NATIONAL:
1. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Why in news: Sri Sri Ravi Shankar receives first Stamp released
Key points:-
• Indian spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar received the first stamp released commemorating the completion of 200 years of Indian Origin Tamils in Sri Lanka.
• The stamp is presented by Governor of the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka Senthil Thondaman.
• The stamp is a way to attain recognition for the community which has been neglected for decades.
2. Conference on Administration of Criminal Justice
Why in news: Conference on Administration of Criminal Justice held in Guwahati.
Key points:-
• The Union Ministry of Law and Justice in association with the Assam Government has organized a two-day conference ‘India’s Progressive Path in the Administration of Criminal Justice System’ in Guwahati, Assam.
• The aim of the conference was to create awareness about the recent changes made by the government in repealing British-era criminal law and the enactment of new laws related to the criminal justice system in the country.
Value Addition:-
• The new legislations i.e. the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023; the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023, replace the earlier criminal laws namely, the Indian Penal Code 1860, the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 and the Indian Evidence Act, 1872.
• As notified, these new criminal laws are to take effect from 1st July 2024.
3. National Commission for Backward Class Report
Why in news: Student Enrollment Under SC Category Grows By 44 %
Key points:-
• The student enrollment under the Scheduled Caste category has grown by 44 per cent, from 46 lakh in 2014-15 to 66 lakh in 2021-22, according to a report
• In the report, minority female student enrollment also witnessed over 42 per cent increase, from over 10 lakh in 2014-15 to 15 lakh in 2021-22.
• Female SC enrollment increased by 51 per cent, whereas that of ST students went up by 65.2 per cent.
• During the academic year 2020-21, a 27 per cent reservation for OBC students was implemented in Central Schools, resulting in over 34 thousand OBC children securing admissions.
• In Institutes of National Importance, there was a 71 per cent increase in OBC enrollment, with female OBC enrollment more than doubling.
INTERNATIONAL:
1. 10th World Water Forum 2024
Why in news: The 10th World Water Forum is being held from 18th -25th May 2024 in Bali, Indonesia
Key points:-
• Theme : “Water for Shared Prosperity”
• During the 10th World Water Forum,The global flagship report titled “Water for Shared Prosperity”, co-published by the World Bank and the Government of Indonesia.
• The report emphasized the importance of Access to safe drinking water and sanitation
Key Findings of the Report:
• As per the report, 2.2 billion people lacked access to safe drinking water services and 3.5 billion are deprived of safely managed sanitation in 2022.
• The lack of access to safe drinking water and Sanitation resulted in at least 1.4 million Annual deaths and 50% of global malnutrition.
• The report outlined 4 main components of prosperity that is education , jobs and income, peace and social cohesion.
3. Bloomberg Billionaires Index
Why in news: India’s Mukesh Ambani & Gautam Adani among top 15 in Bloomberg Billionaires Index May 2024
Key points:-
• Mukesh Ambani is ranked 12th with a total net worth of USD 110 billion and Gautam Adani is ranked 14th with a net worth of USD 100 billion.
• Bernard Arnault, the founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, tops the world's richest list with a net worth of USD 220 billion.
• Top five in the list are Bernard Arnault, Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg and Larry Page
4. Travel & Tourism Development Index 2024
Why in news: India's rank on the World Economic Forum's Travel & Tourism Development Index 2024 has risen to 39th place.
Key points:-
• India ranked highest in South Asia and among the lower-middle-income economies
• India was ranked 54th in the previously published index in 2021.
• US, Spain, Japan, France and Australia are the top five in the 2024 list.
• This report is published by World Economic Forum
ECONOMY:
1. XP100
Why in news: IOCL Exports 1st consignment of India's 1st Premium Fuel "XP100" to Sri Lanka
Key points:-
• Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) exported its first-ever parcel of XP100, India's 1st superior 100-octane premium fuel, from Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), Nava Sheva, Maharashtra to Lanka IOC, a subsidiary of IOCL in Sri Lanka.
• The domestically developed XP100, leverages IndianOil's indigenous Octamax Technology, designed for high-end vehicles.
• XP100 has exceptional anti-knock properties.
2. Bank of Maharashtra
Why in news: Bank of Maharashtra tops among PSU banks in business growth in FY24
Key points:-
• State-owned Bank of Maharashtra recorded the highest growth rate last fiscal in terms of total business and deposit mobilisation among public sector lenders.
• BoM followed by State Bank of India (SBI) according to published financial numbers of the public sector banks (PSBs).
