1 Elina Svitolina of Ukraine won the women’s singles title at the Italian Open.
In tennis , Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina won the Italian Open women ‘s singles title . Seventh-seeded Elina defeated Coco Gauff of the United States in the final . In the men’s final, Italy’s Jannik Sinner will face Norway’s Casper Ruud. The match will begin at 8:30 PM IST.
2 Nepalese mountaineer Kami Rita Sherpa created history by climbing Mount Everest for the 32nd time.
Nepali mountaineer Kami Rita Sherpa has created history by climbing Mount Everest for the 32nd time . 56-year-old Kami Rita is the Sherpa who has climbed Everest the most number of times . Born in Solukhumbu district of Koshi province of Nepal, Kami Rita first climbed Everest in 1994. Meanwhile, Lhakpa Sherpa, popularly known as the ‘ Mountain Queen ‘ , has also maintained her record of being the first Nepali woman to successfully climb Everest for the 11th consecutive time .
3 British actor David Burke passes away
British actor David Burke, who played Dr. John Watson in the classic TV series The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, passed away on May 16. He was 91 years old. David began his acting career in British theatre during the 1950s-1960s. David performed most notably in Shakespeare plays. In addition to Sherlock Holmes, David played Joseph Stalin in ‘Reilly, Ace of Spies’ in 1983. In 1984, he played Dr. John Watson in the TV show Sherlock Holmes alongside Jeremy Brett.
4 Sweden honoured PM Modi with the Royal Order of the Polar Star Commander Grand Cross.
Sweden honored Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the Royal Order of the Polar Star, Commander Grand Cross . Sweden’s Royal Order of the Polar Star, Commander Grand Cross , is the highest honor bestowed on a head of state . This is the 31st global honor received by Prime Minister Narendra Modi . Bilateral talks were also held between Prime Minister Modi and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson during the visit.
5 17 important agreements signed during PM Modi’s visit to the Netherlands
During Prime Minister Narendra Modi ‘s visit to the Netherlands, 17 key agreements and documents were signed to strengthen strategic, economic, technical, and cultural cooperation between India and the Netherlands . These agreements cover key areas such as semiconductors, water management, green energy, education, health, agriculture, and migration . The two countries agreed on the ” India-Netherlands Strategic Partnership Roadmap 2026-2030 .” This comprehensive document will set the direction for bilateral cooperation in the coming years and provide new impetus to trade, technology, and global partnerships. A letter of intent was issued between India’s Ministry of Water Power and the Netherlands’ Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management on technical cooperation for the Kalpasar Project in Gujarat . Additionally, several joint agreements and working groups were established on green hydrogen cooperation, renewable energy, and energy conversion projects. An agreement was reached to establish an Indo-Dutch Center of Excellence for Floriculture in West Tripura . An Indo-Dutch Center of Excellence for Dairy Training will be established at the Animal Husbandry Center of Excellence in Bengaluru . A joint declaration was also issued between the two countries for cooperation in animal husbandry and dairying. A letter of intent was signed between the Indian Council of Medical Research and the Netherlands Institute of Public Health and Environment for cooperation in the health sector. A memorandum of understanding was also reached between the two countries for cooperation in higher education. An agreement on academic cooperation was signed between Nalanda University and the University of Groningen . A memorandum of understanding was also signed between Leiden University Libraries and the Archaeological Survey of India . India and the Netherlands also reached an agreement on mutual administrative assistance in customs matters , which will help make trade processes more streamlined and transparent. During the visit, an agreement was reached to return copper plates from the Chola dynasty to India . A memorandum of understanding was signed between Tata Electronics and ASML to support a semiconductor fab in Dholera, Gujarat .
6 India’s first satellite-tagged Gangetic softshell turtle
India’s first satellite-tagged Ganges softshell turtle ( Nilssonia gangetica ), an endangered freshwater reptile , was released into Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve in Assam , marking a significant milestone in wildlife conservation that coincides with Endangered Species Day (3rd Friday of May – 15 May 2026). This is India’s first instance of satellite-tagging of Ganges softshell turtles to track seasonal movements, home ranges, and important nesting or breeding habitats within the Brahmaputra River basin . The project was conducted by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) , in collaboration with the Assam Forest Department , and funded by the National Geographic Society. The Ganges softshell turtle is distinguished from riverine turtles by its unique arrowhead-like markings on the top of its head. It primarily inhabits large rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. As a major river predator that feeds on dead and decaying animal matter, this species acts as an important scavenger, helping to keep river ecosystems naturally clean.
