Daily Current Affairs and GK | 24 May 2024

Topic: Biotechnology and Diseases

1. Australia's first human case of bird flu has been confirmed in a child.

• A child returned from India has been confirmed as the first human case of H5N1 virus in Australia.
• The Child acquired the infection in India and was unwell in March 2024.
• The virus has been detected through testing of positive influenza samples that were taken to detect novel or concerning flu virus strains.
• There is a current global outbreak of avian influenza in birds and animals.
• Avian influenza or bird flu:
  • This disease is caused by infection with the avian influenza Type A virus subtypes H5N1 and H9N2.
  • These viruses spread among wild aquatic birds naturally and can infect domestic poultry and other bird and animal species.
  • The virus normally does not infect humans. Human infections are acquired through direct contact with infected animals.

Topic: Defense

2. CDS Gen Anil Chauhan attended ‘Exercise Cyber Suraksha – 2024’.

• Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen Anil Chauhan attended ‘Exercise Cyber Suraksha – 2024’ on May 22, 2024.
• ‘Exercise Cyber Suraksha – 2024’ was conducted from 20-24 May 2024.
• Its main aim is to further develop Cyber Defence Capability of all Cyber security organizations and promote synergy amongst all stakeholders.
• Its main focus is on enhancing collaboration and integration among participants from various military and prominent national organizations.
• Exercise Cyber Suraksha – 2024 aim is to empower participants by enhancing their cyber defence skills, techniques and capabilities.
• It will promote jointmanship and synergy in the planning and preparation of a Cyber Defence Framework.

Topic: National Appointment

3. Rushabh Gandhi appointed as MD and CEO of IndiaFirst Life Insurance.

• IndiaFirst Life Insurance has announced the promotion of Rishabh Gandhi to the post of MD and CEO with effect from July 1.
• Current MD and CEO R M Vishakha will retire from the services of the company on June 30.
• Since 2018, Gandhi has been associated with IndiaFirst Life Insurance and currently serves as the Deputy Chief Executive Officer at the company.
• Gandhi is a graduate of the Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies at SVKM with a master's degree.
• IndiaFirst Life Insurance Company Limited (IndiaFirst Life) is one of the fastest growing private life insurance companies in India. Its headquarters is in Mumbai.

Topic: Awards and Prizes

4. Indian Embassy, Consulates honoured at MOFA Excellence Awards by UAE.

• India's diplomatic missions in the United Arab Emirates were honoured at the 5th Minister of Foreign Affairs Excellence Awards ceremony for their exceptional work.
• It was held under the patronage of Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates.
• The Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General of India in Dubai were both given the prestigious Shield of Honour, making India the only nation to ever receive two honours.
• The awards were received by Sanjay Sudhir, Indian Ambassador to UAE and Satish Kumar Sivan, Consul General at CGI Dubai.
• Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed presented the awards, which were given in the category of "Distinguished Accredited Missions in the UAE" in recognition of the work done by Indian missions to strengthen bilateral relations between the UAE and India.
• Eighteen accredited foreign missions and nine departments of the Ministry of External Affairs were awarded the main category of the award.
• The event also honoured several other diplomatic missions, including those of the United States, Vietnam, Italy, Ireland, Bahrain, South Africa, Uruguay, Jordan, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Uzbekistan and Yemen for their extraordinary contributions.

Topic: International News

5. After the implementation of the Charter, BIMSTEC acquired 'legal personality'.

• After a historic first charter of the BIMSTEC came into force on 20 May, the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) will now be open to new members and observers.
• With the entry into force of the Charter adopted at the 5th Summit of BIMSTEC Leaders, the grouping has acquired a 'legal personality' and will be able to enter into structured diplomatic interactions with other groupings and countries.
• BIMSTEC was formed in 1997.
• But for a long time, the organization could not build consensus among its seven member countries – Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Thailand, Myanmar and India – around a common charter that could summarize the group's vision.
• After the pandemic, the leaders of BIMSTEC countries met virtually under the chairmanship of Sri Lanka on 30 March 2022.
• In April 2024, Nepal's Parliament adopted and ratified the BIMSTEC Charter, paving the way for the Charter to come into force.
• The BIMSTEC Charter is a shared commitment of the Member States to promote regional cooperation in key sectors such as security, connectivity, trade, agriculture, environment, science and technology, agriculture and people-to-people contact.

