Spain, Ireland and Norway said Wednesday that they would recognize a Palestinian state on May 28, a step toward a long-held Palestinian aspiration that came amid international outrage over the civilian death toll and humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip following Israel's offensive.

The almost simultaneous decisions by two European Union countries, and Norway, may generate momentum for the recognition of a Palestinian state by other EU countries and could spur further steps at the United Nations, deepening Israel's isolation. Malta and Slovenia, which also belong to the 27-nation European Union, may follow suit.

Some 140 of 190 represented in the UN countries have already recognized a Palestinian state.

Ilaiyaraaja is regarded as one of the most influential and illustrious music personalities in the country. The legend is now set to expand his talents in the form of education with IIT Madras. The institute and the musician are going to collaborate on a research centre.

The musician laid the foundation stone for the centre, called the IITM- Maestro Ilaiyaraaja Centre for Music Learning and Research on Monday. As per reports, it was done during the inauguration ceremony of the Society for the Promotion of Indian Classical Music And Culture Amongst Youth or SPIC MACAY, hosted by the institute.

At the event, Ilaiyaraaja interacted with the crowd, stating that this place is going to give birth to 200 “Raajas”. He said, “Music is my breath. It comes naturally to me…it happens naturally. I came to Chennai from a village with a desire to learn music…but now I am starting a music learning centre at IIT Madras.”

Jyoti Ratre, an entrepreneur and fitness enthusiast from Madhya Pradesh, has become the oldest Indian woman to conquer Mount Everest. The 55-year-old mountaineer reached the summit at 6:30 a.m. on Sunday, May 19.

Ratre's accomplishment comes precisely six years after Sangeeta Bahl, at 53, earned the title of ‘India’s oldest woman to climb Mount Everest' on May 19, 2018. This was Ratre's second attempt to summit the highest peak in the world. In 2023, she had to return from 8,160 mt due to harsh weather.

The University of Tokyo has inaugurated the Atacama Observatory (TAO). It has been built on the summit of Cerro Chajnantor in the Antofagasta Region, at 5,640 meters above sea level.

TAO also houses a 6.5-meter optical-infrared telescope. The telescope will focus on understanding the nature of the universe, according to Emol’s academic section.

After 26 years of planning and construction, TAO is officially now the highest observatory in the world, and has been awarded a Guinness World Record.

This new observatory is located near the ALMA (Atacama Large Millimeter/Submillimeter Array) radio telescope, one of the largest astronomical projects in the world, in which an international association of countries participates.

World Turtle Day, celebrated on May 23rd each year, highlights the importance of protecting turtles and their habitats. In India, several beaches are known for their turtle nesting sites, where you can witness the incredible sight of turtle hatchlings making their way to the sea. Here are ten scenic beaches in India where you can experience this natural wonder.

American Tortoise Rescue, an organization dedicated to the well-being and rescue of tortoises and turtles, started World Turtle Day in 2000. The day encourages people to learn about and understand these creatures better.

Buddha Purnima is one of the most important festival. Buddha Purnima 2024 holds a great religious significance in Hindu religion. This day is celebrated across the world by Lord Buddha followers with great grandeur and enthusiasm. This day is celebrated as the birth anniversary of Gautam Buddha. This is going to be 2586th birth anniversary of Mahatma Buddha.

The day is celebrated on Full Moon day or Purnima Tithi in the Hindu Month Vaishakha. This year, Lord Buddha's birthday is being celebrated today i.e., on May 23, 2024.

The Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying (DAHD), Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) India on Digitalization of Vaccine Cold Chain Management, Capacity Building, and Communication Planning.

The MOU was signed today at “We the People Hall”, UNDP Country office, Lodhi Estate, New Delhi between Smt. Alka Upadhyay, Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying and Ms. Caitlin Wiesen. UNDP Resident Representative in India. This strategic partnership aims to enhance the digitalization of vaccine cold chain management, capacity building, and communication planning in India.

Addressing the Meeting Smt. Alka Upadhyay highlighted Strong and efficient supply chains equipped with reliable cold chain equipment are vital to increase immunization coverage and outreach. She added, Considering the large human population and livestock population in India with 142.86 Crore people, 53.57 Crore farm animals and 85.18 Crore poultry population, catering all the veterinary services to the doorstep of farmers and to ensure the nutritional security of the large population is a challenge.

The Indian 4x400m mixed relay team comprising Muhammad Ajmal, Jyothika Sri, Amoj Jacob and Subha Venkatesan broke the national record at the Asian Relay Championships 2024 on Monday.

The team won gold in the event clocking 3:14.12, shaving 0.22 seconds off the previous NR.

Ajmal and Subha were a part of the Indian side that held the previous national record of 3:14.34, achieved at the Asian Games 2023.

Sri Lanka and Vietnam won silver and bronze in the event, respectively.

India’s Ekta Bhyan secured the gold medal with a season’s best throw of 20.12m in the women’ F51 club throw competition at the World Para Athletic Championships here.

A day after Deepthi Jeevanji clinched the gold medal in women’s 400m T20 category race, Indian athletes continued their impressive run with Ekta producing the goods to finish in the top, while Kashish Lakra took the silver with an effort of 14.56m.

Ekta, a Haryana Civil Services (HCS) officer, had won a bronze medal in the Asian Para Games China.

The 38-year-old, who took up sports after her selection in the Haryana government as HCS officer, also won gold medal in the club throw event at the 2018 Asian Para Games in Jakarta. She had also qualified for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics.

European Union member states on Tuesday gave final agreement to the world’s first major law for regulating artificial intelligence, as institutions around the world race to introduce curbs for the technology.

The EU Council said it had approved the AI Act — a groundbreaking piece of regulatory law that sets comprehensive rules surrounding artificial intelligence technology.

“The adoption of the AI act is a significant milestone for the European Union,” Mathieu Michel, Belgium’s secretary of state for digitization said in a Tuesday statement.

“With the AI act, Europe emphasizes the importance of trust, transparency and accountability when dealing with new technologies while at the same time ensuring this fast-changing technology can flourish and boost European innovation,” Michel added.