Daily Morning brief-15 May- Top News from World, India, Economy and Odisha

 India News 

1. Congress Names V.D. Satheesan as Kerala CM.

Congress officially announced V.D. Satheesan as its Chief Minister for Kerala . The decision is seen as a major leadership move aimed at strengthening the party’s position and strong Government in Kerala.

2. Karnataka Govt Removes Hijab Ban in Schools & Colleges

The Karnataka government has withdrawn the 2022 hijab ban order in educational institutions. Students are now allowed to wear religious symbols along with uniforms. The move has sparked political debate and mixed reactions from different groups across the state and country.

3. Supreme Court Gives Big Verdict on AI Copyright Rights

The Supreme Court delivered an important ruling on AI-generated content and copyright protection. The court stressed that human creativity must remain protected and AI tools cannot bypass the intellectual property rights of artists, writers, musicians, and other original content creators.

4. India Launches First Hydrogen-Powered Vande Bharat Train

Indian Railways launched the country’s first hydrogen-powered Vande Bharat train on the Kalka-Shimla heritage route. The eco-friendly train is part of India’s green energy mission and aims to reduce pollution while modernizing railway transportation in environmentally sensitive regions.

5. Supreme Court Questions Centre Over EC Selection Panel

The Supreme Court questioned the central government over the absence of the Chief Justice of India in the Election Commissioner selection panel. The court raised concerns about transparency and fairness in appointing officials responsible for conducting free and fair elections in India.

6. Tamil Nadu Govt Bans Posters and Banners in Public Places

The Tamil Nadu government announced a ban on banners and posters in public places to improve road safety and reduce visual pollution. The decision follows several accidents linked to illegal hoardings and aims to maintain cleaner and safer urban spaces.

7. Delhi Govt Announces 2-Day Work From Home (WFH) and "Metro Mondays"

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has implemented a mandatory two-day WFH policy for government offices to conserve fuel amid global energy crises. The plan also includes "Metro Mondays," where ministers commute via public transport, and an advisory for private firms to follow.

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 World News 

1. China School Sparks Debate with Baby Doll Parenting Lesson

A school in China sparked online debate after students were asked to carry baby dolls everywhere to understand parenting responsibilities. Supporters called it a creative teaching method, while critics argued the unusual punishment could embarrass students and affect their mental well-being.

2. Japan to Launch Robotic Caregivers Nationwide

Japan announced a nationwide rollout of robotic caregivers to help manage its rapidly aging population and labor shortage. The robots will assist elderly people in nursing homes with daily activities, health monitoring, and movement support using advanced artificial intelligence technology.

3. Drone Attack on Indian Cargo Ship Near Strait of Hormuz

An Indian cargo ship was reportedly targeted in a drone attack near the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route. India strongly condemned the incident and called for stronger international efforts to protect maritime trade and regional security in sensitive waters.

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 Economy News 

1. RBI Starts Fully Programmable Digital Rupee for Businesses

The Reserve Bank of India introduced a fully programmable Digital Rupee system for business transactions. The new feature allows money to be used only for specific approved purposes, improving payment tracking, efficiency, transparency, and automation in commercial and financial operations.

2. Elon Musk’s X-Pay Gets Banking License in Europe

Elon Musk’s X-Pay platform received a banking license in Europe, allowing it to offer payment and financial services legally. The move strengthens Musk’s plan to turn X into an “everything app” and compete with global systems like SWIFT and PayPal.

3. RBI Cancels Licenses of 150 NBFCs

The Reserve Bank of India cancelled the licenses of 150 Non-Banking Financial Companies for failing to meet regulatory and compliance standards. The action is part of RBI’s broader effort to strengthen financial discipline and protect customers from risky financial institutions.

4. Indian Rupee Becomes Asia’s Worst-Performing Currency

The Indian Rupee has become Asia’s worst-performing currency due to rising crude oil prices, global economic uncertainty, and foreign investor outflows. Economists believe continued pressure on imports and inflation could further affect the rupee’s value against the US Dollar.

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 Odisha News 

1. Odisha to Receive Five National Panchayat Awards.

Odisha will receive five National Panchayat Awards in June 3 in New Delhi.

Koraput Zilla Parishad – Ranked 1st nationally in the Best District Panchayat category under the Nanaji Deshmukh Sarvottam Panchayat Satat Vikas Puraskar; eligible for a ₹5 crore prize.

Potalampur GP (Ganjam) – Nominated for 3rd Prize in the Healthy Panchayat category.

Padua Panchayat (Keonjhar) – Secured 3rd Place in the Water-Sufficient Panchayat category.

Hatibandha Panchayat (Sundargarh) – Secured Joint 2nd Place in the Clean and Green Panchayat category.

Mandar Panchayat (Ganjam) – Secured 2nd Place in the Socially Just and Secure Panchayat category.

2. Fuel Crisis Causes Long Queues in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack & Puri

Petrol and diesel shortages triggered long queues at fuel stations in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, and Puri. Panic buying and supply disruptions created heavy rushes, with some pumps reportedly limiting fuel sales as residents worried about worsening shortages in coming days.

3. SIR  Process to Start in Odisha from May 30

The Election Commission is launching a door-to-door Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Odisha on May 30. Over 40,000 Booth Level Officers (BLOs) will verify voter data to ensure the list is purified and updated before upcoming polls.