Topic: Space and IT

6. First satellite for new US spy constellation launched by SpaceX.

• On May 22, SpaceX launched an inaugural batch of operational spy satellites. It has been created as part of a new American intelligence network.
• It is designed to significantly upgrade the country's space-based surveillance powers, with the first deployment of several more planned this year.
• Hundreds of satellites are being built by SpaceX for the US National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) for a massive system in orbit.
• It will be capable of rapidly identifying ground targets almost anywhere in the world.
• On May 22, SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket lifted off into space from Vandenberg Space Force Base in Southern California. It is first launch of NRO's comprehensive system featuring responsive collection and rapid data delivery.
• About a half-dozen launches supporting NRO's comprehensive massive system are planned for 2024, with additional launches expected through 2028.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: MoUs/Agreements

7. Airbus Helicopters and Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) have signed MoU.

• The MoU is for financing the purchase of Airbus’ helicopters in India.
• As part of the MoU, potential civil helicopter operators having interest in financing solutions for purchasing the helicopters would be identified by the Airbus Helicopters and SIDBI.
• Airbus would be responsible for providing the technical and helicopter-industry knowledge.
• SIDBI would evaluate the prospects and finance them exclusively for Airbus.
• This collaboration marks the entry of SIDBI into helicopter financing.
• This collaboration also marks the entry of SIDBI into meeting the financial and development needs of rotary wing sector of India. 

Topic: Sports

8. Preetismita Bhoi has become India’s first lifter to win a title with a clean and jerk world record.

• She won the title in the women’s 40kg in the World youth championships in Lima (Peru).
• Preetismita hails from Odisha. Preetismita lifted 57kg in snatch and 76kg in clean and jerk.
• This was 1kg better than the earlier world record of 75kg set five years ago.
• She won the women’s 40kg crown with a total of 133kg.
• She won three gold medals for her snatch, clean and jerk and total performances. 
• Jyoshna Sabar won silver with an aggregate of 125kg (56kg, 69kg). Jyoshna Sabar also hails from Odisha.
• Payal (women’s 45kg) also won a silver with an aggregate of 147kg.
• Babulal Hembrom (men’s 49kg) won bronze with 193kg.
• Indian lifters won three gold, three silver and five bronze medals.
• This includes their performances in snatch and clean and jerk.

Topic: Environment and Ecology

9. 4,000 dolphins are present in the Ganga and its tributaries: Indian Wildlife Institute.

• As per the Wildlife Institute of India, around 4,000 dolphins exist in the Ganga and its tributaries.
• The number of Gangetic dolphins in Uttar Pradesh is around 2,000, more than half of the number of dolphins present in Ganga and its tributaries.
• The UP government implemented a new tourism policy for the state and declared a dolphin sanctuary area in Chambal Sanctuary.
• The conservation project for Gangetic dolphins will not only help in the conservation of this species but also increase its population.
• A target has been set to stabilize the population of Gangetic dolphins and to double the number of endangered dolphins.
• The river dolphin is a very special megafauna of the Indian subcontinent. It is classified as an endangered species.
• It is mainly found in the Ganga and Ramganga, Yamuna, Gomti, Ghaghra, Rapti, Son, Gandak, Chambal, and Kosi.

