NATIONAL:
1. Novel Sultana’s Dream added as part of “Memory of the World”
Why in news: Sultana’s Dream” by Begum Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain was recently added to UNESCO’s “Memory of the World” list.
Key points:-
• This honor was given at the 10th General Meeting of the Memory of the World Committee for Asia and the Pacific, in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, on May 7-8, 2024.
• It was one of the first works of science fiction and feminist writing written in 1905.
• This utopian novel is based on ideal world run by women with high-tech gadgets like solar ovens and flying cars, but men are only allowed to do housework.
2. IESA & FICCI Signed MoU
Why in news: IESA & FICCI Signed MoU to boost Electronics and Semiconductor Industry in India
Key points:-
• Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) signed a MoU with India Electronics and Semiconductor Association (IESA), to promote innovation, bolster the semiconductor and electronics industry and fortify supply chains.
• The main objective of this partnership is to set up Joint Task Force on semiconductors and future critical technologies,to conduct technology consultative roundtables and foster business partnerships.
INTERNATIONAL:
1. Venezuela
Why in news: Venezuela is the first modern country to lose all of its glaciers.
Key points:-
• New research shows that the Humboldt glacier in the Andes, has shrunk to less than 2 hectares, which means it is no longer a glacier but an ice field.
• The Sierra Nevada de Mérida mountain range in Venezuela used to have six glaciers , As of 2011,five of these glaciers had melted away, leaving only the Humboldt glacier.
2. Inaugural Africa Clean Cooking Summit
Why in news: The first Summit on “Clean Cooking in Africa”, which took place in Paris on May 14, 2024.
Key points:-
• The main goal of the summit was to bring about change across the continent, where people still cook with biomass like wood and charcoal.
• Over 1,000 delegates from almost 60 countries attended the meeting.
3. Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia 2024
Why in news: The 9th edition of the Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia list 2024 featured 86 entries from India.
Key points:-
• The 2024 list features 300 entries from 21 countries and territories.
• India had the most entries(86) includes Akshit Bansal, Raghav Arora & Bhagya Shree Jain, followed by China and Japan (32 each), Singapore (27), Australia (26) and Indonesia (18).
About Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia:
• The "Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia" list by Forbes showcases young entrepreneurs, leaders, and trailblazers under 30 who are driving innovation and transforming industries across the Asia- Pacific region.
SCIENCE & TECH:
1. 1.5 Billion-Year-Old “Giant” Viruses
Why in news: Scientists Discover 1.5 Billion-Year-Old “Giant” Viruses in Yellowstone National Park, USA
Key points:-
• The name “giant” comes from the fact that these viruses’ genes are much bigger than those of most viruses
• These old viruses is very important for understanding the time when Earth’s first single-cell creatures were starting to form.
SPORTS:
1. Forbes' World's Highest-Paid Athletes 2024
Why in news: Forbes' released the list of World's Highest-Paid Athletes 2024 featuring top 50 highest paid athletes.
Key points:-
• Portuguese Soccer Player Cristiano Ronaldo Tops LAKEPS Forbes 2024 World's Highest-Paid Athletes List with a total earnings of USD 260 million.
• Spanish golfer Jon Rahm stands 2nd and Argentine Soccer player Lionel Messi stands 3rd.
2. FIFA Women’s World Cup
Why in news: FIFA Women’s World Cup will be held in Brazil in 2027
Key points:-
• Brazil will be hosting this prestigious event for the first time.
• Brazil was picked because it has a long history of football and has hosted the 2014 FIFA Men’s World Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympics.
ECONOMY:
1. India’s Foreign Exchange Reserves
Why in news: India’s foreign exchange reserves Jump by $2.56 Billion to $644.15 Billion
Key points:-
• India’s foreign exchange reserves saw an increase of $2.56 billion, reaching a total of $644.15 billion for the week ended May 10, according to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
• Foreign Currency Assets The foreign currency assets, which form a significant portion of the reserves, rose by $1.488 billion to $565.648 billion.
• Gold Reserves Gold reserves experienced a significant rise, increasing by $1.072 billion to $55.952 billion during the reported week.
