Current affairs 20 July 2023

Singapore’s passport becomes the most powerful in the world.

• According to the Henley Passport Index 2023, published by Henley & Partners, Singapore becomes the world’s most powerful passport with visa-free access to 192 travel destinations out of 227 around the world.
• While India ranked 80th with visa-free entry to 57 nations.
• Germany, Italy, and Spain shared second place with 190 visa-free destinations.
• Japan has slipped to third place as the number of destinations its passport can access without a visa fell to 189.

Prof. Thalappil Pradeep of IIT Madras won the international EniAward.

• Prof. T. Pradeep from the Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M) has won the prestigious Eni Award 2023
• RReason: To discover the advanced sustainable and affordable nano-scale materials for the removal of toxic contaminants from water
• REni Award is considered among the top global honors for scientific research in energy and environment.
• RIt is given in three categories-Energy Transition, Energy Frontiers and Advanced Environmental Solutions

Nokia and TSSC launch 5G skill development centre in Gujarat.

• Nokia joined hands with Telecom Sector Skill Council (TSSC) to establish a 5G skill development CoE at Kaushalya - The Skills University, Gujarat.
• The Center of Excellence (CoE) at ITI Kubernagar would establish a skill Lab dedicated to training individuals in 5G technology skills.
• Aim: To offer job placements to at least 70% of learners within 4-6 weeks after completing the course
• President and CEO of Nokia: Pekka Lundmark

India and the US jointly launched a call for proposals on CET.

• India and the United States jointly launched a call for collaborative proposals on Critical and Emerging Technology: Quantum Technologies and Artificial Intelligence for Transforming Lives.
• The Indo-US Science and Technology Forum and the Secretariat for USISTEF have designed the program.
• Aim: To foster technology innovation and entrepreneurship in commercially viable and socially relevant areas.

PhonePe launches India’s first Health Insurance platform.

• PhonePe Insurance Broking Services announced the launch of health insurance plans that will for the first time in India offer monthly subscriptions
• Aim: To reduce the burden by breaking down the premium payments into manageable monthly installments
• These insurance plans come with coverage up to one crore rupees, allow users to choose any hospital room.
• Only platform in the country where customers can pay for Insurance in easy installments through UPI on the PhonePe app