NATIONAL:
1. EU Carbon Tax
Why in news – India plans to file a complaint to the World Trade Organisation over the European Union’s proposal to impose 20% to 35% tariffs on imports of high-carbon goods from India.
Key Points –
• It is part of New Delhi’s strategy to combat the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).
• CBAM is designed to push local industries to invest in new technologies to bring down carbon emissions.
• In April 2023, EU approved the world’s first plan to impose a levy on high-carbon goods imports from 2026.
• Target - Steel, cement, aluminium, fertilisers, electricity and hydrogen.
• It is likely to be followed by other advanced countries including the UK, Canada, Japan and the United States
• The EU has set itself a legally binding target of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
Indian Position –
• In the name of environment protection, EU is introducing a trade barrier.
• India sees the proposed levy as discriminatory and a trade barrier and would question its legality.
2. International Museum Expo 2023
Why in news – PM Narendra Modi inaugurated the International Museum Expo 2023 in New Delhi.
Key Points –
• Mascot - Dancing girl made of wood in the Chennapatnam art style.
• PM Modi also unveiled a Graphic Novel – A Day at the Museum.
INTERNATIONAL:
1. 50 Start-ups Exchange Program
Why in news – India and Bangladesh have jointly launched the “50 Start-up Exchange Programme”.
Key Points –
• Aim – to enable cooperation and partnership between their startup communities.
• It provides a platform for entrepreneurs, investors and stakeholders from both the countries to connect and collaborate.
REPORTS & INDICES:
1. World Economic Situation and Prospects Report
Why in news – The World Economic Situation and Prospects report was released by UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs.
Key Points –
• India's economy is expected to expand by 5.8% in 2023 and 6.7% in 2024.
• The world economy is now projected to grow by 2.3% in 2023 and 2.5% in 2024.
2. Ease of Moving Index Report 2022
Why in news – It was released by Ola Mobility Institute (OMI).
Key Points –
• Best travel ecosystem –
(a) Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad
(b) Mumbai
(c) Coimbatore
• Jabalpur - Lowest on mobility in India.
• Pune - Most inclusive mobility system in the country.
• Agartala - Best walking infrastructure.
SUMMITS & CONFERENCES:
1. Quad Canceled
Why in news – Australia canceled Quad meeting in Sydney after U.S. President Biden pulls out.
Key Points –
• Joe Biden postponed his trip to Australia due to debt ceiling negotiations in Washington.
• Leaders of Australia, the United States, India and Japan would instead meet at the G7 in Japan.
• PM Narendra Modi would visit Sydney for a bilateral program.
• India and Australia are not part of the G7 group of seven rich nations but have been invited to attend the summit in Japan.
2. IAF’s LOGISEM 2023
Why in news – National Logistics Management Seminar, LOGISEM – 23, was held on May 16 2023 in New Delhi.
Key Points –
• Theme - Leverage Emerging Global Supply Chain to Enhance Logistics Capabilities While Absorbing Disruptions.
• Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, Chief of the Air Staff inaugurated the Seminar and delivered the key-note address.
IMPORTANT DAYS:
1. 47th International Museum Day 2023
Why in news – It is celebrated on May 18.
Key Points –
• Organised by - International Council of Museums (ICOM), Paris.
• Theme 2023 - Museums, Sustainability and Well-being.
2. National Dengue Day
Why in news – National Dengue Day is observed on May 16 each year.
Key Points –
• Initiative of - Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
• Theme - "Fight Dengue, Save Lives".
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Hq - Atlanta, Georgia.
About Dengue –
• Viral disease caused by the dengue virus (DENV).
• Vector borne diseases caused by infected female Aedes aegypti mosquito.
• Female Aedes aegypti also transmit yellow fever, Zika viruses, and chikungunya.
• This mosquito bites during day hours.
• No specific treatment for dengue fever exists.
• There is also a vaccine available for people aged 9-45 years old, who have had at least one incidence of dengue fever.
STATES/UTs:
1. Education Program “Pahal”
Why in news – Uttar Pradesh Chief secretary Durga Shankar Mishra inaugurated an online rural education program “Pahal”.
Key Points –
• It was launched at Government UP Sainik Inter College, Lucknow.
• Prepared by Department of secondary education and IIT Kanpur.
• Benefits - Free online education to be provided at 10 government secondary schools of the state in the initial phase.
• 'Pahal' is designed to bridge the education gap between rural and urban areas.
• PM Narendra Modi had given the mantra of Triple S (skill, scale and speed), first you learn, scale-up and then through speed benefit all the people.
2. Sikkim Statehood Day
Why in news – Sikkim celebrated its 48th State Day on 16 May 2023.
Key Points –
• It was celebrated under the Centre’s “Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat” program to promote greater cultural association between different states and UTs.
• Sikkim became the 22nd state of India on 16th May 1975 through the 36th amendment act.
About Sikkim –
• River - Rangeet, Teesta, Lhonak, Talung and Lachung. Teesta river is a tributary of Brahmaputra.
• Passes - Nathu La, Jelep La, Dingkia.
• Tribes - Limboo, Bhutia, Tamang, Lepcha.
• Protected areas - Kanchendzonga NP, Fambong Lho WLS, Singba Rhododendron WLS, Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary etc.
POINTERS:
• From India, who has addressed G7 Health Ministerial Meeting on Health Innovation in Japan - Mansukh Mandaviya.
• Which country has become India’s 3rd Largest Export Destination in FY23 after USA and UAE – Netherlands.
• Which para shuttler won 2 Gold Medals in Thailand Para Badminton International tournament - Pramod Bhagat.
• Who has become India’s 82nd Grandmaster - V. Prraneeth.
• Which Nepali sherpa became world’s second person to scale Everest 26 times - Pasang Dawa.
• Who has authored a new book titled “The Golden Years” - Ruskin Bond.
• Who has inaugurated Integrated Biological Control Laboratory in Hyderabad - Narendra Singh Tomar.
• DNA profiling of elephants as part of a census has begun in Jharkhand's which protected area - Palamau Tiger Reserve.
• Which state became the first Indian state to launch welfare fund for workers under MGNREGA – Kerala.
• First meeting of India-EU trade, technology Council held in which city – Brussels.