Correct Answer :   $69 Billion

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The European Union on Monday (15th May 2023) approved Microsoft’s $69 billion purchase of video game maker Activision Blizzard, deciding the deal won’t stifle competition for popular console titles like Call of Duty and accepting the US tech company’s remedies to boost competition in cloud gaming.

* The blockbuster deal is still in jeopardy because British regulators have rejected it and U.S. authorities are trying to thwart it.

* The deal, sweetened by Microsoft's promises to free up licensing conditions for cloud gaming, “would no longer raise competition concerns and would ultimately unlock significant benefits for competition and consumers," said the European Commission, the 27-nation bloc’s executive arm and top antitrust watchdog.

* The all-cash deal announced more than a year ago has been scrutinized by regulators around the world over fears that it would give Microsoft and its Xbox console control of Activision’s hit franchises like Call of Duty and World of Warcraft.

* Fierce opposition has been driven by rival Sony, which makes the PlayStation gaming system.

* Microsoft sought to counter the resistance by striking a deal with Nintendo to license Activision titles like Call of Duty for 10 years and offering the same to Sony if the deal went ahead.

* The European Commission dismissed the possibility that Microsoft would cut off its games from PlayStation, saying that excluding the most popular gaming console would put a big dent in its profits.

* The emerging cloud gaming market received closer scrutiny from Brussels. Cloud gaming frees players from buying expensive consoles and gaming computers by allowing them to stream games they own to tablets, phones and other devices, typically through a cloud platform that may charge a fee.

* The commission approved the deal after accepting Microsoft’s offer to modify its licensing agreements to allow users and any cloud gaming platforms to stream its titles without paying any royalties for 10 years.

* Microsoft has already announced deals to bring Xbox PC games to cloud gaming platforms operated by chipmaker Nvidia and independent player Boosteroid.

* The EU’s decision could enhance Microsoft’s chances as it faces down U.S. regulators. The Federal Trade Commission is taking the company to court to block the deal, with a trial before the FTC’s in-house judge set to begin Aug. 2..

Source : Mint

Correct Answer :   Ravneet Kaur

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* The government has appointed "Ravneet Kaur" as the Chairperson of the Competition Commission of India (CCI), according to an official order. There has been no full-time Chairperson for the competition regulator since Ashok Kumar Gupta demitted office in October 2022.

* Meanwhile, Moneycontrol has learned that Kaur may not be able to immediately assume charge as she is still serving in her capacity as an IAS officer and may take some time to take charge at the CCI.

* CCI Member Sangeeta Verma has been acting as the Chairperson since October 2022.

* The appointment of Ravneet Kaur, a 1988 Punjab cadre IAS officer, will be for a period of five years from the date of assuming charge or till the date of attaining the age of 65 years or until further orders, whichever is the earliest, as per the order dated May 15, 2023.

* Currently, Kaur is serving as the Additional Chief Secretary and Financial Commissioner at the Department of Revenue, Rehabilitation and Disaster Management in Chandigarh.

* The CCI chairperson will get a consolidated salary of Rs 4,50,000 per month without house and car, the order added...

Source : Moneycontrol

Correct Answer :   Manoj Soni

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Educationist "Manoj Soni" will take oath as the chairman of Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) on Tuesday (16th May 2023).

* Soni, who joined the Commission as the member on June 28, 2017, has been performing the duties of the UPSC chairman since April 5, 2022, he said on Monday.

* “He will be administered the oath of office and secrecy as chairman, UPSC on Tuesday (16th May 2023) by Smita Nagaraj, senior most member in the Commission,” the official said.

* The UPSC conducts civil services examination to select officers of Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS) and Indian Police Service (IPS) among others.

* The Commission is headed by a chairman and it can have a maximum of 10 members.

* These include two consecutive terms from August 1, 2009 to July 31, 2015 as VC of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University (BAOU), Gujarat; and one term as VC of The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda (The MSU of Baroda) from April 2005 to April 2008, according to his official biodata.

