NATIONAL:
1. Supreme Court 'frees' Perarivalan
Why in news - The Supreme Court has ordered the release of AG Perarivalan, one of the life convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case 1991.
Key Points –
• In 1998, he was given a death sentence, but it was later commuted (Article 72).
• He was a supporter of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). LTTE was defeated by Sri Lankan troops in 2009.
• Article 142 has been invoked to grant relief to Perarivalan.
• Article 142 provides a unique power to the Supreme Court to do ‘complete justice’ between the parties.
• Also, SC used its power under Article 142 in the Union Carbide case (1984) and Ayodhya Ram Mandir’s verdict (2019).
• Former PM Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated in a suicide bombing in Sriperumbudur, TN on 21st May 1991.
2. Ethanol blending in petrol
Why in news – Government approved to advance the date to increase the percentage of ethanol in petrol to 20% to 2025 from 2030.
Key Points –
• It would take effect from 1st April, 2023.
• 20% blending by 2025 could save ₹30,000 crores of foreign exchange per year.
• India achieved 9.45% blending as on 13th March, 2022.
National Policy on Biofuels, 2018
• It aims 20% blending of ethanol in petrol and 5% blending of biodiesel in diesel by 2030.
• Ethanol is obtained from Sugarcane Juice, Sugar Beet, Sweet Sorghum, Corn, Cassava, Damaged food grains like wheat, broken rice and rotten potatoes.
3. Battery-operated locomotive ‘Navdoot’
Why in news – West Central Railway (WCR) has developed a battery-operated dual-mode locomotive named Navdoot.
Key Points –
• It runs on both modes i.e., battery and electricity.
• It has received the ‘Best Innovation Award’ from the Railway Board.
• It has been developed by the Electric Department of New Katni Junction.
• This e-engine can pull 18 coaches at a speed of 30 kmph.
INTERNATIONAL:
1. India-Jamaica Relations
Why in news – President Ram Nath Kovind inaugurated an ‘India-Jamaica Friendship Garden’ on 17th May at the Hope Gardens, Jamaica.
Key Points –
• President Kovind was on a four-day visit to Jamaica. It is the first-ever visit by an Indian President to Jamaica.
• He also inaugurated ‘Dr. BR Ambedkar Avenue’, a road named after BR Ambedkar in Downtown Kingston.
2. India becomes 4th largest vehicle market
Why in news – According to Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d’Automobiles (OICA) report, India has surpassed Germany to become the 4th largest vehicle market in the world.
Key Points –
• India sold 3,759,398 vehicles in 2021 as compared to 2,973,319 vehicles in Germany.
• This is almost 26% of growth and the only country to register double-digit growth among the top 5 countries.
• India is expected to become the third-largest Vehicle market by 2025.
• China (1st), US (2nd) and Japan (3rd).
IMPORTANT DAYS:
1. World Telecommunication Day 2022
Why in news – It is celebrated every year on 17th May to highlight the critical role of these technologies.
Key Points –
• Theme - Digital technologies for older persons and healthy ageing.
• First World Telecommunication Day was celebrated in 2005.
• International Telecommunication Union (ITU) was established on 17th May, 1865.
2. HIV Vaccine Awareness Day 2022
Why in news – It is annually observed across the globe on the 18th May to recognise the effort of volunteers, health professionals and scientists to develop a vaccine to prevent HIV.
Key Points –
• The first-ever HIV Vaccine Awareness Day was observed on 18th May 1998.
• It was conceptualised by former United States President Bill Clinton on 18th May 1997.
AWARDS:
1. Wangari Maathai Forest Champions’ Award 2022
Why in news – Cameroon Activist, Cécile Ndjebet has won the 2022 Wangari Maathai Forest Champions Award for her outstanding contribution in preserving forests.
Key Points –
• It was presented during 15th World Forestry Congress in Seoul, South Korea by the Collaborative Partnership on Forests (CPF).
• The award was established in 2012 in memory of Kenyan environmentalist and Nobel Peace Prize winner Prof. Wangari Maathai.
APPOINTMENTS:
1. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud
Why in news – Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has been elected as president in Somalia.
Key Points –
• He is the first person to be elected as president of Somalia twice.
• He defeated Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed (Farmajo).
• He belongs to Union for Peace and Development Party.
2. S N Subrahmanyan
Why in news – S N Subrahmanyan appointed as MD and CEO of Larsen & Toubro (L&T).
Key Points –
• He would replace A.M. Naik as the CEO of the company.
• L&T is an Indian multinational conglomerate headquartered in Mumbai with interests in engineering, construction and financial services.
• It is one of the top five construction firms in the world.
REPORTS:
1. Migration and Development Brief 36
Why in news - The World Bank (WB) has released a report titled ‘Migration and Development Brief 36’.
Key Points –
• India is the largest remittance-receiving country in 2021 with $89.4 billion ($82.73 billion in 2020).
• For India, remittances accounted for 3% of GDP in 2021.
• Mexico (2nd), China (3rd), Philippines (4th) and Egypt (5th).
• The region of South Asia saw a 7% gain in remittances to $157 billion in 2021.
SPORTS:
1. Summer Deaflympics 2021
Why in news - The 24th edition of 2021 Summer Deaflympics concluded at Caxias do Sul, Brazil, from 1st May to 15th May 2022.
