NATIONAL:
1. Exercise Cyber Suraksha 2024
Why in News: Head of the Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan started Cyber Suraksha – 2024 on May 22, 2024.
Key points:
• Objective: To improve the cyber defence skills of all cybersecurity organizations in the country.
• The goal is for the military and key government agencies involved in cybersecurity to work together better and come up with a more unified approach.
• The exercise is designed to develop the cyber defence skills of participants. Encourage the sharing of best practices and techniques in cyber defence.
2. TAF Chief Inaugurates First-Ever EMRS in Karnataka
Why in News: Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari, the Chief of the Air Staff of Indian Air Force has inaugurated the first-ever Emergency Medical Response System (EMRS) at Command Hospital Air Force (CHAF) in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
Key points:
• The EMRS is a 24/7 telephonic medical helpline for serving lAF personnel and their families across India.
• This system aims to provide timely response by a team of medical and paramedical professionals to the caller experiencing an emergency anywhere in India.
INTERNATIONAL:
1. International Solar Alliance
Why in news: Spain Becomes 99th Member of International Solar Alliance.
Key points:
• Spain has officially become the 99th member of the International Solar Alliance (ISA).
• The Instrument of Ratification was handed over by Spain’s Ambassador to India to Joint Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), during a meeting in New Delhi.
• ISA, launched by India and France during COP21 in Paris, aims to implement the Paris Climate Agreement through extensive deployment of solar energy
2. World’s Highest Observatory
Why in news: University of Tokyo inaugurates world’s highest observatory in Chile.
Key points:
• The University of Tokyo has inaugurated the Atacama Observatory (TAO) in Chile’s Antofagasta Region
• The telescope will focus on understanding the nature of the universe.
3. AI Global Forum
Why in news: AI Global Forum Opens In South Korea During Second AI Summit.
Key points:
• The one-day global forum is being held alongside the second AI global summit, which is a two-day event.
• On the first day of the AI summit on Tuesday (May 21), sixteen companies at the forefront of developing AI pledged to develop the technology safely at a time when regulators are scrambling to keep up with rapid innovation and emerging risks.
• The companies included U.S. leaders Google, Meta, Microsoft and OpenAI, as well as firms from China, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates.
4. Bird Flu
Why in news: 1st Human Case Of ‘Bird Flu’ Reported In Australia.
Key points:
• A child who came back to Victoria from India in March was the first person in Australia to get the H5N1 bird flu.
About H5N1:
• H5N1 avian influenza, or “bird flu,” was first identified in 1959 in Scottish chickens
• The virus primarily affects birds but can infect humans exposed to sick animals.
• H5N1 is not easily transmissible between humans
5. Maldives Eyes India’s RuPay Service 'to Bolster the Maldivian Rufiyaa'
Why in news: Maldives Govt. said that New Delhi would support and cooperate in arranging for the settlement of import payments in Indian Rupee.
Key points:
• Currently Maldives import from India is valued at US $ 780 million.
• Both India and China have agreed to use local currency in bilateral trade with Maldives’
• Moreover, the move will mark a significant shift away from the dominant use of the US dollar in international transactions.
ECONOMY:
1. India’s Market Capitalization Reaches $5 Trillion Milestone
Why in news: India's market capitalization achieves a historic milestone of $5 trillion, marking a rapid ascent fueled by a surge in small- and mid-sized firms.
Key points:
• This remarkable feat was accomplished in under six months since surpassing the $4 trillion mark.
2. SIDBI Partners with Airbus
Why in news: SIDBI Partners with Airbus Helicopters to Finance Helicopter Purchases in India.
Key points:
• SIDBI, in collaboration with Airbus Helicopters, has entered the realm of helicopter financing in India through a recent Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
• This partnership aims to facilitate the financing of Airbus helicopters for potential civil operators in the country.
ENVIRONMENT:
1. Ligdus Garvale
Why in news: Ligdus Garvale, a New Spider Species Identified in Karnataka
Key points:
• A team of naturalists have discovered Ligdus Garvale, a new species of jumping spider which was found in Garvale village of the Kodagu district, Karnataka.
• It marks the second recorded instance of the Ligdus genus in 129 years whereas the first, Ligdus Chelifer, was reported from Myanmar by Thorell in 1895.
SCIENCE & TECH:
1. World’s First Major AI Law
Why in news: The EU has approved the AI Act, the first major law regulating AI.
Key points:
• It imposes strict rules on AI applications, particularly high-risk systems, with hefty fines for non-compliance.
• This groundbreaking legislation establishes comprehensive rules to ensure trust, transparency, and accountability in AI technologies while fostering innovation within Europe.
2. LLM AI Based on Xi Jinping Thought
Why in news: China rolls out own LLM AI based on Xi Jinping Thought.
Key points:
• China has started using a new large language model (LLM) that is based on the political ideas of Chinese President Xi Jinping.
• It is officially called “Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.” This plan includes detailed instructions on how to follow China’s political, social, and economic rules.
• This LLM was released by the China Cyberspace Research Institute.
SPORTS:
1. World Para Athletics Championship
Why in news: Sachin Khilari clinches gold medal in shot put while Ekta Bhyan wins the gold medal in the women's F51 club throw at World Para Athletics Championship in Kobe,Japan.
