Daily Current Affairs and GK | 8 May 2024

Topic: National News

1. The Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers launched the MEDITECH STACKATHON 2024 on 07 May 2024.

• MEDITECH STACKATHON 2024 was launched in New Delhi in collaboration with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).
• Its goal is to transform the rapidly expanding MedTech industry in India by carefully examining the value chain of certain medical products.
• Its objective is to address significant issues, encourage domestic production, reduce dependency on imports, and eventually position India as a world leader in medical technology.
• The STACKATHON included a number of topics, including critical care, imaging, and cancer therapy.
• The event demonstrated India's enormous potential in the MedTech sector, with growth rates of up to 28% per year projected.
• By 2030, the Indian MedTech market is predicted to grow to $50 billion.
• Presently, India is one of the top 20 global markets for medical equipment and the fourth largest market in Asia.
• India’s MedTech exports have already increased to more than 4 billion dollars.

Topic: International Appointments

2. Russia’s Vladimir Putin took oath as President for a fifth term.

• Vladimir Putin was sworn in for a six-year term on 7 May 2024 at a Kremlin ceremony.
• The United States and many other Western countries boycotted the ceremony due to Russia’s war in Ukraine.
• Putin has been in power as president or prime minister since 1999.
• In March, Putin got a landslide victory in the elections.
• If Putin completes his full six-year term, he will overtake Soviet leader Josef Stalin and become Russia's longest-serving leader since the eighteenth-century Empress Catherine the Great.
• Mikhail Mishustin is the current Prime Minister of Russia.
• The type of government in Russia is a federal semi-presidential republic.

Topic: Defence

3. Russian forces to conduct tactical nuclear weapons exercises.

• Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered forces to conduct exercises involving tactical nuclear weapons.
• After the Ukraine invasion, it is the first time Russia has publicly announced drills involving tactical nuclear weapons.
• Tactical nuclear weapons include the use of air bombs, warheads for short-range missiles and artillery munitions for the battlefield.
• The exercises comprise preparations and deployment involving non-strategic nuclear weapons.
• The decision to conduct this drill has been taken after "provocative statements and threats" from Western officials. It aims to ensure Russia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
• Russia and the United States are the world’s biggest nuclear powers. They have more than 10,600 of the world’s 12,100 nuclear warheads.
• Russia has about 1,558 non-strategic nuclear warheads.

Topic: State News/Tripura

4. Tripura’s First International Cricket Stadium will be ready by February 2025.

• Tripura’s First International Cricket Stadium is being constructed in Narsingarh, located in the West Tripura district.
• The stadium is expected to be operational for hosting major cricket events by February 2025.
• It will be the northeastern state’s first stadium. It is being constructed with a budget of Rs 200 crore.
• BCCI and Tripura Cricket Association have joined hands to construct this stadium. Its construction was started in 2017.
• This stadium will have a capacity of more than 25,000. Tripura will witness international and T20 matches next year.

(Source: DD News)

Topic: National News

5. Department of Consumer Affairs issued a warning against drip pricing.

• The central government has issued a warning against the drip pricing.
• The department also shared a sample of how drip pricing applies to customers.
• National Consumer Helpline urged people to connect for any assistance if they face any such situations. 
• What is ‘drip pricing’?
  • Drip pricing is a strategy where only a portion of an item's cost is initially displayed.
  • Under this, the full amount is revealed later during the purchase process.
  • The charges often include local taxes or booking charges.
  • It is a technique used by companies to increase the price of an item after the customer has been drawn into the buying process.

Topic: Awards and Prizes

6. The Pulitzer Prize Board awarded the 2024 Pulitzer Prizes for work during the 2023 calendar year.

• The Pulitzer Prize Board awarded the 2024 Pulitzer Prize on 6 May 2024.
• Pulitzer Prize is given for achievements in the field of newspaper, magazine and online journalism, literature, and musical composition.
• It was started on the name of Joseph Pulitzer in 1917.
• It is given in twenty-one categories and each winner receives a certificate and a US$15,000 cash award.
• The winners of 2024 Pulitzer Prizes are given below.

Topic: Biotechnology and Diseases

7. An all-in-one vaccine has been developed by Scientists.

• This vaccine can protect against a range of coronaviruses. This vaccines functions by training the body’s immune system to identify specific regions of eight different coronaviruses.
• These coronaviruses include SARS-CoV-2 which caused the COVID-19 outbreak.
• These coronaviruses also include others which are circulating in bats and can enter humans to cause a pandemic.
• The new vaccine is based on nanoparticle to which chains of different viral antigens are attached using a novel "protein superglue". These chains include multiple antigens. 
• From a panel of SARS-like betacoronaviruses, coupled to a computationally designed nanocage through SpyTag/SpyCatcher links, quartets of linked receptor-binding domains (RBDs) are produced.
• These Quartet Nanocages induce neutralising antibodies against different coronaviruses.

