Current Affairs Quiz - May, 2024

Notes:
In response to the crash of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi’s helicopter in East Azerbaijan, the European Union activated its Copernicus EMS mapping service. Named after Nicolaus Copernicus, the programme provides earth observation data since its launch in 1998. The Copernicus Emergency Management Service (EMS) Programme provides timely and accurate geo-spatial information to help manage natural disasters, man-made emergencies, and humanitarian crises. The EMS Programme uses satellite remote sensing and other data to provide information on emergency response and disaster risk management.

Notes:
There are many gaps in the Scheme for Care and Support to Victims. The Scheme for Care and Support to Victims by the Ministry of Women and Child Development aids minor pregnant girl child victims under the POCSO Act. Funded by the Nirbhaya Fund, it offers integrated support from case reporting until age 18, with possible aftercare until 23. Features include health insurance, legal aid, and financial assistance of ₹6,000 initially and ₹4,000 monthly under Mission Vatsalya.

Notes:
Ukraine launches counteroffensives against Russian occupation in Kharkiv. Russian shelling since 2022 targets critical infrastructure like power plants and schools. Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, hosts numerous universities and is vital to the nation’s industry.

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Norway, Ireland, and Spain recently granted statehood status to Palestine. In response, Israel recalled its ambassadors from Norway and Ireland. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre announced that the official declaration will be made on May 28.

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In FY24, Bank of Maharashtra led public sector banks with a 15.94% rise in total business, outpacing the State Bank of India. The Pune-based bank excelled in deposit mobilization, achieving a significant 52.73% growth in low-cost CASA deposits, highlighting its strategic advantage in maintaining a healthy cost of funds despite industry-wide challenges.

Notes:
The Supreme Court has temporarily halted a 90-acre hotel and township project in Uttarakhand’s Kumaon hills, challenging the “single window” clearance system meant to expedite development in ecologically sensitive Himalayan regions. The stay order comes amidst forest fires and green cover loss in Uttarakhand. The case underscores the conflict between rapid development and environmental protection, stressing the need for thorough environmental assessments and legal oversight for large projects in fragile ecosystems.

Notes:
Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari inaugurated the IAF Emergency Medical Response System (EMRS) at the Command Hospital in Bengaluru. This facility enhances the Indian Air Force’s capability to provide immediate medical assistance to its personnel and families. The EMRS includes a 24×7 pan-IAF helpline, offering expert medical guidance, rapid evacuation, and definitive care during emergencies, ensuring comprehensive support for IAF members and their dependents.

Notes:
A recent study reveals that ferroptosis drives COVID-19 lung disease. Ferroptosis, distinct from apoptosis, results from lipid peroxide buildup on cell membranes. This form of cell death relies on iron and involves reduced glutathione and glutathione peroxidase activity, amplifying lipid peroxidation. While cells possess defenses against ferroptosis, failure leads to lethal lipid peroxide accumulation. Understanding ferroptosis could offer insights into combating COVID-19 lung damage.

Notes:
Scientists from IIT Guwahati and Columbia University have developed a novel nanopatterning method using a tabletop IR laser. Led by Dr. Rishi Maiti from IIT Guwahati, the research was published in Science Advances. Nanopatterning, crucial for creating nano-scaled optical elements, significantly impacts advanced light detectors, solar cells, lasers, and LEDs. The technique manipulates materials at scales 100,000 times smaller than a human hair’s width.

Notes:
Astronomers, using NASA’s TESS and other telescopes, have discovered Gliese 12b, a temperate, Earth-sized exoplanet orbiting the red dwarf Gliese 12 in Pisces, 40 light-years away. Gliese 12b, similar in size to Earth or Venus, has a mass 3.87 times that of Earth and orbits its star every 12.8 days. It receives 1.6 times more energy than Earth and has an estimated surface temperature of 107°F (42°C).