Current affairs 16 May 2023

The 1st meeting of India-EU trade, technology Council at Brussels.

• The 1st ministerial-level meeting of the India-European Union Trade and Technology Council will be held b on May 16, 2023.
• Aim: To discuss ways to increase cooperation in strategic technologies, digital connectivity, clean energy, trade, and investments
• Commerce Minister, Piyush Goyal will co-chair the meeting along with EAM S Jaishankar and MoS, Electronics and information technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar.

IPS Officer Praveen Sood appointed as next Director of CBI.

• A 1986 batch IPS officer and the current Karnataka DGP, Praveen Sood was appointed as the new CBI director for a period of two years.
• He would replace current CBI Director Subodh Jaiswal, who will retire on May 25, 2023.
• He started his career in Mysore as Assistant Superintendent of Police in 1989.
• Later, he served as Superintendent of Police, Bellary, and Raichur before being posted in Bengaluru as Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP).

China launches projects to build "new-era" marriage, childbearing culture.

• China will launch pilot projects in more than 20 cities to create a "new-era" marriage and childbearing culture to foster a friendly childbearing environment.
• Aim: To boost the country's falling birth rate
• China's Family Planning Association will launch projects to encourage women to marry and have children.
• Cities included in the pilot include the manufacturing hub Guangzhou and Handan in China's Hebei province.

Himachal CM Sukhu launches "Him Data Portal".

• Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has launched a Him Data Portal a common digital platform to integrate data of all organizations for the deliverance of welfare schemes and to better serve the public.
• The people associated with the Him Pariyojna project would get information about various welfare schemes easily.
• From July 2023, the HP government would start the Him Parivar project which will give a special digital identity to the people of the State.

Ayushmann Khurrana Joins Indian Team as Ambassador for Special Olympics Journey to Berlin.

• Ayushmann Khurrana, a highly acclaimed actor in the Indian film industry, has taken on a significant role as the ambassador for the Indian team participating in the Special Olympics Journey to Berlin.
• As the ambassador, he will lend his support to the Indian team, motivating and inspiring them to give their best performance at the Journey to Berlin event.
• The Special Olympics Journey to Berlin is a prestigious event that brings together athletes from around the world to showcase their talents and compete in various sports.
• The Special Olympics Journey to Berlin is not only a platform for competition but also an opportunity to foster understanding, respect, and unity among people from diverse backgrounds.
• Additionally, Khurrana serves as the Indian National Ambassador for UNICEF, further solidifying his commitment to advocating for children’s rights and welfare.