Current Affairs Quiz - May, 2024

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:
The Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) marks its 50th anniversary, initiated by WHO in 1974. Renamed UIP in India in 1985, it now offers vaccines for 13 universally recommended diseases and 17 context-specific ones. Global DPT coverage surged from 5% in the ’70s to 84% in 2022. Smallpox eradicated; polio remains in Afghanistan & Pakistan. In India, coverage grows yearly, reaching 76% in 2019-21. Immunization boasts significant returns, predominantly delivered through government facilities.

Notes:
Russia’s government released new footage allegedly targeting two Ukrainian High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) following increased US military aid to Ukraine. HIMARS was developed in the late 1990s for the United States Army by Lockheed Martin Corporation, a US-based aerospace and Security Company. The M142 HIMARS is a light, multiple rocket launcher that’s mounted on a standard U.S. Army Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV) M1140 truck frame. It’s designed to engage and defeat targets such as artillery, light armor, air defense concentrations, personnel carriers, and trucks.

Notes:
The Asian Development Bank’s report on Aging well in Asia highlights four vital aspects of older persons’ well-being: health, productive work, economic security, and social engagement. It reveals that developing Asia faces rapid aging, with the older population set to almost double to 25.2% by 2050. India’s challenges include low health insurance coverage (21%) for older individuals and heavy reliance (80%–90%) on private income and assets for retirement.

Notes:
The first case of bird flu killing a walrus was found on Hopen Island, part of Svalbard, Norway. Hopen Island is located in the Arctic Ocean, in the Svalbard Archipelago, which is part of Norway. The island is situated in the southern part of the archipelago, between the Barents Sea and the Greenland Sea. Hopen Island is one of the smaller islands in the Svalbard group, covering an area of about 47 square kilometers. The island’s landscape is mainly made up of low-lying tundra, rocky outcrops, and coastal cliffs.

Notes:
The 2024 BWF Thomas and Uber Cup, held in Chengdu, China, saw the Chinese badminton team’s dominance, winning both men’s and women’s titles. In the Thomas Cup, China beat Indonesia 4-1, claiming their 11th victory. India, defending champions, lost to China in the quarterfinals. The Uber Cup followed a similar narrative. China’s victory marks the first time since 2012 that one nation has clinched both titles at the world team championships.

Notes:
IN-SPACe has released norms, guidelines, and procedures (NGP) for Indian Space Policy, 2023, enhancing regulatory predictability and ease of business. It covers Authorization for space activities within Indian territory and jurisdiction, including launch, operation, and re-entry of space objects. Only Indian entities can seek Authorization, while non-Indian entities can apply through Indian counterparts. The NGP outlines criteria and conditions for Authorization, ensuring transparency and compliance with regulations in the Indian space sector.

Notes:
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) sets the maximum residue limits (MRLs) for pesticides in food products in India. The FSSAI is the country’s apex food safety regulator and is part of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The FSSAI evaluates field trial data on pesticide residues to set MRLs, taking into account dietary exposure and risk assessment. The FSSAI only sets MRLs after the Registration Committee (RC) approves a pesticide. The FSSAI recently increased the MRL for pesticides in herbs and spices from 0.01 mg/kg to 0.1 mg/kg, which is a tenfold increase.

Notes:
Russia’s Defence Ministry announced drills involving tactical nuclear weapons, designed for battlefield use with yields as low as 1 kiloton. Unlike strategic weapons, their quantity isn’t disclosed. These weapons, like artillery ammo or short-range missile warheads, can be discreetly transported and delivered by various means. They’ve never been restricted by arms control agreements. The Hiroshima bomb was 15 kilotons. These drills signal Russia’s readiness to employ tactical nuclear options in combat scenarios.

Notes:
In 2022, India made history by receiving over $100 billion in remittances, as reported by the International Organization for Migration (IOM). India’s remittances surged to $111 billion, surpassing all other nations. This milestone underscores India’s position as the leading recipient of remittances globally. Mexico followed as the second-largest recipient, a position it held in 2021. The report highlights India’s significant economic ties with its diaspora worldwide.