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CURRENT AFFAIRS: IMPORTANT DAYS
International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia:
- The International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia is observed on May 17, with the purpose of coordinating international events to raise awareness of LGBT rights violations and encourage interest in LGBT rights to work worldwide.
- Until now, there have been commemorations in over 130 countries.
- Despite advances, consensual same-sex partnerships remain banned in roughly 70 countries.
- Only one in every three countries protects people from discrimination based on sexual orientation, one in every ten protects people based on gender identity, and a small number protect people based on sex characteristics
HISTORY:
- The day’s concept was conceived in 2004.
- A year-long campaign culminated in the first International Day Against Homophobia on May 17, 2005.
- The International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA), the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC), the World Congress of LGBT Jews, and the Coalition of African Lesbians all signed an appeal in favour of the “IDAHO proposal”.
- Many countries took part in the festivities of the day, including the first LGBT celebrations in the Congo, China, and Bulgaria.
- The date was selected to commemorate the World Health Organization’s decision in 1990 to declassify homosexuality as a mental disorder.
Additional Info.
- The architects of the International Day Against Homophobia established the IDAHO Committee to coordinate grassroots actions in many countries, promote the day, and advocate for formal recognition on May 17.
- That day was chosen to commemorate the World Health Organization’s (WHO) decision to remove homosexuality from the International Classification of Diseases in 1990.
- In 2019, 69 nations outlawed same-sex relationships.
- Furthermore, transgender persons face criminal prosecution in 26 countries and are disproportionately exposed to violence around the world.
- IDAHOBIT is frequently used as a venue for organising actions to strengthen the campaign for LGBT+ rights in many countries, including Uganda, where homosexuality is prohibited.
World Bee Day -20th of May
- On May 20, the world celebrates World Bee Day.
- The purpose of World Bee Day is to recognise the importance of bees and other pollinators in the ecosystem.
- This year Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) will celebrate World Bee Day through a virtual event, under the theme “Bee Engaged: Celebrating the diversity of bees and beekeeping systems”
- The main goal of this day is to raise awareness about the importance of pollinators in our environment, the risks they face, and their critical role in ecosystem sustainability.
History:
- World Bee Day was established on May 20, 2018, and has been observed annually since then.
- This day marks Anton Jansa’s birth in 1734.
- She is regarded as a beekeeping pioneer.
- Slovenia’s bid to declare May 20th as World Bee Day was approved by the United Nations Member States in December 2017.
- Beekeeping is strongly ingrained in Slovenian heritage, and the country is one of the leading European countries in terms of beekeepers.
About Food and Agriculture Organization :
- Director-General: QU Dongyu
- Headquarters: Rome, Italy
- Founded: 16 October 1945.
National Endangered Species Day- 20th May
- Every year on the third Friday of May, people all over the world commemorate National Endangered Species Day.
- The day is observed on May 20 this year.
- The National Endangered Species Day theme 2022 is Recovering key species for ecosystem restoration.
- Every year the awareness campaign takes place around a theme.
- This year commemorates the 16th year of National Endangered Species Day.
- The goal of National Endangered Species Day is to educate people about conservation, ecological restoration, and biodiversity.
History of the National Endangered Species Day:
- On December 28th, to highlight the importance of wildlife conservation and restoration activities for all endangered species.
- The Endangered Species Act of 1973 was passed into law.
- David Robinson and the Endangered Species Coalition developed and launched National Endangered Species Day in
- Since 2006, the third Friday of May has been commemorated as National Endangered Species Day.
CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL NEWS
The Cotton Council of India, established by the government:
- The Union Government has announced the establishment of the Cotton Council of India, which would be led by renowned veteran cotton man Suresh Bhai Kotak.
- Textile, Agriculture, Commerce, and Finance Ministries, as well as Cotton Corporation of India and Cotton Research Institute, will be represented on the Council.
- Mr Goyal also urged the spinning and trade community to ensure a smooth supply of cotton and yarn to the local industry first.
- The government is committed to protecting the interests of cotton farmers, spinners, and weavers, and the Minister promised to actively consider the spinning sector’s demand for duty exemption on import contracts with bills of loading issued until September 30, 2022, in order to address the current cotton shortage and logistical issues.