7 The world famous Malmas fair began in Rajgir with Vedic chants and blowing of conch shells.
The world-famous Malmas Fair has begun in Rajgir , Bihar . Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary inaugurated the fair on Sunday at the Brahmakund complex amid chanting of Vedic mantras, blowing of conch shells, and a traditional flag hoisting ceremony. This month-long religious fair will continue until June 15th. According to the Hindu calendar, the 13th month, which occurs every three years, is called Malmas . Religious belief holds that during this period, 33 crore gods and goddesses from heaven leave their realms and reside in Rajgir. For this reason, auspicious events are considered prohibited in other parts of the country, but in Rajgir, worship, charity, and bathing hold special significance. During the fair, the Panchami Snan will be held on May 21st, the first royal bath on May 27th, the second royal bath on May 31st, the Panchami Snan on June 5th, the third royal bath on June 11th, and the Amavasya Snan and immersion on June 15th, 2026.
8 Delhi government’s big decision: Women startups will get unsecured loans up to Rs 10 crore
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said that the Delhi government is working on a large scale to make the women of the capital self-reliant, entrepreneurial and economically empowered . In this direction, the government has made arrangements for collateral-free loans of up to Rs 10 crore for women self-help groups and startups , which will be guaranteed by the Delhi government itself . Chief Minister Rekha Gupta was addressing the inauguration of the two-day ‘Mega Self Help Group (SHG) Mela-2026’ organized near Unity One Mall, Rohini West Metro Station, in North West Delhi on Saturday evening.
9 Andhra Pradesh government will provide incentives for the birth of the third and fourth child.
On May 16th , Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu announced that families in the state will receive ₹30,000 for the birth of their third child and ₹40,000 for the birth of their fourth child . On March 5th, a new policy was introduced in the Assembly, dubbed the ” Population Management Policy .” It previously announced ₹25,000 for the birth of the second child . This policy has now been expanded to include ₹95,000 for the birth of the third and fourth children. This means a total of ₹95,000 will be provided for each child born to four children . In Andhra Pradesh , regardless of the number of children , any female government employee is entitled to 26 weeks of maternity leave, or six months, for each child . Previously, six months of maternity leave was only available for the first two children. For more than two, the rule was three months. According to the Naidu government’s population management policy, families with more than two children will receive several other benefits in addition to the monetary benefits. The Andhra Pradesh government will provide a monthly nutrition allowance of 1,000 rupees for five years for the third child. The Andhra Pradesh government will provide free education for the third child until the age of 18. Additionally, the Andhra Pradesh government will provide two months of compulsory paternity leave to the father, and up to 12 months if needed. State-supported fertility clinics will also be established for couples struggling with infertility.
10 Indian Navy inaugurated its premier Naval Sailing Centre at Upper Lake, Bhopal
The Indian Navy inaugurated its premier Naval Sailing Centre on May 17, 2026 , at Bhopal’s famous Upper Lake , also known as Bhojtal . Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi, Chief of the Naval Staff , presided over the inaugural ceremony. Equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, the Sailing Centre will be extensively used for training the Indian Navy Sailing Team, the Navy’s rowing, canoeing, and kayaking teams, as well as the National Cadet Corps (NCC). Currently, 17 of the 34 members of the Naval Sailing Team are from Madhya Pradesh. The facility aims to inspire more youth from the state to take up competitive water sports and encourage them to join the defence forces.
11 Thailand Open: Indonesia wins men’s doubles final
Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty settled for silver in the men’s doubles at the Thailand Open , losing 21-12, 25-23 to Indonesia ‘s Leo Rolly Cornado and Daniel Morthin .
12 Badminton player Shriyanshi Valishetty won silver
On May 17 , badminton player Shriyanshi Valishetty won the silver medal in the women’s singles event at the Baoji China Masters in China . The tournament was a BWF Super 100 event held at the Baoji City Gymnasium in China . Shriyanshi reached the final by defeating junior world champion Xu Wen Jing of China in the semi-finals . The 19-year-old Shriyanshi also won the Mexican International Challenge earlier this month. Shriyanshi started professional training at the Pullela Gopichand Badminton Academy in 2013. In 2024, she was the runner-up at the Slovenia Open in women’s singles. Shriyanshi achieved a career-high ranking of 46 in 2025. The Baoji China Masters is an annual international badminton tournament sanctioned by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) as a Super 100 event.