National News

Ban on Carbide

• Food regulator FSSAI has asked traders and food business operators not to use the banned product 'calcium carbide' for ripening of fruits.
• Calcium carbide, which is commonly used for ripening fruits like mangoes, releases acetylene gas, which contains harmful traces of arsenic and phosphorus.

FSSAI 

Supreme Court Collegium

• The Supreme Court Collegium has approved the proposal for appointment of two Additional Judges, namely Justice Susmita Phukan Khaund and Justice Mitali Thakuria as permanent Judges of the Gauhati High Court.
• The Supreme Court Collegium also approved the proposal for the appointment of Mr Justice Rajesh Sekhri, Additional Judge, High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, for a fresh term of one year with effect from 29 July 2024.

Supreme Court

 SVEEP programme

• According to Officials, it was for the first time that Election Commission’s Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) programmes were held in villages close to the LoC. 
• Voter awareness programmes were started from the first polling station of India, Seemari, in Kupwara’s Karnah.

 SVEEP

International News

Seetha Amman temple

• In Sri Lanka, Kumbhabhishekam was conducted at Sita Amman Temple, Sita Eliya.
• About 25 litres of Saryu water has been flown in from Ayodhya for the ceremony in addition to 5000 laddoos from Tirumala Tirupati Temple.

Sri Lanka

 IMEEC

• An inter-ministerial Indian delegation on the framework agreement on the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC) has visited the UAE for the first time to hold discussions with the key entities there on cooperation for the empowerment and operation of the strategically vital project.

7th edition of the Cannes Film Festival

• ‘Manthan’, India’s first ever crowdfunded movie, was screened at the 77th edition of the Cannes Film Festival. The 48-year-old classic, which also starred Smitha Patil, one of the greatest actresses of all time, was showcased in the Cannes Classic category.

Science and Technology

AI-enabled tool for Kathakali Art Form

• The Indian Institute of Information Technology in Kottayam, in collaboration with Kerala Kalamandalam, Thrissur, aims to develop an AI-enabled tool capable of providing semantic interpretations of the art form Kathakali to bring Kathakali closer to the minds of art lovers.

Additional facts

New Covid Variant  FLiRT

• Maharashtra has identified 91 cases of the Omicron subvariant KP.2, nicknamed FLiRT, marking a shift in the state’s COVID-19 cases. While the JN.1 variant was previously dominant, KP.2 appears to be more transmissible and is now driving a rise in infections.

Maharashtra

Sports

 Elorda Cup 2024

• World champion Nikhat Zareen and Minakshi clinched gold medals as the Indian team concluded their Elorda Cup 2024 campaign with 12 medals in Astana, Kazakhstan.

Defence News

GRTC

• To mark the successful completion of training of Air Force Special Forces ‘Garud’ Commandos, Maroon Beret Ceremonial Parade was held on 18 May 2024 at Garud Regimental Training Centre (GRTC), Air Force Station Chandinagar. 
• The Maroon Beret Ceremonial Parade is a significant event that marks the culmination of an extremely demanding training schedule.

Person in News

Nida Dar 

• Pakistan women's team captain Nida Dar became the leading wicket-taker in the shortest format of the game during the second T20 International against England at the County Ground in North Hampton.

Important Days

International Museum Day

• International Museum Day is celebrated every year on 18 May.
• International Museum Day aims to highlight museums as vital institutions for cultural exchange, enrichment, and fostering mutual understanding, cooperation, and peace among people.

MoPSW Celebrates Women in Maritime

• The Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways (MoPSW) celebrated the International Day for Women in Maritime in New Delhi, honoring the vital contributions of women seafarers.
• This year’s theme, " Safe Horizons: Women in Shaping the Future of Maritime Safety," underscores the importance of safety and security of women in the maritime sector.

Miscellaneous

Global Standards & IPR

• A one-day workshop on “Global Standards & IPR” highlighted the importance of “Global Standards & IPR” for any country’s development. 
•  A precursor to the significant World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA) scheduled to be hosted by India from October 15-24, 2024; the workshop also provided a platform for national stakeholders to forge global partnerships and align with international best practices in telecommunications standards.

Lieutenant General PS Bhagat Memorial Lecture

• Second edition of “Lieutenant General PS Bhagat Memorial Lecture” was organised by the Indian Army and United Services Institution of India (USI) on the theme “Armed Forces Contribution to Realise the Vision of a Rising India” at Manekshaw Centre. 
• The lecture was conducted as part of “Lt Gen PS Bhagat Memorial Chair of Excellence instituted at USI, by the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) on 14th October 2022.  

Umeed Niketan

• Mrs. Neeta Chaudhari, President Air Force Family Welfare Association visited Base Repair Depot Air Force Palam and inaugurated Umeed Niketan, an advanced Therapy Centre for children with special needs