NATIONAL:
1. 'HANSA-NG' Aircraft
Why in News – 'HANSA-NG' aircraft successfully completed engine relight test in the air.
Key Points –
• 'HANSA-NG' is a two-seater flying trainer aircraft, designed and developed by CSIR-NAL (National Aerospace Laboratories).
• Flight conducted at DRDO's Aeronautical Test Range (ATR) facility at Challakere, Chitradurga, Karnataka.
• Flown by Wg Cdr K V Prakash and Wg Cdr NDS Reddy.
2. Cotton Council of India
Why in News – The Union Government on 18th May announced the formation of the Cotton Council of India.
Key Points –
• It would be set up under the chairmanship of renowned veteran cotton man Suresh Bhai Kotak.
• It would have representation from Textiles, Agriculture, Commerce, and Finance Ministries along with Cotton Corporation of India and Cotton Research Institute.
• 1st meeting (proposed) - 28th May 2022.
3. NIELIT Centre at Leh
Why in News – Ashwini Vaishnaw has inaugurated the National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT) Centre at Leh.
Key Points –
• Its extension centre has been opened at Kargil.
• NIELIT Leh would play a very important role to augment IT enablement in Ladakh.
4. Aurangzeb’s Tomb
Why in News – The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) shut Aurangzeb’s tomb for five days.
Key Points –
• The tomb is located in Khuldabad, Aurangabad district, Maharashtra.
• He is buried in an unmarked grave (no majestic building) at the complex of the shrine of Sheikh Zainuddin.
• Aurangzeb died in 1707 at Ahmednagar.
• After his burial, Aurangzeb was given the of "Khuld-makan" (he whose abode is in eternity).
INTERNATIONAL:
1. $40 bn in aid for Ukraine
Why in News – The U.S. Senate approved nearly $40 billion in new aid for Ukraine.
Key Points –
• The USA already approved almost $14 billion for Ukraine in mid-¬March.
• The legislation was approved by 86-11 majority.
GOVERNMENT SCHEMES:
1.’ Suposhit Maa’ Abhiyan
Why in News – Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla launched the second phase of ‘Suposhit Maa’ Abhiyan in Kota on 17th May 2022.
Key Points –
• 3000 women would be given nutrition kits for 9 months.
• Only one pregnant woman would be adopted from a family.
• To provide nutritional support to pregnant women and adolescent girls.
AWARDS & HONOURS:
1. ‘Order of the British Empire’ award
Why in News – Ajay Piramal receives honorary British award from Queen Elizabeth II.
Key Points –
• He received the ‘Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)’, for having a prominent role at the national level.
• He received the award for services to the UK-India trade relationship as India Co-Chair of the UK-India CEO Forum.
2. William E. Colby Award 2022
Why in News – Author and journalist Wesley Morgan won the William E. Colby Award for military and intelligence writing.
Key Points –
• For his book ‘The Hardest Place: The American Military Adrift in Afghanistan’s Pech Valley’.
• It is presented by Norwich University in Northfield, Vermont.
• It was established in 1999.
• Previous winners - Dexter Filkins, Karl Marlantes and Adam Higginbotham.
SUMMITS & CONFERENCES:
1. BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
Why in News – The meeting was hosted by China (Wang Yi, China’s Foreign Minister)on 19th May 2022 via video conference.
Key Points –
• It was attended by – S. Jaishankar (India), Naledi Pandor (South Africa), Carlos Alberto (Brazil), Sergey Lavrov (Russia).
• India has handed over the BRICS Chairmanship to China in January 2022.
About BRICS-
• BRICS stands for Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
• The acronym ‘BRICS’was coined in 2001 by economist Jim O'Neill.
• The 1st BRIC summit was held in Yekaterinburg, Russia.
• In Sept 2010, the BRIC group was renamed as BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) after South Africa was accepted as a full member.
• BRICS accounts for 41% of the world population, 24% of the world GDP, 16% share in world trade and 29.3% of the total land surface of the world.
• BRICS bank - New Development Bank (NDB), established in 2014 at the 6th BRICS Summit at Fortaleza, Brazil. HQ: Shanghai, China.
