Daily Current Affairs and GK | 26 May 2021

Topic: MoUs/Agreements

1. Cabinet approves MoUs between ICoAI, ICSI with Foreign Countries

• The Union Cabinet has approved the Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) between the Institute of Cost Accountants of India and the Institute of Company Secretaries of India with Foreign Countries.
• Both institutes have signed MoUs with many foreign organizations including the Institute of Public Accountants (IPA), Australia, Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment, UK (CISI), Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA), UK, etc.
• The main objective of the memorandum is to exchange knowledge, experience, and technical cooperation.
• The MoU will help in achieving the goal of public accountability and innovation among member countries.
• Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICoAl):
  • It is a statutory body for the regulation of the profession of Cost Accountancy.
  • It was established by the Cost and Works Accountants Act, 1959.
• Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI):
  • It is a statutory body.
  • It was established by the Company Secretaries Act, 1980.

Topic: Sports

2. Max Verstappen wins Monaco Grand Prix.

• Max Verstappen has won the Monaco Grand Prix for the first time in his career. It is his second victory of this season.
• He started the day with 14 points behind Lewis Hamilton. Lewis Hamilton ended the race with 7^th position.
• Ferrari's Carlos Sainz finished the race in second spot.
• Monaco Grand Prix:
  • It is a Formula One motor racing event.
  • It is being organized annually since 1929.
  • It is one of the most prestigious automobile races in the world.

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives

3. Ministry of Power decides to set up National Mission on Biomass use in coal based thermal power plants.

• Ministry of Power has decided to set up National Mission on Biomass use in coal based thermal power plants.
• The Ministry has decided to set up this mission in order to address air pollution issue arising due to farm stubble burning and to reduce carbon footprints of thermal power generation.
• Its objective is to increase co-firing level from 5% to higher levels. Other objectives of National Mission on use of biomass in thermal power plants are given below.
  • To take up R&D activity in boiler design to handle the higher amount of silica, alkalis in the biomass pellets.
  • To facilitate overcoming the constraints in supply chain of bio mass pellets and agro- residue and its transport upto to the power plants.
  • To consider regulatory issues in biomass co-firing.
• The modalities of operation and structure of the National Mission are not finalized yet. Its duration would be minimum 5 years.
• The Mission would also have a Steering Committee headed by Secretary (Power) comprising of all stakeholders.

Topic: Books and Authors

4. Shivshankar Menon writes new book titled “India and Asian geopolitics: The Past, Present”.

• Shivshankar Menon has written a new book titled as “India and Asian geopolitics: The Past, Present”.
• The first part of book covers the period from decolonization to globalization. The second part of book covers contemporary Asia.
• Shivshankar Menon is an Indian diplomat. In the book, he has analysed India’s growing position as a counter to China in the Asia.
• He had served as 4^th National Security Adviser of India under PM Manmohan Singh.

Topic: International News

5. India will open a new Consulate in Maldives.

• The Union cabinet has approved the proposal of opening a new Consulate General of India in Addu City, Maldives.
• It will help in augmenting diplomatic relations between both countries. Maldives is part of India’s 'Neighbourhood First Policy' and the 'SAGAR’ (Security and Growth for All in the Region) initiatives.
• India and Maldives share ethnic, linguistic, cultural, religious, and commercial relations. Both countries share a good bilateral relationship.
• India’s good diplomatic relation with the Maldives will help in improving the commercial relations between both countries.

Topic: National News

6. Cabinet approves creation of post of director at NDRF Academy in Nagpur.

• The Union Cabinet has approved the creation of a post of Director at the National Disaster Response Force Academy in Nagpur.
• The NDRF academy was established in 2018 at Nagpur. It imparts training to National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Civil Defence (CD) volunteers, and other stakeholders.
• The post of director at the NDRF academy will help in better command and control over the institution.
• The institution also analyze and improve the training programmes to meet the changing needs and requirements of the stakeholders.
• It will also provide training to disaster response personnel of SAARC and other countries.
• National Disaster Response Force (NDRF):
  • It was established in the year 2006 under the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
  • It currently has 12 battalions, with 1149 members in each battalion.
  • Its main objective is to provide immediate assistance in natural and man-made disasters.

Topic: Appointment

7. Subodh Kumar Jaiswal appointed as Director of CBI.

• Subodh Kumar Jaiswal has been appointed as Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation.
• At present, he is the Director-General of the Central Industrial Security Force. He also served as the chief of the Maharashtra Police from 2018 to 2019.
• He has been appointed for a period of two years. His name was shortlisted by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet.
• Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI):
  • It is an investigating agency in India.
  • It works under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions.
  • It was established on the recommendation of the Santhanam Committee.
  • It derives its powers from the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946.
  • The CBI is headed by a Director. He/ she is appointed by a three-member committee consisting of the Prime Minister as Chairperson, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, and the Chief Justice of India. 