Regarding the Cotton Council of India (CCI):
- The council will deliberate, discuss, and establish a strong action plan to bring about actual improvements in this subject.
- The statement was made during a meeting with cotton value chain stakeholders presided over by Union Textiles Minister Mr Piyush Goyal.
India’s Cotton Industry:
- Cotton yarn and fabrics account for around 23% of total textile and garment exports from India.
- In 2019-20, India produced 36.04 million bales of 170 kg cotton.
- Cotton yarn, cotton textiles, cotton made-ups, and handloom items exports totalled US$ 10.01 billion in 2019-20.
The BHARAT TAP project is unveiled during the Plumbex India Exhibition:
- Honourable Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs, Hardeep Singh Puri launched the Plumbex India Exhibition ceremony.
- He also introduced the Bharat Tap initiative, which will produce low-flow fixtures and sanitaryware to assist India in entering a new era of water conservation and sustainable growth.
- Plumbex India, a three-day event held in New Delhi’s Pragati Maidan, is the country’s largest single exposition of plumbing, water, and sanitation goods.
About Plumbex India:
- It is a public awareness campaign promoting BIS Certified Water-Efficient Plumbing Fixtures under IS 17650, Parts 1 and 2, which comprise Low Flow Sanitaryware and Sanitary Fittings that reduce water dispensation at the source and save at least 40% of water.
- Water and energy will be saved since less water will be used for pumping, transportation, and purification.
- Hardeep Singh Puri served the ‘Nirmal Jal Prayas’ at Plumbex India.
- Because it is vital to protect fossil water/underground water, NAREDCO Mahi is investigating groundwater mapping through the Nirmal Jal Prayaas.
- The ‘Nirmal Jal Prayaas’ programme by NAREDCO Mahi will distribute and emphasise water conservation advocacy, awareness, and amplification.
The Madame Tussauds Museum will open in Noida:
- Madame Tussauds’ wax museum is returning to India.
- The museum will be housed in a mall in
- The new venue will showcase 50 Indian and worldwide celebrities from sports, entertainment, history, and music.
- Visitors will be able to get up close and personal with celebrities as well as some of their most iconic moments at Madame Tussauds India.
About Madame Tussauds:
- The museum debuted in Connaught Place, Delhi, in 2017, but had to close due to the epidemic.
- The DLF Mall of India, one of the country’s largest retail malls, would be its new home.
- The museum is open to the public under strict anti-Covid regulations.
- Madame Tussauds, which first opened her doors in London in 1835, has a 200-year history and legacy.
- Madame Tussauds sculptors use the same techniques as the famed Marie Tussaud to create each figure.
- A single life-like figure takes an artist at least 12 weeks to create.
The fourth meeting of the National Startup Advisory Council was presided over by Shri Piyush Goyal:
- The 4th meeting of the National Startup Advisory Council (NSAC) was presided over by Shri Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, and Textiles.
- The Minister assured the crowd that the government will continue to support the growth of the startup ecosystem.
- He applauded the work of NSAC members and encouraged them to focus on tier 2 and tier 3 areas, where VC funding is rare.
About the Startups:
- Shri Piyush Goyal emphasised the significance of building capability and increasing awareness of the government’s many programmes to support startups in such cities.
- Members of the council have also travelled across the country, meeting with entrepreneurs and students at educational institutions to better understand and promote the startup ecosystem.
- The Council covered crucial issues of the startup ecosystem, such as retaining original promoter ownership, incorporating in India, listing in India, and establishing innovation hubs.
- Members also discussed progress on prior NSAC-discussed programmes such as the National Mentorship Program, Investor-Startup Matchmaking Portal, and Incubator Capacity Development Program.
- The Minister also announced the launch of the NavIC Grand Challenge, which will encourage the usage of NavIC as a geo-positioning system.
CURRENT AFFAIRS : STATE NEWS
Punjab Cabinet approves Rs 1,500 per acre incentive for farmers
- The Punjab Cabinet approved an incentive of Rs 1,500 per acre for farmers sowing paddy through direct seeding of rice (DSR) technique.
- The incentive scheme was approved by the Cabinet in a meeting headed by chief minister ShriBhagwant Mann.
- A total of ₹450 crore has been earmarked to provide incentive to farmers for promotion of the less water consuming and cost-effective DSR technique.
