Current Affairs Quiz May 2024

[A] Insects

Notes:

World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) is a global campaign on May 11 & October 12, 2024, emphasizing migratory bird conservation. The theme “Insects” underscores insects’ significance for birds and addresses declining insect populations’ impact. WMBD raises awareness about the importance of preserving habitats for migratory birds.

[C] Indonesia

Notes:

Indonesia’s Ibu volcano, located on Halmahera island in the Maluku Islands, erupted, sending ash 5 km high. The country’s volcanology agency issued a warning. Ibu is a stratovolcano known for its steep slopes and explosive eruptions. It stands approximately 1,325 meters tall with a base diameter of 10 kilometers. Situated in Indonesia’s eastern region, Halmahera is the largest island in the Maluku archipelago.

[A] Meghalaya

Notes:

A High Court-appointed panel in Meghalaya highlights stalled efforts in restoring environments damaged by rat-hole coal mining. This method, prevalent in the state’s Jaintia and Khasi Hills, involves narrow, manual pits for coal extraction. Classified into side-cutting and box-cutting, it lacks regulation and safety measures, leading to accidents and fatalities. Despite a 2014 ban by the NGT, rat-hole mining persists, posing environmental and human risks.

[B] Mumbai and Delhi

Notes:

In a milestone for India’s economic growth, Mumbai and Delhi debut in the world’s top 50 wealthiest cities, with Mumbai at 24th and Delhi at 37th in the Wealthiest Cities Report 2024. Compiled by Henley & Partners and New World Wealth, the report defines wealth based on liquid investable assets. New York City maintains its top spot with 349,500 millionaires and over $3 trillion combined wealth. The US claims 11 cities in the top 50, including three in the top 10.

[A] Punjabi

Notes:

Renowned Punjabi poet Surjit Patar, Padma Shri recipient, passed away at 79 in Ludhiana, Punjab. Tributes flood in from political and literary circles. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan express profound grief, acknowledging Patar’s global impact on promoting and preserving the Punjabi language.

[B] Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Notes:

Ramcharitmanas, Panchatantra, and Sahṛdayāloka-Locana from India are included in UNESCO’s Memory of the World Asia-Pacific Regional Register for 2024. Recognizing achievements in genealogy, literature, and science, the committee’s decision was made at the 10th General Meeting of MOWCAP in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. The meeting, hosted by the Mongolian government and UNESCO, had 38 member state representatives and 40 observers.

[B] Aman Sehrawat

Notes:

Aman Sehrawat made history as the first Indian male wrestler to clinch a quota for the 2024 Paris Olympics. At the World Wrestling Olympic Qualifiers in Istanbul, he secured the Paris quota in the men’s 57kg freestyle category by defeating Chongsong Han of Korea 12-2 in the semi-final. This marks India’s sixth quota in wrestling for the 2024 Olympics, with all previous five quotas won by Indian women wrestlers.

[A] Iran

Notes:

India recently signed a 10-year agreement with Iran to develop and manage the Chabahar port, a deep-water port in Iran’s Sistan-Baluchistan province. It’s strategically located on the Gulf of Oman at the Strait of Hormuz mouth, granting direct Indian Ocean access. Comprising Shahid Beheshti and Shahid Kalantari ports, its proximity to Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India, alongside its role in the International North-South Transport Corridor, signals its potential as a vital commercial center.

[A] Moist deciduous & Semi evergreen forests

Notes:

The disappearance of silk cotton trees from south Rajasthan poses severe consequences for forests and locals. Also known as semal tree, it’s a tall deciduous species with a buttressed base and prickly trunk. Found in moist deciduous and semi-evergreen forests, it holds cultural significance for the Garasia tribe. Widely distributed in India, it serves various purposes, offering shelter, food, and even land reclamation, making its decline alarming for ecosystems and communities.

[C] China

Notes:

China plans to construct the High Energy Photon Source (HEPS), joining a select group with fourth-generation synchrotron light sources. Currently, around 70 synchrotrons exist globally, with only a few countries possessing fourth-gen facilities like Sweden, Brazil, and France. HEPS will produce Asia’s brightest synchrotron X-rays using electricity to generate intense light beams. Its advanced technology, including a multi-bend achromat lattice, promises breakthroughs in understanding matter at various levels, akin to India’s Indus-1 synchrotron and its affiliation with the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility.