Daily Current Affairs 21 May 2024
Daily Current Affairs 21 May 2024
1. IIT Jodhpur Publish Groundbreaking Research on Air Pollution and Health Effects in Northern India
- Researcher from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Jodhpur has published ground-breaking research in Nature Communications journal, shedding light on the sources and composition of particulate matter (PM) in Northern India that are harmful to human health.
- This comprehensive study highlights the importance of addressing local inefficient combustion processes – such as biomass and fossil fuel burning, including traffic exhaust in effectively reducing PM-related health exposure and their associated impacts in Northern India.
- The study addresses three critical scientific questions crucial for consideration of Indian Policymakers in devising data-driven, effective mitigation strategies under the ongoing National Clean Air Programme (NCAP).
2. Anti-Terrorism Day
- Anti-Terrorism Day is being observed across the nation on 21 May 2024.
- The day marks the death anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, who was assassinated on 21 May 1991 by a suicide bomber of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) at Sriperumbudur, a village near Chennai.
- It is observed to educate people about the negative impact of terrorism and violence on society and the nation.
3. Satwik-Chirag reclaim World No. 1 spot in BWF rankings
- Following a thrilling victory in the Thailand Open Super 500 in Bangkok, the Indian men’s badminton team of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty has taken back the top rank in the most recent Badminton World Federation (BWF) Rankings.
- Throughout the tournament, Satwik and Chirag played flawlessly, winning every match in straight games.
- On October 10, 2023, the Indian duo rose to the top of the world rankings following their historic gold medal victory in the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.
4. Ekta Bhyan secured gold medal in Women’ F51 Club throw competition at World Para Athletic C’ships
- On 21 May 2024, at the World Para Athletic Championships in Kobe, Japan, India’s Ekta Bhyan won the gold medal in the women’s F51 club throw competition with a season-best throw of 20.12 meters.
- With a score of 14.56 meters, Kashish Lakra earned the silver medal, and Algeria’s Nadjet Boucherf took home the bronze with a score of 12.70 meters.
- On May 20, 2024, Deepthi, the gold medallist at the Para Asian Games, broke the world record in the women’s 400-meter T20 category race, clocking in at 55.07 seconds.
5. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi & Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian killed in helicopter crash
- Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and a group of officials accompanying them have died in a helicopter crash in northwestern Iran.
- President Raisi was travelling back to Iran following a visit to Azerbaijan when his helicopter came down. He had been in office since 2021.
- The Iranian cabinet has convened for a second emergency meeting in less than 24 hours following the confirmation of the death of the President and the Foreign Minister in the helicopter crash.
6. Iran’s Supreme leader approved Mohammad Mokhber as Acting President
- Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has appointed Vice President Mohammad Mokhber as acting president in the wake of Ebrahim Raisi’s death in a helicopter crash.
- The Supreme Leader also ordered five days of national mourning for Mr. Raisi, who had held the presidency since 2021.
7. Artara’24 Fine Arts Exhibition and Competition has made its mark in Dubai
- In Dubai, the Artara’24 Fine Arts Exhibition and Competition has established itself as a venue for identifying and developing the nation’s up-and-coming creative talent.
- The purpose of the event was to unearth undiscovered artistic jewels, with an emphasis on the Indian talent living in Dubai.
- The purpose of the event was to give students, art aficionados, and lesser-known artists a distinguished platform to exhibit their exceptional skills and network with other creative souls.
- A staggering array of more than 250 works of art, each conveying a distinct story and showcasing the many backgrounds and viewpoints of the gifted artists, were on display at Artara’24.
8. World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development
- World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development is celebrated on 21 May.
- The day is celebrated to highlight not only the richness of the world’s cultures, but also the essential role of intercultural dialogue for achieving peace and sustainable development.
- In 2001, UNESCO adopted the Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity. Next, in December 2002, the UN General Assembly, declared May 21 to be the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development.