IMPORTANT DAYS
International Tea Day 2024 celebrated on 21 May
• Every year on May 21, International Tea Day is celebrated.
• The day aims to raise global awareness of tea's cultural and economic significance.
• The first International Tea Day took place in New Delhi in 2005.
• The United Nations officially recognized International Tea Day in 2019.
• The United Nations officially recognized International Tea Day in 2019.
• Tea is a widely consumed beverage made from the Camellia Sinensis plant.
• After water, tea is the most consumed drink worldwide.
• Tea is believed to have originated in northeastern India, northern Myanmar, and southwest China.
• China is the largest tea exporter, followed by Kenya and Sri Lanka.
• China is also the largest tea producer, with India and Kenya following.
National Anti-Terrorism Day 2024 observed on May 21
• National Anti-Terrorism Day is observed annually on May 21st to commemorate the assassination of Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on May 21, 1991.
• Rajiv Gandhi was killed by a suicide bomber from the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) in Sriperumbudur, near Chennai.
• He assumed office as Prime Minister following the assassination of his mother, Indira Gandhi, on October 31, 1984.
• In 1987, Rajiv Gandhi sent Indian peacekeeping forces to Sri Lanka to help establish peace.
• The day is observed to raise awareness about the grave consequences of terrorism and the importance of peace, unity, and security.
• National Anti-Terrorism Day was established by the VP Singh government in memory of Rajiv Gandhi.
• On this day, victims of terrorism are honored, and various organizations and educational institutions organize debates, discussions, and seminars on the impact of terrorism.
SPORTS
In the World Para Athletics Championships, DeepthiJeevanji created a world record by winning gold
• At the World Para Athletics Championships, Indian para-athlete DeepthiJeevanji achieved a remarkable feat by setting a new world record and winning the gold medal.
• On May 20, 2024, at the championships held in Kobe, Japan, Jeevanji completed the women's 400m T20 race in an astonishing 55.06 seconds, surpassing the previous world record of 55.12 seconds set by American Breanna Clark at last year's championships in Paris.
• In the World Para Athletics Championships, with 55.19 seconds, AyselOnder of Turkey was second and with 56.68 seconds, Lizanshela Angulo of Ecuador was third with 56.68 seconds.
• During her qualifying round, Jeevani booked her place in the final of the women's 400m T20 heats by setting a new Asian record with a timing of 56.18 seconds.
• At the Asian Para Games 2023, Jeevanji had performed brilliantly by winning the gold medal in the women's 400m T20 event.
NIgaSwiatek won her 3rd Italian Open title.
• IgaSwiatek defeated ArynaSabalenka in the final by 6-2, 6-3 to win her third Italian Open title.
• After Serena Williams, Swiatek became the first woman to win the Madrid and Rome titles back to back. It is the 21st title of IgaSwiatek’s career.
• Alexander Zverev of Germany won the Men’s title after defeating Chile’s Nicolas Jarry by 6-4, 7-5.
• Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos clinched Men’s doubles while Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini won the Women’s doubles title.
• Italian Open also known as the Rome Masters is a professional tennis tournament.
APPOINTMENTS
John Slaven has been appointed as the Vice President of the International Aluminum Institute (IAI).
• Vedanta Aluminum announced the appointment of its CEO, John Slaven, to this prestigious role. In his new position, Slaven will spearhead a global initiative aimed at highlighting aluminum's crucial role in the transition to zero-carbon energy.
• With over three decades of experience in the metals, mining, and modern manufacturing industries, Slaven brings a wealth of expertise to the IAI.
• IAI is an organization representing the primary aluminum industry worldwide.
• It is tasked with raising awareness of the industry's operations, advocating for responsible production, and emphasizing the significant benefits of using aluminum in manufacturing green technologies.
• IAI's current membership includes the world's leading bauxite, alumina and aluminium companies.
• In FY24, Vedanta Aluminum is a leading producer of aluminium, producing 2.37 million tonnes.
• It is also a producer of value-added aluminum products which have important applications in key industries.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
A Subcritical nuclear test was conducted by the USA in Nevada
• The United States conducted a subcritical nuclear test in Nevada.
• This test, which took place on May 21, was the third such experiment during President Joe Biden's administration.
• The purpose of the test was to gather critical data on the nation's nuclear warheads.
• The experiment, part of the Nimble series, was conducted in collaboration with the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Notably, it was the first experiment carried out at the Principal Underground Laboratory for Subcritical Experimentation (PULSE) facility.
• According to the US Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration, the test was conducted without the use of nuclear explosive testing, which depends on subcritical tests to support the safety and effectiveness of nuclear warheads.
• In 1992, the American government had announced a restriction on tests involving nuclear explosions. But successive governments kept continuing the subcritical tests.
• In September 2021, a previous subcritical test was conducted.
