Current Affairs Quiz - May, 2024

Notes:
ISRO released the Indian Space Situational Assessment Report (ISSAR) highlighting a rise in space object population. ISRO System for Safe and Sustainable Space Operations Management (IS4OM), operational since 2022, ensures ISRO’s space asset safety. Globally, 3143 objects were launched, with five major break-up events. India launched 127 satellites by 2023 and successfully conducted seven ISRO missions, including Chandrayaan-3 and Aditya L-1. Collision Avoidance Manoeuvres increased to protect spacecraft from close approaches.

Notes:
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted a successful test of the Supersonic Missile-Assisted Release of Torpedo (SMART) system on May 1, 2024, from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island, Odisha coast. The test validated advanced mechanisms like symmetric separation and velocity control. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and DRDO chief Dr Samir V Kamat praised the SMART team. SMART is a next-gen lightweight torpedo delivery system boosting Indian Navy’s anti-submarine capabilities, featuring a supersonic missile carrier with a 643 km range and a 20 km lightweight torpedo.

Notes:
India will host the BWF World Junior Championships 2025 at the National Centre of Excellence in Guwahati, as announced by the Badminton World Federation (BWF). It marks India’s first hosting since 2008, when Pune held the event. The specific dates for the 2025 edition will be disclosed later.

Notes:
Kundan Green Energy secures approval for a 42 MW hydropower venture in Okhali, Uttarakhand, as part of an 80 MW agreement with the state government with an investment of Rs 1,000 Crore. It targets completion by 2028, boosting the company’s hydropower capacity to 270 MW from 104 MW. A subsidiary of Kundan Group, it’s committed to India’s renewable energy goal of 500 GW by 2030, employing sustainable practices for a greener future.

Notes:
Invest India projects India’s e-commerce to reach $325 billion by 2030, driven by 500 million consumers and widespread internet access. It anticipates India becoming the 3rd largest online retail market by 2030. The agency, under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, revealed in 2022, e-commerce was worth $70 billion, constituting 7% of retail.

Notes:
The OECD’s “Economic Outlook” report, released on May 2, 2024, raised India’s economic growth forecast for 2024-25 to 6.6%, up from 6.2%. It also projects a 6.6% growth rate for 2025-26. The OECD joins other institutions in revising India’s growth prospects. The report attributes India’s accelerated growth to increased public investment and business confidence. It emphasizes the need for the government to address indebtedness through revenue growth, spending efficiency, and fiscal rules.

Notes:
Former Foreign Minister Jeremiah Manele elected as Solomon Islands’ new Prime Minister, securing 31 votes out of 49 in a secret ballot. His victory suggests continued close ties with China. Manele pledges integrity and prioritization of national interests in his inaugural address, defeating opposition leader Matthew Wale, who garnered 18 votes.

Notes:
The Democratic Republic of the Congo faces its largest Mpox outbreak, with a new strain detected in a mining town, posing higher transmission risks. Since January, over 4,500 suspected cases and nearly 300 deaths have been reported, tripling from last year. The WHO highlights the severity, prompting Congo to declare a nationwide health emergency. Cases have also surfaced in the neighboring Republic of Congo.

Notes:
Ben Wells, a rising cricketer for England, retired at 23 due to a rare heart disease, ARVC. Despite signing with Gloucestershire in 2021 and delivering notable performances, he hadn’t played for England. His condition echoes that of former player James Taylor. Wells’ career, marked by an unbeaten 108-run knock, ends abruptly, raising awareness about ARVC’s impact on athletes’ lives.

Notes:
The Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board and Starscapes have collaborated to introduce Nakshatra Sabha, an Astro Tourism venture. Beyond star-gazing, it offers solar observations, astrophotography contests, and camping. Aimed at astronomy enthusiasts and adventurers, it aims to merge cosmic wonders with Uttarakhand’s natural beauty, fostering an engaging platform for travelers.