NATIONAL:
1.Indus Water Treaty (IWT)
Why in news – The 118th bilateral meeting of the Permanent Indus Commission held between India and Pakistan in New Delhi on 30-31st May 2022.
Key Points –
• Indus Commissioner - Syed Mehr Ali Shah (Pakistan), AK Pal (India).
• New issues in IWT –
A. Pakal Dul (1,000 MW) on Marusudar river, a tributary of the Chenab River.
B. Lower Kalnai (48 MW) on Lower Kalnai Nalla,a tributary of Chenab river.
C. Kiru project (624 MW) on Chenab river.
About IWT –
• Signed between then PM JL Nehru and Pak President Ayub Khan on 19th September 1960 in Karachi.
• Brokered by the World Bank.
• Eastern rivers i.e., Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi (33 million acre feet) is allocated to India for unrestricted use.
• Western rivers i.e., Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab (33 million acre feet) is allocated largely to Pakistan.
• India is allowed to use 20% water of the western rivers for irrigation, power generation and transport purposes.
2. Biotech Park
Why in news – North India's first Industrial Biotech Park inaugurated at Kathua in J&K.
Key Points –
• Inaugurated by Jitendra Singh on 28th May, 2022.
• It has more than 3500 medicinal plant species and can produce 25 startups in a year.
• Another Biotech Park at Handwara (Kupwara) is under construction.
INTERNATIONAL:
1. UK’s New VISA Policy
Why in news – The United Kingdom to offer work visas to graduates from world's top universities.
Key Points –
• Visa name - High Potential Individual (HPI) visa.
• To attract the ‘best and brightest’ talent from around the world.
• Applicable to top 50 universities identified from ‘QS’, ‘Times Higher Education’ and the ‘Academic Ranking of World Universities’.
2. First Movers Coalition
Why in news – India joined a global public-private partnership initiative called the First Movers Coalition.
Key Points –
• It was launched by Joe Biden and the World Economic Forum (WEF) at COP26 Glasgow.
• India, Japan, and Sweden also joined the steering board of the First Movers Coalition.
• It aims to decarbonize the most carbon-intensive sectors such as the heavy industry and transport sectors.
IMPORTANT DAYS:
1. Hindi Journalism Day
Why in news – It is celebrated every year on 30th May to commemorate the India's 1st Hindi newspaper 'Udant Martand'.
Key Points –
• 'Udant Martand' (30th May,1826) - Published from Kolkata, started by Pandit Jugal Kishore Shukla, closed on 4th December, 1827.
2. World No Tobacco Day
Why in news – It is observed on 31st May globally.
Key Points –
• Theme - Tobacco: Threat to our environment
• In 1988, WHA passed resolution WHA42.19 the day every year on 31st May.
ENVIRONMENT:
1. India’s first Wind-Solar Hybrid Power Plant
Why in news – Adani Hybrid Energy Jaisalmer One Limited (AHEJOL), a subsidiary of Adani Green has commissioned a 390 MW wind-solar hybrid power plant at Jaisalmer in Rajasthan.
Key Points –
• Adani Green now has an operational capacity of 5.8 GW.
• MD and CEO of Adani Green - Vneet S Jaain.
AWARDS & HONOURS:
1. Cannes Film Festival 2022
Why in news – The 75th edition of the Cannes Film Festival came to a glittering close on 28th May 2022.
Key Points –
• Jury headed by Vincent Lindon. (Only Indian - Deepika Padukone).
• Awards –
A. Palme d’Or - Triangle of Sadness.
B. Grand Prix - Stars at Noon.
C. Jury Prize – Eo.
D. Jury Special Award (documentary) - Mariupolis 2
E. L’Oeil d’Or - All That Breathes.
RANKS & INDICES:
1. Fortune 500 List
Why in news – As per Fortune 500 list, Elon Musk, was the highest-paid ($23.5 billion) CEO in 2021.
Key Points –
• It evaluated the pay packages of 280 Fortune 500 CEOs.
• Top 3 - Elon Musk (Tesla, USD 23.5 Billion) > Tim Cook (Apple, USD 770.5 Million) > Jensen Huang (NVIDIA, USD 561 Million).
