NATIONAL:
1. Ramban tunnel collapsed
Why in news – A part of an under-construction 4-lane tunnel on the Jammu-Srinagar NH-44 in Ramban district collapsed on 19th May.
Key Points –
• Government has constituted a 3-member committee to investigate the matter led by J T Sahu of IIT Delhi.
INTERNATIONAL:
1. Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF)
Why in news – USA launched IPEF in Tokyo on 23rd May 2022 to strengthen economic partnership resilience, fairness and competitiveness in the Indo-Pacific region.
Key Points –
• Members – 12 countries (7- ASEAN, 4- QUAD and New Zealand) including USA and India.
• It is based on 7 strategic pillars.
• India and USA signed an Investment Incentive Agreement (IIA) on 23rd May, 2022 to strengthen and promote DFC's investments in India.
2. ‘Partygate' Scandal
Why in news – Fresh photos of UK PM drinking reignite 'Partygate' row.
Key Points –
• It involves parties attended by Johnson in May and December 2020 when of the UK was under lockdown.
• Probe into the alleged parties is being conducted by Sue Gray.
IMPORTANT DAYS:
1. Anti-terrorism Day 2022
Why in news – Anti-Terrorism Day is observed every year on 21st May on the death anniversary of former PM Rajiv Gandhi (India’s 7th PM).
Key Points –
• He was assassinated on 21st May, 1991 by the LTTE terrorists at Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu.
• Rajiv Gandhi was the youngest (40 years) Prime Minister of India.
AWARDS & HONOURS:
1. Global Health Leaders Award-2022
Why in news – India's ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist) workers were honoured with the award by the World Health Organization (WHO) on 22nd May.
Key Points –
• ASHA constitutes more than 1 million (10.4 lakh) female health volunteers in India.
• Award was announced during the 75th World Health Assembly.
• Pakistan and Afghanistan are the only two countries where polio is still in transmission.
About ASHA –
• Their role was established under National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) in 2005.
• Requirements - Age 25 and 45 years, formal education up to Class 8, good communication and leadership skills.
• Aim - one ASHA for every 1,000 persons.
• Highest - Uttar Pradesh (1.63 lakh), Bihar (89,437), and Madhya Pradesh (77,531).
• Goa has no ASHA worker.
2. Rhythm Mamania
Why in news – The 10-year-old Rhythm Mamania from Mumbai has become one of the youngest Indian mountaineers to summit the Everest Base Camp (EBC).
Key Points –
• She reached base camp (5,364 meters) in 11 days.
• It was organized by Rishi Bhandari of Satori Adventures, Nepal.
SECURITY:
1. CORPAT Exercise
Why in news – 4th edition of Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT) begins in the Bay of Bengal.
Key Points –
• It is an Indian and Bangladesh Navy patrolling drill.
• The last IN-BN CORPAT was conducted in October 2020.
• Indian Navy - INS Kora and INS Sumedha.
• Bangladesh Navy - BNS Ali Haider and BNS Abu Ubaidah.
SUMMITS & CONFERENCES:
1. World Economic Forum 2022
Why in news – The World Economic Forum's (WEF) annual meeting is going-on in Davos, Switzerland from 22nd to 26th May.
Key Points –
• Theme - 'working Together, restoring Trust'.
• Maharashtra inaugurated its pavilion at the WEF meeting in Davos.
• Indian delegation was led by Piyush Goyal.
APPOINTMENTS:
1. Jose Ramos-Horta
Why in news – Jose Ramos-Horta has been sworn in as president of East Timor (Timor-Leste).
Key Points –
• He defeated Francisco Guterres (Lu Olo).
• He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1996.
APPS & PORTALS:
1. ‘BioRRAP’ Portal
Why in news – Dr. Jitendra Singh launched ‘BioRRAP’ portal for biotech researchers.
Key Points –
• Full form - Biological Research Regulatory Approval Portal (BioRRAP).
• It would give approval for biological development and research in India.
• It would work under Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science & Technology.
REPORTS & INDICES:
1. ‘State of Inequality in India’ Report
Why in news – The report titled ‘The State of Inequality in India’ was released by EAC-PM’s Chairperson Bibek Debroy on 18th May 2022.
