16 May 2023 Current Affairs – The Day’s Top News | GKSERIES

May 16, 2023

Current Affairs is the most important area in all competitive exams. But the difficulty level is very high. That’s why; many aspirants get confused, how to select Current Affairs for Preparation of Competitive Examination? In this Post, Daily Current Affairs 16 May 2023, we have tried to cover each and every point and also included all important facts from National/ International news that are useful for upcoming competitive examinations such as UPSC, SSC, Railway, State Govt. etc.

So, here is the Top News of the Day for 16 May 2023 to help you prepare the Latest Current Affairs part. After reading this section, you can successfully attempt Current Affairs Quiz.

Current Affairs for Competitive Exam – 16 May 2023

International Day of Living Together In Peace 2023 Observed On 16th May

The International Day of Living Together in Peace

Every year on May 16, the International Day of Living Together in Peace is observed to promote peace, tolerance, inclusivity, understanding, and solidarity among individuals and communities worldwide. Its purpose is to highlight the need of promoting peaceful cohabitation, mutual respect, and harmony among people from various origins. The International Day of Living Together in Peace is an opportunity for people from all over the world to come together and celebrate peace. It is also a time to reflect on the challenges that we face in building a more peaceful world.

International Day of Living Together in Peace 2023: Significance

The day is extremely important in terms of encouraging diversity, conversation, and cultural bridges. It promotes a culture of peace and understanding by encouraging the rejection of violence, discrimination, and exclusion. It reminds us of the vital role peaceful coexistence plays in creating a just, inclusive, and sustainable world.

Governments, organizations, and individuals can take part in various activities to promote living together in peace. These include interfaith dialogues, cultural exchanges, peace education programs, community-building initiatives, and campaigns against prejudice and discrimination. The day serves as a reminder of the importance of togetherness, understanding, and compassion in building peaceful and resilient societies.

International Day of Living Together in Peace: History

In the aftermath of World War II, the United Nations recognized the importance of preventing future wars and addressing global inequality. To promote peace and equality, the UN initiated efforts like the International Year for the Culture of Peace in 2000 and the International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for Children of the World from 2001 to 2010. The adoption of the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace in 1999 further highlighted the need for long-lasting peace and non-violence.

In 2017, the UN General Assembly reaffirmed its commitment by designating May 16 as the International Day of Living Together in Peace. This day aims to foster inclusion, tolerance, solidarity, and peace among diverse communities worldwide.

Amit Shah Inaugurates Training Program on Legislative Drafting in New Delhi

Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated a training program on legislative drafting in New Delhi. The programme aims to improve understanding of legislative drafting ideas and practises among officials of Parliament, state legislatures, various ministries, statutory bodies, and other government departments.

Repealing of Irrelevant Laws:

During his address, Mr. Shah highlighted the government’s efforts to repeal around two thousand irrelevant laws since 2015. He mentioned that legislative drafting is not only a science or an art but also a skill that must be implemented with a spirit of clarity and transparency.

Importance of Clear and Simple Law:

Mr. Shah emphasized the importance of drafting clear and simple laws without any grey areas to avoid conflicts. He urged the officers to draft laws in simple and understandable words so that everyone can understand them without any difficulty.

Impact on Society and State:

Legislative drafting has a significant impact on the interpretation of policies and regulations implemented for the welfare of society and the state. Therefore, it is necessary to impart training to legislative draftsmen from time to time to sharpen their skills.

Capacity Building:

The training programme organised by the Institute of Constitutional and Parliamentary Studies (ICPS) in partnership with the Parliamentary Research and Training Institute for Democracies (PRIDE) would assist officers in developing their capacity. They will learn about the principles and practices of legislative drafting and apply them to promote democratic governance and give effect to the rule of law.

Laos To Host Asean Tourism Forum 2024 With “Quality And Responsible Tourism -Sustaining Asean Future” Theme

Laos is gearing up to host the annual ASEAN Tourism Forum in January 2024, which will take place in the country’s capital city, Vientiane. The forum’s subject is “Quality and Responsible Tourism — Sustaining ASEAN Future,” reflecting the forum’s emphasis on sustainable and responsible tourism practises.