* At the time of his joining the MSU of Baroda, Soni was the youngest ever Vice-Chancellor in India and the MSU, it said.

* A scholar of political science with specialisation in international relations studies, he has taught international relations at Sardar Patel University (SPU), Vallabh Vidyanagar between 1991 and 2016, except for the period when he served as Vice-Chancellor of the two universities..

Source : The Print

Correct Answer :   Pasang Dawa Sherpa

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A Nepali Sherpa guide climbed Mount Everest for the 26th time, officials said, matching the record set by a fellow Nepalese guide, Kami Rita Sherpa, for the most ascents of the world’s highest peak.

Pasang Dawa Sherpa, 46, stood atop the 8,849-metre (29,032-foot) peak on Sunday (14th May 2023), becoming the world’s second person to achieve the feat, Bigyan Koirala, a government tourism official, said on Sunday (14th May 2023).

Pasang Dawa Sherpa, also known as Pa Dawa, successfully reached the summit of Mount Everest for the 26th time, equaling the record set by another Nepalese guide.

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. Since his initial successful climb in 1998, Dawa has consistently made the journey nearly every year.

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 implies that Pasang Dawa’s record could potentially be broken within the next few days. It remains uncertain whether Dawa will make another attempt 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..

Source : Aljazeera

Correct Answer :   May 15

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International Day of Families is celebrated annually on May 15th to promote the importance of families and their significant role in society. It is a day to raise awareness about the social, economic, and demographic changes that impact families worldwide. From sharing meals to creating memories, families are the foundation of society.

This day provides an opportunity for governments, organizations, and individuals to recognize the contributions of families and to promote family-oriented policies and programs that support the well-being of families in communities around the world. From history, and significance to theme and celebration, here is everything you need to know about this day.

International Day of Families 2023 theme : The theme of the day varies each year and highlights different aspects of family life. In 2023, the theme for International Family Day is 'Demographic Trends and Families'. In the previous year, the theme was 'Families and Urbanisation'.

History of International Day of Families : The International Day of Families was established by the United Nations in 1993 to raise awareness about the importance of families and to promote the role of families in society. The day is observed every year on May 15th and serves as an opportunity to celebrate the unique bond and love that families share. Over the years, the day has become a platform to address issues affecting families, such as poverty, inequality, and social exclusion.

Significance of International Day of Families : International Family Day is significant as it raises awareness about the importance of families as the basic unit of society. It acknowledges the role of families in promoting social and economic development, as well as their contribution to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. This day also highlights the challenges faced by families worldwide, including poverty, migration, work-family balance, and access to healthcare and education. Celebrating International Family Day promotes the need for supportive policies and programs that strengthen and protect families and their members.

Source : Hindustan Times

Correct Answer :   15 May to 21 May 2023

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* The 7th UN Global Road Safety Week is being observed from 15 May to 21 May 2023 to raise awareness about road safety and the importance of taking steps to prevent accidents.

* 2023 slogan: #RethinkMobility

* The week is organized by the WHO and the UN regional commissions and supported by governments, NGOs, and individuals.

* The Global Plan for the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030 reflects an ambitious target to reduce road traffic deaths and injuries by 50% by 2030..

Source : WHO

Correct Answer :   Netherlands

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The Netherlands has emerged as India's third largest exports destination after the US and UAE during 2022-23, showed commerce ministry's data on Sunday.

* This can be attributed to a surge in shipment of goods such as petroleum products, electronic items, chemicals, and aluminium goods, reported PTI, citing commerce ministry. India's trade surplus with the Netherlands has also increased from USD 8 billion in 2021-22 to USD 13 billion in 2022-23.

* The Netherlands has taken over major destinations such as the UK, Hong Kong, Bangladesh and Germany, the data showed.

* India's exports to the Netherlands rose by about 48 per cent to USD 18.52 billion during 2022-23 as against USD 12.5 billion in 2021-22.

* In 2021-22 and 2020-21, the outbound shipments to the European country stood at USD 12.55 billion and USD 6.5 billion, respectively. The exports are registering healthy growth continuously since 2000-01, when India's exports to that nation was USD 880 million.