Benefits :
- The incentive will encourage farmers to adopt this DSR technique & it needs
- Far less water for irrigation (saving nearly 15-20% than the conventional puddling (kaddu) method of paddy cultivation),
- Enhancing yield of both paddy and wheat by 5-10 percent.
- The Cabinet decided to pay the financial assistance worth Rs 1,500 per acre to the farmers through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) for which Anaj Kharid portal of Punjab Mandi Board has already prepared a database of around 11 lakh farmers linked with their Aadhaar details, mobile number and bank account details.
About DSR :
- Under the DSR technique, paddy seeds are drilled into the field with the help of a machine that does seeding of rice and spray of herbicide
Other Highlights :
- The Cabinet gave approval to enhance rates of ex-gratia grant to families of martyr soldiers from Rs 50 lakh to Rs 1 crore.
- The Cabinet approved enhancement by 40 percent in amount of cash in lieu of land and cash award to distinguished services award winners (Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal winners from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 2.80 lakh, for Uttam Yudh Seva Medal winners from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 1.40 lakh, for Yudh Seva Medal winners from Rs 50,000 to Rs 70,000.), in recognition of the gallantry services of defence services personnel.
- Also, the Cabinet has decided to hire services of retired patwaris and kanungos (revenue officials) on contract basis against 1,766 regular posts of patwaris.
About Punjab :
- Governor: Banwarilal Purohit
- Chief minister: Bhagwant Mann
- Capital: Chandigarh
J&K Organizes First ever Bird Festival to promote sustainable ecotourism
- Jammu & Kashmir will soon organize the first of its kind, Bird Festival to promote sustainable ecotourism and give impetus to nature-based alternative sources of livelihood to the local people.
- The festival is being planned to be held in Pahalgam and Dachigam
- This was disclosed in a meeting of officers held here chaired by Secretary, Tourism & Culture, Mr Sarmad Hafeez.
- The festival would jointly be organized by the Tourism Department, Forests and Wildlife Departments with the support of Sanctuary Nature Foundation, a Mumbai based organization working for the preservation of birds and other wildlife.
About J&K :
- Lieutenant Governor : Manoj Sinha
- Capital : Srinagar, Jammu
CURRENT AFFAIRS: BUSINESS NEWS
WPI inflation will reach a new high of 15.08 percent in April 2022:
- Wholesale inflation in India reached a three-decade high in April, as rising commodity prices and supply-chain disruptions increased businesses’ input costs.
- In April 2022, the annual rate of inflation was 15.08 percent (Provisional), compared to 10.74 percent in April 2021.
- The WPI Food Index-based inflation rate climbed somewhat from 8.71 percent in March 2022 to 8.88 percent in April
What causes this to happen?
- The high rate of inflation in April 2022 was primarily due to an increase in the prices of mineral oils, basic metals, crude petroleum & natural gas, food articles, non-food articles, food products, and chemicals & chemical products, among other things when compared to the previous year’s corresponding month.
- Fuel costs, a major component of the increase, were up 38.66 percent year on year, compared to 34.52 percent in March.
- The Office of the Economic Adviser, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, announced wholesale pricing index statistics in India (Base Year: 2011-12) for the months of April 2022 (Provisional) and February 2022. (Final).
CURRENT AFFAIRS : BANKING & FINANCE
S&P slashes India’s Economic Growth Forecast To 7.3% FY23
- S&P Global Ratings cut India’s growth projection for the current fiscal to 7.3 percent from 7.8 percent earlier on rising inflation and the longer-than-expected Russia-Ukraine conflict.
- In December 2021, S&P had pegged India’s GDP growth in the 2022-23 fiscal, which began on April 1, 2022, at 7.8 percent & for the next fiscal the growth has been pegged at 6.5 percent.
Other Projections :
- In April 2022, the World Bank slashed India’s GDP forecast for fiscal 2022-23 to 8 percent from 8.7 percent predicted.
- The IMF has cut the projections to 8.2 percent from 9 percent.
- Asian Development Bank (ADB) has projected India’s growth at 7.5 percent.
- In April 2022, the RBI, cut its forecast to 7.2 percent from 7.8 percent amid volatile crude oil prices and supply chain disruptions due to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.
