World AIDS Vaccine Day, also known as HIV Vaccine Awareness Day, is marked on May 18. It’s a day to raise awareness about the ongoing fight against HIV/AIDS and the importance of developing a vaccine. It recognises researchers, volunteers, and healthcare workers dedicated to developing a vaccine. The day marks the anniversary of a 1997 speech by US President Bill Clinton highlighting the importance of an HIV vaccine.

Nayara Energy, a private downstream company, in its effort to diversify its product portfolio, is planning to invest Rs 600 crore for setting up ethanol manufacturing plants in the country. The move is in line with the government’s target of 20% ethanol blending for FY26, the company said on Tuesday.The company plans to set up two ethanol manufacturing plants, each with a production capacity of 200 kiloliters per day (KLPD), in Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. Land for the proposed plants has already been identified and purchased in both states.

“The establishment of ethanol facilities will significantly enhance Nayara Energy’s ethanol supply reliability, playing a crucial role in achieving the government’s 20% blending target by the end of the fiscal year 2025-26,” Alessandro des Dorides, chief executive officer, Nayara Energy said. The company also aims to increase the number of ethanol plants to with a combined production capacity of approximately 1,000 KLPD with a focus on value enhancement in retail operations and ensuring the reliability of the ethanol blending program in the future.

Indian Institute of Petroleum & Energy (IIPE), Visakhapatnam, in association with other research institutions, have found an effective eco-friendly solution ‘Surface Modification Technique of Membrane’ to resolve the problems associated with water treatment at various levels, particularly for muddy river water.

Researchers of Assam Science and Technology University in Guwahati, Gauhati University, Pragjyotish College, and Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology have joined the IIPE team in the research. The findings have been published in the “Nature Scientific Reports” journal titled “Role of Plasma Process Gas on Permeate Flux Augmentation of Cellulose Nitrate Membrane for Mud Water Treatment.” The IIPE has funded the research through an Institute Research Grant.

Water pollution has emerged as a major issue in rural and urban areas as its quality gets affected due to contamination with sludge, riverbed sediments, waste residues and other pollutants.

India’s biggest skill competition, The IndiaSkills 2024, has started today in New Delhi. Over the next four days, more than 900 students from 30 states and Union territories will showcase their skills in 61 different areas, from traditional crafts to the latest technologies. Skill development Secretary Atul Kumar Tiwari, who inaugurated the opening ceremony called it a win-win situation for both the youth as well as industries.

Winners of IndiaSkills, with the help of the best industry trainers, will prepare for the WorldSkills Competition scheduled to take place in Lyon, France in September this year. The WorldSkills will have 1,500 competitors from over 70 countries. The event aims to emphasize the significance of skill development in nation-building.

World Aquatics on Wednesday opened the first-ever competitive swimming pool at a record height of 2,400 meters in Bhutan, as part of the Pools for All program to promote aquatic sports in the region.

The global body of swimming launched a program in 2019 that aims to ensure accessible aquatic facilities for more countries and regions. The opening ceremony was attended by dignitaries and officials from World Aquatics, the Bhutan Olympic Committee, local and regional officials, the Bhutanese National Federation of the four Olympic Games, and the Bhutan Department of Tourism.

Bengaluru-based PhonePe has partnered with LankaPay and launched PhonePeUPI payments in Sri Lanka, a facility that can spur Indian tourism in the island nation and provide a boost to the local economy.

At an event to mark the collaboration, PhonePe said its app users travelling to Sri Lanka can make payments using UPI (Unified Payments Interface) across LankaPay QR merchants.

The Department of Ex-servicemen Welfare organised ‘Samadhan Campaign’, its outreach programme at Bengdubi Army Camp, in Darjeeling, West Bengal. Interacting with the veterans during the Campaign, Secretary (Ex-servicemen Welfare) Dr Niten Chandra reaffirmed the government’s commitment to further strengthen the welfare measures for them.

Seeking feedback and insights into the challenges veterans come across while availing various welfare schemes of the Department, Dr. Niten Chandra directed Rajya & Zila Sainik Boards, ECHS and other agencies under the department to set-up proactive communication and collaboration mechanism in finding solutions to the problems of ex-servicemen. He reiterated the government’s unwavering support for the veteran community.

The ‘Samadhan Campaign’ is an initiative by the Department to honor the sacrifices made by ex-servicemen and their families, by proactively engaging with them and addressing their grievances related to the department’s various welfare schemes.

The ‘Nandini logo’ will now be seen on the jerseys of Scotland and Ireland cricket teams in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, to be played in the United States of America and West Indies from June 1 to 29.

Under the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) -- a dairy cooperative owned by the state, Nandini, a household name with its various dairy products used by lakhs, aims to acquire a global image by sponsoring the two teams.

During the tournament, the brand is also looking to launch a whey-based energy drink ‘Nandini Splash’ in the US in different flavours such as orange, litchi, lemon and mango. The cooperative sees the tournament, co-hosted by the West Indies and USA, as a good opportunity to increase its revenue and customer base. The brand name and logo will appear on the lead arm of the jerseys of the players. The cooperative will also run social media campaigns to promote itself in association with the teams.

World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) is celebrated every year in May to honour the founding of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) on May 17, 1969.

Innovative technologies hold immense promise for tackling major global issues like climate change, poverty, and hunger. Digital tools and solutions can help make significant progress towards achieving 70% of the targets outlined in the UN Sustainable Development Goals by the year 2030.

Yet, there are significant disparities in digital access and adoption across different parts of the world. Insufficient policies, inadequate investments, and a lack of digital skills are hindering many countries from keeping up with the rapid pace of technological change.

National Endangered Species Day is an annual event that strives to raise awareness about the significance of safeguarding endangered species and their habitats. This special day, observed on the third Friday of May each year, provides an opportunity for individuals, groups, and governments to band together and take action to conserve and restore the magnificent biodiversity that exists on our earth.

In 2024, the National Endangered Species Day will be observed on May 17.

To emphasise how important it is for plants and animals to coexist peacefully to maintain the ecosystem, National Endangered Species Day is observed. An ecosystem is out of balance when a species faces extinction as a result of a large population fall or the loss of vital habitat.

All living organisms on earth are interconnected, losing one often results in the extinction of others. As a result, National Endangered Species Day is marked every year to raise awareness about endangered species of plants and animals.