The forum will include a tourism exhibition and is expected to boost tourism in Laos while encouraging service improvement in associated businesses. The Lao News Agency quoted Minister of Information, Culture, and Tourism Suanesavanh Vignaket, who stated that the event will promote Laos as a nature-based tourism destination.

Laos’ Previous Hosting of the ASEAN Tourism Forum:

Laos will host the ASEAN Tourism Forum for the second time. Laos has held the event in 2004 and 2013, highlighting the country’s potential as a Southeast Asian tourism destination.

Promoting Laos as a Nature-Based Tourism Destination:

The Lao government is keen to promote the country’s potential as a nature-based tourism destination. Many foreign tourists have already visited Laos to explore the country’s scenic attractions, as well as the local lifestyles and traditions.

Tourism Industry’s Resilience amid the COVID-19 Pandemic:

The COVID-19 epidemic has had a huge impact on the tourism industry. However, Laos had an increase in tourist visits in the first three months of 2023, with over 831,000 foreign visitors. This is a considerable increase from just 211,898 overseas visitors in the first six months of 2022, which was the peak of the pandemic.

About Laos, key points:

Capital: Vientiane
Currency: Lao kip (LAK)
President: Thongloun Sisoulith (as of 2021)
Official language: Lao
Population: Approximately 7.2 million people
Geography: Located in Southeast Asia, bordered by Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, China, and Myanmar

Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit Takes Over As Deputy Chief Of Air Staff

Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit took over as the Deputy Chief of the Air Staff, according to the Minister of Defence. Ashutosh Dixit, an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, was Commissioned in the fighter stream on December 6 in 1986. Mr Dixit is a certified flight instructor and experimental test pilot with over 3,300 hours of flight time in fighter, training, and transport aircraft. He took part in the operations ‘Safed Sagar’ and ‘Rakshak’.

Air Marshal Dixit commanded a Mirage 2000 Squadron, a frontline fighter base in the Western sector, as well as a premier fighter training base. He has earlier served as Principle Director Air Staff Requirement, Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Projects) & Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Plans) at Air Headquarters. The Air Officer has also been the Air Defence Commander of Southern Air Command and was Senior Air Staff Officer, South Western Air Command prior to taking over as the Deputy Chief of the Air Staff.

About the Deputy Chief of the Air Staff

the Deputy Chief of the Air Staff (DCAS) of India is an Air Marshal-ranked officer in the Indian Air Force (IAF). The DCAS serves as the second-in-command of the Air Force and assists the Chief of the Air Staff in overseeing the operational readiness, planning, and execution of the IAF’s missions and activities. The specific individual holding the position of DCAS can change over time due to rotations and promotions within the Indian Air Force. For the most up-to-date information, it is recommended to refer to official sources or the Indian Air Force’s website.

Eu Regulators Approve Microsoft’s $69 Billion Acquisition Of Activision Blizzard

The European Union has approved Microsoft’s $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard, one of the world’s largest gaming companies. The EU’s executive arm, the European Commission, approved the deal after Microsoft offered remedies in the emerging area of cloud gaming that would allay antitrust concerns.

Remedies offered by Microsoft:

The remedies Microsoft offered centered around allowing users to stream Activision games they purchase on any cloud streaming platform. This was a major issue for regulators throughout the world, who were looking into whether Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision would restrict competition in the console and cloud gaming markets. The UK’s competition authority blocked the deal last month over concerns it would reduce competition in the nascent cloud gaming market. The authority feared that Microsoft would make Activision’s key games, such as Call of Duty, exclusive to its own cloud gaming platforms, a move that would harm competition.

Impact on competition in the console and cloud gaming market:

Microsoft has staked its future in the gaming market on cloud gaming, a nascent part of the industry. The EU Commission found that the Activision takeover would not reduce competition in the console market given Sony’s dominance with the PlayStation.

Cloud gaming allows people to stream games from servers, removing the need for expensive dedicated hardware such as consoles. These games could be played on existing devices like TVs, smartphones, and laptops. The key to success for cloud gaming is a large catalogue of games that users could immediately access via a subscription service, like Netflix.

Microsoft’s solution to allay competition concerns:

Microsoft will offer royalty-free licenses to cloud gaming platforms to stream Activision games if a consumer has purchased them. Customers who have purchased or will purchase an Activision game will be able to stream these titles on their preferred cloud gaming platform. The idea is that gamers do not necessarily need to stream the game where they buy it.

