NATIONAL:
1. ONDC Startup Mahotsav
Why in news: DPIIT organizes ONDC Startup Mahotsav in New Delhi On 17th May 2024.
Key points:-
• Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, organised the "ONDC Startup Mahotsav", a first of its kind event held at Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi, Delhi.
• More than 125 startups including 12 unicorns commit to onboarding ONDC
• ONDC Startup Mahotsav is a collaboration between Startup India initiative and Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), both are flagship initiatives of DPIIT.
• It highlighted the Government of India's commitment to nurture and promote the ecosystem for startup growth and innovation.
• The event organised various panel discussions on subjects such as: "Building a Collaborative Future of Indian E-commerce", "ONDC - Startup Success Story" and "Driving Startup Growth through ONDC" and these subjects covers the areas of mutual collaboration and immense potential for startups to expand the ONDC network.
Value Addition:
• GOI launched the "Startup India" initiative on 16th January, 2016
• Aim: to support entrepreneurs and to build a robust startup ecosystem in India.
• At present, India is among the leading startup hubs with more than 13 lakh DPIIT recognised startups, operating in more than 55 sectors.
2. AI-Driven Traffic Management System
Why in news: AI-Driven Traffic Management System introduced in Sikkim, Set to Go Live from 25th May 2024.
Key points:-
• Launched by : Sikkim transport department
• Aim : to modernize traffic management and enhance the efficiency and accuracy of traffic regulation in Sikkim.
• This system will automatically verify vehicle documents and detect traffic violations, issuing e-challans as per regulations.
3. DRIMS
Why in news: Assam Launched DRIMS For Reporting Damages During Disasters.
Key points:
• Assam has launched the Disaster Reporting and Information Management System (DRIMS), a digital platform for accurate reporting and assessment of damages caused by disasters.
• It tracks livestock losses, crop damages, and other damages which speeds up repair work post disaster.
• The digital platform was developed in collaboration with United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) which captures critical impact indicators of damages during disasters and assists in providing relief and rehabilitation grants to the impacted beneficiaries.
INTERNATIONAL:
1. World Hydrogen Summit 2024
Why in news: World hydrogen summit 2024, was held in Rotterdam,the Netherlands from 13th-15th May 2024.
Key points:-
• In this summit,Maiden India pavilion is set up by the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy, Government of India, which is one of the largest pavilions at the Summit and has been inaugurated by Secretary, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Shri Bhupinder S. Bhalla on May 12, 2024.
• The summit was organised by the Sustainable Energy Council (SEC) in partnership with the Government of the Netherlands, the Province of Zuid-Holland, the City of Rotterdam, and the Port of Rotterdam.
• Around 15,000 delegates from around the world attended the Summit.
Value Addition:
• India launched its National Green Hydrogen Mission in January 2023 with an overall outlay of Rs. 19,744 crores.
• India has set an ambitious target to achieve a green hydrogen production capacity of 5 MMT (Million Metric Tonnes) by end of the year 2030.
• As on 14th may 2024, the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy has awarded tenders for setting up of 412,000 tonnes of Green Hydrogen production capacity and 1,500 MW of electrolyzer manufacturing capacity.
2. Fatah-II
Why in news: Pakistan conducted a successful training launch of the indigenously developed "Fatah-Il", the guided Multi-Launch Rocket System (MLRS).
Key points:-
• It is being inducted in Artillery Divisions of Pakistan Army for stand-off, precision engagement of deep targets.
• Range: The rocket system is capable of engaging targets with high precision up to range of 400 kilometers (km).
• It is an upgraded version of Fateh rocket series
SCIENCE & TECH:
1. "Super fluffy" Exoplanet with Cotton Candy-like Density
Why in news: Researchers have discovered a "super fluffy" exoplanet named as "WASP-193b".
Key points:-
• The size of exoplanet is 50% larger than Jupiter and its weighs only 1/7th of Jupiter. Therefore, it assumed as cotton candy-like density.
• The exoplanet was initially spotted by the Wide Angle Search for Planets(WASP).
• The exoplanet was found 1200 light years away from Earth.
• WASP-193b becomes the 2nd lightest exoplanet after the "Kepler-51d".
• The researchers suspected that the exoplanet is largely made of Hydrogen and Helium gas.
AWARDS & HONOURS:
1. Global Disruptors 2024 List
Why in news: Deepika Padukone becomes first Indian star to feature on Deadline's Global Disruptors 2024 list.
Key points:-
• Actor Deepika Padukone, alongside international stars Eva Longoria, Uma Thurman, and Lee Sung Jin, has been recognised by the international publication Deadline for her significant contributions to the entertainment industry.
• Deepika is the only Indian star featured on the Global Disruptors List
• She hailed as 'Racket to Rocket: India's Surprise Superstar is on a mission to break barriers and taboos'.
SPORTS:
1. AFC Women’s Asian Cup
Why in news: Australia & Uzbekistan Confirmed as Host of AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026 & 2029 respectively.
Key points:-
• The recommendation of AFC Women's Football Committee was ratified during the 3rd AFC Executive Committee meeting held in Bangkok, Thailand. The meeting was held on the eve of the 34th AFC Congress.
• Australia is set to host the AFC Women's Asian Cup for a 2nd time. Australia has previously hosted the AFC Women's Asian Cup in 2006.
• Uzbekistan will become the first Central Asian nation to organize the AFC Women's Asian Cup.
2. Elorda Cup 2024
Why in news: Nikhat Zareen and Minakshi Clinch gold as India finishes with 12 medals in Eloeda cup held in Astana, Kazakhstan.
Key points:-
• Two-time World Champion Nikhat Zareen defeated Zhazira Urakbayeva and Minakshi defeated Uzbekistan's Rahmonova Saidahon
• Besides Nikhat and Minakshi’s gold medals, Indian boxers won two silver and eight bronze medals to better their last edition’s record of five medals.
OBITUARIES:
1. Ebrahim Raisi
Why in news: Iran president Ebrahim Raisi dies in a helicopter crash.
Key points:-
• The chopper crashed in Jolfa in the mountainous northwestern region of Iran on 19th May.
• The incident happened as Raisi and others were travelling back from their visit to Iran’s border with Azerbaijan.
IMPORTANT DAYS:
1. WORLD BEE DAY:
Why in news: World bee day celebrated on 20th may every year.
Key points:-
• World Bee Day, observed on May 20, marks the birth anniversary of Anton Janša, a pioneer in beekeeping
• Theme : World bee day celebrated on 20th may every year
• Aim: To raise awareness about the essential role of bees and other pollinators in maintaining the health of our planet, ensuring food security, and promoting biodiversity and sustainable agriculture.
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