3. Tata Motars
Why in news: Tata Motors’ arms partner with Bajaj Finance to provide financing to passenger
Key points:-
• Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles (TMPV) and Tata Passenger Electric Mobility (TPEM), have joined hands with Bajaj Finance to extend supply chain finance solutions to its passenger and electric vehicle dealers.
• Under the MoU, the participating companies will come together to leverage Bajaj Finance’s wide reach to help dealers of TMPV and TPEM access funding with minimal collateral.
SCIENCE & TECH:
1. Copilot+ PCs
Why in news: Microsoft introduces 'Copilot+ PCs' featuring advance Al.
Key points:-
• Copilot+ PCs is a new category of personal computers (PCs) designed for Artificial Intelligence (Al) capabilities.
• It is the fastest and most intelligent Windows PCs ever built and are designed to manage a Al tasks locally, reducing reliance on cloud data centres.
• This was developed in collaboration with manufacturers like Acer and ASUSTek Computer.
APPOINMENTS:
1. Dr Bikramjit Chaudhuri
Why in news: BARC appoints Dr Bikramjit Chaudhuri as chief of measurement science and Analytics
Key points:-
• He will succeed Dr. Derrick Grey, who is leaving the organization after a six-year stint.
• He was associated with the Datamatics Group of Companies as the Global Head of Data Science & Advanced Analytics, since 2016.
2. Luis Rodolfo Abinader Corona
Why in news: Luis Rodolfo Abinader Corona elected as the President of the Dominican Republic
Key points:-
• Luis Rodolfo Abinader Corona of Republic of the Dominican Revolutionary Party has been re- elected as the President of the Dominican Republic for 2nd four-year term from 2024 to 2028.
• Abinader won the presidential election by securing 58.85% of the vote. Leonel Fernandez, former President, finished 2nd with 27.29% of the votes.
SPORTS:
1. Italian Open
Why in news: Alexander Zverev and Iga Swiatek win Singles Title of Italian open
Key points:-
• German’s Alexander Zeverv defeated Nicolas Jarry of Chile in straight sets 6-4, 7-5 to win the 2024 Men’s Single of Italian Open Masters 1000 title.
• World no.1 Iga Swiatek of Poland defeated Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus in straight sets 6-2 6-3 to win the 2024 Women’s Single of Italian Open Masters 1000 title.
• Men’s doubles Winner – Marcell Granollers (Spain) and Horacio Zeballos (Argentina)
• Women’s doubles Winner – Sara Errani (Italy) and Jasmine Paolini (Italy)
2. Deepthi Jeevanji
Why in news: India’s Deepthi Jeevanji smashes World Record in Women’s 400 Metre event.
Key points:-
• Twenty-year old Deepthi Jeevanji grabbed her first gold at the World Para Athletics Championships at Kobe in Japan.
• Deepthi clocked 55.07 seconds, breaking American Breanna Clark’s earlier world record of 55.12 seconds.
• Aysel Onder of Turkey finished second with 55.19 seconds followed by Lizanshela Angulo of Ecuador on third with 56.68 seconds.
IMPORTANT DAYS:
1. International Day for Biological Diversity
Why in news: International Day for Biodiversity is celebrated every year on May 22.
Key points:-
• Aim: to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues.
• Theme: "Be Part of the Plan."
BIHAR:
1. Museum Influencer Award 2024
Why in news: Anjani Kumar Singh director of Bihar museum,Patna honoured with Museum Influencer Award 2024
Key points:-
• The Museum Influencer Award acknowledges leaders in museum domains for pioneering efforts in film preservation, conservation, research, exhibitions, stability enhancement, and community engagement.
2. Pandit Hiralal Mishra Award
Why in news: Madan Mohan Sharma and Savita Mishra awarded with prestigious Pandit Hiralal Mishra Award
Key points:
• Madan Mohan Sharma is a classical singer from Vaishali,Bihar while Savita Mishra is a odissi dancer.
• Pandit Hiralal Mishra award is given by Triveni Art Center, Patna.
• Ministry: Ministry of Culture.
• Venue of pt. Hiralal Mishra award and Music festival : Premchanra theatre,Patna
3. Solar Power Plant in Banka
Why in news: Bihar’s largest solar power plant commissioned in Banka,Bihar.
Key points:-
• Bihar will get 50 MW solar power from this project, taking its total solar capacity to 181.1 MW.
• Banka’s solar unit is commissioned by Awadaa group
• This development marks a crucial step in the state’s efforts to bolster its green energy portfolio.
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