Key Points –
• For the first time the Games held in a Latin American country.
• Motto – ‘Sports comes from our hearts’.
• Mascot – Nino (meaning priceless).
• Deaflympics 2022 - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (20-30 October 2022).
• Russian and Belarussian athletes were barred from competing in Caxias do Sul,Brazil.
• Medal table –
• The first edition of the Deaflympics was held in Paris in 1924.
India at Deaflympics 2021
• It was India’s largest and youngest contingent of 65 athletes competing in 11 sports disciplines.
• India has won a total 17 medals. (Gold 8, Silver 1, Bronze 8).
STATES:
1. SRESTHA-Gujarat Project
Why in news - The World Bank has approved USD 350 million funding for the Systems Reform Endeavour for Transformed Health Achievement in Gujarat (SRESTHA-G).
Key Points –
• The project envisages the transformation of key health delivery systems in Gujarat.
• Gujarat is implementing the programme with the help of Health and Family Welfare Department (HFWD).
2. Punjab launched ‘Lok Milni’.
Why in news - Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann has launched ‘lok milni’ (public interaction) program for on-the-spot redressal of the people’s grievances.
BIHAR:
1. Rabindranath Thakur
Why in news - Maithili's great singer and poet Rabindra Nath Thakur passed away on 18th May 2022. He was 86 years old.
Key Points –
• He belonged to Dhamdaha, Purnia district.
• The famous litterateur Baba Nagarjuna gave the title ‘Abhinav Vidyapati’.
• He also held the post of Director cum Secretary, Maithili Academy, set up by the Government of Bihar.
• He was awarded ‘Prabodh Sahitya Samman’, ‘Mithila Ratna Samman’ and ‘Mithila Vibhuti’.
• His famous songs include 'Bhari Nagri Mein Shor, Baua Mami Tohar Gor, Mamma Chan Sun'.
• Rabindranath Thakur wrote and directed the Hindi cinema 'Ayurveda Ki Amar Kahani'.
2. Logistics Park in Bihar
Why in news – The government is preparing a logistics policy which will help in the development of industry and business in the state.
Key Points –
• Proposed sites – Raxaul, Bihta and Fatuha.
• Raxaul has an inland port, connectivity to Nepal and the proposed expressway from Raxaul to Haldia.
• The logistic park has cold storage and other facilities for storing food and other items.
3. Filmcity in Bihar
Why in news – Land acquisition for film city in Neema village of Rajgir has been completed.
Key Points –
• Land acquired – 20 acres.
• About Rs 142 crore would be spent.
4. MLA Tejashwi Yadav to deliver speech in London
Why in news –Tejashwi Yadav has reached London to participate in discussions to be held at the conference and Cambridge campus.
Key Points –
• He has been called in the role of speaker in these programs.
• He will deliver speech on the topic 'The future of opposition politics in India'.
• The conference is being organized by SBF and Breeze India from 18th to 20 May.
• Hero Cycles MD Pankaj Munjal, CPI-M General Secretary Sitaram Yechury, RJD National Spokesperson MP Manoj Jha, Go Daddy India MD Nikhil Aoda, Telangana Minister KT Rama Rao and former Union Minister Salman Khurshid will also attend the conference.
• Delegates from 10 countries will attend this conference.
5. Korean-style Buddhist temple to open in Bodhgaya
Why in news – A new Korean Buddhist temple called Bunhwang-sa will open on 21st May 2022 in Bodh Gaya, India.
Key Points –
• A delegation of 150 monks from the Jogye Order(South Korea’s largest Buddhist order) plan to attend the opening ceremony.
• To be inaugurated by Ven. Wonhaeng (president of the Jogye Order).
• The temple is part of the Jogye Order’s ‘One Million Vows Assembly’ initiative.
• The project was launched in 2019 when two female Buddhists, Salmae and Yeonchui, donated 5 billion won ($3.9 million).
• The temple will have a total floor area of 3,305 square meters.
6. Training given to implement the Transgender Protection of Rights Act in Patna.
Why in news – Capacity building program was offered for effective implementation of rights of transgenders.
Key Points –
• Officers and workers were trained under the aegis of the National Institute of Social Defence and Directorate of Public Education, Department of Education, Bihar.
• The training session was started by Dr. R. Giriraj.
POINTERS:
• Who has been named as the new non-executive chairman of Gram Unnati Board - Sunil Arora.
• Who has recently been awarded ‘Commander of the Order of the British Empire Award’ - Ajay Piramal.
• Which state's women's hockey team has won the ‘Hockey India Senior Women's National Championship’ - Odisha.
• Which country has recently hosted the SCO-RATS (Shanghai Cooperation Organization–Council of Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure) – India.
• Who has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer by the Oil Enfield automaker - B Govindarajan.
• Which union minister has launched a mental health helpline - Arjun Ram Meghwal.
• Which state/UT has recently topped the India Press Freedom Report 2021 – Jammu and Kashmir.
• Who has recently become the second female Prime Minister of France – Elizabeth Bourne.
• Recently which tiger reserve has been given the Tx2 award 2022 for doubling the tiger population- Satyamangalam Tiger Reserve.
• Which ministry has started the Yoga Festival at Red Fort in Delhi – Ministry of AYUSH.