About S&P Global Ratings :
- Headquarters : New York, U.S
- Founder : Henry Varnum Poor
- S&P Global Ratings is an American credit rating agency (CRA).
CURRENT AFFAIRS : APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS
Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal resigns
- Delhi Lieutenant Governor Shri Anil Baijal has submitted his resignation to President Shri Ram Nath Kovind citing personal reasons.
About Shri Anil Baijal :
- Shri Baijal, a 1969-batch AGMUT cadre, short for Arunachal Pradesh-Goa-Mizoram and Union Territory, IAS officer.
- He has served as the Chairman of Delhi Development Authority & additional Home Secretary in the I&B Ministry & Chief Secretary of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
- He was appointed the home secretary in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government.
- Under the Congress-led UPA government, he oversaw the ₹ 60,000 crore Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission.
- He was chief of the Delhi Disaster Management Authority that spearheaded the capital’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- He has served as an advisor, on National e-Governance Advisory Group (NAG); Advisory Group for Integrated Development of Power, Coal, and Renewable Energy; Committee on implementation of Corporate Social Responsibility.
- He also had stints as the chairman and managing director of Indian Airlines, chief executive officer of Prasar Bharati Corporation, development commissioner of Goa and counsellor in charge of India’s aid programme in Nepal.
- In December 2016, he was appointed as the 21st Lieutenant Governor of Delhi after the sudden resignation of Najeeb Jung.
- The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Act, 2021, which gave primacy to the Lieutenant Governor (L-G) over the elected government in the city had come into effect in April last year after the notification of the Act by the Union Home Ministry.
About Delhi :
- Chief minister: Arvind Kejriwal
Aruna Singh takes additional charge as CMD of RailTel Corporation
- Ms Aruna Singh has taken over the additional charge of the post of Chairman & Managing Director (CMD) of RailTel Corporation of India Limited (RailTel) .
About Ms Aruna Singh :
- Ms Aruna Singh is a 1985 batch Indian Railway Service of Signal Engineers (IRSSE) officer.
- She started his career from Northern Railway zone, he has done many important assignments in various sectors and wings of Indian Railways like
- Chief Workshop Manager (CWM), Ghaziabad
- Divisional Railway Manager (DRM), Hyderabad Division, South Central Railway
- Chief Signal & Telecom Engineer (CSTE)/(Project) & Chief Communication Engineer, Northern Railway
- Principal Chief Safety Officer, North Western Railway
- Additional General Manager (AGM) of North Western Railway
- Executive Director of Railway Electrification /(S&T) in the Railway Board.
- Her contribution in green initiatives like rejuvenation of vintage open wells & water conservation measures on South Central Railway won The Minister of Railways special award.
- Presently, She is working as an Additional Member (Telecom) on the Railway Board.
About RailTel :
- Founded : September 2000
- Headquarters : New Delhi, Delhi, India
- RailTel Corporation of India Ltd. is an Indian public sector enterprise focusing on providing broadband and VPN services.
- It is under the ownership of Indian Railways, Ministry of Railways, Government of India.
CURRENT AFFAIRS : AWARDS & HONORS
KVGB won 6 awards from PFRDA
- Karnataka Vikas Grameena Bank (KVGB), has bagged 6 National Awards in different Categories for outstanding achievement under enrolment of Atal Pension Yojana (APY) from Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA).
- Mr. P Gopi Krishna, Chairman, KVGB received the Awards from Mr. Supratim Bandyopadhyay, Chairman, PFRDA in a Summit held at Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
- The Bank has enrolled (Cumulative) 264817 accounts under APY.
- In the last financial year itself (During 2021-2022) the Bank has enrolled 58603 accounts against the target of 39000.
- KVGB is playing a pivotal role in implementing all the three social security schemes (PMJJBY -Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana, PMSBY-Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana & APY-Atal Pension Yojana).
- Atal Pension Yojana is a safety net for workers in the informal sector for getting a predefined pension after 60 years of age.
About KVGB :
- Founded: 12 September 2005
- Headquarters: Dharwad, Karnataka
- Chairman : Puttaganti Gopi Krishna
- KVGB is one of the leading regional rural banks sponsored by Canara Bank Bank.
