National news
Indian Armed Forces to Deploy Predator Drones Along China Border in Uttar Pradesh
- Indian Air Force and Army plan to deploy MQ-9B Predator drones at Gorakhpur and Sarsawa air bases in Uttar Pradesh for surveillance along the China border.
- The drones will upgrade surveillance capabilities from Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh.
- Selection of Gorakhpur and Sarsawa strategic due to their long runways, ideal for operating long-range drones.
- Deal expected to be worth around USD 4 billion, negotiated at tri-service level with the Indian Navy leading discussions with the US.
International news
Ukraine Introduces AI-Powered Digital Spokesperson for Foreign Ministry
- Ukraine unveils AI-generated spokesperson, Victoria Shi, to deliver official statements from its foreign ministry.
- Victoria Shi combines cutting-edge technology with diplomacy, capturing global attention.
- During a social media presentation, Shi debuts in a dark suit, displaying human-like gestures and speech.
- Content of Shi’s statements will be crafted and verified by human staff for accuracy and reliability.
Ukraine:
- Capital: Kyiv
- Currency: Ukrainian hryvnia
- President: Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Kareena Kapoor Khan Named UNICEF National Ambassador for #ForEveryChild Campaign in India
- UNICEF India appoints Bollywood star Kareena Kapoor Khan as National Ambassador for its #ForEveryChild campaign.
- Kapoor will advocate for children’s rights to early childhood development, health, education, and gender equality.
- Previously serving as UNICEF India’s Celebrity Advocate since 2014, Kapoor actively promoted girls’ education, immunization, and COVID-19 relief efforts.
- Other Indian UNICEF ambassadors include Amitabh Bachchan, Priyanka Chopra, Sachin Tendulkar, Madhuri Dixit, and Hima Das, each contributing to various child welfare initiatives.
UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund)
- The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) was established in 1946 to help children and young people.
- In 1953, UNICEF was made the permanent body of the United Nations, and its name was changed to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
- Headquarters: New York, the United States of America.
- Head: Catherine M. Russell
Banking news
GetVantage Attains RBI NBFC License, Pioneers RBF in India
- GetVantage, specializing in revenue-based finance (RBF), secures a non-banking financial company (NBFC) license from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
- First RBF and alternative funding platform in India to receive such authorization, marking a ground-breaking achievement.
- GetGrowth Capital, under GetVantage, plans to raise ₹200 crore in debt funding to support SMEs in sectors like cleantech, D2C, EV, infrastructure, eCommerce, and SaaS.
- Aim to assist over 1,000 emerging SMEs across India with strategic financing solutions.
Getvantage:
- Founder & CEO of GetVantage – Bhavik Vasa
- Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra
India and Ghana Set Timeline to Implement UPI Link on GHIPSS
- India and Ghana aim to operationalize India’s Unified Payment Interface (UPI) on Ghana’s Interbank Payment and Settlement Systems (GHIPSS) within six months.
- Agreement reached during Joint Trade Committee (JTC) meeting held from May 2 to May 3, with a seven-member Indian delegation meeting Ghanaian counterparts in Accra.
- This move reflects efforts to enhance digital payment systems and strengthen bilateral trade and economic relations between the two countries.
Ghana country:
- Capital: Accra
- Currency: Ghanaian Cedi
- President: Nana Akufo-Addo
Award news
2024 Pulitzers Winner Announced, Check The Complete Winners List
- Columbia University of the United States of America announced the 2024 Pulitzer Prize winners on 7 May 2024. The award will be conferred by the president of Columbia University in a ceremony later.
- The Pulitzer Award is considered the most prestigious prize in the field of Journalism.
- It recognises work in 15 journalism categories and eight arts categories. It also gives special citations and awards.
Journalism Category
Some of the important award winners in the journalism categories are as follows.
- Public Service – Pro Publica
- Investigative Reporting – Hannah Dreier of The New York Times
- Editorial Writing – David E. Hoffman of The Washington Post Newspaper.
