Vladimir Putin Sworn In For New Six-Year Term As Russia’s President
Vladimir Putin recently started another six-year term as Russia’s President. He has been in power for almost 25 years, making him the longest-serving leader since Josef Stalin. His new term lasts until 2030, when he could potentially run for office again under the constitution.
Putin won a big victory in March in an election that was tightly controlled. Since taking over from President Boris Yeltsin at the end of 1999, Putin has changed Russia from a country recovering from economic problems into a major player on the world stage.
After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, which is Europe’s biggest conflict since World War II, the West has imposed severe sanctions on Russia. As a result, Russia is seeking support from other countries like China, Iran, and North Korea.
Russia:
Capital: Moscow
President: Vladimir Putin
Prime Minister: Mikhail Mishustin
Currency: Ruble
Who was sworn in for a new six-year term as President of Russia? (Vladimir Putin)
Sri Lanka Signs 20-Year Power Deal With Adani Green Energy For Wind Stations
Sri Lanka recently agreed to a long-term energy partnership with Adani Green Energy Ltd from India. The Sri Lankan government approved a plan for Adani to build two wind power stations, a move that supports the country’s goal of using more sustainable energy sources.
The project involves a significant investment of $442 million by Adani to develop wind power plants capable of producing 484 megawatts of electricity. This collaboration highlights the increasing cooperation between Sri Lanka and India in renewable energy.
As part of the agreement, the Sri Lankan government will pay Adani 8.26 cents per kilowatt-hour, which is about 7 rupees, for the electricity generated. This partnership is crucial for Sri Lanka as it faces energy challenges, including power outages and fuel shortages, particularly during the economic crisis in 2022.
Sri Lanka:
Capitals: Colombo, Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte
Currency: Sri Lankan Rupee
President: Ranil Wickremesinghe
Prime minister: Dinesh Gunawardena
Recently, which country has signed a 20-year power agreement with India’s Adani Green Energy Limited? Sri Lanka
Indian Contingent Bagged 43 Medals At ASBC Asian U-22 And Youth Boxing Championships
In boxing, the Indian team ended their exciting journey at the ASBC Asian U-22 and Youth Boxing Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan, with an impressive total of 43 medals. This includes 12 gold, 14 silver, and 17 bronze medals from both the under-22 and youth categories. The under-22 team won 21 medals, with seven gold, five silver, and nine bronze medals, while the youth section earned 22 medals, including five gold, nine silver, and eight bronze medals. India secured the second-highest number of medals, with Kazakhstan leading with 48 medals.
How many total medals did the Indian team win in the ASBC Asian Under-22 and Youth Boxing Championships? 43
India Clinches 3 Gold, And 2 Bronze Medals At Asian Open Pickleball Championships In Vietnam
India won three gold and two bronze medals at the Asian Open Pickleball Championships in Vietnam. Sachin Pahwa and Priyanka Chabbra won India’s first gold medal in the mixed doubles intermediate 35+ category by defeating Ruben Hellberg and Chitlada Hemasee. In the women’s doubles open category, Isha Lakhani and Pei Chuan Kao won the gold medal by defeating Dang Kim Ngan and Tyak K. In the men’s doubles, Aniket Patel and Rohit Patil won the gold medal despite losing the opening game. They defeated Nik Alessandro Isagan and Lester Ga in the final. In the men’s singles advance 35+ category, Vijay Menon won the bronze medal by defeating Yu Hsuan Cher. Priyanka Chhabra also won a bronze medal in the women’s singles intermediate 35+ event by defeating Marissa Phongsirikul.
How many gold medals did India win in the recent Asian Open Pickleball Championship in Vietnam? 3
INOX Air Products and Asahi India Glass sign MoU for Green Hydrogen
INOX Air Products, which makes gases for industries and medicine, has made an agreement with Asahi India Glass Limited (AIS) to supply green hydrogen for 20 years. This hydrogen will be used at AIS’s new glass factory in Soniyana, Chittorgarh, Rajasthan.
This is the first time in India that green hydrogen will be used in the glass industry. The plant will make up to 190 tonnes of green hydrogen each year using a process called electrolysis. It will start working by July 2024 and will use solar power.
In the first stage, 95 tonnes of green hydrogen will be given to AIS each year. AIS will invest in a solar power plant to make the energy needed to create green hydrogen. This hydrogen will be used in AIS’s glass-making process. AIS is starting a new project in Chittorgarh, Rajasthan, to make high-quality glass for cars and buildings using new technology.
INOX Air Products:
INOX Air Products, also known as INOX AP, is the India-based industrial gas company. It is a joint venture between INOX Leasing and Finance Limited and Air Products & Chemicals.
Founded: 1963
Founder: Devendra Kumar Jain
Headquarters: Mumbai, India
Recently, Inox Air Products, manufacturers of industrial and medical gases and Asahi India Glass signed MoU for ____. green hydrogen
SGCCI and KCCI Sign MoU to Boost Trade and Investment
In a big step to boost business, the South Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SGCCI) and the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) signed an agreement called a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) under Mission 84. The main aim of this agreement is to encourage business people from Gujarat, including Surat, to invest in different industries in the good business conditions of Kashmir.
Here’s a simplified version of the content:
Important Points of the Agreement:
Goal: To increase exports by Rs 84,000 crore from Surat, Gujarat, and India through Mission 84.
Investment Opportunities: Identifying opportunities for businesses and investors in Kashmir.
Business Promotion: Encouraging trade between SGCCI and KCCI.
Problem Solving: SGCCI to help solve issues faced by the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce.
