1 May Current Affairs 2024

The Indian Navy has launched the sixth barge of the LSAM 16 (Yard 130) series, named ‘Ammunition Cum Torpedo Cum Missile Barge, LSAM 20 (Yard 130),’ built by a private firm, Suryadipta Projects Pvt Ltd, in Thane, Maharashtra
The barge will help the Indian Navy facilitate the transportation of articles and ammunition to ships, both alongside jetties and at outer harbors.

The Sri Lankan Cabinet has approved the renovation of the Kankesanthurai Port (KKS Port) in the Northern Province, with India agreeing to grant the entire estimated cost of the project, amounting to USD 61.5 million.
This decision showcases India’s commitment to its “Neighbourhood First” policy and its role as a development aid partner for neighbouring countries.
The KKS Port began operations as a commercial port in 1950, coinciding with the establishment of a cement factory in Kankesanthurai.
The project, once completed, is expected to boost socio-economic growth, cultural ties, and people-to-people connections between the two nations, particularly benefiting the northern region of Sri Lanka.

Alok Shukla, a 43-year-old environmental activist from Chhattisgarh, India, has been awarded the prestigious Goldman Environmental Prize for 2024.
Shukla led a successful grassroots campaign to protect 445,000 acres of the biodiversity-rich Hasdeo Aranya forests from the development of 21 proposed coal mines.
The Goldman Environmental Prize, often called the “Green Nobel,” is awarded annually to grassroots environmental activists from six continents. Established in 1989 by Richard and Rhoda Goldman, the prize honors individuals for their sustained efforts to protect and enhance the natural environment.
India is the world’s second-largest coal consumer and producer, with 761 million tons generated in 2022-2023.
More than 21% of India’s coal comes from the state of Chhattisgarh.

The G7 energy ministers, during their meeting in Turin, Italy, discussed a possible time frame for phasing out coal-fired power plants as part of their commitment to transition away from fossil fuels.
The discussions come in the wake of the UN’s COP28 climate summit in December, where the world pledged to move away from coal, oil, and gas.
The proposed timeline is to phase out coal power generation in the first half of the 2030s, possibly by 2035
The G7 consists of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, and the US.
Together, they make up around 38% of the global economy and were responsible for 21% of total greenhouse gas emissions in 2021.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved the immediate release of the final $1.1 billion tranche of a $3 billion bailout to Pakistan.
Pakistan sought IMF assistance to stabilize its economy and avoid defaulting on foreign debts
As part of the bailout conditions, Pakistan was required to reduce subsidies intended to cushion the impact of rising living costs.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is an international financial institution headquartered in Washington, D.C., USA. It was founded in 1944 at the Bretton Woods Conference and currently has 190 member countries.

The Indian Space Situational Assessment Report (ISSAR) for 2023, compiled by ISRO System for Safe and Sustainable Space Operations Management (IS4OM) and released by ISRO Chairman S. Somanath, has revealed that more space objects were placed in orbit in 2023 compared to the previous year, indicating a growing trend in space object population.
3,143 objects added in 2023 from 212 launches and on-orbit breakup events (vs 2,533 objects from 179 launches in 2022)
Total of 127 Indian satellites launched till December 31, 2023
Three active Indian deep space missions: Chandrayaan-2 Orbiter, Aditya-L1, and Chandrayaan-3 Propulsion Module.
India chairs the UN working group on Long-term Sustainability of outer space activities.

Kanav