- Breaking News Photography – Photography Staff of Reuters news agency.
Book Drama and Music Category
- Fiction – Night Watch. The novel has been written by American novelist Jayne Anne Phillips.
- Drama – Primary Trust. The Primary Trust has been written by American playwright Eboni Booth
- Poetry – Tripas: Poems, by Brandon Som. Brandom Som is an American poet.
Biography – two books have been chosen this time.
- King: A Life, by Jonathan Eig, is a biography of American Black civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr.
- Master Slave Husband Wife: An Epic Journey from Slavery to Freedom, by Ilyon Woo
Pulitzer Prize
- The Pulitzer Prize was instituted by Joseph Pulitzer.
- He was a newspaper owner who, in 1904, provided for the foundation of the Pulitzer Prize as an incentive for excellence in Journalism, art, and culture.
- He donated money to the Faculty of Journalism to administer the prizes.
- The Prize winners are selected by the Pulitzer Prize Board.
- The first Prize was provided in 1917.
Sports news
Lando Norris Secures First F1 Victory at Miami Grand Prix
- British F1 driver Lando Norris clinches his maiden Formula 1 victory at the Miami Grand Prix.
- The historic win takes place at the Miami International Autodrome in Florida, USA.
- Norris’s victory ends Red Bull’s Max Verstappen’s dominance, who had won four out of six races in the 2024 F1 season prior to this event.
2024 Season F1 Winners
There will be 24 races in the 2024 F1 season. Following are the winners of the 2024 F1 races held so far.
| Serial No | Grand Prix | Winner Driver | Team |
| 1 | Bahrain GP | Max Verstappen | Red Bull |
| 2 | Saudi Arabia | Max Verstappen | Red Bull |
| 3 | Australian GP | Carlos Sainz | Ferrari |
| 4 | Japanese GP | Max Verstappen | Red Bull |
| 5 | Chinese GP | Max Verstappen | Red Bull |
| 6 | Miami GP | Lando Norris | McLaren |
Indian Contingent Excels with 43 Medals at ASBC Asian U-22 and Youth Boxing Championships
- Indian boxers achieve a remarkable feat, securing a total of 43 medals at the ASBC Asian U-22 and Youth Boxing Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan.
- The haul comprises 12 gold, 14 silver, and 17 bronze medals across both categories.
- The U-22 team contributes 21 medals, including seven gold, five silver, and nine bronze, while the youth section adds 22 medals, including five gold, nine silver, and eight bronze.
- India finishes with the second-highest medal tally, trailing only behind hosts Kazakhstan, who claim 48 medals.
Important days
65th Raising Day of BRO, History and Significance
- The Border Road Organisation (BRO) celebrated its 65th raising day on 7 May 2024. A ceremony was organised in New Delhi on the occasion, presided over by the Union Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane.
- The defence secretary praised BRO’s contribution to building infrastructure in inhospitable areas and tough weather conditions.
About Border Road Organisation’s History
The Border Road Organisation was set up on 7 May 1960 by the Pandit Nehru government to execute crucial road projects vital for the Army. It started its operation in May 1960 with two projects: Project Tuskar in the East and Project Beacon in the West.
Ministry and Tagline of the BRO
- The Border Road Organisation is part of the Union Ministry of Defence and is always headed by an Army officer.
- The current Director General of the BRO is Lt Gen Raghu Srinivasan.
- Tagline of BRO: In the Silence of Our Great Mountains – Work Speaks’
World Asthma Day 2024: Focusing on Asthma Education Empowers
- World Asthma Day, observed on the first Tuesday of May, falls on May 7, 2024, organized by the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO).
- Established in 1993, GINA aims to raise awareness about asthma, a prevalent long-term lung disease affecting millions worldwide.
- This year’s theme, “Asthma Education Empowers,” underscores the significance of educating individuals with asthma and healthcare professionals about the condition.
- The observance emphasizes the importance of empowering patients with knowledge and resources to manage their asthma effectively, improving their quality of life.
