Current Affairs Quiz - May, 2024

Notes:
Vinay Vir, the esteemed journalist, publisher, and editor of Daily Hindi Milap, known for championing Hindi in the South, passed away at 72. His impactful management and editing elevated Hindi’s presence. Born into a family of freedom fighters, Vinay Vir was a dedicated advocate for Hindi’s growth. Secretary of the Yudhvir Foundation, he honored achievers. His legacy remains intertwined with the advancement of Hindi and the recognition of talent.

Notes:
The UK government has implemented groundbreaking laws mandating minimum security standards for internet-connected smart devices, aiming to shield consumers and businesses from hacking and cyber-attacks. Manufacturers are now barred from employing weak default passwords such as “admin” or “12345”. Users will be prompted to change any common passwords upon device start-up, enhancing overall security measures.

Notes:
The UN has formed a panel to address critical energy transition minerals, primarily sourced from underdeveloped nations like those in Africa. This initiative aims to curb resource nationalism and environmental damage caused by high demand for these minerals. The panel’s goal is to establish global principles for a smoother transition to renewable energies, aligned with sustainable development goals and climate agreements. It emphasizes equitable benefits for communities and environmental protection.

Notes:
The Supreme Court ordered an end to illegal mining in the Aravalli Range in Rajasthan. Stretching 692 kilometers across Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Haryana, the Aravallis are India’s oldest mountain range, vital for ecology and hydrology. They prevent desertification, regulate climate, and support diverse ecosystems and rivers like Sabarmati and Luni. Abundant in biodiversity, the range hosts dry deciduous forests, scrublands, and numerous species of mammals, birds, reptiles, and insects.

Notes:
The Bhadra Tiger Reserve, located in Karnataka’s Western Ghats, has seen a surge in safari visitors. Tourists must tread carefully in this eco-sensitive zone. The reserve, declared India’s 25th Project Tiger site in 1998, houses a significant tiger population alongside elephants and diverse fauna. Drained by the Bhadra River, it boasts dry-deciduous to semi-evergreen vegetation, including teak and medicinal plants. Other Karnataka tiger reserves include Bandipur, Nagarhole, Dandeli-Anshi, and Biligiriranga.

Notes:
Red colobus monkeys, belonging to genus Procolobus, inhabit African Savanna across West, Central, and East Africa. The Savanna’s diverse habitat offers ample trees and food sources like leaves and fruits. They serve as seed dispersers and prey for predators. Living in social groups, they exhibit striking features with reddish-brown fur. This species plays a vital ecological role in their habitat, vital for maintaining the balance in their ecosystem.

Notes:
The ICC has banned West Indies cricketer Devon Thomas for five years due to breaching anti-corruption codes of SLC, ECB, and CPL. The ban was imposed by the ICC as the designated Anti-Corruption Official. Thomas accepted the charges, leading to the sanction without a tribunal hearing. The ban includes a suspension of the last 18 months. Thomas admitted to violating several provisions of the codes.

Notes:
The Supreme Court reserved one-third of SCBA executive committee seats for women. Minimum 3 out of 9 positions and 2 of 6 Senior Executive Member posts will be for women. At least one office-bearer post exclusively for women by rotation. Treasurer post in 2024-2025 election reserved for women. Reservation ensures minimum representation, eligible women can contest all committee posts. Justices Surya Kant and K V Viswanathan directed the decision.

Notes:
APSEZ, backed by President Marcos, plans a deep port in Bataan, Philippines, focusing on ports, airports, power, and defense. Regional expansion targets agricultural product ports, fostering tourism and business gateways. Adani cites stable leadership and environment as reasons for investment, indicating confidence in the Philippines’ potential.

Notes:
Groww Mutual Fund recently introduced India’s inaugural Nifty Non-Cyclical Consumer Index Fund. This mutual fund aims for long-term capital growth by investing in securities from the Nifty Non-Cyclical Consumer Index (TRI), comprising 30 companies less affected by economic instability. Non-cyclical stocks, also termed defensive stocks, sustain demand irrespective of economic fluctuations, catering to daily consumer necessities like food and utilities, making them resilient investment choices.