Current Affairs - May 23, 2025 Current Affairs

The International Day to End Obstetric Fistula is observed every year on May 23. This day highlights one of the most preventable childbirth-related injuries—obstetric fistula, which results from prolonged, obstructed labour without timely medical intervention. The 2025 theme, “Her Health, Her Right,” emphasizes the necessity of providing all women and girls access to quality sexual and reproductive healthcare services. Despite being preventable and treatable, obstetric fistula continues to affect hundreds of thousands of women globally, particularly in impoverished regions. The observance aims to mobilize global efforts to eliminate this condition by addressing healthcare inequalities and promoting women’s rights.

Algeria has officially become a new member of the New Development Bank (NDB), which was originally established by the BRICS nations—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—during the 6th BRICS Summit held in Fortaleza, Brazil in 2014. The bank aims to support infrastructure and sustainable development projects in emerging economies. Initially exclusive to BRICS countries, NDB has gradually expanded its membership to include several other nations such as Bangladesh, Egypt, the UAE, Uruguay, and now Algeria. The inclusion of Algeria signifies the bank’s growing global footprint and its effort to promote inclusive economic growth. The NDB headquarters is located in Shanghai.

Assam became the first state in India to introduce an AI-powered news anchor named 'Ankita', capable of delivering government updates in the Assamese language. Launched by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on May 15, 2025, Ankita aims to enhance public communication by presenting Cabinet meeting highlights via social media. This initiative is a major step towards digital transformation and e-governance, showcasing the state’s commitment to innovation. While it has received praise for embracing technology and improving transparency, it has also sparked debate around the role of AI in media and its potential impact on traditional employment in the sector.

The national-level celebration of the International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) 2025 was held in Udaipur, Rajasthan. This event was organized by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) in collaboration with the National Biodiversity Authority, the Rajasthan Forest Department, and the Rajasthan State Biodiversity Board. The event marked the formal launch of India’s updated National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) for 2024–2030, reaffirming the country’s commitment to biodiversity conservation. Udaipur was chosen as the venue due to its rich ecological and cultural heritage, making it an apt location for such an environmental initiative.

Neeraj Chopra secured the second position in the men’s javelin throw event at the Janusz Kusocinski Memorial 2025 held in Chorzow, Poland. His best throw measured 84.14 meters and came on his final attempt. The event, now in its 71st edition, is one of the oldest and most prestigious athletics meets in Europe. Germany’s Julian Weber claimed the top spot with a throw of 86.12 meters. Neeraj's performance at this high-level international competition reinforces his consistency and stature in the global javelin throwing scene, as he continues to be a top contender on the athletics circuit.

The central government has introduced a 4% reservation in the allocation of residential housing for persons with disabilities (PwD). This progressive measure, led by the Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal, aims to foster inclusivity and provide equitable access to government housing facilities. By reserving a fixed percentage, the initiative ensures that people with disabilities are not left behind in public welfare schemes. It reflects a broader commitment to accessibility, dignity, and inclusive urban development, aligning with national and international goals for disability rights and empowerment. This step represents a meaningful stride toward inclusive governance.

World Turtle Day is celebrated annually on May 23, an initiative sponsored by American Tortoise Rescue (ATR), a nonprofit founded in 1990. The day aims to raise awareness about the protection and humane treatment of turtles and tortoises around the world. Susan Tellem and Marshall Thompson, the founders of ATR and World Turtle Day, have long advocated for reptile welfare. The 25th anniversary celebration carries the theme “Dancing Turtles Rock!”, emphasizing fun and public engagement while drawing attention to conservation issues. This day helps spotlight global efforts needed to preserve these ancient creatures and their habitats.

Kanak secured India’s first gold medal at the ISSF Junior World Cup held in Suhl, Germany. Competing in the Women’s 10-metre Air Pistol event, she delivered an outstanding performance, scoring 239 points in the final round. This victory adds to her previous achievement as a silver medalist at the Junior World Championship in Lima in 2024. In this event, Kanak triumphed over Anna Dulce of Moldova, a highly accomplished shooter known for her Olympic appearances and European Championship title. Kanak’s win is a significant moment for India’s shooting contingent at the international level.

The Polar Bhavan and Sagar Bhavan were inaugurated at the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research located in Goa. These newly established centres are significant scientific infrastructure investments, amounting to 55 crore rupees. They feature cutting-edge facilities, including world-class ice core laboratories, placing them among the first of their kind globally. These centres aim to enhance India’s research capabilities in polar and ocean sciences, facilitating advanced studies related to climate change, marine biodiversity, and glaciology. Goa was chosen for its strategic coastal location and existing research infrastructure, making it an ideal site for such an important scientific milestone.

Maharashtra has given its approval for the merger of Konkan Railway Corporation Limited (KRCL) with Indian Railways. This move addresses the financial difficulties faced by KRCL, including low revenue generation and increasing infrastructure costs, which had hindered further development and modernization efforts. With this decision, all the states served by the Konkan Railway—Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, and now Maharashtra—have supported the integration. The merger is expected to streamline operations, reduce administrative overheads, and enhance the efficiency of railway services along the Konkan coast, thereby benefiting both passengers and freight logistics in the region.