BIHAR:
1.Gold Reserve in Bihar
Why in news – Geological Survey of India has stated that a gold reserve of around 222.88 million tonnes are present in Jamui district of Bihar.
Key Points –
• It is being called as India's largest gold reserve.
• Area - Karmatia, Jhajha and Sono in Jamui district.
• It accounts for 44% of the total gold reserves in the country.
2. Bihar’s Longest Elevated Road
Why in news – The elevated road would be constructed between Kachchi Dargah of Patna to Anisabad.
Key Points –
• Length – 15 km, 4-lane road, to be built on NH-30.
• It would replace the Raxaul-Sonvarsha bypass (provision Rs 1500 crore).
3. Reduction in crime against women in Bihar
Why in news – The Police headquarters has claimed this based on the number of cases registered in Jan, Feb and Mar 2022 (compared to the first 3 months 2021).
Key Points –
• Recorded 10-34% reduction in incidents like rape, molestation, dowry harassment etc.
• Also, a decline in the number of cases registered under the POCSO Act. (Jan, Feb, Mar 2021 -396 cases, 2022 – 342 cases).
4. New Film Development and Promotion Policy
Why in news – A meeting was on 30th May under the chairmanship of Bihar Chief Secretary Amir Subhani on this matter.
Key Points –
• The Art, Culture and Youth department has been entrusted to finalize the new Film Development and Promotion Policy. (Earlier - Tourism department).
• A film city project is underway at Rajgir in Nalanda.
5. Bihar labourers on e-Shram Portal
Why in news – According to e-shram portal data, half of the workers of Bihar are earning their livelihood from agriculture in the unorganized sector.
Key Points –
• 2,82,00,000 workers have been registered. Out of this, 1,39,00,000 i.e., 49.52% of workers are associated with farming work.
• Sector-wise registration (in Lakh) - Agriculture (139.95) > Domestic work (41.66) > Construction (28.01) > Miscellaneous (10.01) > Electronics (5.66).
• 65.23% are in the age group of 18 to 40 years. 19.92% are 40 to 50 years and 10.79% are over 50 years old.
• The government has set a target of registering 3.5 crore workers.
6.Committee for New Education Policy
Why in news – To implement New Education Policy in Bihar, the Education department has constituted a state level steering committee.
Key Points –
• The State Project Director of Bihar Education Project is made convener of the committee.
• Special invitees – Sudha Varghese (Padma shree), Pallava Kumar, Pramila Maohar etc.
• Dipak Kumar Singh would participate in a conference wrt New Education Policy 2020 to be held in Gandhi Nagar, Gujarat.
7. Eklavya Center
Why in news – Eklavya Centers, meant for preparation of the Olympics, could not be opened in five districts of Bihar.
Key Points –
• Begusarai (Wrestling), Aurangabad (Kabaddi), Banka (Archery), Bhojpur (Archery) and Madhepura (Athletics) were to be opened.
• Functional – Sitamarhi (Kabaddi), Bhagalpur (Archery).
• In Eklavya Centers, children of 12 to 14 years take training.
POINTERS:
• Justice Pradeep Kumar Mohanty has been given the additional charge of the head of which institution - Lokpal.
• Who has recently won the International Panorama Golden Award - K. V. Raghupati.
• Who has constituted an inter-ministerial panel to regulate the online gaming industry - Central Government.
• Which organization has recently released ‘State of the Global Climate Report 2021’ - By the World Meteorological Organization.
• Who has laid the foundation stone of the new International Sports Complex in Ahmedabad - Home Minister Amit Shah.
• BOB Financial and who has recently launched a co-branded contactless RuPay credit card - HPCL.
• Which international organization has released its 8th report titled 'Monitor on the World of Work' on the global labor market - International Labor Organization (ILO).
• Which has become the first Indian public sector gas producer to trade domestic gas on the Indian Gas Exchange (IGX) - ONGC, New Delhi.
• Which state government has launched 'Sambhav portal' to hear the complaints of electricity consumers - Uttar Pradesh.
• Which has become the first state in India to form a 'Drone Force' to rescue the people trapped in the disaster – Uttarakhand.