action to tackle the issue of climate change.
• Indian Origin, Alok Sharma was the Britain’s President-Designate of COP26.

MRPL Acquired 100% Stake in ONGC Mangalore

On May 20, 2021, Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd (MRPL) acquired the outstanding 0.00027776 percent equity holding of ONGC Mangalore Petrochemicals Ltd (OMPL) from Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC).

• After this acquisition OMPL, the subsidiary of MRPL became the wholly-owned subsidiary of MRPL, as MRPL now acquired the 100 percent stake of OMPL.
• OMPL is a joint venture between ONGC and MRPL, set up for value addition of excess naphtha and aromatic streams available from the MRPL refinery. MRPL is a subsidiary of ONGC.

Cyclone Tauktae makes Landfall in Gujarat

Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) stated that the ‘extremely severe cyclonic storm’ – ‘Tauktae’ made landfall in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat. The cyclone originated from the Arabian Sea.

• The cyclone brought severe rains, winds of upto 150 -160 kmph & damages to the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Kerala, and Daman & Diu.
• The name ‘Tauktae’ for the cyclone has been given by Myanmar, It means ‘gecko’, a highly vocal lizard in Burmese dialect.

Origin of Cyclones

• Cyclones develop from a small depression or low air pressure area caused by temperature differences in the sea.
• Greater the temperature difference, greater the low pressure and stronger the cyclone.

Who names the Cyclones?

i.A global body led by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific (UN ESCAP), Regional Specialised Meteorological Centres (RSMC), and tropical cyclone warning centres prepare the names of the cyclone
ii.IMD is among the Six RSMCs in the world.

• It is mandated to issue advisories & name cyclones in the Northern Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
• A panel consisting of 13 countries – India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Pakistan, the Maldives, Oman, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Iran, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen, names cyclones in the IOR.

iii.The next cyclone in IOR will be called ‘Yaas’, a name given by Oman.

FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup to be Held in India in October 11-30, 2022

On the 71st Federation Internationale de Football Association(FIFA) Congress, the FIFA Council approved key dates for the international match calendars. In which it also announced the dates of the 2022 U-17 Women’s world Cup in India to be held from October 11 to 30 in 2022.
• This will be the 2nd FIFA tournament hosted by India, after the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2017(which broke the record for being the most attended youth World Cup in FIFA’s history).

Sunita Dwivedi Authored a Book Titled “Buddha in Gandhara”

A book titled “Buddha in Gandhara” by Sunita Dwivedi is Published by Rupa Publications.It is a Travelogue about the journey through the cities that once dotted the highroad connecting India with Central Asia and China.
About the Book:
i.Buddha in Gandhara is the Story of ancient Buddhist cities of Gandhara,a region that extended from north-western Pakistan to eastern and north-eastern Afghanistan.
ii.The book recreates a journey on the Buddha’s trail along the Lahore-Taxila-Peshawar-Kabul-Bamiyan-Balkh-Samangan route. These splendid cities were once centres of trade and scholarship.
iii.It traces the network of Asian trade routes that nourished these cities with goods, people and ideas.
iv.It also trains the spotlight on the magnificent art of Gandhara that still clings to the ruins of these heritage cities and also those that are showcased in the museums of Asia and Europe.
 

A book titled ‘The Spiritual CEO’ by S Prakash

A New book titled “The Spiritual CEO” penned by President of Heartfulness Institute, S Prakash. This book deals with the roadmap for how to build a better business, live a better life and all through the simple practice of ”Korporate Karma”. The book was published by Westland Publication.

MHA extends FCRA registration for NGOs till September 30, 2021

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has extended the validity of registration certificates granted to Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) under the Section 50 of Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), 2010 until September 30, 2021 due to restrictions imposed in view of COVID-19.

• The registration certificates of many NGOs were set to expire or expired during September 29, 2020-May 31, 2021.
• The decision will benefit many NGOs as it is mandatory for them to register under the FCRA in order to receive foreign funding.

i.The MHA has also issued an order stating that NGOs have to open an ‘FCRA account’ at State Bank of India, New Delhi Main Branch (SBI NDMB) before June 30, 2021.

• After June 30, NGOs shall not be eligible to receive foreign contributions in any account other than the ‘FCRA account’ opened in SBI NDMB.
• Delhi High Court mandated SBI to ensure that it opens accounts FCRA for NGOs within 10 days of receiving approval from MHA.
• Besides, with the amendments, office expenses have been brought down to 20 per cent from 50 per cent and election candidates, government servants, members of any legislature and political parties were prohibited from accepting foreign funding.

Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA)

FCRA was first enacted in 1976 and then amended in 2010 to correct its shortcomings.

i.In 2020, the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2020 was passed in the parliament.

• FCRA seeks to regulate the acceptance and utilization of foreign contribution or foreign hospitality by certain individuals or associations or companies.
• It aims to prohibit the foreign contributions being used for activities which are detrimental to national interest.

ii.The Provisions of FCRA Amendment Bill, 2020 are

• Aadhar number of the office-bearers of an NGO necessary for registration of the organisation under the FCRA.
• NGOs intending to receive foreign funding must be at least 3 years old and must have spent INR 15 Lakh in voluntary activities prior to their applications.
• NGOs must submit a commitment letter from the donor, indicating the amount of foreign contribution and purpose.

iii.There are around 22, 400 NGOs in India.

• Over INR 58, 000 Crore of Foreign funds were received by NGOs registered under FCRA between 2016-17 and 2018-19.

Ministry of Social Justice: ELDERLINE – Helpline for senior citizens to be functional in all States by end of May

The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment has started state-wise call centres under the Elderline project to address the difficulties faced by the elders due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The elderly can reach the call centres through the toll-free number – 14567. The Ministry is working towards making the call centres functional in all the states by the end of May 2021.

• The project Elderline was started with the support of TATA trust and the NSE foundation.
• The facility provides assistance and comfort to the senior citizens amid the covid-19 pandemic.
• The facility offers support in terms of health concerns, emotional support and legal support.

Average Monthly Income for Workers fell by 17% during Pandemic: CSE Report 2021

According to ‘State of Working India 2021: One Year of COVID-19’ released by Azim Premji University’s Centre for Sustainable Employment (CSE) in Bengaluru, Karnataka, the monthly earnings of workers fell on an average by 17% due to COVID-19, self-employed and informal salaried workers faced the highest loss of earnings.

• Around 100 million jobs were lost nationwide during the April-May 2020 Lockdown.
• Around 230 million fell below the national minimum wage threshold of INR 375 per day during the pandemic.
• Poverty increased by 15% in rural & 20% in urban areas during the pandemic.
• Due to employment and income losses, the labour share of GDP fell by 5% from 32.5% in Q2 2019-20 to 27% in Q2 2020-21.

State of Working India Report

• The 2021 Report covered the period between March 2020 to December 2020.
• It analyses the impact of one year of COVID-19 on employment, incomes, inequality and poverty.
• The State of Working India is an annual report of the Central for Sustainable Employment (CSE), it conducts research in areas of work, labour, and employment.

MyGov Ties Up With DHE to Launch Innovation Challenge for Creating Indian Language Learning App

The Government of India’s citizen engagement platform – MyGov in association with the Department of Higher Education (DHE) has launched an innovation challenge, for developing an application on “Indian Language Learning”.

Aim: To create an app that will promote regional language literacy, thereby creating greater cultural understanding within the country.
 

China – World’s First Country to Ban Synthetic Cannabinoids

China issued a total ban on synthetic cannabinoids,thus becoming the world’s first country to ban all synthetic cannabinoid substances.
• The ban is likely to come into effect on July 1,2021.

Objective: To curb the manufacturing & trafficking of the drug.
What are Cannabinoids? Cannabinoids are compounds found in cannabis. The most notable cannabinoid is the phytocannabinoid tetrahydrocannabinol, the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis.
Synthetic Cannabinoids Synthetic Cannabinoids are human made chemicals. They are designer drugs. A designer drug is a functional and structural analog of a controlled substance that is designed to mimic the pharmacological effects of the original drug.
 

SEBI Imposed Rs 5.25 crore Fine on Cairn India for Fraud under Share Buyback

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has imposed a penalty of Rs 5.25 crore on Cairn India for making a misleading announcement regarding the buyback of shares on January 14, 2014.

i.SEBI has also imposed fine of Rs 15 lakh each on P Elango (CEO and director of Cairn), Aman Mehta (director of Cairn’s board), and Neerja Sharma (director risk assurance and secretary of Cairn).
ii.Misleading over Buyback of shares: In January 2014, Cairn India and its directors made the public announcement of buyback but not utilised the minimum amount of 50 percent of the buyback size (despite the conditions were favourable to the company) and violated the various provisions SEBI’s Prevention of Fraudulent and Unfair Trading Practices (PFUTP) rule and Buyback Regulations.

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