Kareena Kapoor Khan appointed as the National Ambassador for UNICEF India  

• Bollywood actress Kareena Kapoor Khan has been appointed as the National Ambassador for UNICEF India.
• This prestigious role comes as a recognition of her long-standing association with the organization since 2014, where she has served as a Celebrity Advocate.

Youth Advocates: Championing Diverse Causes:

• Alongside Kareena’s appointment, UNICEF India also introduced its first-ever Youth Advocates, a group of four remarkable individuals who will serve as peer leaders and champions for crucial issues affecting children and young people.

The Youth Advocates and their respective causes are:

• Gauranshi Sharmafrom Madhya Pradesh, advocating for the right to play and disability inclusion.
• Kartik Verma from Uttar Pradesh, championing climate action and child rights advocacy.
• Nahid Afrin from Assam, raising awareness about mental health and early childhood development.
• Vinisha Umashankar from Tamil Nadu, a budding innovator and STEM pioneer.

Kareena’s Commitment to Children’s Rights:

• Kareena Kapoor Khan’s association with UNICEF India has been a testament to her dedication to children’s rights and welfare. As a Celebrity Advocate, she has lent her voice to various campaigns, raising awareness about issues such as education, nutrition, and child protection.
• Together, Kareena Kapoor Khan and the Youth Advocates will form a formidable team, working tirelessly to ensure that every child’s rights are protected, and their voices are heard.

Newly discovered tardigrade species named ‘Batillipes Chandrayaani’ after the Chandrayaan-3 Mission. 

• A newly discovered tardigrade species named after the Chandrayaan-3 mission.
• A new species of marine tardigrade has been discovered on the coast of Tamil Nadu.
• It has been named ‘Batillipes chandrayaani’ after the Chandrayaan-3 moon mission by researchers.
• Scientists from the Department of Marine Technology, Cochin University of Science and Technology S. Bijoy Nandan and Vishnu Duttan discovered this new species of marine tardigrade from the sediments of the beach of Mandapam in Tamil Nadu.

New Rs 100 note depicting Indian territories will be issued by Nepal 

Recently, the printing of a new Rs 100 note announced by Nepal, which has a map that includes the Indian territories of Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura, and Kalapani. India has opposed this move.

• In a meeting chaired by Nepali Prime Minister Pushpakamal Dahal Prachanda, the Council of Ministers decided to include the disputed areas in the new map of Nepal.
• The decision was taken following Nepal Rastra Bank’s proposal to update the map on Rs 100 banknotes.
• During meetings held on April 25 and May 2, the redesign, with the updated map, was approved.
• Nepal Rastra Bank has been authorized by the government to replace the current map on currency notes with the updated version.
• Lipulekh, Kalapani, and Limpiyadhura were included in the November 2019 map of India.
• Tensions arose between India and Nepal in May 2020 after Nepal released a political map that included similar areas.

EU adopts First Law against violence towards women :

• The European Union formally adopted groundbreaking legislation designed to combat violence against women across its 27 member states.
• This legislation includes measures against forced marriages, female genital mutilation, and cyber violence, marking a significant step in enhancing women’s rights and safety within the EU.

Key Provisions of the Legislation:

• The newly enacted law aims broadly to protect women from gender-related violence, encompassing a variety of offenses. Notably, it criminalizes acts such as online stalking and harassment, the non-consensual sharing of intimate images, and incitement to violence or hatred.
• Offenses under this law are punishable by imprisonment, with terms ranging from one to five years, depending on the severity of the crime.
• Additionally, if the victim is a minor or has a close family relation with the perpetrator (such as a spouse or ex-spouse), the law allows for enhanced penalties.
• The legislation places a strong emphasis on providing support and improving protections for victims of domestic abuse, including children.

Implementation and Impact:

• EU member states are required to incorporate these new rules into their national laws within three years.
• The harmonization of these laws across the EU is expected to bolster the legal response to gender-based violence, ensuring that perpetrators face significant penalties while providing comprehensive support for victims.