IMPORTANT DAYS:
1. World Bee Day 2022.
Why in News - World Bee Day is observed across the world on 20th May to recognise the importance of bees and other pollinators in the ecosystem.
Key Points –
• Theme 2022 : ‘Bee Engaged: Celebrating the diversity of bees and beekeeping systems’.
• 20th May is the birth anniversary of Slovenian beekeeper Anton Janša, the pioneer of modern beekeeping.
• It was first observed on 20th May 2018.
SPORTS:
1. IPL highest opening wicket partnership
Why in News - Quinton de Kock and KL Rahul of Lucknow Super Giants created a new IPL record with their 210 run partnership for the 1st wicket.
Key Points –
• In the 66th match of the IPL 2022 against against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).
• Venue - DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai.
• It broke the record of Jonny Bairstow and David Warner 185 runs partnership for Sunrisers Hyderabad against Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2019.
APPOINTMENTS:
1. SS Mundra
Why in News - S S Mundra has been appointed as the chairman of Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE). He replaced Justice Vikramajit Sen.
RESIGNATIONS:
1. Anil Baijal
Why in News - Lt Governor of Delhi, Anil Baijal has submitted his resignation to President Ram Nath Kovind.
Key Points –
• He was appointed LG in December 2016.
• He is a 1969 batch AGMUT cadre IAS officer.
BIHAR:
1. E-Sanjeevani Healthcare Facilities
Why in News - In just 14 months, about 13 lakh people of the state have availed health facilities through the e-Sanjeevani portal.
Key Points –
• It was started in February 2021.
• There are two types of services under e-Sanjeevani.
• Under e-Sanjeevani-In, people consult and get treated with the doctor available in the hub through the ANM in any health center.
• Under e-Sanjeevani OPD, patients connect directly with the doctor.
• 1636 doctors and 14104 spokes are connected under e-Sanjeevani In. E-Sanjeevani OPD consists of 47 doctors.
• In Saran district, 82887 people have got health benefits from e-Sanjeevani In which is the highest in the state.
2. Emergency call boxes in Patna
Why in News - In case of disaster, emergency or accident, any person would be able to directly contact the control room from where immediate facilities would be provided to the people.
Key Points –
• To be set up at 50 places in the city including Gandhi Maidan, Golghar, GPO, Kargil Chowk and Zoo among others.
• Under the Integrated Command and Control Center project, cameras (total - 2500) are being installed across the city.
• In the first phase, 500 cameras would be installed at 42 places.
• 220 km of optical fiber would be laid under the project.
3. UDISE Report 2020-21.
Why in News - According to the UDISE Report 2020-21, the number of CBSE schools has doubled in the last five years.
Key Points –
• As per the UDISE report, 10,957 schools across the state are affiliated with CBSE. only 68 schools up to class 10th and only 12 schools till class 12th across the state are affiliated with ISCE.
• Every year more than two lakh students are enrolled in class one of the private school.
4. Food processing testing center in Bihar
Why in News – Union Minister of State (MSME) Bhanu Pratap Singh Verma announced setting up of a testing center for chemical, food processing and leather industries in Bihar.
Key Points –
• It would be situated at MSME development institute, Patna.
• On 19th May, he inaugurated the Ministry of MSME development institute, Patna.
POINTERS:
• Which Union Minister has released the e-book Civil List-2022 of IAS Officers - Jitendra Singh.
• Who has chaired the 4th meeting of the National Startup Advisory Council - Piyush Goyal ji.
• According to a recent report, which country has recorded the highest number of deaths related to air pollution - India.
• Who has been re-appointed as Managing Director & CEO by Bharti Airtel Board for a period of 5 years - Gopal Vittal.
• Recently, Naveen Srivastava has become the Ambassador of India to which country - Nepal.
• Who has been recently elected to the US National Academy of Sciences - Kamal Bawa (head of ATREE).
• Which country hosted the "XV World Forestry Congress" recently - South Korea.
• Which edible oil company has announced to buy the food division of Patanjali Ayurved for Rs 690 crore - Ruchi Soya.
• India Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC)' is related to which ministry - Ministry of External Affairs.
• Which international company has recently launched cyber security skills training program in India – Microsoft