About PFRDA :
- Founded : 23 August 2003\
- Headquarters : New Delhi, Delhi, India
- Chairman : Supratim Bandyopadhyay
Journalist Wesley Morgan wins Colby award for his book ‘The Hardest Place’
- Author and journalist Mr Wesley Morgan has won the William E. Colby Award for his book titled The Hardest Place: The American Military Adrift in Afghanistan’s Pech Valley.
- Previous winners of the Colby award include Dexter Filkins, Karl Marlantes and Adam Higginbotham.
About Colby award :
- Established : 1999
- The Colby award, a $5,000 prize named for the former ambassador and CIA director.
- The award is given for a major contribution to the understanding of military history, intelligence operations or international affairs.
- The Colby Award is presented by Norwich University in Northfield, Vermont.
2022 Billboard Music Awards Winners
- The Billboard Music Awards 2022 honors the artists across genres whose music has received the most fanfare over the past year were held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
- It was hosted by Sean Diddy Combs and gave out trophies to the musicians who have achieved success via album and song sales and streams, touring, radio play and social engagement.
- Nominations across 62 categories for releases during the period dated April 10, 2021 to March 26, 2022.
- At the 2022 Billboards Music Awards, BTS created history by winning 3 out of 6 awards they were nominated for.
- Most awards won by Olivia Rodrigo (7) & Most nominations won by The Weeknd (17).
Full List of 2022 Billboard Music Awards winners :
- Top Artist – Drake
- Top New Artist – Olivia Rodrigo
- Top Male Artist – Drake
- Top Female Artist – Olivia Rodrigo
- Top Duo/Group – BTS
- Top Billboard 200 Artist – Taylor Swift
- Top Hot 100 Artist – Olivia Rodrigo
- Top Streaming Songs Artist – Olivia Rodrigo
- Top Song Sales Artist – BTS
- Top Radio Songs Artist – Olivia Rodrigo
- Top Billboard Global 2022 Artist (New) – Olivia Rodrigo
- Top Billboard Global (Excl. U.S.) Artist (New) – Ed Sheeran
- Top Tour – The Rolling Stones (No Filter Tour)
- Top R&B Artist – Doja Cat
- Top R&B Male Artist – The Weekend
- Top R&B Female Artist – Doja Cat
- Top R&B Tour – Bruno Mars (Bruno Mars at Park MGM)
- Top Rap Artist – Drake
- Top Rap Male Artist – Drake
- Top Rap Female Artist – Megan Thee Stallion
- Top Rap Tour – Omarion & Bow Wow (The Millenium Tour 2021)
- Top Country Artist – Taylor Swift
- Top Country Male Artist – Morgan Wallen
- Top Country Female Artist – Taylor Swift
- Top Country Duo/Group – Dan +Shay
- Top Country Tour – Eric Church
- Top Rock Artist- Glass Animals
- Top Rock Tour- The Rolling Stones (No Filter Tour)
- Top Latin Artist – Bad Bunny
- Top Latin Male Artist – Bad Bunny
- Top Latin Female Artist- Kali Uchis
- Top Latin Duo/Group – Eslabon Armado
- Top Latin Tour – Los Bukis
- Top Dance/Electronic Artist – Lady gaga
- Top Christian Artist – Ye
- Top Gospel Artist – Ye
- Top Billboard 200 Album – Olivia Rodrigo, SOUR
- Top Soundtrack – Encanto
- Top R&B Album – Doja Cat, Planet Her
- Top Rap Album – Drake, Certified Lover Boy
- Top Country Album – Taylor Swift, Red (Taylors version)
- Top Rock Album – Twenty one pilots, Scaled and Icy
- Top Latin Album – Karol G, KG0516
- Top Dance/Electronic Album – Illenium, Fallen Embers
- Top Christian Album – Ye, Donda
- Top Gospel Album – Ye, Donda
- Top Hot 100 Song – The Kid LAROI & Justin Beiber, Stay
- Top Streaming Song – The Kid LAROI & Justin Beiber, Stay
- Top Selling Song – BTS, Butter
- Top Radio Song – Dua Lipa, Levitating
- Top Collaboration – The Kid LAROI & Justin Beiber, Stay
- Top Billboard Global 200 Song – The Kid LAROI & Justin Beiber, Stay
- Top Billboard Global (Excel. U.S.) Song (New) – The Kid LAROI & Justin Beiber, Stay
- Top Viral Song – Doja Cat ft. SZA, Kiss Me More
- Top R&B Song – Silk Iconic (Bruno Mars, Anderson.Paak), Leave the Door Open
- Top rap Song – Lil Nas X ft. Jack Harlow, Industry Baby
