NATIONAL:
1. Report “Born too Soon: Decade of Action on Pre-term Birth”
Why in news – As per the report, global progress on mitigating maternal as well as newborn deaths has been stagnant since 2015.
Key Points –
• Highest absolute maternal and neonatal deaths and stillbirths –
(a) India (788,000 total deaths)
(b) Nigeria (540,000 deaths)
(c) Pakistan (474,000).
• India is placed at the top accounting for 17% of global maternal deaths, stillbirths and neonatal births.
• Global pre-term birth rate - 9.9% in 2020 (9.8% in 2010).
• Reasons - “four Cs” – conflict, climate change, COVID-19 and the cost-of-living crisis.
• This indicates a “silent emergency” for children’s survival and health.
• An improvement in reducing Maternal mortality ratio (MMR) by 11.9% is required in the next decade to meet global targets of an MMR equivalent to 70 deaths per 1,000 live births.
• Neonatal mortality rate (NMR) needs to be reduced by another 7.2% between 2022 and 2030 to meet the global target of ending newborn mortality.
Value Addition -
• Report released by – WHO and United Nations Children’s Fund and Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (PMNCH).
• PMNCH is the world’s largest alliance for women, children and adolescents.
• India has launched India Newborn Action Plan and Rashtriya Bal Suraksha Karyakram and has set up many Speciality Newborn Care Units (SNCUs) across the country.
• Pre-term births in India - West Bengal (16%) > Tamil Nadu (14%) > Gujarat (9%).
2. Hare Krishna Tower
Why in news – Telangana CM K Chandrasekhar Rao laid the foundation for the Hare Krishna Movement's Heritage Tower.
Key Points –
• Location – Hyderabad.
• Height - 400 feet (120 meters).
• Project cost - Rs 200 crore.
• It would highlight the Telangana heritage in the form of Kakatiya architectural elements.
3. Lithium Reserves in Rajasthan
Why in news – The Geological Survey of India (GSI) said that reports of large lithium reserves being identified in Rajasthan were “baseless”.
Key Points –
• Media reports of finding of large lithium reserves in the Degana area, Nagaur district, Rajasthan are completely baseless and misleading”.
• GSI is carrying out exploration for tungsten, lithium and associated rare metals in the Degana area, Nagour district, Rajasthan, since 2019-20.
• Earlier this 2023, 5.9 million tonnes of lithium reserves were found in Jammu and Kashmir by the GSI.
About Lithium –
• Top reserves - Chile, Australia and Argentina.
• Top producer – Australia.
• Uses - lithium ion batteries, lubricating grease, high energy additive, rocket propellants, and optical modulators for mobile phones.
• Used in electric car batteries because of its lightness and energy density.
• “Prescribed substance” under the Atomic Energy Act, 1962.
• “Lithium triangle” - Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina (contain half the world’s known Lithium).
INTERNATIONAL:
1. Syria Reinstated
Why in news – The Arab League voted to reinstate Syria’s membership after its suspension more than 10 years ago.
Key Points –
• Syria was ousted in 2011 following President Bashar al-Assad’s brutal crackdown on pro-democracy protests.
• Jordanian Initiative - Process of bringing Damascus back into the Arab fold.
• Arab League Summit 2023 - Saudi Arabia (May 19).
• Beijing Accord - Iran and Saudi Arabia agreed for resumption of diplomatic relations.
About Arab League (1945) –
• Founders - Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and Syria.
• Currently - 22 member.
• Aim - to cooperate on economic and military affairs.
ECONOMY:
1. 27th FSDC
Why in news – Nirmala Sitharaman chaired the 27th meeting of the Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC).
Key Points –
• She advised regulators must take appropriate and timely action to mitigate any vulnerability and strengthen financial stability.
FSDC –
• Under Ministry of Finance.
• Purpose - to deal with macro-prudential and financial regularities across the country's whole banking system.
• Autonomous body established by executive order in 2010. (Proposed by Raghuram Rajan Committee in 2008).
• Chairman - Finance Minister.
• Other Members: Heads of financial sector regulators (RBI, SEBI, PFRDA, IRDA, and FMC), Finance Secretary, Chief Economic Adviser etc.
AWARDS & HONOURS:
1. Bharat Ratna Dr Ambedkar Award
Why in news – Former President Ram Nath Kovind honoured UP CM Yogi Adityanath with the Bharat Ratna Dr. Ambedkar Award.
Key Points –
• Reason - for creating a fear-free Uttar Pradesh.
• Member of the UP legislative council Lalji Prasad Nirmal received the award on behalf of Yogi Adityanath.
• The award ceremony was organized at Shanmukhananda Auditorium in Mumbai.
IMPORTANT DAYS:
1. International Day of Plant Health 2023
Why in news – It is observed on 12 May to raise global awareness on how protecting plant health can help end hunger, protect biodiversity and boost economic development.
Key Points –
• Theme – “Plant Health for Environmental Protection”.
• Plants give 80% of the food we eat and 98% of the oxygen we breathe.
• It was established in 2022 by the United Nations. The idea was promoted by Zambia.
• As per the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), around 40% food crops get damaged annually due to diseases and pests.
IPPC (1951) –
• Formulates action plans to prevent and control the introduction and spread of pests of plants and plant products.
• Overseen by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO).
Value Addition –
• Crop yield losses due to insects and other pests in India –
BOOKS & AUTHORS:
1. Book “The Indian Metropolis: Deconstructing India’s Urban Spaces”
Why in news – The book written by Feroze Varun Gandhi was published.
Key Points –
• The book examines the challenges facing India’s urban spaces, including poverty, inequality, crime, and environmental degradation.
SPORTS:
1. Global Sponsor of ICC
Why in news – Mastercard has reportedly replaced BharatPe as the global sponsor of the International Cricket Council (ICC).
Key Points –
• It also secured title sponsorship rights of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) international and domestic home fixtures from Paytm.
• Mastercard is American multinational financial services corporation.
STATES/UTs:
1. Pod Taxi
Why in news – India's first pod taxi project to start in Uttar Pradesh.
Key Points –
• It is also known as the Personalised Rapid Transit.
• Connect - Noida international Airport in Jewar to the Film City in sector 21.
• Estimated cost of the project - Rs 810 crore.
• Likely be completed by the end of 2024.
• It already exists in Dubai, Singapore, and Heathrow Airport in London.
About Pod Taxi –
• Electric vehicles and driverless modes of transport.
• Small automated cars designed to transport a handful of passengers at a much faster speed.
POINTERS:
• Which state government launched India's first State Robotics Framework – Telangana.
• India and which country agreed to enhance cooperation for coordinated investment promotion and information exchange – Canada.
• MyGov in collaboration with which ministry launched “YUVA PRATIBHA – Painting Talent Hunt” - Ministry of Culture.
• Which body successfully conducted a trial run of blood bag delivery by drones under its iDrone initiative - Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
• Wakefit Innovations Private Limited, has signed which actor as Wakefit.co's brand ambassador - Ayushmann Khurrana.
• A joint report titled “Clinical Trial Opportunities in India” Report was released recently by which body - PwC India and US-India Chamber of Commerce.
• Recently, Fuego Volcano erupted. It is located in which country - Guatemala.
• Who has convened the first South Asia Clean Energy Forum (SACEF) - United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
• Ubhauli fstival is mostly celebrated in which country – Nepal.
• Recently, Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana and Atal Pension Yojana completed how many years - 8 years.