Current Affairs Quiz - May, 2024

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The Council of Europe (COE) adopted the Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights, Democracy, and the Rule of Law, known as the ‘AI convention.’ This treaty aims to ensure AI systems comply with human rights, democracy, and the rule of law.

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The Archaeological Survey of India confirms Neolithic rock carvings in Goa’s Mauxi village. Carvings on meta basalt rock along the dry Zarme riverbed depict animals like zebus, bulls, and antelopes, as well as footprints and cupules. In India, prehistoric rock paintings span from the Upper Palaeolithic, featuring animal figures, to the Mesolithic, with human scenes, and the Neolithic-Chalcolithic, showing pottery and metal tools.

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Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar inaugurated the Centre for Carbon Fiber and Prepregs at the National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) in Bengaluru. He witnessed innovations like the Hansa NG trainer and SARAS multipurpose aircraft. Addressing scientists, he highlighted India’s progress in disruptive technologies, quantum computing, AI, and machine learning. He emphasized India’s global recognition in space achievements and praised the Light Combat Aircraft Tejas as a symbol of Atma Nirbhar Bharat.

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The Society for Applied Microwave Electronics Engineering & Research (SAMEER) signed an MoU on MRI and Linear Accelerator technology transfer with industry. The Linear Accelerator (LINAC) is used for cancer treatment through external beam radiation. It accelerates electrons using microwave technology to produce high-energy x-rays that target and destroy cancer cells. SAMEER is an autonomous R&D lab in Mumbai under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.

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The IAEA’s International Conference on Nuclear Security (ICONS) 2024, held in Vienna, highlighted nuclear waste concerns. Currently, 145 states report incidents of lost, stolen, or mishandled nuclear materials to the IAEA. Radioactive substances are widely used in medical, educational, and industrial sectors. The main concern is extremists using these materials in a “dirty bomb,” which, though less deadly than an atomic bomb, could cause mass panic in urban areas.

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A tigress translocated from Corbett Tiger Reserve to Rajaji Tiger Reserve has given birth to four cubs, according to the Chief Wildlife Warden. Rajaji National Park, established in 1983 and located in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, is a vital link to other tiger habitats in Himachal Pradesh and Haryana. The reserve, named after freedom fighter C. Rajgopalachari, became India’s 48th tiger reserve in 2015.

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The Prime Minister meditate for 48 hours at the Vivekananda Rock Memorial in Kanyakumari, marking the end of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The memorial, built in 1970 to honor Swami Vivekananda, is on a small island off Kanyakumari where the Bay of Bengal, Indian Ocean, and Arabian Sea meet. It features the ‘Shripada Mandapam,’ ‘Vivekananda Mandapam,’ and a life-sized bronze statue of Vivekananda.

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The EarthCARE Mission, a joint effort by ESA and JAXA, aims to understand the interplay between clouds, aerosols, and radiation, crucial for Earth’s radiation balance amid the climate crisis. The sun-synchronous orbit mission uses instruments like Atmospheric Lidar and a cloud profiling radar. Clouds and aerosols significantly influence Earth’s heat budget, affecting climate through their roles in reflecting sunlight and trapping radiation. Human activities notably impact aerosol levels.

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Hindi Journalism Day, observed on May 30, celebrates the legacy and societal contributions of Hindi journalism. It honors pioneers like Pandit Jugal Kishor Shukla, who published the first Hindi newspaper, Udant Martand, in 1826 in Kolkata. This weekly newspaper marked a revolutionary step, with its first issue printing 500 copies, addressing the news needs of Hindi-speaking communities.

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The International Labour Organization (ILO) predicts a slight decrease in global unemployment, with a projected rate of 4.9 percent in 2024, contrary to previous forecasts of a rise. Despite this improvement, the agency warns of “slow progress” in addressing inequalities. The report indicates that the unemployment rate is expected to remain stable at 4.9 percent in 2025. This update offers a more optimistic outlook for global employment prospects in the coming years.