Daily Current Affairs- 16th May 2024

Daily Current Affairs- 16th May 2024

INTERNATIONAL

TCS announces creation of Global AI Center of Excellence in Paris

• Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) announced the creation of a Global Artificial Intelligence (AI) Centre of Excellence in Paris, during the Choose France Summit, hosted by President Emmanuel Macron.
• The new AI centre will be based in the upcoming TCS PacePort in the La Défense area of Paris, which will be inaugurated in June 2024, becoming the seventh such facility in TCS’ global Pace network, following Amsterdam, London, New York, Pittsburgh, Toronto, and Tokyo. 

PhonePe partners with LankaPay, enables UPI payments for users travelling to Sri Lanka

• PhonePe on Wednesday announced a partnership with LankaPay to allow its users to pay using UPI across Sri Lanka.
• At an event to mark the collaboration, PhonePe said its app users travelling to Sri Lanka can make payments using UPI across LankaPay QR merchants, The transactions will be facilitated by the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and LankaPay National Payment Network. 

Wong sworn in as Singapore's new Prime Minister

• Economist Lawrence Wong was sworn in as Singapore's fourth prime minister in a planned political transition for the island state.
• Wong, 51, succeeded Lee Hsien Loong, 72, who relinquished his position after two decades; both belong to the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) that has been driving Singapore’s economic progress for more than five decades 

SPORTS

Sunil Chhetri, Indian football team captain, announces retirement,

• Sunil Chhetri, India's most decorated footballer, has announced his retirement from international football. Chhetri, 39, made the announcement through a video on social media platform X, mentioning that India's upcoming FIFA World Cup Qualifier game against Kuwait in Kolkata on June 6 will be his last. 

OBITURY

Veteran Congress Leader and Former Governor Kamla Beniwal Passes Away

• Veteran Congress leader and former governor of Gujarat Kamla Beniwal died at a private hospital in Jaipur on Wednesday, She was 97.
• Born on January 12, 1927, in Gorir, Jhunjhunu district, Rajputana Agency, British India, Beniwal’s journey was deeply rooted in the Indian independence movement. At the tender age of 15, she joined the Indian National Congress and actively participated in the Quit India Movement, showcasing her unwavering dedication to the cause of freedom. 

Vineet Nayyar, former Vice Chairman of Tech Mahindra passes away at 85

• Vineet Nayyar, the former Vice Chairman of Tech Mahindra, has passed away at 85. Former Tech Mahindra MD and CEO CP Gurnani shared the news via the social media site X (formerly known as Twitter).
• Former MD and CEO of Tech Mahindra, CP Gurnani too shared the grief and said, "Heartbreaking news..India has lost one of its finest leaders today.. #VineetNayyar.. Personally it's like losing the light that has led me for decades...He was friend, philosopher, brother, guide & statesman par excellence.. My heart and thoughts with Reva and family. #OmShanti." 

APPOINTMENS & RESIGNATIONS

NASA appoints their first Chief AI Officer, following the Executive Order

• NASA has named David Salvagnini its new chief artificial intelligence (AI) officer. David Salvaginini used to be NASA’s chief data officer. His new role is an expansion of his current position.
• NASA uses various AI tools to benefit humanity by supporting mission and research projects across the agency, analyzing data to reveal trends and patterns, and developing systems capable of autonomously supporting spacecraft and aircraft. 

IMPORTANT DAYS

International Day of Light

• Every year on May 16, people around the world observe the International Day of Light. The day honours the date of physicist and engineer Theodore Maiman's first productive laser operation in 1960. UNESCO's International Basic Science Programme (I.B.S.P.) coordinates the day's celebration on behalf of the United Nations.
• This year that is 2024 theme of International Day of Light is Light in Our Lives, to let the light guide us the way forward. 

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

Chandrakant Satija Honored with Global Excellence Award 2024

• Chandrakant Satija, a renowned educationist and the Founder and CEO of Chandra Admission Consultants was honored with the Global Excellence Award 2024 at a grand event held at Sahara Star Hotel in Mumbai on May 12th. The award was presented to him by the famous Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty Kundra. He was adjudged as the Most Trusted Admissions Consultant in Vidarbha Region. 

Kavita Krishnamurthy conferred with Lifetime Achievement Award in UK

• Well-known playback and classical singer Kavita Krishnamurthy has been conferred with a Lifetime Achievement Award for her contribution to music by the annual UK Asian Film Festival (UKAFF) in London.
• The 66-year-old singer behind several Bollywood box-office hits from films like ‘Mr India’ and ‘Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam’ received the Golden Flame Lifetime Achievement Award at a glittering ceremony over the weekend, followed by a celebration event. 

Ruskin Bond receives Sahitya Akademi Fellowship

• Eminent English author Ruskin Bond was awarded the prestigious Sahitya Akademi Fellowship at his Mussoorie home.
• Born on May 19, 1934, in Kasauli, Himachal Pradesh, Ruskin Bond has been an active and influential voice in the literary world for over 50 years. His diverse body of work spans various genres, including short stories, novels, autobiographical works, non-fiction, romance, and children’s books. However, his favourite genres remain essays and stories. 

BANKING AND ECONOMY

HDFC Bank launches its first virtual credit card with Visa

• The country’s largest private sector lender, HDFC Bank, on May 14, launched PIXEL, its first virtual credit card with Visa’s network. The card is available in two variants: PIXEL Play and PIXEL Go and allows users to build their own cards with personalised benefits, offers, etc.
• Customers can register for the cards on the bank’s PayZapp mobile application which can be digitally managed. The PayZapp application will provide credit card users with features like card controls, rewards, EMI dashboard, notifications, statements, repayments, disputes, hotlisting, recent transactions, etc., the bank said in a press release.