Current Affairs Quiz - May, 2024

Notes:
The European Society for Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases and the Global Leaders Group (GLG) on AMR organized a high-level event in Barcelona, Spain. It aims to unite world leaders and experts across sectors to boost political action on antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Established in 2020, the GLG advises on AMR and is supported by the Quadripartite Joint Secretariat involving FAO, UNEP, WHO, and WOAH, to maintain global momentum and leadership on AMR.

Notes:
The Bengaluru-based Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) recorded the moon passing in front of Antares, a massive red supergiant star in Scorpius constellation. Antares, 10,000 times brighter than the Sun, is 700 times its diameter and lies 600 light-years away. Despite its size, Antares has low density and temperature, around 6,100°F (3,400°C), giving it a ruddy color. Red supergiants are large, cool stars approaching the end of their lives, highly luminous but with low surface temperature.

Notes:
Recently, an Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopter collected water from Bhimtal Lake in Nainital, Uttarakhand to help control a nearby forest fire.The Indian Army and the IAF were called in to help control the blaze, with MI-17 choppers lifting water from the lake for firefighting efforts. Bhimtal Lake, Uttarakhand’s largest lake in the Nainital district, is a centerpiece of the Kumaon region, dubbed India’s “lake district.” Named after the Mahabharata’s Bhima, it formed naturally due to Earth’s crust shifts. Constructed in 1883 during the British era, it features a masonry dam.

Notes:
Hindu devotees gather in Hinglaj, Lasbela district, Pakistan, for an annual festival at the ancient cave temple of Hinglaj Mata. The pilgrimage begins with a trek to steep mud volcanoes, where pilgrims climb stairs and rocks to reach the summit. Tossing coconuts and rose petals into the crater, they seek divine permission to visit the temple. Dedicated to Goddess Hinglaj, it’s one of the oldest temples in the Indian subcontinent. Located near the Hingol River, in Balochistan, Pakistan, the temple complex features shrines, caves, and sacred natural formations.

Notes:
According to IQAir, Kathmandu is the most polluted city in the world as of May 2, 2024. IQAir is a Swiss technology company that monitors the pollution levels of 101 cities in real time. The Ministry of Health and Population of Nepal has advised residents to wear masks due to the alarming increase in air pollution in the Kathmandu valley. In 2023, IQAir’s World Air Quality report ranked India as the third most polluted country and New Delhi as the most polluted capital city.

Notes:
The Sri Madhava Perumal Temple reveals a historic trade route from over 1,000 years ago. Submerged in the Bhavanisagar dam, lowered water levels now unveil the temple in Erode district, Tamil Nadu. Hoysala King Veera Ballala III appointed Madhava Perumal Dhandanayaka to govern, who constructed the Dhandanayaka Fort 680 years ago. His son, Veera Siddha Keththaya Dhandanayaka, built the temple within. Later ruled by Vijayanagara Empire, Ummattur chiefs, and Tipu Sultan, the fort witnessed the Battle of Sathyamangalam in 1790.

Notes:
Rising temperatures in India could slash milk production by 25% by 2085, warns a Lancet report. India, the top global milk producer and consumer, faces severe livelihood and nutrition risks. The northern plains contribute 30% of India’s milk, supported by 89 million smallholder farmers. Heat stress, measured by the Temperature Humidity Index (THI), reduces milk yield. Unabated, this could cost 3.4 lakh tons of milk and 15,000 crores by 2030 in the northern plains alone.

Notes:
Researchers recently found that FLVCR2, a protein, facilitates the transportation of the essential nutrient choline into the brain. Choline plays a crucial role in cellular growth and metabolism, existing in both water and fat-soluble forms. While the body can produce choline in the liver, dietary intake is necessary to meet daily requirements. Rich sources include meat, fish, dairy, eggs, as well as various fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

Notes:
The World Bank’s ‘Recipe for a Livable Planet’ report outlines strategies for achieving net zero emissions in the agrifood system. It defines the agrifood system’s scope from farm to table, highlighting its significant contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions, with developing countries and China, Brazil, and India being major emitters. India’s emissions are mainly from livestock. Despite increased climate financing, agrifood projects receive only 4.3%. The report suggests doubling investments to $260 billion yearly by 2030 for emissions reduction.

Notes:
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) released its 2024 World Migration Report, highlighting conflict and climate change as major drivers of global displacement. There are about 281 million international migrants worldwide, with 117 million displaced, marking a record high. In India, climate impacts drive internal migration from Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh. India hosts the most international migrants (18 million), with top destinations being UAE, USA, and Saudi Arabia. In 2022, India led in remittances, exceeding USD 111 billion.