NATIONAL NEWS
1. Karnataka’s Temple to get UNESCO Status:
Why in news?
Karnataka’s Lakkundi temples to be included in UNESCO tentative list as World Heritage Sites
About the special features in Lakkundi Temple:
- The group of monuments at Lakkundi and temples from surrounding places date back from the early 10th to 12th centuries CE.
- These marvels were built during the period of Kalyana Chaluykas or Western Chalukyas.
- Karnataka has tied up with the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) for the inclusion of temples in the UNESCO’s tentative list of World Heritage Sites.
2. MoU with Rapido:
Why in news?
Ministry of Labour & Employment signs MoU with Rapido in New Delhi
About the Memorandum in brief:
- Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) marks a significant step toward strengthening employment linkages in the logistics sector through the National Career Service (NCS) portal.
- This agreement will make around 50 lakh jobs available on the NCS portal in the coming 1-2 years.
- Hyderabad-based Rapido was founded in 2015 by Aravind Sanka, Pavan Guntupalli and Rishikesh SR.
3. 3 new voter-centric reforms:
Why in news?
Election Commission unveils 3 new voter-centric reforms
Aim of these 3 new voter-centric reforms:
- The ECI will now electronically obtain death data from the Registrar General of India.
- Voter Information Slips (VIS) design will be updated to highlight serial and part numbers in larger fonts.
- This will help voters to easily find their polling stations and locate their names in the voter list.
- Also aids polling officials in quick identification, saving time on election day.
- Photo Identity Cards for BLOs: This ensures BLOs are recognizable, improving citizen trust and engagement during voter verification and house-to-house drives.
REPORTS & INDICES
4. Press Freedom Index Report:
Why in news?
India ranks 151 in World Press Freedom Index 2025
About the India’s rank in Press Freedom Index:
- India has been placed at 151 positions out of 180 countries in the World Press Freedom Index 2025 and its position falls under “very serious” category.
- India was ranked 159th in 2024 and 161st in 2023
- Norway, Estonia and Netherlands secured 1st, 2nd and 3rd spots respectively in present rankings.
- The Index ranks Eritrea at the bottom-most.
- Pakistan fell to 158 in 2025 from 150 in 2023.
- One-party regimes and dictatorships feature below India: North Korea (179), China (178), Vietnam (173), Myanmar (169)
- The index is released by Paris-based NGO Reporters Without Borders.
ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS
5. Asia’s most endangered turtle species:
Why in news?
Asia’s most endangered turtle species returns to Ganga in landmark conservation effort
About the Turtle and its environmental status:
- The ‘Batagur Kachhua’ (Red-crowned Roofed Turtle), a freshwater species once considered one of Asia’s most endangered, is on the path to revival and is set to return to Uttar Pradesh.
- In a first-of-its-kind initiative, the Uttar Pradesh government, in coordination with the Namami Gange programme and in collaboration with the Indian Turtle Conservation Program (ITCP), has reintroduced the species into the river Ganga-marking a major milestone in efforts to revive critically endangered aquatic life.
- As part of this initiative, 10 male and 10 female turtles, aged between two and three years, were released at two ecologically crucial sites:
- upstream in the Haiderpur Wetland and downstream in the Hastinapur Wildlife Sanctuary.
- To monitor the animals, each turtle has been fitted with a sonic transmitter.
IMPORTANT DAYS
6. World Laughter Day:
Why in news?
World Laughter Day for 2025 celebrated on May 4th
About the day and its importance:
- The day is celebrated on first Sunday of May worldwide.
- The World Laughter Day was initiated in India in 1998 by Dr Madan Katari, the founder of the laughter yoga movement.
- Theme 2025: “Laughter for Health, Peace and Happiness”