IMPORTANT DAYS

World Athletics Day 2024 observed on 07 May

• World Athletics Day, observed annually on May 7th, serves to underscore the significance of physical fitness and athleticism worldwide.

• This year, the theme for World Athletics Day 2024 revolves around the "World Mile Challenge," promoting participation and engagement in this iconic distance event.

• World Athletics Day was for the first time celebrated in 1996.

• It was launched by Primo Nebiolo, best known as the former President of the World Athletics.

World Athletics was known as the International Amateur Athletic Federation till 2001 and the International Association of Athletics Federations from 2001 to 2019.

• In 2019, the name was changed to World Athletics.

• World Athletics was founded in 1912 in Stockholm, Sweden. It is headquartered in Monaco.

65th Anniversary of Border Roads Organisation

• The Border Road Organisation (BRO) celebrated its 65th raising day on 7 May 2024.

• The primary goal of BRO is to develop infrastructure in remote areas of northern and northeastern states.

• A ceremony was organised in New Delhi on the occasion, presided over by the Union Defence Secretary GiridharAramane.

• The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) was formed on May 7, 1960, with the primary goal of developing infrastructure in remote areas of India’s north and northeastern states.

NATIONAL NEWS

MEDITECH STACKATHON 2024

• The Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers launched the MEDITECH STACKATHON 2024 on 07 May 2024.

• Its goal is to transform the rapidly expanding MedTech industry in India by carefully examining the value chain of certain medical products.

• Its objective is to address significant issues, encourage domestic production, reduce dependency on imports, and eventually position India as a world leader in medical technology.

• The STACKATHON included a number of topics, including critical care, imaging, and cancer therapy.

• The event demonstrated India's enormous potential in the MedTech sector, with growth rates of up to 28% per year projected.

• By 2030, the Indian MedTech market is predicted to grow to $50 billion.

• Presently, India is one of the top 20 global markets for medical equipment and the fourth largest market in Asia.

• India’s MedTech exports have already increased to more than 4 billion dollars.

APPOINTMENTS

Russia’s Vladimir Putin took oath as President for a fifth term.

• Vladimir Putin was sworn in for a six-year term on 7 May 2024 at a Kremlin ceremony.

• Several Western nations, including the United States, abstained from attending the event, citing Russia's involvement in the conflict in Ukraine.

• Putin's tenure in power dates back to 1999, during which he has served both as president and prime minister.

• In the recent March elections, Putin secured a resounding victory, further solidifying his hold on power.

• If he completes his current six-year term, Putin will surpass Josef Stalin as Russia's longest-serving leader since Empress Catherine the Great in the eighteenth century.

• Currently, Mikhail Mishustin holds the position of Prime Minister in Russia's federal semi-presidential republic system.

AWARDS

UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize.

• Palestinian journalists covering the Gaza conflict have been honored as the laureates of the 2024 UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize.

• This esteemed accolade is bestowed following the recommendation of an international panel comprising media experts.

• The award ceremony was presented on the occasion of the World Press Freedom Conference in Santiago, Chile on May 2.

• Mauricio Weibel, President of the International Jury, appreciated the courage and dedication of these journalists and considered their freedom of expression vital. Their support gave confidence and inspiration to journalists.

• Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO, showed support in this important work and protected the titles of journalists. He promoted the importance of individual and collective freedom, which supports and protects the sincere work of journalists.

2024 Pulitzer Prize

•Pulitzer Prize is given for achievements in the field of newspaper, magazine and online journalism, literature, and musical composition.

• It was started on the name of Joseph Pulitzer in 1917.

• The winners of 2024 Pulitzer Prizes are given below.

• 2024 Pulitzer Prize:

• Journalism Category

• Public Service: Pro Publica (Joshua Kaplan, Justin Elliott, Brett Murphy, Alex Mierjeski, and Kirsten Berg)

• Investigative Reporting: Hannah Dreier (The New York Times)

• International Reporting: Staff of The New York Times

• Editorial Writing: David E. Hoffman (The Washington Post)

• Breaking News: Photography Photography Staff of Reuters

• Feature Photography: Photography Staff of Associated Press

• Audio Reporting: Staff of the Invisible Institute and USG Audio

• Book, Drama, and Music Category

• Fiction: Night Watch by Jayne Anne Phillips

• Drama: Primary Trust by Eboni Booth

• History: No Right to an Honest Living: The Struggles of Boston’s Black Workers in the Civil War Era by Jacqueline Jones

• Biography King: A Life by Jonathan Eig
Master Slave Husband Wife: An Epic Journey from Slavery to Freedom by Ilyon Woo

• Memoir and Autobiography: Liliana’s Invincible Summer: A Sister’s Search for Justice by Cristina Rivera Garza

• Poetry Tripas: Poems by Brandon Som

• Music: Adagio (For Wadada Leo Smith) by Tyshawn Sorey

• General Nonfiction: A Day in the Life of Abed Salama: Anatomy of a Jerusalem Tragedy by Nathan Thrall