• Special Drawing Rights (SDRs The Special Drawing Rights with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) increased by $5 million, bringing the total to $18.056 billion.
• IMF Reserve Position India’s reserve position with the IMF saw a slight decrease of $4 million, totaling $4.495 billion for the reporting week.
2. Asian Development Bank
Why in news: ADB approves $148.5M loan to enhance Sikkim's power distribution system
Key points:-
• Aims : To bolster, modernize and climate-proof distribution system to enhance reliability, quality and resilience of electricity supply in Sikkim, India.
• The loan is in alignment with Power for All initiative led by Sikkim government which aims to ensure uninterrupted access to high- quality electricity for households, industries, among others.
APPOINMENTS:
1. New Chief for Artificial Intelligence
Why in news: NASA Appoints David Salvagnini as New Chief for Artificial Intelligence.
Key points:-
• NASA has given a new role to David Salvagnini as the agency’s Chief Artificial Intelligence (AI) Officer with addition to his current job as Chief Data Officer.
• The appointment shows NASA’s commitment to using AI technology responsibly.
2. Andrej Plenkovic
Why in news: Andrej Plenkovic Appointed as Prime Minister of Republic of Croatia.
Key points:-
• Andrej Plenkovic, incumbent Croatian Prime Minister and President of the Croatian Democratic Union party has been appointed as Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia for 3rd consecutive term.
• HDZ party formed coalation government with far right Homeland Movement (DP), HDZ has won 61 seats while the Homeland Movement (DP) won 14 seats.
AWARD AND HONOURS:
1. Geospatial World Leadership Award
Why in news: Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe), under the Department of Space (DOS), Government of India, has won the Geospatial World Leadership Award 2024 under "Enabling Public Policy" category.
Key points:-
• Geospatial Leadership Awards was presented during the Geospatial World Forum (GWF) 2024 held in Rotterdam,Netherland.
• The award acknowledge the outstanding contributions made by IN-SPACe to the international Geospatial field which help in fostering the growth and development of space sector & support to Non- Government Entities(NGEs) in the space economy.
OBITUARIES:
1. Malti Joshi
Why in news: Veteran Author Malti Joshi Passes Away at the age of 90 after the battle with cancer.
Key points:-
• Malti Joshi, a revered figure in the literary world and recipient of the prestigious Padma Shri award.
• Her legacy as a prolific writer and storyteller leaves an indelible mark on Hindi and Marathi literature.
BOOK AND AUTHOR:
1. At The Wheel of Research
Why in news: Anuradha Mascarenhas has penned a book titled "At The Wheel of Research: An Exclusive Biography of Dr. Soumya Swaminathan".
Key points:-
• This book outlines the life journey of Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, the inaugural Chief Scientist at the World Health Organisation (WHO) (2019 - 2022) and the former Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) (2015 - 2017).
• Soumya Swaminathan is daughter of Bharat Ratan awardee and Father of Green Revolution in Indian MS Swaminathan.
TERMS IN NEWS:
1. Blockout 2024
Why in news: Blockout 2024 is a new online movement that wants people to stop following celebs and other influential people on social media sites like Instagram and TikTok.
Key points:-
• Blockout 2024 became more well-known after the Met Gala,while Gaza was still in the middle of a humanitarian crisis.
• People who back the movement criticize famous people for doing nothing about the situation in Gaza.
IMPORTANT DATES:
1. International Museum Day
Why in news: International Museum Day is celebrated on 18th May annually.
Key points:-
• Theme: “Museums for Education and Research.”
• Aim: To raise public awareness of the invaluable role museums play in preserving artistic, cultural, and historical artifacts.
BIHAR:
1. Kanwar Lake
Why in news: Bihar’s only Ramsar site, Kanwar lake faces existential crisis.
Key points:-
• Environmental degradation and neglect have led to the lake's deteriorated condition, raises concerns about its long-term survival and impact on its diverse ecosystem.
• Kanwar Lake, known as Asia's largest freshwater oxbow lake, located in Bihar's Begusarai district.
• Since 2020 the lake has been designated as a protected Ramsar site.
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