News in Short

• Intolerable bouts of extreme humidity and heat which could threaten human survival are on the rise across the world, suggesting that worst-case scenario warnings about the consequences of global heating are already occurring, a new study has revealed.
• Scientists have identified thousands of previously undetected outbreaks of the deadly weather combination in parts of Asia, Africa, Australia, South America and North America, including several hotspots along the US Gulf coast.
• The ominous findings come as something of a surprise to scientists, as previous studies had projected such extreme weather events would occur later in the century, mostly in parts of the tropics and subtropics where humidity is already a problem.

• Improving hygiene practices like washing hands reduces the risk of catching infections by 50 percent and cuts the use of antibiotics by 30 percent, suggests a new study.
• It provides evidence that practising hand hygiene in homes and community settings can prevent infections and therefore reduce the need for antibiotics.
• The study paper also demonstrates the increasing prevalence of multidrug-resistant bacteria in the home and community.

• A second instalment of the government-run Sovereign Gold Bond (SGB) scheme will open for subscription from May 11. The Sovereign Gold Bonds - issued by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on behalf of the government, are part of the central government's market-borrowing programme.
• The sovereign gold bond scheme was launched in November 2015 with an objective to reduce the demand for physical gold, and shift a part of domestic savings, used for purchase of gold, into financial savings.
• These bonds are sold through scheduled commercial banks (except small finance banks and payment banks), Stock Holding Corporation of India Limited (SHCIL), designated post offices, and recognised stock exchanges viz., National Stock Exchange of India Ltd and Bombay Stock Exchange Ltd.

• India rejected objections raised by Nepal over the inauguration of a new road to the Lipulekh pass along the border with China in Uttarakhand. The road section in Pithoragarh district in Uttarakhand lies completely within the territory of India.
• With the completion of this project, the arduous trek through high-altitude terrain can now be avoided by the pilgrims of Kailash Mansarovar Yatra and the period of journey will also reduce by many days.
• Lipulekh pass is a far western point near Kalapani, which is a disputed territory between India and Nepal. Nepal stakes claims to the southern side of the pass, Kalapani, which connects to the border with Chinese trading town of Taklakot in Tibet.

• Richard Penniman, better known as Little Richard, who combined the sacred shouts of the black church and the profane sounds of the blues to create some of the world’s first and most influential rock ’n’ roll records, has died. He was 87.
• He had his biggest hits in the 1950s and was known for his exuberant performances, shrieks, raspy voice and flamboyant outfits. He sold more than 30 million records worldwide.
• When the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame opened in 1986, he was among the charter members with Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly, Jerry Lee Lewis, Sam Cooke and others.