Current Affairs Quiz - May, 2024

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Kabak Yano, a mountaineer and cricketer, made history as the first Nyishi tribe woman and fifth woman from Arunachal Pradesh to scale Mt. Everest. The Nyishi, the largest ethnic group in Arunachal Pradesh, primarily reside in eight districts and parts of Assam. With a population of around 300,000, they practice slash-and-burn agriculture and excel in various handicrafts. Religiously, they follow Christianity, Hinduism, and the indigenous Donyi Polo.

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Scientists have discovered that anti-nephrin autoantibodies can be used as biomarkers for monitoring the progression of nephrotic syndrome. This kidney disorder leads to excessive protein loss from the blood into the urine, causing damage to the glomeruli. The glomeruli are tiny blood vessels in the kidneys that filter waste and excess water. Nephrotic syndrome can be caused by various disorders, including diabetes and lupus.

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The Limestone Langur (Trachypithecus leucocephalus), endemic to Guangxi province, China, faces imminent extinction due to habitat destruction and fragmentation. Found in a 200 square kilometer area between the Zuojiang and Mingjiang rivers, they inhabit lower elevations with high tree canopy density near water sources. Characterized by a white fur-covered head and black-and-white coat, they primarily consume leaves. Listed as critically endangered by the IUCN and on CITES Appendix II, they are threatened by poaching, habitat loss, and hybridization. Conservation efforts are crucial to protect this unique primate species.

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RBI Governor unveiled three major initiatives: Pravaah portal, Retail Direct Mobile App, and a FinTech Repository. Pravaah is a secure web-based portal for seeking authorizations, licenses, and regulatory approvals from the RBI. Key features include online application submission, status tracking, query responses, and timely decisions. It enhances the efficiency of regulatory processes, with 60 application forms available, including a general-purpose form for various requests.

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The Philippines court revoked biosafety permits for commercial GM golden rice and Bt eggplant, sparking international debate. Advocates warn of dire consequences for vitamin A deficient children, while critics highlight safety concerns. Golden rice, engineered for higher iron, zinc, and beta-carotene levels, gained approval in 2021, opposed by groups like Greenpeace and local farmers. The decision reflects ongoing tensions between GM crops’ potential benefits and safety considerations.

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India provided $1 million in immediate aid to Papua New Guinea after a flood and landslide disaster claimed 2,000 lives. Prior assistance was extended in 2018 after an earthquake and in 2019 and 2023 following volcanic eruptions. Diplomatic relations between India and Papua New Guinea began in 1975. PNG appointed its first defense adviser to India, enhancing defense cooperation. PNG has supported India’s positions in international forums like the UN and Commonwealth.

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Dubai has launched the Dubai Gaming Visa under the Dubai Program for Gaming 2033 (DPG 2033) to position itself as a global gaming leader. This long-term residency initiative attracts gamers, content creators, and industry professionals worldwide. The DPG 2033 aims to transform Dubai into a gaming hub, creating 30,000 new jobs and contributing $1 billion to the GDP by 2033.

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India assumed the Chair of the Colombo Process for 2024-26, its first time since 2003. The Colombo Process, a regional consultative platform for managing overseas employment and labor, includes 12 Asian member states like Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. India, a founding member, focuses on skills recognition and ethical recruitment. The UN’s International Organization for Migration supports this process.

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Researchers identified 40 novel Nidoviruses in vertebrates using AI. Nidoviruses are enveloped, positive-strand RNA viruses infecting both vertebrates and invertebrates. When hosts are co-infected with different viruses, gene recombination can occur, potentially creating new, more hazardous viruses.

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The Asian Development Bank (ADB) sanctioned $2.6 billion in sovereign lending to India in 2023. The loan will fund urban development, power sector promotion, industrial corridor development, horticulture support, connectivity enhancement, and climate resilience building. Sovereign loans are given to the Indian government for various projects across states. ADB aims to drive India’s structural transformation, job creation, infrastructure development, green growth, and social inclusiveness, including funding for the Visakhapatnam–Chennai Industrial Corridor.