Daily Current Affairs : 6 May 2023 | Daily GK & Current Affairs Tests - Bank Exams PDF Download

UK's 'Knitted Satellite' CarbSar to Provide Enhanced Earth Observation

The United Kingdom is set to launch a unique satellite named CarbSar (Satellite) next year. This innovative mission aims to fill a crucial gap in Britain's spying capabilities by using radar technology to observe the Earth, even in challenging conditions such as cloud cover and darkness.
The recent Ukraine conflict has highlighted the value of such systems in monitoring Russian positions. Interestingly, the UK is the only permanent member of the UN Security Council without its own Earth observation system.
To address this gap, two UK companies, Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL) and Oxford Space Systems (OSS), are collaborating to develop a home-grown satellite capability. With government support, they will begin constructing their spacecraft this year and have already secured a launch on an American rocket. While SSTL has a well-established reputation in aerospace manufacturing, the novelty lies in OSS's radar antenna. Together, they hope that their CarbSar pathfinder will position them favorably to win future contracts for supplying operational spacecraft to the UK government, both for civilian and military purposes.

Mark Nicholas Elected as Next President of Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC)

Renowned former England cricketer and veteran commentator Mark Nicholas has been elected as the upcoming president of the prestigious Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC). He will assume his responsibilities in October of this year, succeeding the current president, Stephen Fry. The announcement of Nicholas's appointment was made at the Club's Annual General Meeting.
Mark Nicholas, who became a Member of MCC in 1981, is widely recognized as a prominent figure in televised cricket coverage worldwide. During his professional cricket career spanning over two decades, he scored more than 25,000 runs and took 173 wickets. Notably, he led Hampshire to victory in four major trophies, including three finals at Lord's.
The Marylebone Cricket Club, established in 1787 and based in London, is highly regarded as one of the most prestigious cricket clubs globally. Responsible for the laws of cricket, the MCC also owns and operates Lord's Cricket Ground, famously known as the "Home of Cricket." With its rich history and influential role in shaping the sport, the MCC has made significant contributions to the development of cricket in England and worldwide.

Prime Minister Modi to Attend France's Bastille Day Parade as Guest of Honor

On July 14, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend France's Bastille Day Parade in Paris as the guest of honor. This invitation comes as part of the 25th anniversary of the India-France Strategic Partnership, signifying the strengthening ties between the two nations. Alongside their French counterparts, an armed forces' contingent from India will also participate in the parade.
Prime Minister Modi's visit is expected to herald a new phase in the India-France strategic partnership, fostering cooperation in strategic, cultural, scientific, academic, and economic domains across a wide range of industries. The shared vision on peace, security, and the principles outlined in the United Nations Charter forms the foundation of their collaboration, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region and Europe.

India and Russia Explore Mutual Acceptance of Payment Cards for Enhanced Cross-Border Transactions

India and Russia have agreed to explore the possibility of accepting each other's payment cards, RuPay from India and Mir from Russia, to facilitate hassle-free cross-border payments. The decision was made during the recent meeting of the Internal Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological, and Cultural Cooperation (IRIGC-TEC). The meeting, jointly chaired by India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov, also discussed potential interaction between India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and Russia's Faster Payments System (FPS).
By enabling the mutual acceptance of RuPay and Mir cards, transactions in Indian rupees and Russian rubles will become more convenient for citizens of both countries. This step aims to enhance bilateral trade and economic relations between India and Russia.

Neeraj Chopra Triumphs in Doha Diamond League Title Defense

Olympic champion javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra began his defense of the Diamond League title with an impressive victory at the season-opening leg in Doha. Chopra, who clinched the 2022 Diamond League Final trophy in Switzerland, marked his season's start with a remarkable throw of 88.67m, securing the first position. This throw also establishes him as the current world leader in javelin.
Competing against a highly talented field, including athletes from Czech Republic and Grenada, Neeraj maintained his lead throughout the event, showcasing his exceptional skill. His victory in Doha demonstrates his dominance in the discipline and highlights his strong form ahead of future competitions.

Pakistan's Babar Azam Sets New Record in ODI Cricket

Pakistan cricket team captain Babar Azam has achieved a significant milestone by becoming the fastest player to reach 5000 runs in One Day Internationals (ODIs). Babar achieved this feat in just 97 innings, surpassing the previous record set by Hashim Amla, who achieved the milestone in 101 innings. Notably, Babar's accomplishment places him at the fourth spot overall, with Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan also featuring in the top ten.
Babar Azam, regarded as one of the finest contemporary batters, is the only cricketer to be ranked within the top five across all formats. His exceptional batting skills and consistency make him a key player for the Pakistani national cricket team.

Ajay Vij Named Country Managing Director of Accenture India

Accenture, a leading global professional services company, has announced the appointment of Ajay Vij as the Country Managing Director for Accenture India. This newly created role reflects the company's commitment to further strengthening its operations in India. Ajay Vij, previously responsible for Corporate Services & Sustainability in India, will now provide overall leadership and drive coordinated decision-making for key company priorities.
Additionally, Sandeep Dutta has been appointed as the lead of Accenture's India Market Unit. These leadership changes come as Rekha M. Menon, Senior Managing Director and Chairperson for Accenture in India, prepares to retire on June 30. Throughout her illustrious 20-year career at Accenture, Rekha has held various roles in the company's growth markets. She played a crucial role in expanding Accenture's business, fostering community engagement, and establishing relationships with industry, government, and clients. Her contributions include pioneering the India corporate citizenship strategy and championing diversity and inclusion initiatives.

Capital Small Finance Bank Collaborates with Max Life Insurance

Capital Small Finance Bank Limited and Max Life Insurance Company Limited have announced a partnership to offer life insurance products to customers of Capital Small Finance Bank. This collaboration allows Capital SFB's customers to access a comprehensive range of life insurance plans, including savings, protection, retirement, and group life insurance offerings from Max Life.
Capital Small Finance Bank, India's first Small Finance Bank, focuses on serving the middle-income group, with particular emphasis on rural and semi-urban areas. Their "phygital" distribution model optimally combines physical and digital channels to reach customers. This partnership with Max Life follows previous collaborations with ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Limited and HDFC Life Insurance Limited, further expanding the range of life insurance products available to Capital Small Finance Bank's customers.