- Top Country Song – Walker Hayes, fancy Like
- Top Rock Song – Maneskin, Beggin
- Top Latin Song – Kali Uchis, telepatia
- Top Dance/Electronic Song – Elton John & Dua Lipa, Cold Heart-PNAU Remix
- Top Christian Song – Ye, Hurricane
- Top Gospel Song – Ye, Hurricane
CURRENT AFFAIRS : ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS
CCI approves acquisitions by Sanoti Properties LLP of shareholding in Magma HDI & by Serum Institute Life Sciences-Biocon Biologics deal
- The Competition Commission of India (CCI) approved acquisitions of a majority stake in Magma HDI General Insurance Company Ltd by Sanoti Properties LLP & proposed deal Covidshield Technologies Pvt Ltd (CTPL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Serum Institute of Life Sciences, will be merged into Biocon Biologics Limited.
Key Highlights :
- Under Section 31(1) of the Competition Act, 2002, acquisition of 55.39 percent of the total equity share capital of Magma HDI General Insurance Company Limited by Sanoti Properties LLP has been approved.
- The deal involves buying shares of Magma HDI held by certain shareholders Poonawalla Fincorp Ltd and Serum Institute of India Pvt Ltd.
- The proposed combination is being undertaken in order to ensure compliance with the mandatory regulations of the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI).
- Under this acquisition, Serum Institute Life Sciences Pvt Ltd will have about 15 percent stake in Biocon Biologics Ltd.
About Biocon Biologics Ltd :
- Headquarters : Bangalore, Karnataka
- MD : Arun Chandavarkar
- Biocon Biologics Ltd is a subsidiary of Biocon Ltd.
- It offers treatment for chronic and acute diseases such as diabetes, oncology, nephrology, cancer, and autoimmune diseases.
About CTPL :
- Founded: 2019
- Directors : Tushar Vijay Modak, Saurabh Lakshman Prabhudesai and Adar Cyrus Poonawalla
- Parent organization: Serum Institute Life Sciences Pvt. Ltd.
- CTPL was incorporated to undertake the business of marketing, selling and distributing vaccines, drugs and other pharmaceutical products.
About CCI :
- Established : 14 October 2003
- Headquarters : New Delhi, Delhi, India
- Chairman : Ashok Kumar Gupta
- First Chairman : Dhanendra Kumar
- Secretary : P K Singh
- CCI is the chief national competition regulator in India.
- It is a statutory body within the Ministry of Corporate Affairs and is responsible for enforcing the Competition Act, 2002.
CURRENT AFFAIRS : DEFENCE NEWS
NAL’s HANSA-NG aircraft successfully completed engine relight
- The new generation two-seater flying trainer aircraft, HANSA-NG designed and developed by Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)-National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL), successfully completed in-flight engine relight test at the aeronautical test range (ATR) facility of Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) at Challakere in Chitradurga district, Karnataka.
- The aircraft had completed the sea level trials in Puducherry from February 19 to March 5.
About the Flight test :
- The Flight test was carried out at an altitude of 7,000-8,000 feet with the speed range of 60 to 70 knots by Wg Cdr K V Prakash and Wg Cdr NDS Reddy, Test Pilots from Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment (ASTE), Indian Air force (IAF).
- The aircraft handling characteristics and flight parameters were found to be normal during these test flights.
- The in-flight engine relight test is the most critical and important milestone towards certification of an aircraft by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
- The flight tests were monitored by Abbani Rinku, project director of HANSA along with the design team of CSIR-NAL and flight test crew from ASTE wing commander Senthil Kumar, flight test director, Squadron leader Sahil Sarin, safety pilot and Group Captain M Rangachari, chief test pilot.
About HANSA-NG :
- HANSA-NG is the new generation two-seater flying trainer aircraft.