U.S. Federal Trade Commission’s ongoing investigation:

Despite the EU approval, Microsoft still faces a tough task of convincing rivals such as Sony and other regulators, including the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, that the Activision takeover will not harm competition. The case between the FTC and Microsoft is still ongoing.

National Medical Commission Makes Unique Id Mandatory For Doctors

Doctors will now be required to obtain a Unique Identification Number (UID) in order to practise medicine in the country, according to new National Medical Commission (NMC) regulations. The UID will be generated centrally by the NMC ethics board and thereby grant the practitioner, registration in NMR and eligibility to practice medicine in India.

According to the latest NMC announcement, a common national medical registration will be established for all registered medical practitioners in the country. The same will be maintained by the NMC’s Ethics and Medical Registration Board (EMRB). This register will contain all the entries of the registered medical practitioners of all State Registers maintained by the various State Medical Councils and will have all relevant information regarding the medical practitioner.

The licence to practice medicine issued to a registered medical practitioner will be valid for a period of five years after which the medical practitioner will have to renew the licencing by making an application to the State Medical Council, said the new notification-“Registration of Medical Practitioners and Licence to Practice Medicine Regulations, 2023”. A licence renewal application must be submitted within three months of the license’s expiration date.

Pasang Dawa Sherpa Becomes 2nd Person To Scale Everest 26 Times

Pasang Dawa Sherpa, better known as Pa Dawa, reached the summit of Mount Everest for the 26th time, equaling another Nepalese guide’s record. The 46-year-old accomplished this accomplishment while accompanied by a Hungarian climber. According to the Himalayan Database, which documents mountaineering achievements in Nepal’s Himalayas, Pa Dawa had previously climbed Everest 25 times, including two ascents in 2022. Dawa has returned nearly every year since his initial successful climb in 1998.

Kami Rita, leading a team from the United States, is currently on a mission to surpass his own record by climbing Mount Everest for the 27th time. This means that Pasang Dawa’s record could be broken within the following few days. It is unknown whether Dawa would try again this year. Nepal boasts eight of the world’s 14 highest peaks, all exceeding 8,000 meters. Sherpas, who typically use their first names, are renowned for their exceptional climbing abilities and primarily earn a living by guiding foreign climbers in the mountains. The climbing season this year experienced a slight delay following an incident in April where three Sherpa climbers fell into a perilous crevasse on a challenging part of the mountain.

About the Mount Everest

Mount Everest is the highest mountain in the world, located in the Mahalangur Himal sub-range of the Himalayas. The China–Nepal border runs across its summit point. Its elevation of 8,848.86 m (29,031.69 ft) was most recently established in 2020 by the Chinese and Nepali authorities.
Mount Everest is named after George Everest, India’s former Surveyor General. Chomolungma is the Tibetan name for the peak, which meaning “Mother Goddess of the World.” The peak is known as Sagarmatha in Nepali, which means “Peak of Heaven.”
Mount Everest was first climbed in 1953 by Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay. Since then, thousands of people have climbed the mountain, but it is still a dangerous undertaking. The high altitude, extreme cold, and lack of oxygen make it a challenge for even the most experienced climbers.
There has been some worry in recent years about the influence of tourism on Mount Everest. The mountain is becoming increasingly popular, and climbers are leaving a growing amount of rubbish behind. There have also been a number of accidents and deaths on the mountain, some of which have been attributed to overcrowding.
Despite the risks, Mount Everest remains a popular destination for climbers from all over the world. It is a symbol of human achievement and a challenge that few can resist.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

Nepal Capital: Kathmandu;
Nepal Prime minister: Pushpa Kamal Dahal;
President of Nepal: Ram Chandra Poudel;
Nepal Currency: Nepalese Rupee;
Nepal Official language: Nepali.

Ministry For Corporate Affairs Introduces C-Pace

Ministry for Corporate Affairs Introduces C-PACE

To streamline the process of removing companies from the MCA Register, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) developed the Centre for Processing Accelerated Corporate Exit (C-PACE). The purpose of C-PACE is to reduce the burden on the registry and provide a convenient process for stakeholders to remove their company’s name from the register.

