1 Venezuela becomes the first country to lose all its glaciers
Venezuela recently witnessed a major environmental milestone, reflecting a grim reality of the climate crisis. The country has become possibly the first country in modern history to lose all of its glaciers . Earlier this month, the Humboldt Glacier was reclassified as an ice field, its last icy remnant. The event serves as a stark reminder that climate change is not a distant threat, but an immediate crisis that demands immediate action.
2 FABEXA 2024 inaugurated
On May 21, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel inaugurated the 9th Textile Exhibition FABEXA organized by Muskatikpada Market Mahajan of Ahmedabad at Helipad Exhibition Ground, Gandhinagar . This four-day exhibition will run till May 24. FABEXA is being organized by Muskati Textile Mahajan Organization. More than 200 companies and brands will participate in this exhibition and exhibit their best products. Stalls of different types of clothes from across the country are set up here. FABEXA 2023 was also organized in Ahmedabad, which generated business of Rs 2,500 crore. FABEXA is India’s largest textile exhibition.
3 China bans US defense companies from selling weapons to Taiwan
China has sanctioned Boeing and two other US defense companies for their involvement in arms sales to Taiwan . The announcement came on the day of Taiwan’s presidential inauguration, highlighting tensions in the region. Taiwan’s newly appointed President Lai Ching-te has stressed the need to strengthen the island’s security by acquiring advanced fighter jets and other technology as well as expanding its domestic defense industry. China’s Commerce Ministry has placed Boeing’s defense, space and security unit, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems and General Dynamics Land Systems on its list of “unreliable entities.” The move bans further investment in China by these companies and imposes travel restrictions on their senior management.
4 India to facilitate first ever Focused Working Group discussion on Antarctica Tourism at the 46th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM) in Kochi
India is set to play a key role in facilitating the first focused discussion on regulating tourism in Antarctica at the 46th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM) and the 26th meeting of the Committee on Environmental Protection (CEP) . Shri Kiren Rijiju, Union Minister, Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) was present on the occasion. The meetings will be organized by the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) , Goa under the Ministry of Earth Sciences and the Antarctic Treaty Secretariat at Kochi , Kerala from 20 May to 30 May 2024. The gathering has over 350 participants from around 40 nations. The ATCM and CEP are high-level global annual meetings held in accordance with the provisions of the Antarctic Treaty, a multilateral agreement of 56 Parties signed in 1959. In these meetings, member countries of the Antarctic Treaty discuss issues related to science, policy, governance, management, conservation and security of Antarctica. The CEP was established in 1991 under the Protocol on Environmental Protection of the Antarctic Treaty (Madrid Protocol). The CEP advises the ATCM on environmental protection and security in Antarctica.
5 Serum Institute sent malaria vaccine to Africa
On May 20, vaccine manufacturer Serum Institute of India in Pune started exporting ‘ R21/Matrix-M ‘ malaria vaccine to Africa . This vaccine has been jointly developed by Oxford University and Novavax’s Matrix-M adjuvant . In the first consignment of malaria vaccine, 43,200 vaccine doses were sent to the Central African Republic. A total of 1,63,000 vaccine doses will be sent to the Central African Republic. After this, it will be sent to many malaria endemic countries including South Sudan and Congo. According to the 2022 WHO report, 233 million cases were reported in Africa.
6 EU ministers unanimously give their final approval to the AI Act
European Union ministers have unanimously given their final approval to the Artificial Intelligence-AI Act . This will help in regulating the use of technology in areas such as high-risk jobs and law enforcement . According to media reports, the European Union hopes that this law will help in the development of technology and dealing with other risks. It will also help in setting an international agenda for regulating AI.
7 Three-day Indo-Bangla Music Festival started in Bangladesh on the 250th birth anniversary of Lalan Shah.
A three-day Indo-Bangla music festival began in Sherpur , Bangladesh, on the 250th birth anniversary of Sufi saint and poet Lalon Shah . It is organised by Lalan Biswasangh in collaboration with the Indian High Commission in Bangladesh and the Ministry of Culture of Bangladesh. Lalan, also known as Fakir Lalan Shah and Mahatma Lalan, was a renowned philosopher, Baul saint, composer of Sufi songs, social reformer and thinker. He influenced personalities like Rabindranath Tagore, Kazi Nazrul Islam and American poet Allen Ginsberg. He was born in 1774 in Horishpur in Jhenaidah district of Bangladesh.