- It is designed to meet the Indian flying club needs and it is an ideal aircraft for commercial pilot licensing due to its low cost and fuel consumption.
Features of HANSA-NG :
- Glass cockpit with cabin comfort
- Highly efficient digitally controlled engine
- Electrically operated flaps
- Long endurance
- composite lightweight airframe
About NAL :
- Established : 1 June 1959
- Director : Jitendra J Jadhav
- Located at : Bangalore, Karnataka
- National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL), is India’s first & largest aerospace research firm.
- It was established by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) at Delhi .
About CSIR :
- Established : 26 September 1942
- President : Prime Minister of India ( Shri Narendra Modi)
- Director General : Dr. Rajesh S. Gokhale
- CSIR is funded by the Ministry of Science and Technology, it operates as an autonomous body through the Societies Registration Act, 1860.
U.S. Air Force conducts hypersonic weapon test
- The US Air Force had conducted a successful test of a hypersonic weapon, which flew at five times the speed of sound.
- The Air Force stated that a B-52H Stratofortress bomber launched an AGM-183A Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon (ARRW) off the coast of Southern California.
- The 419th Flight Test Squadron and the Global Power Bomber Combined Test, both headquartered at Edwards Air Force Base in California, conducted the test.
- The ARRW was developed by Lockheed Martin to destroy flexible, time-sensitive targets in combat situations.
- The weapon will increase precision-strike capabilities by enabling fast response strikes against heavily defended ground targets.
- Following separation from the aircraft, the ARRWs booster ignited and burned for expected duration, achieving hypersonic speeds five times greater than the speed of sound.
CURRENT AFFAIRS : SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
NASA warns of giant 1,600-feet asteroid heading towards earth
- According to the American space agency National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), has stated that a giant space rock Asteroid 388945 (2008 TZ3) 1,608 feet wide would make a close approach to earth.
- The asteroid would pass us from a distance of about 5 million miles away.
- This is not the first time that Asteroid 388945 will be visiting us, as it passed very close to Earth in May 2020 at a distance of 1.7 million miles.
- As per the scientists, the space rock routinely passes the Earth every two years, while orbiting the sun.
- To protect the Earth from the potentially hazardous asteroids, US Space Agency NASA recently launched its Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) mission.
Aim of DART Mission :
- To deflect an asteroid heading towards Earth from its path through kinetic impact, meaning that the DART craft will collide with the asteroid with an aim to move it off course.
What is an asteroid?
- Asteroids are the space debris & they are the remains of the planets that keep rotating in the vast infinite universe.
About NASA :
- Founded: 29 July 1958
- Headquarters: Washington, D.C., United States
- Administrator : Bill Nelson
CURRENT AFFAIRS : RANKS & REPORTS
UN lists Pakistan among 23 drought-hit countries
- According to the United Nations Global Land Outlook report, released by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), Pakistan is one of 23 nations that have experienced drought in the past two years (2020-2022).
- The report was released ahead of the UN Desertification and Drought Day on June 17, 2022.
- The highest total number of humans affected by drought was in Asia.
- Apart from Pakistan, Other 22 countries listed in this UN report include Afghanistan, Angola, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Chile, Ethiopia, Iran, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Lesotho, Mali, Mauritania, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Niger, Somalia, South Sudan, Syria, US, Zambia.
Key Highlights :
- By 2050, an additional 4 million square kilometers of natural areas, equivalent to the size of India and Pakistan, would require drought restoration measures.
- Upto 40 percent of the planet’s land is degraded, which directly affects half of humanity, threatening roughly half of the global GDP worth USD 44 trillion.
- Poor rural communities, smallholder farmers, women, youth, indigenous peoples, and other at-risk groups are disproportionately affected by desertification, land degradation, and drought.
- The report warned that if current land degradation trends continue, food supply disruptions, forced migration, rapid biodiversity loss and species extinctions will increase, accompanied by a higher risk of zoonotic diseases like COVID-19, declining human health, and land resource conflicts.
About UN Desertification and Drought Day 2022 :
- Theme of 2022 Desertification and Drought Day Rising up from drought together.
- The global observance of the event will take place in Madrid, Spain.
About UNCCD :
- Established : 1994
- The UNCCD is the only legally binding framework set up to address desertification and the effects of drought.