C-PACE Introduced by MCA: Key Points

This initiative is part of MCA’s effort to make doing business and exiting easier for companies.
C-PACE will work with the Registrar of Companies (RoC) to process and dispose of applications.
The office of C-PACE was inaugurated on May 1, 2023, by R.K. Dalmia, the director of inspection and investigation at MCA.
Harihara Sahoo, ICLS, has been appointed as the C-PACE’s first registrar, who will report to the Director General of Corporate Affairs (DGCoA), New Delhi.
The establishment of C-PACE will help maintain a clean registry and provide stakeholders with more valuable information.
With the introduction of C-PACE, companies can expect a smoother exit process without any hassles.

Important Takeaways For All Competitive Exams

Minster for Corporate Affairs: Smt Nirmala Sitharaman
First registrar of C-PACE: Harihara Sahoo

SCO Members Embrace India’s Digital Public Infrastructure Proposal

SCO Members Embrace India’s Digital Public Infrastructure Proposal

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) endorsed India’s proposal to support the extension and use of its digital public infrastructure (DPI), which includes Aadhaar, the United Payments Interface (UPI), and DigiLocker, during a meeting of ICT development ministers headed by India.

Ashwini Vaishnaw, the minister for electronics, IT, communications, and railways, encouraged other SCO member countries to assess and implement India Stack while stressing the significance of interoperability and increased digital inclusion.

SCO Members Adopt India’s Digital Public Infrastructure Proposal: Key Points

Vaishnaw encouraged other members of the SCO to consider and implement India Stack, a digital public infrastructure, in order to promote fair competition, democratize technology, and support inclusive digital growth within the member states.
India intends to invest $3 billion in distant village mobile connectivity and $5 billion in broadband connectivity for all 250,000 village councils.
In addition, India will host the Annual Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence summit in December.
Vaishnaw emphasized the importance of interoperability between different systems developed by member states and recognized the need for an organization to establish common standards for digital system interoperability.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is an organisation of eight member countries, including India, China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Pakistan, that act as a regional intergovernmental organisation to promote regional security, economic, and cultural cooperation.

By accepting India’s proposal, the SCO has taken a major stride towards creating a more interconnected and equitable future for the region. This event underscores India’s increasing influence in the digital domain and its endeavors to unite neighboring countries by reducing the digital gap and encouraging connectivity.

Bank Of Baroda Launches Electronic Bank Guarantee On Its Digital Platform

Bank of Baroda, a public sector bank, has announced a collaboration with National E-Governance Services Limited (NeSL), a government-backed information utility selected by India’s Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board, to create the Electronic Bank Guarantee (BG) system.

The system enables the issuance of inland bank guarantees securely and conveniently through the bank’s digital platform BarodaINSTA.

Bank of Baroda launches Electronic Bank Guarantee: Key Points

This system is entirely digital, which reduces turnaround time and ensures a safer and more accessible medium.
Upon issuance, the beneficiary can view the final digital BG immediately on the NeSL portal, eliminating the need for a separate BG issuing Bank authentication.

Electronic Bank Guarantee by Bank of Baroda: Aim

The goal of this launch is to greatly minimise the time it takes to issue electronic bank guarantees when compared to the traditional paper-based method.
The Bank expects the new system to bring down the average turnaround time for a conventional BG from 2-3 days to just a few minutes.

Why is launching an Electronic bank guarantee important?

The reason for launching electronic bank guarantees is to provide a faster turnaround time compared to the traditional paper-based process of issuing inland bank guarantees.
According to the Bank of Baroda, e-BGs will dramatically shorten the average turnaround time from 2-3 days to a few minutes. E-BGs are stored in a centralised repository, making it simple for all stakeholders to authenticate and validate documents.
e-BGs are a transformative reform that simplifies banking, enhances security and accessibility for customers.
Contractors, SMEs, and large corporations frequently apply for bank guarantees, and the move to e-BGs will benefit all, providing a quick, seamless, transparent, and entirely secure process.
In addition to the Bank of Baroda, other banks like HDFC, SBI, Yes Bank, and Federal Bank offer e-BG facilities.

Important Takeaways For All Competitive Exams

MD & CEO of NeSL: Debajyoti Ray Chaudhuri
RBI Governor: Shaktikanta Das