IMPORTANT DAYS
World Laughter Day 2024 celebrated on 5 May
• World Laughter Day is an annual celebration observed on the first Sunday of May. In 2024, it fell on May 5th.
• The inaugural World Laughter Day took place on May 10, 1998, in Mumbai. This event was initiated by Dr. Madan Kataria, the founder of the global Laughter Yoga movement.
• The purpose of World Laughter Day is to promote awareness about the therapeutic effects of laughter. Laughter is known to reduce cortisol levels in the brain, which has positive impacts on the body's overall well-being.
AWARDS
Meryl Streep to be honoured with Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival
• Renowned Hollywood actress Meryl Streep is set to receive the prestigious Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival.
• The Honorary Palme d’Or will be bestowed upon Meryl Streep during the opening ceremony of the 77th edition of the Cannes Film Festival.
• Streep, who previously clinched the Best Actress prize at Cannes in 1989, will grace the event with her presence.
SPORTS
Lando Norris wins historic maiden victory at F1 Miami Grand Prix
• On May 5, 2024, Lando Norris, the McLaren driver, achieved his first Formula 1 victory at the Miami Grand Prix.
• Miami Grand Prix held at the Miami International Autodrome in Miami, Florida, in the United States of America.
• Norris, who was running sixth in the race's early stages, capitalized on a safety car period following a crash between Logan Sargeant and Kevin Magnussen.
China wins both Thomas and Uber Cup Badminton titles
• The Chinese badminton team confirmed its domination of the sport by winning both the men’s Tomas Cup and the women’s Uber Cup. The final of the 2024 BWF Thomas and Uber Cup was played in the Chinese city of Chengdu on May 5, 2024.
• Thomas and Uber Cup is held every two years and is organised by the world badminton governing body, the Badminton World Federation (BWF).
• In both the Thomas and Uber Cup, three singles and two doubles matches are played. However, if a team wins the first two singles and the first doubles, then no other matches are played.
• The 2024 edition of the Thomas and Uber Cup was held in Chengdu, China, from 27 April to 5 May 2024.
SUMMIT AND CONFERENCES
57th Annual Meeting of the Asian Development Bank (ADB)
• The 57th Annual Meeting of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) took place in Tbilisi, Georgia from 2 to 5 May 2024.
• The theme was “Bridge to the Future”. The ADB and donors agreed to replenish the Asian Development Fund (ADF) 14 and the Technical Assistance Special Fund (TASF) 8 with USD 5 billion, a 22% increase from the previous fund.
• This will support grant operations from 2025 to 2028.
• The meeting was attended by ADB Governors, government officials, private sector participants, development partners, observers, and media personalities.
