Current Affairs Quiz - May, 2024

Notes:
Preliminary data from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) suggests a more than 50% likelihood of dimethyl sulfide (DMS) gas on the exoplanet K2-18b. However, further analysis is required before a definitive conclusion can be reached. DMS is a gas that is only produced by living beings on Earth, primarily by phytoplankton in marine environments. The presence of DMS in K2-18b’s atmosphere could be a groundbreaking discovery, as the planet is believed to be ocean-covered and 2.6 times larger than Earth. K2-18b, discovered in 2015, is a super Earth exoplanet orbiting an M-type star. M stars, smaller and cooler than the sun, comprise the Red Dwarf category. K2-18b resides in the Goldilocks zone, where temperatures sustain liquid water.

Notes:
A study mapped Afghanistan’s five river basins, each crucial for irrigation and regional dynamics. Notably, the Harirod-Murghab, originating in central mountains, sustains fertile lands in the northwest. The Helmand Basin, covering 51%, hosts Afghanistan’s longest river, vital in the southwest. The Kabul Basin, formed by the Kabul River, dominates the southeast’s drainage, while the Northern Basin differs in its internal flow. Understanding these basins aids water management and regional stability.

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Humza Yousaf resigned as Scotland’s first minister and leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP) after 13 months in office, amidst political turmoil. His leadership faced criticism following the SNP’s failed coalition with the Scottish Greens, leading to upcoming no-confidence motions.

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Google’s DeepMind collaborated with Liverpool Football Club to develop TacticAI, an AI system focusing on corner kick tactics. This tool offers predictive and generative insights, aiding football managers in strategic decisions. It allows coaches to sample various player setups for corner kicks, selecting the most successful ones. TacticAI integrates both predictive and generative components, enhancing its effectiveness in tactical analysis.

Notes:
A new study highlights Red colobus as key to tropical forest conservation. Imperiled across Africa, they’re vital biodiversity indicators and one of two major simian groups globally. Facing extinction due to hunting and habitat loss, over half are Endangered or Critically Endangered. The Red Colobus Conservation Action Plan, led by IUCN, aims to prioritize their conservation, safeguarding Africa’s forests and curbing unsustainable hunting.

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 Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG), Girish Chandra Murmu, signed an MoU with Nepal’s Auditor General, Toyam Raya, in Kathmandu. The MoU aims to enhance cooperation between the auditing institutions of both countries, facilitating the exchange of expertise and professional capacity-building in public sector auditing. During his visit, Murmu met Nepal’s Prime Minister and Finance Minister, along with discussions on mutual cooperation in public sector audit with the Chairman of Nepal’s Public Accounts Committee.

Notes:
India protests China’s construction in Shaksgam Valley, deemed illegal. The valley is part of Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir. It is a disputed territory claimed by India but controlled by Pakistan and ceded to China in 1963 by Pakistan. Article 6 of the agreement stipulates renegotiation after Kashmir dispute settlement. It borders Xinjiang, POK, and Siachen Glacier. The Karakoram highway, built in the 1970s, resulted from the agreement between China and Pakistan.

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:
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.