ICICI bank launches Voice Password Service for its customer.
- Without using other means of authentication like a password. The voice recognition service authenticates customers based on their speech patterns and allows them to execute banking transactions through the bank’s call centre.
Tanishq Abraham the Indian-American made history by doing graduation in 11 years
- Tanishq Abraham, a native of Sacramento, California, graduated from American River College in Sacramento (ARC), California, alongside 1,800 students.
- His achievement last year had earned the attention of President Barack Obama -- who had sent Tanishq a congratulatory letter.
"J. Jayalalithaa" became the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu
- She has now become state’s Chief Minister 5th times.
- Jayalalithaa, who is the supremo of the India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK).
"Ireland" became the first country in the world to give its approval to same-sex marriage.
Gujarat Government recently sign MoU with ZTEsoft Chinese firm to collaborate in developing smart cities
- ZTEsoft and the Gujarat Government will work jointly to find the target city/area to be converted into a smart city.
- The Gujarat Govt. is in the process of developing seven smart cities in the state.
India & Singapore commences bilateral naval exercise SIMBEX-15 in Singapore.
- It has transcended the traditional emphasis on ASW to more complex maritime exercises, involving various facets of Naval operations such as Air Defence, Air and Surface Practice Firing, Maritime Security and Search and Rescue.
- SIMBEX-14 was conducted from 22-28 May 14 of Port Blair
"Masaan" wins critics prize at Cannes
- In a huge boost to Indian cinema, debutant director Neeraj Ghaywan’s Masaan won the prestigious critics prize in the Un Certain Regard category.
- Masaan, a joint production of Manish Mundra, Macassar Productions, Arte France Cinema, Sikhya Entertainment & Phantom Films, stars newcomers like Vicky Kaushal and Shweta Tripathi, along with Sanjay Mishra and Richa Chadda. It received a five-minute standing ovation at the festival
World Biodiversity Day observed today
- Today (22nd May) is the International Day for Biological Diversity
- The theme of this year is - Biodiversity for Sustainable Development
Laszlo Krasznahorkai won the 2015 Man International Booker Prize.
- The Man Booker International Prize, which is awarded once in two years
- 61-year old Hungarian writer Laszlo Krasznahorkai was among a shortlist of 10 writers
- The prize is the world's most important literary award and has the power to transform the fortunes of authors and publishers.
SBI join hands with PayPal to enable cross-border transactions
- State Bank of India (SBI), has partnership with digital payments company, PayPal, to facilitate cross-border trade and payments.
- Initially, the provisions of the agreement would be rolled out for international transactions but will shortly be extended to cover domestic ones
SBI ties up with Snapdeal to offer seller finance
- Under the scheme, SBI will provide loans to small and medium enterprises at easier interest rates. Data regarding the sellers will be provided by Snapdeal.
- According to Kunal Bahl, CEO, Snapdeal, there are at least 150,000 sellers associated with Snapdeal. E-com major Snapdeal operates in a marketplace model.
Saina Nehwal regains no. 1 in world badminton rankings
- Top Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal regained the number one spot in the latest BWF world rankings
Anti-Terrorism Day bserved on 21st May
- Purpose of this day is to educate and wean away people from terrorism and violence.
Air-to-Air supersonic Astra, was successfully fired
- The indigenously developed air-to-air supersonic Astra, was successfully fired from Su-30 MKI fighter aircraft and tested for a very long range at the Integrated Test Range, in Odisha.
- The 3.8 metre tall Astra can carry a warhead weighing 15 kg and intercept and destroy enemy aircraft at supersonic speeds in head-on and tail chase modes
Peter M. Christian became 8th President of Micronesia
- Federal States of Micronesia is an Island Nation in Western Pacific Ocean.
Draupadi Murmu became 1st woman Governor of Jharkhand
- Murmu is a former Odisha minister and two-time MLA from Rairangpur.
- She is graduate from Utkal University, she is the ninth governor of the state.
Infosys join RE100
- Infosys Becomes the First Indian Company to Join RE100 Renewable Energy Campaign
About RE100
- RE100 was launched at Climate Week NYC on September 22, 2014.
- RE100 is a global initiative that celebrates and supports major companies committed to 100% renewable power across their operations. Its goal is that 100 of the world’s most influential businesses commit to 100% renewable power within a specified timeline.
- Led by The Climate Group, in partnership with CDP, with the support of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), RE100 shares the compelling business case for renewable power, addresses barriers to wide-scale adoption, develops transparent reporting mechanisms, and identifies the necessary regulatory reforms.
- By massively increasing private sector demand for renewable power, RE100 will accelerate the transformation of the global energy market, thus enabling the transition to a prosperous low carbon future.
- The following companies have joined RE100 and made a public commitment to going 100% renewable: BT Group, Commerzbank, Elion Resources Group, Formula E, H&M, Infosys, IKEA, KPN, Mars, Nestlé, Philips, Reed Elsevier Group, J. Safra Sarasin Bank, SAP, SGS, Swiss Re, YOOX Group.
SBI Inks Pact With Amazon for Payment, Commerce Solutions
- The bank is working on ways to enrich customers' payment experience and opening up the windows of e-commerce to its SME customers through this tie-up.
- SBI, the country's largest lender, will also provide loans to SME customers who supply products to Amazon to help them increase their operations.