Topic: International Appointments

10. Indian-origin lawyer Jaya Badiga has been appointed as a judge in the US County Superior Court.

• Indian-American lawyer Jaya Badiga has been appointed as a judge in the Sacramento County Superior Court in the US state of California.
• Jaya Badiga has taken the place of Judge Robert S. Lapham, who has retired.
• Badiga had also served as an attorney at the California Department of Health Care Services in 2020 and at the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services in 2018.
• She is a certified family law specialist and has worked in family law for more than ten years.
• She has also served as Chief Assistant City Attorney in the Fresno City Attorney's Office since 2022.
• She became the first Telugu woman appointed as a judge in the US.
• After passing the California State Bar Examination, Badiga's legal career started in 2009.

Topic: Art and Culture

11. Buddha Purnima has been celebrated on 23 May in 2024.

• Buddha Purnima celebrations mark the birth of Gautam Buddha.
• It also marks the day when he attained Enlightenment (Nirvan) under the Mahabodhi tree at Bodh Gaya.
• It is considered a ‘triple-blessed day’ - as Tathagata Gautam Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and Maha Parnirvana.
• In Hinduism, Buddha is considered the ninth incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
• His birth anniversary is also known as Vaisakhi Buddha Purnima.
• The day is celebrated by Buddhists and Hindus around the world and is a major festival in countries such as India, Nepal, Bhutan, Burma, Thailand, Tibet, China, Korea, Laos, Vietnam, Mongolia, Cambodia, Singapore, Indonesia and Sri Lanka.
• Buddha:
  • He was born into a noble family of the Kshatriyas in Lumbini, Nepal in 563 BCE.
  • His childhood name was Siddhartha Gautama and he belonged to Shakya clan.
  • He attained enlightenment under a peepal tree in Bodhgaya.
  • His first sermon is called Dharma Chakra Pravartana.

(Source: DD News)

Topic: Awards and Prizes

12. International Booker Prize 2024 awarded to Jenny Erpenbach's 'Kairos'.

• On May 21, German author Jenny Erpenbach and translator Michael Hofmann won the International Booker Prize for fiction for "Kairos".
• "Kairos" is the story of an intriguing love affair during the final years of East Germany's existence.
• The prize fund of £50,000 will be divided equally between author and translator.
• The Italian luxury fashion house Maison Valentino sponsored an event at the Tate Modern in London where Erpenbeck and Hofmann, were declared the winners.
• Since the International Booker Prize's launched in its current form in 2016, Ms. Erpenbeck has been the prize's first German winner, and Mr. Hofmann has become the prize's first male translator winner.
• In 2023, Georgi Gospodinov and Angela Rodel win the International Booker Prize for the novel ‘Time Shelter’.
• International Booker Prize was formerly known as the Man Booker International Prize.
• The prize is awarded for a book translated into English.

Topic: Indian Economy

13. India's PMI shows strong growth in business and exports.

• In May, the Indian economy registered a record rise in exports and the sharpest upturn in employment over 18 years.
• The HSBC's flash India Composite Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) stood at 61.7 in May.
• The flash services PMI index hit a four-month high of 61.4 this month, up from April's 60.8.
• As per the HSBC Flash Purchasing Manager’s Index (PMI), India registered the third-strongest upturn in private sector output since July 2010.
• Business activity in India expanded robustly in May due to service Industry.
• Increase in international demand has expanded exports at the fastest pace since September 2014.
• Job creation across the private sector has improved, reaching its sharpest level since September 2006. The services sector witnessed the fastest pace of job additions in the last 21 months.
• Manufacturers' optimism has also reached its peak in over nine years.

Topic: Art and Culture

14. Saga Dawa Festival is celebrated in Sikkim.

• Sikkim celebrates Saga Dawa Festival on the 15th day of the fourth month of the Northern Buddhist Calendar.
• Saga Dawa is considered the most sacred Buddhist festival.
• On this occasion, the birth, enlightenment, and Mahaparinirvana (passing away) of Buddha are celebrated.
• This day is also known as the ‘Triple Blessed Occasion’.
• Saga Dawa holds great significance for the Buddhist community and its celebration shows the deep spiritual and cultural heritage of Sikkim.

(Source: News on AIR)