Current Affairs 22 May 2025

Banu Mushtaq Becomes 1st Kannada Author to Win International Booker Prize.

First for Kannada: Heart Lamp becomes the 1st Kannada-language work to receive this honor.
Author Profile: Banu Mushtaq is an Indian writer, lawyer, and activist.
Powerful Themes: The book explores the struggles and resilience of Muslim women in South India.
Translation: Originally in Kannada, it was translated into English by Deepa Bhasthi.

India Eyes Top Spot: Expected to become the world’s largest potato producer by 2050, overtaking China.
Expert Backing: Prediction comes from the International Potato Center (CIP), Peru.
Production Surge: Output likely to hit 100 million tonnes annually.

WHO adopts the first-ever global pandemic treaty on May 20, 2025, in Geneva.
Strong Support: 124 countries voted in favor, 11 abstained, none opposed.
Goal: To ensure a fairer, more coordinated global response to future pandemics.
Focus: Addresses health inequities exposed during COVID-19; promotes equitable access to healthcare.
Notable Absence: United States, a former WHO member, did not participate — raising concerns over implementation and funding.

Ministry of Home Affairs introduces e-Zero FIR under the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C).
Purpose: To fast-track registration of FIRs in high-value cyber financial fraud cases.
Automation: Complaints made via the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP) or helpline 1930 will be automatically converted into Zero FIRs.
Threshold: Applies to fraud cases involving losses above ₹10 lakh.

Golden Dragon-2025 – a joint military drill between China and Cambodia.
Objective: To strengthen bilateral defense ties, focusing on counter-terrorism and disaster relief.
Key Features:

Involves land, sea, and air operations.
Showcases advanced unmanned combat systems.
Focus Areas: Enhanced tactical coordination, humanitarian response, and interoperability.