Topic: Important Days

8. International Week of Solidarity with the Peoples of Non-Self-Governing Territories: 25-31 May

• United Nations is observing International Week of Solidarity with the Peoples of Non-Self-Governing Territories from 25 to 31 May.
• Non-Self-Governing Territory is a Territory whose people have not yet attained a full measure of self-government.
• It is celebrated to ensure the rights of the peoples of the Non-Self-Governing Territories on their natural resources. It makes aware administrative authorities to take all necessary steps to protect the property rights of the peoples.
• At present, there are 17 Non-Self-Governing Territories. 54 Territories have attained self-government between 1960 to 2002.
• In 1999, UN General Assembly had passed a resolution to celebrate International Week of Solidarity with the Peoples of Non-Self-Governing Territories annually.

Topic: State/ Uttarakhand

9. Uttarakhand government announces Vatsalya Yojana.

• In Uttarakhand, the state government has launched the ‘Mukhyamantri Vatsalya Yojana’. It has been launched for orphaned children who have lost their parents due to Covid-19.
• Under the scheme, the government will take all responsibility for the orphaned children. The government will make arrangements of their maintenance, education and training for employment up to the age of 21 years.
• The orphaned children will also receive a maintenance allowance of 3000 rupees per month. They will also get 5 percent horizontal reservation in government jobs of the state.
• The state government will also make laws related to the selling of the ancestral property of these orphans. No one will be allowed to sell the ancestral property of these children until they become adults.
• Uttarakhand:
  • It was formed as the 27th state of India on 9 November 2000.
  • The Chief Minister of Uttarakhand is Tirath Singh Rawat and Governor is Baby Rani Maurya.
  • Its capital is Dehradun.
  • It shares borders with Tibet, Nepal, Uttar Pradesh, and Himachal Pradesh.
  • Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks is located in Uttarakhand.

Topic: Space and IT

10. NASA planning to land its first mobile robot on the Moon in late 2023.

• NASA is planning to land its first mobile robot on the Moon in late 2023 under its Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS)  program.
• The robot will search for ice and other resources on and below the lunar surface.
• The name of the Robot is Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER). It will go to the South Pole of the moon.
• VIPER is the first resource mapping mission on another celestial body. It runs on solar power.
• The duration of VIPER mission has been increased from one to three lunar days (100 Earth days).
• VIPER will carry 4 instruments on board. Their names are given next.
  • Regolith and Ice Drill for Exploring New Terrains (TRIDENT) hammer drill
  • Mass Spectrometer Observing Lunar Operations (MSolo) instrument
  • Near Infrared Volatiles Spectrometer System (NIRVSS)
  • Neutron Spectrometer System (NSS)

Topic: Environment and Ecology

11. Cheetahs to be re-introduced in India in November.

• Cheetahs to be re-introduced in India in November. They will be brought from South Africa to Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh. 
• Cheetahs were declared extinct in India in 1952. A cheetah reintroduction project was prepared some years back by the Wildlife Institute of India.
• Supreme Court has approved the introduction of African Cheetahs to suitable habitat in India on an experimental basis.
• MP Forest Minister said that the process of creating an enclosure for around 10 cheetahs to be brought from South Africa to Kuno in Sheopur district of MP would be completed by August.
• Kuno is located in Chambal region. In addition to Kuno National Park in MP’s Sheopur district, the WII team had visited other places listed below.
  • Nauradehi sanctuary in Sagar district
  • Gandhi Sagar sanctuary on the northern boundary of Mandsaur Neemuch districts
  • Madhav National Park in Shivpuri district
  • National Tiger Conservation Authority will release money for Project Cheetah. Supreme Court last year formed three- member committee to guide the NTCA on the cheetah re-introduction project.
• Cheetah:
  • Cheetah is considered vulnerable under the IUCN Red list.
  • Its scientific name is Acinonyx jubatus. It is the world’s fastest land animal.
  • It is native to Africa and central Iran.

Topic: Appointments

12. Himanta Biswa Sarma appointed to Badminton World Federation (BWF) council.

• Himanta Biswa Sarma has been appointed to Badminton World Federation (BWF) council for the period 2021-25.
• He is currently the Badminton Association of India (BAI) president. He is also the Vice President of Badminton Asia.
• BWF President Paul-Erik Hoyer was re-elected unopposed. BWF Deputy President Khunying Patama of Thailand was also re-elected unopposed.
• BWF Vice President Paul Kurzo of Switzerland was also re-elected unopposed.
• Badminton World Federation (BWF):
  • It is the international governing body for badminton.
  • It was established in 1934 as the International Badminton Federation.
  • Headquarters: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • President: Poul-Erik Hoyer Larsen