Current Affairs - May 23, 2024 Current Affairs

Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. (IOCL) marked a significant milestone by exporting its first-ever consignment of 100 octane premium fuel, XP100, to Sri Lanka. This event underscores IOCL's commitment to expanding its global reach and showcasing the quality of its products.

India will host the first-ever focused discussions on regulating tourism in Antarctica at the 46th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM) and the 26th Meeting of the Committee for Environmental Protection (CEP) in Kochi, in May 2024. With over 350 participants from nearly 40 nations expected to attend, India's role in facilitating these discussions underscores its commitment to preserving Antarctica's ecological integrity and leading initiatives for sustainable exploration.

Spain has officially become the 99th member of the International Solar Alliance (ISA), aiming to collaborate with other member countries to increase the use of solar energy technologies and promote global energy transition.

The Calcutta High Court invalidated all OBC certificates in West Bengal issued after 2010, addressing a plea that contested the state's certificate issuance process. This ruling, delivered by Justices Tapabrata Chakraborty and Rajasekhar Mantha, clarified that those already employed under such certificates would not be affected by this decision.

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen Anil Chauhan attended 'Exercise Cyber Suraksha – 2024' to emphasize the critical importance of enhancing India's cyber defence capabilities. The exercise, conducted by the Defence Cyber Agency, aimed to bolster collaboration and integration among military and national agencies to advance the nation’s cyber defence readiness.

The European Union (EU) has approved the AI Act, marking a historic step in regulating artificial intelligence. This groundbreaking legislation imposes strict rules on AI applications, particularly high-risk systems, with significant penalties for non-compliance, demonstrating the EU's commitment to robust AI regulation.

SIDBI has collaborated with Airbus Helicopters to facilitate financing for helicopter purchases in India, aiming to enhance accessibility for civil operators. This partnership signifies SIDBI's entry into helicopter financing and its commitment to supporting the growth of India's rotary wing sector, with Airbus Helicopters being a significant player in the Indian helicopter market.

Buddha Purnima 2024, also known as Buddha Jayanti or Vesak, is celebrated on Thursday, May 23, 2024, marking the birth, enlightenment, and death of Gautama Buddha. This significant Buddhist festival is observed across South, Southeast, and East Asia with prayer meetings, religious discussions, and cultural events, honouring the profound teachings and enduring legacy of the Buddha. It is a public holiday in several Indian states, including Haryana, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu Kashmir, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Maharashtra, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

NTPC, a public sector company, achieved the third rank globally in the Talent Development category at the ATD BEST Awards 2024, highlighting its exemplary human resource management practices and commitment to employee growth and development.

India's market capitalization has reached a historic milestone of $5 trillion, showcasing the nation's robust economic resilience and investor confidence. This achievement places India in the elite league of countries with a $5 trillion market cap, alongside stalwarts like the US, China, Japan, and Hong Kong.

Zydus Lifesciences has obtained final approval from the USFDA to market Theophylline extended-release tablets (300 mg and 450 mg), a generic medication used to treat asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This approval enables Zydus to introduce this medication to the US market, expanding its pharmaceutical offerings.

Shri Ramesh Babu V. has been sworn in as a Member of the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) on May 21, 2024. With his extensive experience, including serving as the Director (Operations) at NTPC, he brings valuable expertise to the regulatory authority.