2nd MAY CURRENT AFFAIRS

1. ECOCIDE: PROPOSED AS THE FIFTH INTERNATIONAL CRIME

The Four Core International Crimes

1.Genocide : Acts committed with intent to destroya national, ethnical, racial, or religious group.

2.Crimes Against Humanity: Widespread or systematic attacks directed against any civilian population, including murder, torture, rape, and enslavement.

3.War Crimes:serious violations of the laws of war, such as attacking civilians or hospitals.

4. Crime of Aggression: The use of armed force by a State against the sovereignty, integrity, or independence of another State.

5. The Proposed Fifth Crime -Ecocide: Proposed as the fifth international crime, this refers to unlawful severe and either widespread orlong-term damage to the environment being caused by those actsbeing caused by those acts

The Rome Statute (1998): Established the permanent ICC to prosecute these crimes.

Vietnam becamethe first country to codify ecocide in its domestic law in 1990

2. E-PRAAPTI

The Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) is set to launch E-PRAAPTI (EPF Aadhaar-Based Access Portal for Tracking Inoperative Accounts)

A dedicated digital platform to facilitate identification, tracking, Unique Account Number (UAN) linking, and activation of old EPF accounts.

Launched in April 2026, it primarily targets users who worked before the Universal Account Number (UAN) system was introduced in 2014 or those who have lost track of their old member IDs

3. Karnataka Launches Space Tech Centre of Excellence

Karnataka has taken a significant step in advancing India’s space innovation ecosystem by launching the country’s first state-led Centre of Excellence for Space Technology in Bengaluru.

The initiative aims to accelerate commercial applications of space technologies while strengthening collaboration between government, industry, and academia.

The Centre will focus on advanced research, industry-oriented training, and talent development in the space sector.

It will also serve as a hub for startup incubation and ecosystem building

4. Inauguration of the Vizhinjam International Deepwater Multipurpose Seaport in Kerala

The strategic Vizhinjam port is expected to play a key role in strengthening India’s position in global trade. Its location near one of the busiest sea trade routes, combined with a natural deep draft of nearly 20 metres, ensures that it will be pivotal in reducing India’s reliance on foreign ports for cargo transshipment.

The new port is expected to reduce logistics costs for Indian manufacturers by 30-40 per cent, significantly enhancing the country's export competitiveness.

With a capacity increase planned to 5 million TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units) by 2028, the port is set to become a key player in India’s maritime infrastructure.

The Adani Group, in collaboration with both the central and state governments, has already invested over Rs 4,500 crore in the Vizhinjam project.

Further investment of Rs 20,000 crore is expected in the upcoming phases, creating more than 5,000 jobs and significantly boosting the local economy.

5Kazakhstan: Largest Uranium Producer in the World

Kazakhstan produces over 40% of the world’s uranium, making it the global leader in uranium mining.”

Despite vast uranium mining, Kazakhstan maintains over 200,000 rural farms, balancing agriculture and environmental sustainability.

Kazakhstan’s uranium mines not only provide fuel for nuclear reactors around the world, but also drive rural development, infrastructure, and employment in remote regions.

Kazakhstan leads global uranium production, followed by Canada, Namibia, and Australia. Understanding these supply hubs helps decode energy security and commodity trends worldwide.

Australia holds the world's largest uranium reserves (about 28-30% of the total), while Kazakhstan is the top producer.

6 .Vikram VT 21

The Defence Research and Development Organisation has launched the Vikram VT 21 project featuring two Advanced Armoured Platforms—wheeled and tracked

These are designed to meet the Indian Army’s need for a Futuristic Infantry Combat Vehicle (FICV).

The platform aims to replace the ageing BMP-2 fleet by offering improved mobility, protection, and adaptability across varied terrains, positioning it as a next-generation solution for modern battlefield requirements

The project includes two variants:

Wheeled variant: Runs on tyres, offering higher speed, easier maintenance, and suitability for urban, semi-urban, and road conditions

Tracked variant: Moves on continuous tracks like tanks, providing better grip, stability, and performance on rough, uneven, and off-road terrain features high mobility, 30mm crewless turrets, and ~65% indigenous content.