INTERNATIONAL NEWS
1. Chagos Island:
Why in news?
United Kingdom agreed to hand over Chagos Islands to Mauritius
About the Chagos island and its historical background:
- The United Kingdom government has signed an agreement to hand over sovereignty over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, but it will keep control of the strategic military base on Diego Garcia island for the next 99 years.
- The Chagos Islands, also known as the British Indian Ocean Territory, lie in the central Indian Ocean, about 1250 miles from Mauritius.
- The United Kingdom captured the Chagos Islands and Mauritius in 1810.
- When Mauritius became independent in 1965 from the United Kingdom, the British kept the Chagos Islands.
- In the 1906, the British offered the largest island of Chagos – Diego Garcia to the United States of America to build a military base.
- After the approval of the American President Donald Trump, the above said agreement was formally signed on 22 May 2025.
NATIONAL NEWS
2. Election Commission of India:
Why in news?
Maximum number of voters in a polling booth reduced to 1200 by ECI
About the reforms by Election Commission of India:
- To ensure a smooth voting process, the Election Commission of India has reduced the maximum number of voters in a polling booth to 1200 from the present 1500.
- Following other 3 major reforms were also announced by the ECI on 22 May 2025:
- Polling booths will be set up in high-rise buildings and residential colonies to make voting convenient for the voters. The voter’s slip will now prominently display the serial and part numbers for easy identification.
- The Election Commission of India will source death data from the Registrar General of India and, after verification, remove the deceased person’s name from the electoral list.
- The Election Commission of India is an autonomous permanent constitutional body established under Article 324 of the Constitution.
- It came into effect on 25 January 1950. Every year, 25th January is observed as National Voters Day.
- Gyanesh Kumar is the 26th Chief Election Commissioner of India.
3. First visually impaired Indian woman to scale Mount Everest:
why in news?
Chhonzin Angmo becomes first visually impaired Indian woman to scale Mount Everest
About the news in detail:
- 29-year-old Chhonzin Angmo, a tribal woman from a remote village in Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh, hoisted the tricolor atop Mount Everest
- With her remarkable feet, she became the first visually impaired Indian to conquer Mount Everest.
- She scripted history by also standing out as the 5th such person globally to scale Mt Everest.
- Angmo lost her sight when she was eight years old.
- Presently, she works with the Union Bank of India as a customer service associate in Delhi.
4. Rising Northeast Investor Summit:
Why in news?
Rising Northeast Investor Summit begins in New Delhi
Aim of this Rising Northeast Investor Summit:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the two-day Rising Northeast Investors Summit 2025 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on 23 May 2025.
- The summit aims to showcase the eight north-eastern states’ trade and investment potential and encourage international and domestic investment in these states.
- The summit is organised by the Union Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region.
GOVERNMENT INITIATIVE
5. ‘Paryavaran Sanrakashak’ initiative:
Why in news?
Delhi Govt launches ‘Paryavaran Sanrakashak’ initiative
Aim of launching this new initiative:
- In a fresh initiative to sensitise the youth of Delhi about climate change and its impact on ecology, the Delhi government has launched an initiative to train 80 ‘Paryavaran Sanrakshaks’ as eco-leaders.
- To implement the initiative the Department of Environment has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Delhi-based The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI).
- As part of the agreement, the Delhi Government will provide Rs 40 lakh to TERI to execute the programme across approximately 2,000 eco-clubs in educational institutions throughout Delhi-NCR.
IMPORTANT APPOINTMENTS
6. Brand Ambassador of Karnataka Soaps & Detergents Limited (KSDL):
Why in news?
Tamannaah Bhatia named Brand Ambassador of Karnataka Soaps & Detergents Limited (KSDL)
About the news in brief:
- Tamannaah’s appointment involves a ₹6.2 crore contract over two years.
- This strategic move aims to enhance KSDL’s visibility and appeal among younger consumers and expand its footprint both nationally and globally.
- KSDL is a 109-year-old state enterprise best known for its flagship product, Mysore Sandal Soap.
- In FY 2024-25, KSDL recorded a turnover of 1,785.99 crore, with about 80% revenue coming from six states:
- Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Maharashtra.