Importance:
This agreement is crucial for boosting trade and investment in Jammu and Kashmir, which will help the region’s economy grow. It will also improve trade relations between Surat and Kashmir, benefiting both states’ industries and economies.
Under which mission, South Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SGCCI) and Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) signed an MoU to promote trade and investment? mission 84
Veteran Malayalam Actress Kanakalatha Passes Away
Renowned Malayalam actress Kanakalatha, known for her diverse roles, has passed away at 63. She was born in Kollam on August 24, 1960, to Parameshwaran Pillai and Chinnama. Kanakalatha appeared in over 360 films during her impressive forty-year career. Some of her notable films include ‘Priyam’ (2000), ‘Kannezhuthi Pottum Thottu’ (1999), ‘Stalin Sivadas’ (1999), ‘Varnapakittu’ (1997), ‘Spadikam’ (1995), ‘Kinnaripuzhayoram’ (1994), ‘Kireedam’ (1989), ‘Rajavinte Makan’ (1986), ‘Kshamichu Ennoru Vakku’ (1986), and ‘Chillu’ (1982). Her last film was ‘Pookkalam’ (2023). Besides Malayalam movies, she also acted in Tamil films like ‘Uzhaikkum Paadhai’ (2018), ‘Unakkaga Piranthen’ (1992), and ‘Karpooramullai’ (1991).
Veteran actress Kanakalatha, who passed away recently, was related to which regional cinema? Malayalam
The New York Times’ Gaza reportage, WaPo, Reuters, AP and others awarded Pulitzer Prizes 2024
Columbia University recently hosted the 108th Pulitzer Prize ceremony, which recognizes excellence in American journalism, literature, drama, and music. Here are some of the winners of the Pulitzer Award 2024:
Staff of Reuters: They won for their series of stories investigating the automobile and aerospace ventures of billionaire Elon Musk.
Staff of The Washington Post: They were honored for their examination of the AR-15 semiautomatic rifle.
Staff of The New York Times: They received the award for their reporting on Hamas’ attack in southern Israel, Israel’s intelligence lapses, and the Israeli military’s retaliation in Gaza.
Photography Staff of The Associated Press: They were recognized for their photographs documenting the influx of migrants from Colombia to the United States border.
Staffs of the Invisible Institute and USG Audio: These newsrooms were awarded for their series on a hate crime in Chicago from the 1990s.
Photography Staff of Reuters: They were awarded for their photographs capturing the Hamas attack in Israel and Israel’s offensive in Gaza.
Justin Chang of The Los Angeles Times: Chang was commended for his film criticism.
Katie Engelhart, contributing writer, The New York Times: She was honored for her depiction of a family’s challenges amid a matriarch’s dementia.
Vladimir Kara-Murza, contributor, The Washington Post: He was recognized for his columns warning about dissent in Russia.
David E. Hoffman of The Washington Post: Hoffman was awarded for his series on authoritarian regimes and dissent in the digital era.
Sarah Conway of City Bureau and Trina Reynolds-Tyler of the Invisible Institute: They were commended for their series on missing Black girls and women in Chicago.
Sarah Stillman of The New Yorker: Stillman’s work on the felony murder charge’s impact was praised.
These awards celebrate outstanding work in various fields and highlight the importance of journalism and storytelling.
How many Pulitzer Prizes did The New York Times receive for its wide-ranging journalism that exposed conflict and injustice around the world? 3
Samsung’s affiliate acquires French AI medtech startup Sonio
Samsung Electronics’ medical equipment unit, Samsung Medison, has recently acquired a French startup called Sonio that specializes in using artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare. This acquisition is part of Samsung’s plan to grow its AI-powered healthcare solutions business.
Sonio focuses on developing AI for diagnostic reporting in obstetrics and gynecology ultrasound. Samsung Medison hopes to benefit from Sonio’s expertise in AI development, particularly in Europe. This acquisition will help Samsung Medison improve its medical AI solutions, especially with Sonio’s AI diagnostic assistant and reporting technology.
Sonio, established in 2020 and based in Paris, has created an AI-powered prenatal screening solution that automates ultrasound reporting. One of Sonio’s main products, Sonio Detect, is an AI-powered software that can identify prenatal syndromes and abnormalities through ultrasound. This software received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2023.
Samsung Medison, founded in 1985 and acquired by Samsung in 2010, is a company that manufactures diagnostic ultrasound systems.
Air India, Lufthansa deepen ties, expand codeshare on India-Australia route
German airline Lufthansa has decided to expand its partnership with Tata-owned Air India on the popular India-Australia route. This means that passengers flying from Frankfurt and Munich with Lufthansa can now easily connect to Sydney and Melbourne via Delhi and Mumbai using Air India flights.
Similarly, Swiss Airlines, which is part of the Lufthansa group, will also work together with Air India. Travelers from Zurich can now reach Sydney, Melbourne, and Kathmandu through Air India flights, with Delhi Airport as the connecting hub.
A codeshare agreement is a common business practice in the airline industry where two or more airlines collaborate to promote and publish a specific flight using their own airline designator and flight number in their schedules.
This partnership is unique because it allows Lufthansa to share its code for international routes with Air India. While Lufthansa has joint ventures with Singapore Airlines for Europe to Australia routes, it does not operate directly on these routes.
Air India:
Commenced operations: 29 July 1946
Headquarters: Gurgaon, Haryana, India
Chairman: N. Chandrasekaran
CEO & MD: Campbell Wilson
Which German aviation major has reecntly agreed to expand its codeshare agreement with Tata-owned Air India? Lufthansa
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