1. Rs 20 lakh cr economic package worth 10% of India’s GDP announced by PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 12th May, announced the Atma-nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan (or Self-reliant India Mission) and said that his government would unveil the details of an economic package worth Rs 20 lakh crore or 10% of India’s GDP in 2019-20, aimed towards achieving this mission and helping he stalled economy. The details of this 20 lakh crore economic package are soon to be shared by our finance minister.
2. Bala Devi, Sandesh Jhingan nominated for Arjuna Award
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) nominated the Indian national football team’s central defender Sandesh Jhingan and women’s team striker N Bala Devi for the prestigious Arjuna Award. AIFF has nominated these two names keeping in mind their consistency in recent years. “We have decided to send the names of Sandesh and Bala Devi for the Arjuna Award keeping their consistent showings. So, it’s one male and one female,” said AIFF general secretary Kushal Das. Those holding outstanding achievements in sports are given the Arjuna Awards by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India.
3. India to receive Rs 27 crore from US to fight COVID-19
The US’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has committed $3.6 million to help India fight the health crises of COVID-19 and will also be supporting the country’s medical infrastructure with the prevention, preparedness, and response activities. The CDC is the United States’ national public health institute. It is a federal agency under the States’ Department of Health and Human Services. The CDC will join hands with local partners and assist in the building up of a strong public health workforce to support India’s capacity to battle with not only the COVID-19 pandemic but to any such future threats as well.
4. IAF sets fighter jets into action as Chinese choppers fly near LAC
After few Chinese helicopters were spotted along the border, the Indian Air Force fighter planes were positioned within just eight minutes at the Line of Actual Control in Ladakh. This incident occurred within days of the Indian Army soldiers and troops of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) got into a scuffle at the border post in North Sikkim. The Chinese choppers did not cross the Line of Actual Control into the Indian side of the border. This move has taken place at the same time when Pakistani Air Force F-16S and F-17S increased patrol along the eastern border with India.
5. Twitter employees can work from home permanently: Twitter
Jack Dorsey, Twitter CEO in an email to the employees that they will be “allowed to work from home permanently, even after the coronavirus pandemic lockdown passes.” With this, Twitter has become the first tech company to make work from home permanent for its employees. Jack Dorsey, however, did mention that jobs requiring “physical presence” such as maintaining servers and so on will need employees to attend office.
6. Microsoft to launch ‘Family Safety’ app to help users manage kids’ screen time
Microsoft has launched a new app named, Family Safety, designed for managing kids’ screentime and app usage. The app is now available in preview form on both Android and iOS. It primarily is designed to help parents manage their child’s’ screen time. The app enables users to supervise their family’s digital safety and track screen time across Android, Windows PCs, and Xbox. In addition to this it also has features such as location sharing and notifications that can be useful to track the location of family members and receive alerts when they reach school or work.The app is not only useful during lockdown times but will also be helpful when life gets back to normal.
7. Military operation to protect Amazon rainforest launched by Brazil
Brazil has assigned duties to its military to protect the Amazon rainforest that includes an operation to curb environmental destruction in a national forest near the Bolivian border. The operation to stop illegal logging and mining activities in the world’s largest rainforest will be executed by the environmental authorities, police, and other government agencies. Bases have been set up by authorities for the operation in three Amazon cities, and 3,800 troops have been deployed. The initial cost of the operation is estimated at 60 million Brazilian reais (€9.54 million, $10.31 million), confirmed Vice President Hamilton Mourao.
8. The FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup postponed, to be held in 2021
The FIFA (Federation Internationale de Football Association) U-17 Women’s World Cup, earlier scheduled to occur this year is now scheduled to take place in 2021 in India. So far, Japan and North Korea have qualified from the two available slots for Asian teams, and India has qualified for the main tournament as hosts. The other 13 spots are still being chased by different participant countries. All players born on or between January 1, 2003, and December 31, 2005, will remain to be eligible to play at the tournament despite the postponing of the tournament, thus making it a de facto ‘under-18’ World Cup.
9. Formula One world champion Sebastian Vettel to leave Ferrari
Four-times Formula One world champion Sebastian Vettel is set to quit Ferrari at the end of the year after the season comes to an end. Media reports state that the player had rejected the terms offered in a new deal. Another reason for the break down of the contract was the reduction in the salary amount of Sebastian. Vettel has joined Ferrari in 2015 after successfully winning all his titles with Red Bull.
10. Rana Daggubati engaged to girlfriend Miheeka Bajaj; shares picture
Baahubali star Rana Daggubati posted a picture of him with his girlfriend Miheeka Bajaj, confirming the news of his engagement. Miheeka Bajaj is a businesswoman by profession. After posting a picture on social media, celebrities welcomed this news by dropping comments with love and congratulations texts. Anil Kapoor, Shruti Hasaan and Samantha Ruth Prabhu were some among the many celebrities who commented on the picture.
