NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) and the Central Reserve Bank of Peru (BCRP) have announced a landmark partnership to introduce a UPI-like real-time payments system in Peru. This collaboration makes Peru the first South American country to adopt the Unified Payment Interface (UPI) technology, showcasing India’s leadership in digital payments.

This strategic partnership will empower BCRP to build a robust and efficient real-time payments platform in Peru. The innovative system will facilitate instant payments between individuals and businesses, reducing reliance on cash transactions and promoting digital payments among Peru’s large unbanked population.

A Russian cosmonaut became the first person to spend a cumulative 1,000 days in space, Russia's space agency Roscosmos announced Wednesday.

Oleg Kononenko, 59, reached the record while on his current mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

Kononenko's current mission to the ISS began Sept. 15, 2023, and is planned to end Sept. 23, 2024, which will bring in his total number of days spent in orbit to 1,110.

"Today at 00:00:20 Moscow time, Roscosmos state corporation cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko, who currently works at the International Space Station has booked a record of 1,000 days for the first time in the world in terms of total spaceflight duration," the Roscomos statement reads, according to state news agency TASS.

Kononenko cumulated the days in space over several missions. His first was Expedition 17 to the ISS, which launched in April 2008. In total, Kononenko has been on five separate missions to the ISS.

World Food Safety Day (WFSD) is observed on 7 June every year. The United Nations established the day to highlight the importance of food safety and the need to prevent, detect, and manage foodborne hazards in order to ensure food security for all. WFSD is observed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) jointly with the cooperation of Member States and other relevant organizations. This international day is an opportunity to bolster efforts to ensure that the food consumed by humans is safe.

World Food Safety Day activities aim to raise awareness about the potential risks associated with contaminated food and the need for effective food safety measures to prevent illness. This day also offers an opportunity to reflect on the challenges faced in ensuring food safety for all, including the lack of access to safe food, poverty, and conflict. It also serves as a reminder that food safety is a human right, and everyone has the right to consume safe and nutritious food.

Aarogya Pathcare, a growing network of pathology laboratories in India, announces its accreditation by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL). This accreditation, valid from 2024 to 2026, confirms Aarogya Pathcare's commitment to quality, accuracy, and reliability in diagnostic testing. The company has consistently achieved NABL accreditation, first in 2019, renewed in 2022, and now in 2024, reflecting its adherence to rigorous standards and protocols.

NABL accreditation offers several benefits to Aarogya Pathcare. It ensures reliable services, allowing customers to select trustworthy testing, measurement, and calibration services. The accreditation signifies robust quality control within laboratory operations and confirming technical competence. This also provides a competitive advantage, enabling participation in tenders requiring independently verified laboratories and opening new business opportunities. Additionally, customer accessibility is enhanced, as clients can easily find NABL-accredited laboratories like Aarogya Pathcare through the NABL website or the Directory of Accredited Laboratories.

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has launched a comprehensive survey to identify and address the challenges faced by Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in adapting to new technologies.

The survey aims to lay the groundwork for a robust ecosystem that leverage the potential of artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), cloud computing, and the integration of 5G and 6G networks.

The 60-day survey will cover five sectors each in North and South India. It is designed to reveal sector-specific needs across at least ten industries, acknowledging the diverse nature of India’s MSME landscape.

With global markets increasingly digitized, India’s MSMEs risk losing ground without swift adaptation. The survey’s findings will shape policy interventions aimed at enhancing these businesses’ competitive positioning and survivability.

President Droupadi Murmu dissolved the 17th Lok Sabha on Wednesday after the recommendation of the Union Cabinet.

“The President accepted the advice of the Cabinet on June 5, 2024, and signed the Order dissolving the 17th Lok Sabha in the exercise of the powers conferred upon her by Sub-Clause (2) of Article 85 of the Constitution,” a statement issued by the Rashtrapati Bhavan said on Wednesday.

Earlier in the day, a meeting of the Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi recommended the dissolution of the 17th Lok Sabha, whose term ends on June 16.

Following the meeting, PM Modi tendered his resignation along with his Council of Ministers to President Murmu. The President accepted the resignation and requested that the Prime Minister and his Council of Ministers continue until the new government assumes office.

The Slovenian Parliament approved the recognition of an independent Palestinian state with a majority vote on Tuesday (June 4), following in the steps of Spain, Ireland and Norway.

Of the 27 members of the European Union, Sweden, Cyprus, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, Romania and Bulgaria have already recognised a Palestinian state. Malta has said it could follow soon.

Israel has repeatedly condemned moves to recognize a Palestinian state, saying they bolster Hamas, the militant Islamist group that led the deadly Oct. 7 attack on Israel which sparked the Israeli offensive in the Gaza Strip.

The conflict has killed more than 36,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s health ministry. Israel says the Oct. 7 attack, the worst in its 75-year history, killed 1,200 people, with more than 250 hostages taken.

Capital markets regulator Sebi has launched 'Saarthi 2.0', a focussed mobile app, on personal finance for investors with comprehensive tools aimed at simplifying complex financial concepts. The app is available on the Google Play Store iOS App Store.

The first version of Saarthi was introduced in January 2022, with the objective of engaging an investment-oriented public that increasingly Saarthi conducts transactions via mobile devices.

Haryana Chief Secretary T V S N Prasad on Monday said the state government will soon roll out a Rs 10,000-crore project funded by the World Bank to address air pollution. The Haryana Clean Air Project for Sustainable Development will be implemented in the state in a phased manner with the first phase being implemented in the districts falling in the National Capital Region (NCR) and replication in entire state later, he said.

The announcement was made in a meeting of the governing committee of Haryana Clean Air Project for Sustainable Development held under the chairmanship of the chief secretary here on Monday, according to an official statement.

Prasad said this ten-year comprehensive project would be funded by the World Bank.

Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), a leading Indian shipyard, has emerged victorious in the bidding process for a new research vessel for the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). This significant win marks another milestone for GRSE and signifies its expertise in constructing specialized vessels.

GRSE Clinches L1 Bid

Having submitted the lowest bid (L1), GRSE has been selected to construct the research vessel for DRDO. This accomplishment highlights GRSE’s competitiveness in the shipbuilding industry and its ability to deliver cost-effective solutions. While the exact value of the contract remains undisclosed, estimates suggest it could surpass ₹500 crore, signifying a substantial project for the shipyard.

Boost for GRSE’s Diversification

This win transcends a mere commercial success. GRSE has traditionally focused on warships for the Indian Navy. The DRDO research vessel signifies the shipyard’s diversification into constructing specialized vessels for scientific research purposes. This opens doors for GRSE to explore new avenues within the maritime domain and solidify its position as a versatile shipbuilder.