Key points:
• Dharambir bagged the Bronze Medal in the Men’s Club Throw.
• Kashish Lakra secured the silver medal , while Nadjet Boucherf of Algeria took the bronze in women's F51 club
2. WBC India Cruiserweight Championship
Why in news: Chandru G Wins WBC India Cruiserweight Championship.
Key points:
• Chandru G from Tamil Nadu recently beat Jaskaran Singh from Punjab to win the WBC India National title in the Cruiserweight Division.
• The Pro Boxing Fight Night in Hyderabad ended with a knockout in the fourth round, was the main event.
AWARDS AND HONOURS:
1. ATD BEST Awards 2024
Why in news: NTPC Ranks 3rd Globally at ATD BEST Awards 2024, in New Orleans, USA
Key points:
• India’s biggest energy company, NTPC Limited, won third place at the ATD BEST Awards 2024, making it the best-performing Indian company in this prestigious foreign event.
About the ATD BEST Awards:
• The Association for Talent Development (ATD), which is based in the USA, gives out the ATD BEST Awards.
• These awards recognize outstanding work in the area of Learning and Development (L&D).
2. Cannes La Cinef Prize
Why in news: India's Chidananda S Naik wins Cannes La Cinef first prize for Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know.
Key points:
• The film is based on a Kannada folk tale about an old woman who steals a rooster, plunging her village into perpetual darkness.
• The second prize was shared by Out of the Widow Through the Wall, directed Asya Segalovich, and The Chaos while the third prize went to Mansi Maheshwari's animation film Bunnyhood.
3. Tinkesh Kaushik
Why in news: Tinkesh Kaushik Becomes World's 1st Triple Amputee To Reach Everest Base Camp.
Key points:
• Tinkesh Kaushik, a 30-year-old man from Goa, has become the world's first triple amputee to reach the Mount Everest Base Camp located 17,598 feet above sea level.
OBITURIES:
1. Jan A.P. Kaczmarek
Why in news: Oscar-winning Polish Music Composer Jan A.P. Kaczmarek Passed Away.
Key points:
• He passed away at the age of 71 in Krakow in southern Poland.
• Kaczmarek won the Academy Awards (Oscar) for the best original musical score for the movie 'Finding Neverland' during the 7/th Academy Awards (2005).
2. Fred Roos
Why in news: Oscar-award-winning American Film Producer Fred Roos Passed Away
Key points:
• Fred Roospassed away at 89 in Beverly Hills, California, the United States of America (USA).
• Fred Roos received the Academy Award (Oscar) for Best Picture at the 47th Academy Award in 1975 for producing the film "The Godfather Part II".
TERMS IN NEWS:
1. Gaslighting
Why in news: Gaslighting is a common problem in workplaces around the world for having a big effect on workers’ mental health and ability to do their jobs.
Key points:
• It undermine a person’s reality to the point where they question their memory, perception, and reasoning is this type of psychological manipulation.
• That behaviour usually comes from people in charge, like bosses or experienced coworkers, and makes the workplace less healthy.
2. ‘Jackstaff’ and ‘Jack’
Why in news: Navy does away with ship terms ‘Jackstaff’ and ‘Jack’, replaces with National Flag Staff, National Flag
Key points:
• ‘Jack’ refers to a flag in naval parlance, usually the national flag, and ‘Jackstaff’ is a short pole on the bow of a ship from which it is flown.
• Both terms have their origins in British naval traditions.
IMPORTANT DAYS:
1. World Turtle Day 2024
Why in news: World Turtle Day is annually observed across the globe on 23 May.
Key points:
Objective: To celebrate and protect turtles and tortoises, one of the world's oldest creatures, and their disappearing habitats worldwide.
Theme: "Let's Party"
2. International Day of Vesak or Buddha Purnima 2024
Why in news: The International Vesak Day or Buddha Purnima was observed on 23 May 2024.
Key points:
• International Day of Vesak or Buddha Purnima is annually observed across the globe on the Day of the Full Moon in May
• This Day acknowledges the birth of Prince Siddharta Gautama, who later became known as the Buddha and founded Buddhism.
• Buddha Purnima 2024 marks the 2586th birth anniversary of Gautam Buddha.
BIHAR:
1. Bihar Weather Service Center
Why in news: Tamil Nadu team to visit Bihar weather service center
Key points:
• Recently, Bihar Weather forecasting service has been centre of interests among 5 indian states to adopt Bihar Weather Service model including Rajasthan,Uttar Pradesh,Jharkhand,Odissa and Tamil Nadu.
• In this regard, Tamil Nadu team is visiting Bihar Weather centre.
2. Israeli Technology to be used at Muzaffarapur's Upcoming Plant
Why in news: Israeli technology to be used at Muzaffarapur's plant at Kaanti-Bandra for litchi's redness & sweetness.
Key points:
• Farmers will be able to keep freshness and sweetness of Litchi maintained even at high temperature for 3-4 days at the cost of ₹ 100 per 2 Quintals of Litchi using Israeli technology including Carbon dioxide gas & other chemicals.
• For this, plants are proposed to be set up at Muzaffarapur's Kaanti-Bandra.
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