Current Affairs Quiz - May, 2024

Notes:
The Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) recently introduced a new high-yielding wheat seed variety, HD 3386, which is resistant to leaf rust and yellow diseases. These diseases are common in the northwest region of India, which includes Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan. IARI is a leading institute that has developed many of India’s wheat and rice varieties, which are often called the “Green Revolution”.

Notes:
Researchers have rediscovered Uniyala multibracteata, a rare tree species, after 140 years in the non-protected area of Wagamon hills, Western Ghats. Locally known as Kattupoovamkurunnila, it belongs to the genus Uniyala, named after renowned taxonomist B.P. Uniyal. This small tree or large shrub, 2 to 5 meters high, features leaves with cottony hairs and beautiful flowers blooming from October to January. Found in evergreen forests and rocky grasslands at 1,200 meters above sea level, it highlights the yet-to-be-discovered biodiversity in unprotected forests.

Notes:
Joint military Exercise Shakti, a biennial event between Indian and French forces, occurred at Umroi, Meghalaya, from May 13-26, 2024. Attended by French Ambassador Thierry Mathou, Brigadier Mayur Shekatkar, and dignitaries, it focuses on joint planning and strategy development for war scenarios. Shakti, alternating between India and France, aims to enhance cooperation, understanding, and interoperability while sharing combat experiences in countering terrorism.

Notes:
Researchers discovered that offspring of C. elegans worms, after consuming disease-causing bacteria, inherited the knowledge to avoid the same bacteria from birth. C. elegans, a nematode worm, matures from egg to adult in 3-5 days, offering insights into human and biological sciences. It was the first multicellular organism to have its genome sequenced and neural wiring mapped. With hermaphroditic reproduction, it can self-fertilize, aiding genetic studies.

Notes:
The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) partnered with Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd for two Pilot Projects under the Drone Didi Yojana. Launched to empower women in agriculture, it aims to train 15,000 women in drone operation for tasks like crop monitoring and seeding. The projects will run at Noida and Hyderabad Centers, training 500 rural women in drone flying, data analysis, and maintenance.

Notes:
The India-U.S. joint urban counter terrorism exercise, involving the NSG and U.S. SOF, concludes in Kolkata, the seventh edition. Started on April 22, 2024, following the previous edition in Chennai, January 2023. Focuses on building relations and interoperability between forces. Aims at enhancing bilateral cooperation in combating terrorism, including sharing tactics and procedures for urban operations like close quarter battles and hostage rescues.

Notes:
TAK-003, developed by Japan’s Takeda, is a live-attenuated dengue vaccine containing weakened strains of all four virus serotypes. It’s WHO prequalified, the second dengue vaccine after CYD-TDV. Recommended for children aged 6-16 in high-burden, high-transmission areas, it aims to combat dengue.

Notes:
Archeologists recently discovered Sahul, a lost landscape aiding ancient human migration across continents during the last ice age. Sahul, a supercontinent, connected present-day Australia, Papua New Guinea, and Tasmania. This land bridge facilitated human movement from Asia to Australia around 70,000 years ago. Ice ages are geologic periods featuring extensive ice cover, lasting millions of years, reshaping continents. The earliest known ice age dates back over 570 million years, during Precambrian time.

Notes:
The Indian Army is set to receive new Russian Igla-S VSHORAD systems by May’s end. Developed by Russia, it’s a handheld MANPADS for individual or crew use, targeting low-flying aircraft, cruise missiles, and drones. Components include the 9M342 missile, 9P522 launching mechanism, and others. With a range of 500m to 6km and altitude capability of 3.5km, it enhances India’s air defense, crucial in mountainous areas.

Notes:
The central government, in partnership with Microsoft, blocked over 1,000 Skype IDs linked to the Digital Arrest scam. Victims are coerced into staying visible on video calls, resembling police interrogations, until they comply with criminals’ demands. Perpetrators impersonate law enforcement agencies and use AI to mimic victims’ family members’ voices. Intelligence agencies believe this is part of an organized online crime racket involving cross-border syndicates, sourcing victims’ phone numbers from online databases or corrupt bank employees.