- There are 197 Parties to the Convention, including 196 country Parties and the European Union.
CURRENT AFFAIRS: BOOKS AND AUTHOR
Preeti Shenoy’s new novel, ‘A Place Called Home,’ will be published by HarperCollins India:
- Bestselling novelist Preeti Shenoy is scheduled to release a new novel titled “A Place Called Home,” which is set at a coffee estate in Sakleshpur, Karnataka, and has a strong female protagonist.
- The new book is about secrets, family, and discovering oneself.
- The book will be launched in June 2022 by HarperCollins Publishers India.
About Preeti Shenoy
- Preeti Shenoy is the author of about 15 novels, including The Magic Mindset, When Love Came Calling, Wake Up Life is Calling, Life is What You Make It, The Rule Breakers, and A Hundred Little Flames.
- Her novels have also been translated into a number of Indian languages as well as Turkish.
Daily CA on May 21 :
- The International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia is observed on May 17, with the purpose of coordinating international events to raise awareness of LGBT rights violations and encourage interest in LGBT rights to work worldwide.
- On May 20, the world celebrates World Bee Day.
- Every year on the third Friday of May, people all over the world commemorate National Endangered Species Day.
- The Union Government has announced the establishment of the Cotton Council of India, which would be led by renowned veteran cotton man Suresh Bhai Kotak.
- Honourable Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs, Hardeep Singh Puri launched the Plumbex India Exhibition ceremony.
- Madame Tussauds’ wax museum is returning to India.
- The 4th meeting of the National Startup Advisory Council (NSAC) was presided over by Shri Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, and Textiles.
- Wholesale inflation in India reached a three-decade high in April, as rising commodity prices and supply-chain disruptions increased businesses’ input costs.
- Jammu & Kashmir will soon organize the first of its kind, Bird Festival to promote sustainable ecotourism and give impetus to nature-based alternative sources of livelihood to the local people.
- S&P Global Ratings cut India’s growth projection for the current fiscal to 7.3 percent from 7.8 percent earlier on rising inflation and the longer-than-expected Russia-Ukraine conflict.
- Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal has submitted his resignation to President Ram Nath Kovind citing personal reasons.
- Aruna Singh has taken over the additional charge of the post of Chairman & Managing Director (CMD) of RailTel Corporation of India Limited (RailTel) .
- Karnataka Vikas Grameena Bank (KVGB), has bagged 6 National Awards in different Categories for outstanding achievement under enrolment of Atal Pension Yojana (APY) from Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA).
- Author and journalist Wesley Morgan has won the William E. Colby Award for his book titled The Hardest Place: The American Military Adrift in Afghanistan’s Pech Valley.
- The Billboard Music Awards 2022 honors the artists across genres whose music has received the most fanfare over the past year were held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas & at the 2022 Billboards Music Awards, BTS created history by winning 3 out of 6 awards they were nominated for & Most awards won by Olivia Rodrigo (7) & Most nominations won by The Weeknd (17)
- The Competition Commission of India (CCI) approved acquisitions of a majority stake in Magma HDI General Insurance Company Ltd by Sanoti Properties LLP & proposed deal Covidshield Technologies Pvt Ltd (CTPL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Serum Institute of Life Sciences, will be merged into Biocon Biologics Limited.
- The new generation two-seater flying trainer aircraft, HANSA-NG designed and developed by Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)-National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL), successfully completed in-flight engine relight test at the aeronautical test range (ATR) facility of Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) at Challakere in Chitradurga district, Karnataka.
- The US Air Force had conducted a successful test of a hypersonic weapon, which flew at five times the speed of sound.
- According to the American space agency National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), has stated that a giant space rock Asteroid 388945 (2008 TZ3) 1,608 feet wide would make a close approach to earth.
- According to the United Nations Global Land Outlook report, released by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), Pakistan is one of 23 nations that have experienced drought in the past two years (2020-2022).
- The Punjab Cabinet approved an incentive of Rs 1,500 per acre for farmers sowing paddy through direct seeding of rice (DSR) technique.
- Bestselling novelist Preeti Shenoy is scheduled to release a new novel titled “A Place Called Home,” which is set at a coffee estate in Sakleshpur, Karnataka, and has a strong female protagonist.