Current Affairs Quiz - May, 2020

Notes:
A team of Australian scientists have recorded the world’s fastest internet data speed of 44.2 Terabits per second (Tbps) from a single light source.
This speed is enough to download 1000 HD movies in a split second. The researchers used their new device with a single piece of equipment known as a micro-comb, that is made up of hundreds of high-quality invisible infrared lasers from a single optical chip. This result can expand the capacity of network connections across the world, especially the developing and under-developed countries.

Notes:
The Bombay High Court recently noted that the right to a decent burial is recognized as a facet of the right to life.
Amidst the Covid-19 pandemic situation, the right to a decent burial cannot be denied to any person, as per the High Court. It dismissed the petitions challenging a circular issued by the Mumbai Corporation that designated 20 cemeteries for disposing of cadavers of persons who died of COVID-19. It also highlighted that there was no scientific study by WHO that Corona virus spreads through cadavers.

Notes:
The Mizoram Cabinet has recently granted industry status to sports, amidst the gradual lifting of lock-down, following the sports policy in many countries.
This decision is expected to promote employment generation in the state. This was announced by the state’s Chief Minister Zoramthanga. The Sports and Youth Services department had advised the State government to grant the status. Mizoram has a good group of Football players who represent several important clubs.

Notes:
The United Nations observes the International Day to End Obstetric Fistula on May 23, since 2013. The day is observed to raise awareness of the issue and mobilize support from across the world.
Obstetric fistula is one of the most serious injuries that can occur during childbirth. This condition makes the affected women easily prone to infections or other health conditions. The women also face social-stigma in the society. The theme of this year is ‘End gender inequality! End health inequities! End Fistula now!’.

Notes:
The Indian Air Force is set to operationalize its squadron called the Number-18 – ‘Flying Bullets’ with a fleet of the LCA (Light Combat Aircraft) Tejas.
Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal R K S Bhadauria will launch the squadron at the Sulur base near Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. This is the second Indian Air Force squadron to operate with the modern light fighter aircraft Tejas, which is a fourth-generation supersonic aircraft developed by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.

Notes:
The rating agency Fitch Ratings has made further slashed world GDP forecasts in its latest Global Economic Outlook (GEO).
The biggest estimate cut was for India, where the rating agency forecasts a contract of growth by 5%, which means -5% growth in 2020-21. Earlier, Fitch had estimated India’s growth to be 0.8% for FY21. The global GDP is also estimated to fall by 4.6% in 2020.

Notes:
The Survey team of China became the first to climb and reach the peak Mt. Everest this year. This is a part of the project to remeasure the exact height of the Everest.
Both China and Nepal cancelled the ‘spring’ climbing season on the world’s tallest mountain in order to prevent the expedition teams from getting infected by coronavirus. Hence the Chinese survey team is likely the only team to reach the peak of Everest, this year.

Notes:
European Commission, the executive branch of the European Union has recently proposed a 750 billion-euro (USD 826 billion) COVID-19 recovery plan.
The European Commission is expected to borrow the funds from the market and then disburse two-thirds in grants and the remaining fund in loans. This plan will mostly cover to revamp the worst affected European Union nations including Italy and Spain.

Notes:
The state government of Karnataka recently announced that it would launch a first-of-its kind project called “State Health Register”.
The aim of the project is to maintain the health database of all its citizens in the register. As per the state’s release, a survey of all 6.5 crore people in the state using ASHA team, Primary Health Centre, members from Revenue and Education Departments. It will be implemented in Chikkaballapur district on a pilot basis.

Notes:
The United States has recently joined the G7 Artificial Intelligence group, an international panel for setting ethical guidelines for usage of artificial intelligence.
As per the announcement from the White House, this move was to counter China in threatening civil liberties using technologies. The heads of France and Canada proposed this global group to guide the adoption of AI, which was rejected by the US President Donald Trump. Now US is the last nation to join the Global Partnership on AI.