IMPORTANT DAYS

World Hunger Day 2024 observed on May 28

• World Hunger Day 2024 falls on May 28th, dedicated to raising global awareness about the pressing issues of hunger and malnutrition.

• The overarching goal of World Hunger Day is to shed light on sustainable food systems and practices that can help alleviate hunger and malnutrition worldwide.

• The theme for World Hunger Day 2024 is "Thriving mothers. Thriving world.," highlighting the crucial role of women in addressing hunger and malnutrition.

• Women and children are disproportionately affected by malnutrition, stemming from factors such as conflict, famine, climate change, and other socioeconomic challenges.

• Established by the Hunger Project in 2011, World Hunger Day serves as a platform to draw attention to the ongoing global food crisis.

• The Hunger Project, founded in 1977, is a global movement committed to eradicating hunger and creating a world where everyone has access to nutritious food.

APPOINTMENTS

ICC appointed ShahidAfridi as its ambassador for the T20 World Cup 2024.

• The ICC has appointed ShahidAfridi, former captain of Pakistan, as the ambassador for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024.

• Afridi joins a distinguished lineup of ambassadors for the tournament, including sprint sensation Usain Bolt, cricketing icons Chris Gayle, and India legend Yuvraj Singh.

• The T20 World Cup 2024 is set to commence on June 1, spanning across venues in the United States and the West Indies.

• Afridi's selection as an ambassador pays tribute to his illustrious career, highlighted by his stellar performances in previous T20 World Cups.

• In the inaugural 2007 T20 World Cup, Afridi was named Player of the Tournament despite Pakistan's loss to India in the final.

• Afridi's leadership prowess shone in 2009 when he guided Pakistan to victory in the T20 World Cup, delivering match-winning performances in the semi-finals and final.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Six NATO countries will create a ‘Drone Wall’ against Russia.

• Six NATO countries, namely Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Poland, Finland, and Norway, have collectively decided to establish a "Drone Wall" as a defense measure against Russia.

• This proposed drone wall will stretch from Norway to Poland and will utilize drones and other advanced technologies to safeguard the borders of these countries.

• While specific details such as funding, timeline, and technical specifications remain undisclosed, it is expected that EU funds will play a significant role in financing the project.

• The interior ministers of the six involved countries convened in Riga, Latvia, on May 23 and 24 to discuss and initiate the drone wall project.

• Discussions during the meeting encompassed various security threats, including non-military tactics like "instrumentalized migration," aimed at addressing potential challenges posed by Russia.

• The European countries sharing borders with Russia include Norway, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Belarus, Ukraine, Georgia, and Lithuania.

NATIONAL NEWS

Purnima Shrestha became the first woman to climb Mount Everest three times in 13 days.

• Purnima Shrestha, a 32-year-old mountaineer and photojournalist from Gorkha, Nepal, has made history by becoming the first woman to conquer Mount Everest three times within a span of just 13 days in a single climbing season.

• Her remarkable feat surpasses the previous record for any woman summiting Everest three times in one season, setting a new benchmark in mountaineering.

• Prior to this extraordinary achievement, Purnima had already scaled Everest four times, with her first ascent dating back to 2018.

• This unprecedented triple climb exemplifies the empowerment of female climbers and serves as a source of inspiration for women worldwide, encouraging them to pursue and achieve their dreams against all odds.

BANKING, ECONOMY AND FINANCE

With a 42% rise to $15.6 billion in FY24, smartphones rank as India's fourth most popular export good.

•  In FY24, smartphones experienced a significant 42% surge in exports, reaching $15.6 billion, making them India's fourth most popular export commodity.

• While petroleum products continue to dominate India's export landscape, smartphones have replaced motor gasoline as the fourth-largest exported item.

• The exponential growth in smartphone exports can be attributed to a remarkable 158% increase in shipments to the US, totaling $5.6 billion, as per data from the commerce department.

• Following the US, the United Arab Emirates ($2.6 billion), the Netherlands ($1.2 billion), and the United Kingdom ($1.1 billion) emerged as significant export destinations.

• India commenced collecting smartphone export data separately in April 2022, reflecting the growing prominence of this sector in the country's economy.

• Preliminary estimates by the Indian Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA) suggest that the value of mobile devices manufactured in India for both domestic and export markets surged to Rs 4.1 trillion ($49.16 billion) in FY24.

• India's emergence as the world's second-largest producer of mobile phones, trailing only behind China, underscores the remarkable growth trajectory of its smartphone industry.

• Exported smartphones accounted for over 30% of the total output value in FY24, a notable increase from 25% in FY23, based on early estimates provided by ICEA data.

A global equities index saw little decline.

• On May 28, 2024, a global equities index experienced a slight decline.

• Treasury yields rose as investors looked forward to the release of inflation data later in the week.

• U.S. Treasury yields increased, supported by an unexpected improvement in consumer confidence in May, after three months of decline.

• The boost in consumer confidence was attributed to positive expectations for the job market, according to a survey.

• Investors are awaiting the U.S. core Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) Price Index report for April, which is set to be released on May 31, 2024.

• On May 28, 2024, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 160.86 points, or 0.41%, closing at 38,908.73.

• The S&P 500 decreased by 0.90 points, or 0.02%, to end at 5,303.82.

GOVERNMENT SCHEMES

“PRAGATI-2024”,

• "PRAGATI-2024" (Pharma Research in AyurGyan And Techno Innovation) initiative was launched by the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) in New Delhi on May 28.

• CCRAS, an autonomous body under the Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India, spearheads this initiative aimed at shaping the future of Ayurveda.

• The launch of "PRAGATI-2024" presents a valuable opportunity for collaborative research endeavors in the field of Ayurveda.

• A meeting held on May 28 focused on exploring research prospects and fostering collaboration between CCRAS and the Ayurveda pharmaceutical industry.

• Notably, representatives from 35 pharmaceutical companies across the country participated in the program, indicating widespread industry interest.

• The "PRAGATI-2024" initiative marks a significant milestone in the development of the Ayurveda industry in India, promising to create a robust platform for collaborative research endeavors.

• It is anticipated that this initiative will serve as a catalyst for driving growth and innovation in the field, ultimately contributing to the advancement of Ayurveda.