* Further, in 2021-22, the Netherlands was the fifth largest destination for Indian exports as against ninth in 2020-21..

Source : India Times

Correct Answer :   $500 Million

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Electronics major Foxconn Interconnect Technology on Monday (15th May 2023) laid the foundation for a new electronics manufacturing facility in Telangana as part of its USD 500 million investment in the state.

* The foundation-laying ceremony took place in the presence of Telangana Minister for Industries and Commerce K T Rama Rao, Foxconn Interconnect Technology Chairman and CEO Sidney Lu and other dignitaries, a joint statement by Foxconn and Telangana Government said.

* The proposed electronics manufacturing facility at Kongara Kalan near here is a milestone for the Taiwanese firm's global expansion strategy – diversifying its global manufacturing base, it said.

* "Demonstrating the 'Telangana Speed', I am happy to announce the groundbreaking of THE first of Foxconn's plants in Telangana at Kongar Kalan today. With an investment of over $500M it shall create 25,000 direct jobs in the first Phase," Rama Rao tweeted.

* Speaking on the occasion, he said there is a need to work in a manner that validates the confidence placed on Telangana by the Foxconn chairman. "…I would like to thank Foxconn company for investing USD 500 million in Telangana," the minister said..

Source : Newsdrum

Correct Answer :   TDB

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National Technology Day is celebrated every year on 11th May to commemorate the country's technological advancements. It was on this day in 1998, India had the prideful accomplishments of ‘Operation Shakti’ and ‘Hansa 3 Test flown’.

* For this year (2023), to mark this momentous occasion of 25th anniversary of these landmark events, Technology Development Board along with 12 Ministries/Departments viz.

* Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) -NITI Aayog, Department of Science and Technology, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Defence Research and Development Organisation - Ministry of Defence, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Department of Biotechnology, Department of Atomic Energy, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of Education, Indian Space Research Organisation and Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) organised National Technology Week, 2023 with primary focus on Atal Innovation Mission, programs and showcase innovations from different sectors of the innovation lifecycle with a central theme of ‘School to Startup- Igniting Young Minds to Innovate’.

* The event was inaugurated by Hon’ble PM, Shri Narendra Modi.

* Theme 2023 : Praising the theme of event ‘School to Start-ups - igniting young minds to innovate,’ the Prime Minister said that India's future will be decided by the youth and children of today.

* He said that the passion, energy and capabilities of the children and youth today are India’s big strengths.

* Quoting Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, the Prime Minister underscored the importance of knowledge and said as India is developing as a knowledge society, it is acting with equal force. He elaborated on the strong foundation that has been created in the country during the last nine years to ignite young minds.

* The Prime Minister said that more than 10 thousand ATAL tinkering labs in 700 districts have become innovation nurseries. More importantly, 60 percent of these labs are in government and rural schools. He informed that over 75 lakh students are working laboriously on more than 12 lakh innovation projects in Atal Tinkering Lab..

Source : PIB

Correct Answer :   China

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China will launch pilot projects in more than 20 cities to create a "new-era" marriage and childbearing culture to foster a friendly child bearing environment, the latest move by authorities to boost the country's falling birth rate.

* China's Family Planning Association, a national body that implements the government's population and fertility measures, will launch the projects to encourage women to marry and have children.

* Promoting marrying, having children at appropriate ages, encouraging parents to share child-rearing responsibilities, and curbing high "bride prices" and other outdated customs are the focus of the projects.

* Cities included in the pilot include the manufacturing hub Guangzhou and Handan in China's Hebei province. The association already launched projects in 20 cities including Beijing 2022.

* The projects come amid a flurry of measures Chinese provinces are rolling out to spur people to have children, including tax incentives, housing subsidies, and free or subsidised education for having a third child.

* China implemented a rigid one-child policy from 1980 until 2015 - the root of many of its demographic challenges that have allowed India to become the world's most populous nation. The limit has since been raised to three children..

Source : India Times