Today in History (May 30th, 1431)
Joan of Arc was a patron saint of France, and led the French Army to victory in Orleans during the Hundred Years’ War with England. She was charged with heresy and witchcraft and burned at the stake on 30th May 1431. The Roman Catholic Church declared her one of the patron saints of France in 1922.
Summary of Today’s News
Asian Development Bank
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved a US$3SO million special policy-based loan to support Sri Lanka’s economic stabilization budget. The program is part of a broader financial assistance package worth US$3 billion from the IMF’s Extended Fund Facility for Sri Lanka. ADB is headquartered in Manila, Philippines. Masatsugu Asakawa is the incumbent President of the Asian Development Bank.
New anti-LGBTQ law of Uganda.
Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni has enacted one of the world’s stringent anti-LGBTQ laws, including the death penalty for aggravated homosexuality. The law proposes capital punishment for certain behavior, such as having gay sex when HIV-positive, and stipulates a 20-year sentence for promoting homosexuality. Same-sex relations are already illegal in Uganda.
Northeast India gets its first Vande Bharat Express.
The Prime Minister flagged the Northeast region’s first Vande Bharat Express virtually, connecting Guwahati in Assam with New Jalpaiguri in West Bengal. It will cover the distance of 400 kilometers in 5.5 hours, reducing travel time by one hour. It will strengthen the centuries-old ties between Assam and West Bengal. This will increase the ease of travel, bring huge benefits to students, and generate more job opportunities through tourism and business.
Praveen Kumar Srivastava is the new Chief Vigilance Commissioner.
The Hon’ble President, Ms. Droupadi Murmu, swore in Sri Praveen Kumar Srivastava as the new Chief Vigilance Commissioner. Since December 2022, he has been serving as the acting CVC following the superannuation of his predecessor, Sri Suresh N. Patel. The Central Vigilance Commission was established in 1964, based on the recommendation of K. Santhanam committee.
G.C. Murmu was re-elected as WHO auditor.
Sri Girish Chandra Murmu, the Comptroller and Auditor General of India, was re-elected as the External Auditor of the World Health Organisation (WHO) for a four-year term from 2024 to 2027 during the 76th World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland. The CAG is a member of the United Nations Panel of External Auditors.