8 Sri Sri Ravi Shankar receives first postage stamp to commemorate 200 years of Indian-origin Tamils in Sri Lanka
Indian spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar received the first postage stamp issued to commemorate 200 years of Indian-origin Tamils in Sri Lanka . Governor of Sri Lanka’s Eastern Province Senthil Thondaman presented the stamp to Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. The event aims to recognize and honor the IoT community, which has faced neglect for decades. Thondaman expressed gratitude to both the Indian and Sri Lankan governments for supporting the IoT community.
9 Yes Bank launches ‘YES Grandeur’, a special banking program for special individuals
In a strategic move to meet the emerging needs of affluent and elite customers, YES BANK has launched ‘ YES Grandeur ‘, a premium banking service designed to provide financial and lifestyle solutions. Under ‘YES Grandeur’, customers with an average monthly balance of Rs 5 lakh or a Net Relationship Value (NRV) of Rs 20 lakh get access to a suite of exclusive benefits. These include significant discounts on locker facilities as well as dedicated relationship managers, preferential rates and waivers on charges.
10 SBI General launches ‘surety bond insurance’ for infrastructure projects
SBI General Insurance , the non-life insurance arm of State Bank of India (SBI) , has launched ‘ Surety Bond Insurance ‘ with an aim to provide security for infrastructure projects . Developed in line with the Government’s vision to enhance infrastructure, this product provides protection against breaches by contractors during both bid and performance stages of projects. It protects both the contractor and the principal (contract awarding authority) from potential risks. Surety Bond Insurance covers various types of bonds such as Bid Bond, Advance Payment Bond, Performance Bond, and Retention Money Bond. These bonds cater to the needs of different types of contractors operating in today’s volatile environment.
11 Pradeep Natarajan will be the whole-time director of IDFC FIRST Bank
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has given its approval for the appointment of Pradeep Natarajan as a whole-time director on the board of IDFC FIRST Bank , a significant development for the private sector lender. The approval, given for a three-year tenure, underlines the bank’s commitment to strengthening its leadership team.
12 Fusion Micro Finance secures $25 million loan from US International DFC
Fusion Micro Finance has secured a $25 million loan from the United States International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) to boost its expansion plans , primarily focused on empowering rural women entrepreneurs. Fusion Micro Finance intends to use the loan to expand its business operations and boost credit growth, particularly targeting rural women entrepreneurs. The borrowing is in line with the company’s strategy to diversify its liability mix and utilize different funding sources, ultimately strengthening its asset-liability profile.
13 Bank of Maharashtra tops PSU banks in business growth in FY 24
Bank of Maharashtra has left all the big public sector banks behind in terms of total business and deposit mobilization . With 15.94% growth in total business and 15.66% growth in deposits , it outpaced competitors like State Bank of India . Pune- headquartered Bank of Maharashtra recorded a jump of 15.94 per cent in total domestic business in the last financial year. At the same time, the largest lender in the government sector – State Bank of India (SBI) remained at second place with a growth of 13.12 percent. This information has been obtained from the financial data of public sector banks.
14 Cricket Scotland announces Nandini Dairy as official sponsor of the team
Cricket Scotland announced Karnataka’s ‘Nandini’ Dairy as its official sponsor for its national team in the upcoming T20 World Cup to be held in the USA and West Indies . Nandini’s logo will be on the sleeve of the shirt of the Scotland men’s team in the tournament starting from June 2. The brand name and ‘logo’ written in Kannada language could be seen on the T-shirts of the players. The Scotland team will start its T20 World Cup campaign against England on June 4.
15 India won three gold medals in the World Para Athletics Championship in Japan.
India won three gold medals at the World Para Athletics Championships in Japan . Sumit Antil won first place in men’s F-64 javelin throw , Thangavelu Mariyappan won first place in T-63 high jump and Ekta Bhayan won first place in women’s F-51 club throw . India’s Sandeep won the bronze medal in the javelin throw event itself. Kashish Lakra won the silver medal in women’s club throw. This competition will run till 25th May.