Key Points –
• It has 5 key areas - income distribution, labour market dynamics, health, education and household characteristics and two parts.
• Data is based on PLFS, NFHS and United Information System for Education Plus.
Highlights –
• Wealth concentration - Urban (44.4%), Rural (7.1%).
• Unemployment rate (4.8% in 2019-20) - worker population ratio is 46.8%, self-employed workers (45.78%), salaried workers (33.5%) and casual workers (20.71%).
• Health Infrastructure - total health centres - 1,85,505 (2020).
• Household Conditions (NFHS-5) - 97% of households have access to electricity, 70% have improved access to sanitation and 96% have access to safe drinking water.
SPORTS:
1. 12th Hockey India Sub-Junior Women National Championship
Why in news – Haryana emerged as the winners of the 12th Sub-Junior Women National Championship 2022.
Key Points –
• Defeated Jharkhand by 2-0 in the final.
• Venue - Imphal, Manipur.
• Riya and Sejal scored a goal each.
BIHAR:
1. Bal Hriday Yojana
Why in news – Successful heart operation was done for three children of Samastipur under the Bal Hriday Yojana run by the Bihar government.
Key Points –
• According to a study, 9 out of 1000 babies born are born with congenital heart disease.
About Bal Hriday Yojana
• Screening of patient (children) is done at Indira Gandhi Institute of Cardiology, Patna.
• Free operation is done at Sathya Sai Hospital, Ahmedabad.
2. Common database for universities
Why in news – The education department has decided to prepare a common database of all the institutions by August 2022.
Key Points –
• An Integrated Management Information System (Unified-MIS) would be set up in the Directorate of Higher Education.
• It would bring uniformity in the higher education system.
3.Negligence in non-communicable diseases
Why in news – The performance of Patna in screening of non- communicable diseases like diabetes, hypertension, cancer is worse.
Key Points –
• In April, only 0.62% people were screened against the target of 521223 people.
• Only 0.5% i.e., 7923 got registered.
• 3254 got screened for the first time.
4. Micro irrigation awareness chariot
Why in news – CM Nitish Kumar flagged off 59 micro-irrigation awareness chariots under Kharif Mahabhiyan on 23rd May 2022.
Key Points –
• CM also launched the 'Micro Irrigation Scheme Booklet'.
• Farmers would be informed about the technicalities of Kharif crops and schemes run by the Agriculture Department in Kharif season.
5. Flood fighting in Bihar
Why in news – The Water Resources Department to start flood fighting works from 1st June. (2021 – started from 15th June).
Key Points –
• To deal with floods and droughts, a high-level meeting was convened on 18th May.
• Any road damaged during floods would be made operational within 48 hours.
6. Booking of vehicle parking from home
Why in news – People of Patna would soon get the facility of 37 smart parking lots in the city.
Key Points –
• Cashless online payment, card payment facility would also be available.
• The agency would meet the target of smart parking within 45 days.
• It would also be monitored by ICCC (Integrated Control and Command Center).
7. Hostel dedicated to Magadha Women's College
Why in news – CM Nitish Kumar inaugurated the new hostel of the college on 23rd May 2022.
Key Points –
• It is a 639 bed hostel and has 7 floors.
• The construction started in 2019 and costed Rs 31 crores.
POINTERS:
• Recently, which became the first Indian company to sponsor the FIFA World Cup – Byju’s.
• Who became the first Indian company to touch the market valuation mark of Rs 19 lakh crore – Reliance.
• Which motor vehicle company has launched a mobile showroom named ‘Anubhav’ – Tata Motors.
• Which country removed emergency after 15 days - Sri Lanka.
• To tackle the problem of rising global temperature, which country proposed imposition of carbon tax on his people - New Zealand.
• Which company was removed from S&P 500 ESG index – Tesla.
• Which country announced lifting of ban on export of palm oil – Indonesia.
• The Central Consumer Protection Authority has issued notices to which two online passenger - Ola and Uber.
• Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit will be held in - Uzbekistan.
• Who addressed the 8th meeting of BRICS Environment Ministers - Bhupendra Yadav.