With 93 per cent of students and 83 per cent of employees actively engaging with the technology, India ranks first in the adoption of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) across Asia-Pacific, a report released by Deloitte India showed. It, however, added that only 50 per cent of these employees believe their managers know they use this technology.
The findings were a part of the "Generative AI in the Asia Pacific: Young Employees Lead as Employers Play Catch-Up" report, based on a survey of 11,900 individuals across 13 countries in the region. It also noted that over the next five years, an increase of a whopping 182 per cent is anticipated in the daily usage of GenAI.
The United Nations (UN) has revised India’s growth projections for 2024 and expects the economy to grow by almost 7% this year. According to the UN's World Economic Situation and Prospects (WESP) report, India’s economy is now forecast to grow by 6.9% in 2024. This is an increase from the earlier projection of 6.2% made in January.
The report also predicts a growth rate of 6.6% for 2025, which remains unchanged from the previous forecast. In addition to the growth projection, the UN report mentions a slowdown in consumer price inflation from 5.6% in 2023 to 4.5% in 2024. This expected decrease aligns with the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI’s) target range of 2-6%.
The Semeru volcano in Indonesia's East Java province erupted five times today, spewing volcanic ash up to 900 meters over its peak, according to the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation. Authorities have urged people to stay out of the danger zone within a 5 km radius and 13 km southeast of the crater to prevent harm from hot clouds, lava flows.
Wildlife trafficking has not substantially reduced over the past two decades, despite positive signs in reducing trafficking of iconic species like elephant and rhino, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) reported in Vienna. During the six years, around 13 million individual animals and plants had been seized that had been intended for use as food, medication or luxury
The global scope and scale of wildlife crime remain substantial with seizures during 2015–2021 indicating an illegal trade in 162 countries and territories affecting around 4,000 plant and animal species," the office's third edition of the World Wildlife Crime Report says.
It noted that some of the species worse affected, including rare orchids, succulents, reptiles, fish, birds and mammals, received little public attention, though wildlife trafficking had played a major role in their local or global extinctions.
Adani Energy Solutions Ltd (AESL), India's largest private transmission and distribution company, has completed the acquisition of a 100 per cent stake in Essar Transco Limited for an Enterprise Value of ₹1,900 crore, following the necessary regulatory approvals. The transaction was finalized as per agreements signed in June 2022.
The acquired asset includes a fully operational 400 kV, 673 circuit kilometers inter-state transmission line, which connects Mahan in Madhya Pradesh to the Sipat pooling substation in Chhattisgarh. Commissioned on September 22, 2018, this project is governed under the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission's regulated return framework.
The country’s largest private sector lender, HDFC Bank, on May 14, launched PIXEL, its first virtual credit card with Visa’s network. The card is available in two variants: PIXEL Play and PIXEL Go and allows users to build their own cards with personalised benefits, offers, etc.
In January 2024, HDFC Bank became the first bank to cross the milestone of 2 crore credit cards-in-force. The private sector lender started the credit card business in 2001 with the launch of its first credit card, reaching the mark of 1 crore cards-in-force in 2017. The bank doubled this to 2 crore cards in another six years.
A Japanese consortium recently unveiled the world's first high-speed 6G prototype device. It can transmit data at a whopping 100 gigabits per second, covering more than 300 ft. That's a 20x improvement over the current 5G technology. The prototype device was a result of collaboration among Japan's leading telecom companies, including DOCOMO, NTT Corporation and and Fujitsu.
In a goodwill gesture, India has decided to extend vital budgetary support to the Maldives government with the rollover of a USD 50 million Treasury Bill for another year on the Maldivian government's special request.
The State Bank of India has subscribed for one more year to the USD 50 million Government Treasury Bill, issued by the Ministry of Finance of Maldives, upon maturity of the previous subscription. These Government Treasury Bills are subscribed by SBI under government-to-government, a unique arrangement at zero cost (interest-free) to the Government of Maldives.
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) celebrates World Telecommunication Day on May 17. It is officially known as World Telecommunication and Information Society Day. The day emphasises the impact of the internet and other communication tools on society. Many sections of the world continue to encounter connectivity issues.
Since 1969, World Telecommunication Day has been observed on May 17 to commemorate the foundation of the ITU and the signing of the first International Telegraph Convention in 1865. This year’s theme, “Digital Innovation for Sustainable Development,” focuses on the importance of leveraging new technical advancements.
National Endangered Species Day is celebrated every year on the third Friday of May. This year, it falls on 17 May 2024. The day is dedicated to raising awareness about the plight of endangered species and the need to take action to protect them. National Endangered Species Day was first established by David Robinson and the Endangered Species Coalition in 2006.
The theme of National Endangered Species Day 2024 is 'Celebrate Saving Species.'
World Hypertension Day is observed every year to raise awareness of the prevention, detection and treatment of high blood pressure. High blood pressure is the primary risk factor for developing cardiovascular disease. The theme for 2024 is "Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control It, Live Longer!".
The World Hypertension League (WHL) established World Hypertension Day in an effort to increase public awareness of hypertension. The World Hypertension League sponsored the inaugural World Hypertension Day on May 14, 2005. May 17 has been recognized as World Hypertension Day annually since 2006.