Current Affairs

Nepal’s Kami Rita Sherpa Climbs Mount Everest For Record 30th Time

Nepali mountaineer Kami Rita Sherpa reached the summit of Mount Everest for the 30th time on Wednesday morning, setting a new world record.

“This morning at 7:49 am, Kami Rita Sherpa broke his own record he had set just nine days earlier. This marks his 30th ascent to the top of the world,” said Khimlal Gautam, Chief of the Expedition Monitoring and Facilitation Field Office.

This achievement marks Kami’s second ascent of the season, following his first successful climb on May 12.

The 54-year-old Sherpa, who hails from Thame village in Solukhumbu, Nepal, has been scaling mountains for over two decades. His mountaineering journey began in 1992 when he joined an expedition to Everest as a support staff member. Since then, Sherpa has embarked on numerous expeditions and conquered other formidable peaks, including K2, Cho Oyu, Lhotse, and Manaslu.



Indian-origin scientist wins prestigious Shaw Prize in astronomy for 2024

In recognition of his groundbreaking discoveries in the field of astronomy, Shrinivas R. Kulkarni, an Indian-origin professor from the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), has been awarded the prestigious Shaw Prize in Astronomy for 2024.

Kulkarni, the George Ellery Hale Professor of Astronomy and Planetary Science at Caltech's Division of Physics, Mathematics and Astronomy, has been honoured for his pioneering work on millisecond pulsars, gamma-ray bursts, supernovae, and other variable or transient astronomical objects.



Manchester City wins historic fourth title at Premier League

Manchester City scripted history when it beat West Ham United to secure its fourth consecutive Premier League, establishing utter dominance in the title race over the last five years. It became the first-ever side to win four league titles in a row.

Manchester City had emulated arch-rival Man United’s record of a hat-trick of Premier League titles last season, also securing a historic treble. This season, Guardiola took his side’s consistency to a different level, setting a new record of consecutive Premier League trophies.



CM Patel inaugurates FABEXA Fabric Sourcing Expo 2024 in Gandhinagar

Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel inaugurated the FABEXA Fabric Sourcing Expo 2024 today, organized by Maskati Cloth Mahajan of Ahmedabad, in the state capital.

The exhibition is being held from May 21st to 24th, 2024, at the Exhibition Ground in Gandhinagar. It aims to provide information on new technical designs and industry trends in the textile and readymade garments industry.

The exhibition features 93 stalls from more than 125 leading brands in the country’s textile industry. Additionally, B2B and B2C events have been organized for over 800 exporters, buying houses, and garment manufacturers of both small and large brands.

Panel discussions on “Technical Textiles and Innovative Materials for Developed India @ 2047” will also be held.



Spain, Ireland and Norway will recognize a Palestinian state

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 And IIT Madras Join Hands For Centre For Music Learning And Research

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, 55, becomes oldest Indian woman to conquer Mount Everest

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.



University of Tokyo inaugurates world’s highest observatory in Chile

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

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 2024

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.