NATIONAL:
1. Luna Crater
Why in news: Meteorite impact formed Luna Crater in Gujarat.
Key points:
• A recent geochemical analysis has confirmed that the Luna crater, located in the Banni Plains grassland of Gujarat, India, was formed by a meteorite impact approximately 6,900 years ago.
• Scientists in India had suspected the crater’s extraterrestrial origin but lacked confirmation until February 2024.
• The Operational Land Imager (OLI) on NASA’s Landsat 8 satellite captured a detailed image of the crater on February 24, 2024.
INTERNATIONAL:
1. Kankesanthurai Port
Why in news: Sri Lankan Cabinet approved renovation of Kankesanthurai Port with Indian Financial Grant
Key points:
• The project will be executed under an Indian financial grant.
• Situated in the northern region of Sri Lanka, the 16-acre Kankesanthurai Port or KKS Port, is located 104 km from Karaikal Port in Pondicherry, India.
• India and Sri Lanka have been actively implementing the joint vision document under which connectivity is an important facet.
2. G7
Why in news: G7 discusses Coal Phase-Out by 2035
Key points:
• The G7 energy ministers, during their meeting in Turin, Italy, discussed a possible time frame for phasing out coal-fired power plants as part of their commitment to transition away from fossil fuels.
• The discussions come in the wake of the UN’s COP28 climate summit in December, where the world pledged to move away from coal, oil, and gas.
• The proposed timeline is to phase out coal power generation in the first half of the 2030s, possibly by 2035.
• The G7 consists of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, and the US
• Together, they make up around 38% of the global economy and were responsible for 21% of total greenhouse gas emissions in 2021
RANKS/INDICES:
1. ‘World Air Quality Index-Ranking
Why in news: Kathmandu Tops List For ‘Unhealthy Air.
Key points:
• According to the ‘World Air Quality Index-Ranking’, which measures the level of air pollution around the world, Kathmandu’s air is at the top of the world’s unhealthy air list.
• In terms of pollution, Kathmandu, New Delhi, Chiang Mai in Thailand, Hanoi in Vietnam, Bangkok in Thailand and Dhaka in Bangladesh are ranked first, second, third, fourth and fifth respectively.
ENVIRONMENT:
1. ‘Future Projections for the Tropical Indian Ocean’
Why in news: A study titled ‘Future projections for the tropical Indian Ocean’ Predicts accelerated warming of Indian Ocean
Key points:
• Climate models predicts accelerated warming of Indian Ocean (IO) at a rate of 1.7°C–3.8°C per century from 2020–2100, compared to 1.2°C per century from 1950–2020.
• Maximum warming is in the Arabian Sea (northwestern IO).
• Marine heatwaves are expected to increase from 20 days per year to 220–250 days per year, pushing tropical IO into near permanent heatwave state.
• In high emission scenario, study expects minimum average temperature in IO basin to stay above 28°C by 2100, which remained around 26°C-28°C during 1980-2020.
DEFENCE:
1. First Hangor Class Submarine
Why in news: Pakistan launched its first Hangor class submarine which is considered a direct counterpart of India's Kalvari class of submarines.
Key points:
• Built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited under Project-75, India's Kalvari class of submarines are adaptation of French Scorpeneclass submarines.
• These have diesel-electric propulsion systems and are primarily attack submarines.
• India operates six Kalvari class submarines, namely Kalvari, Khanderi, Karanj, Vela, Vagir, Vagshir.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY:
1. Discovery of Speedy 90-Million-Year-Old Herbivore Dinosaur
Why in news: Argentine Scientists unveiled discovery of speedy 90-million-year-old herbivore Dinosaur
Key points:
• Argentine scientists have uncovered a new herbivorous dinosaur, Chakisaurus nekul, which lived 90 million years ago in Patagonia's Late Cretaceous period.
• The finding, detailed in the journal Cretaceous Research, sheds light on a remarkable creature known for its speed and unique tail anatomy.
• Chakisaurus nekul, which thrived approximately 90 million years ago during the Late Cretaceous period in present-day Patagonia.
2. WHO
Why in news: WHO’s New Global Malaria Strategy for 2030.
Key points:
• The World Health Organization (WHO) has unveiled an ambitious new operational strategy to accelerate progress against malaria.
• It aims to achieve the disease elimination targets outlined in the Global Technical Strategy for Malaria 2016-2030.
• Malaria remains a major global health challenge, with an estimated 608,000 deaths and 249 million new cases in 2022.
• Africa bears a disproportionate burden, accounting for 95% of malaria deaths and 94% of cases worldwide.
APPOINTED/ELECTED:
1. Justice Dinesh Kumar
Why in news: Justice (retired) Dinesh Kumar took charge as the Presiding Officer of the Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT) on 29 April 2024.
Key points:
• He Securities Appellate Tribunal is a statutory body established in 1992 under the provisions of the Securities Exchange Board of India Act 1992.
PERSONS/PLACES in NEWS:
1. Vinay Vir
Why in news: Vinay Vir, a renowned journalist, publisher, and editor of the Daily Hindi Milap, passed away on Saturday, April 27th, 2024, at the age of 72.
Key points:
• He was a champion for the Hindi language in South India and a respected figure in the journalism community.
IMPORTANT DAY:
1. International Labour Day 2024
Why in news: International Labour Day, also known as May Day or Workers' Day, is celebrated on, May 1st, 2024.
Key points:
• This annual observance honours the contributions and achievements of workers worldwide and promotes their rights and opportunities.
• Theme for International Labour Day 2024- ensuring safety and health at work in a changing climate.
• In India, the first May Day celebrations were organized in Chennai on May 1st, 1923, by the Labour Kisan Party of Hindustan, led by Comrade Singaravelar.
STATE/UT:
1. Uttarakhand
Why in news: Forest fire observed in several parts of Uttarakhand.
Key points:
• In some regions of Uttarakhand, fires were doused with the help of a Bambi bucket, a specialised aerial fire-fighting tool used to pour water in targeted areas.
• Forest fire includes any uncontrolled and non-prescribed burning of plants in a natural setting such as a forest, grassland, which consumes natural fuels and spreads based on environmental conditions (e.g., wind, topography).
• As per India State of Forest Report 2021, Odisha reported highest forest fires between November 2020 and June 2021, followed by Madhya Pradesh.
• More than 36% of country’s forest cover has been estimated to be prone to frequent forest fires.
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