Topic: Science and Technology

8. AI-Generated spokesperson introduced by Ukraine for Foreign Ministry.

• A virtual artificial intelligence spokesperson “Victoria Shi” has been introduced by Ukraine's foreign ministry to give updates on various issues, including the ongoing war with Russia.
• It will be "the first time in history" that a digital spokesperson will be used to read its statements, which will still be written by humans.
• This consular representative, Victoria Shi, is based on the likeness of a Ukrainian singer and influencer Rosalie Nombre, who agreed to participate in the ministry's project.
• The ministry said Ms Nombre agreed to the "pro bono" use of her voice and likeness.
• The main reason for its creation was to "save time and resources" for diplomats.
• The creators of Shi are a team called "Game Changers" who have also created virtual-reality content related to the war in Ukraine.

Topic: State News/ Gujarat

9. GI tag has been given to the Ajrakh of Kutch.

• Geographical Indication (GI) certificate has been granted by the Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trademarks (CGPDTM) to the traditional artisans of 'Kutch Ajrakh' hailing from the vibrant region of Kutch, Gujarat.
• This is an important step towards preserving the rich textile heritage of India.
• This prestigious recognition serves as a testament to the exceptional artistry and cultural significance of the age-old craft practiced by artisans in the region.
• The GI tag, a symbol of authenticity and origin, provides legal protection to products, services, or arts originating from specific geographical areas.
• With a millennium-long history, Ajrakh is a traditional textile skill with profound roots in Gujarati culture, especially in the districts of Sindh, Barmer, and Kutch.
• The art of Ajrakh involves a meticulous process of hand-block printing on treated cotton fabric, resulting in intricate designs imbued with rich symbolism and history.

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives

10. 'Cool Summers of India' campaign was launched by the Ministry of Tourism in Dubai during the Arabian Travel Mart 2024.

• From May 6 to 9, the Ministry of Tourism is participating in the Arabian Travel Mart 2024 to be held in Dubai to strengthen India's presence in the Middle East tourism market.
• On 6 May, the 'Incredible India' pavilion was inaugurated, which aims to capture the entire market of the UAE.
• The 'Cool Summers of India' campaign highlighting lesser-known but refreshing destinations was also launched by the Ministry of Tourism at the Arabian Travel Mart.
• This digital campaign challenges the perception of India being too hot for travel in summer and highlights offerings in hill resorts, including the Himalayas.
• In the Arabian Travel Mart 2024, India's participation increases immense potential for the tourism industry and the economy at large.
• The event provides a platform for Indian tourism players to showcase their offerings, build alliances within the industry, and attract visitors from the MENA region.

Topic: Summits/Conferences/Meetings

11. 4th Joint Trade Committee Meeting concluded between India and Ghana.

• With the aim of enhancing bilateral trade and investment cooperation, the fourth session of the India-Ghana Joint Trade Committee (JTC) was recently held in Accra.
• During the two-day meeting on May 2-3, India and Ghana agreed to operationalize the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) UPI on the Ghana Interbank Payment and Settlement System (GHIPS) within six months.
• The possibility of both countries signing an MoU on digital transformation solutions and local currency settlement systems was also explored.
• The Indian delegation included officials from the Geological Survey of India, Exim Bank, and the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission, reflecting India's diverse interests in Ghana.
• With bilateral trade valued at US$2.87 billion in 2022-23, Ghana is a major trading partner for India in the African region.
• India is one of the leading investors in Ghana, with investments spanning sectors such as pharmaceuticals, construction, manufacturing, business services, agriculture, and tourism.

Topic: India and its Neighbours

12. Nepal's population registered the lowest growth rate in the last eight decades.

• In the last decade, Nepal's population growth rate was 0.92 per cent per year.
• As per the National Statistics Office (NSO) data, the population growth rate was less than 1 per cent per year during the review period.
• Nepal's population is currently around 29.2 million. Nepal’s population grew by 2.7 million during 2011 and 2021.
• The national average life expectancy in Nepal has reached 71.3 years. Female life expectancy is 73.8 years, while male life expectancy stands at 68.2 years.
• People living in Karnali Province have a life expectancy of 72.5 years, the highest in Nepal.
• Nepal’s infant mortality rate went down to 17 per 1,000 in 2021.
• The reproductive rate has reduced to 1.94 children per woman.

Topic: Sports

13. Real Madrid wins its 36th Spanish league title.

• Real Madrid clinched the Spanish League title with four games to spare.
• After Girona defeated Barcelona by 4-2, Real Madrid has been declared the winner.
• Real Madrid moved to 87 points on top of the standings, 13 ahead of Girona in second and 14 clear of third-placed Barcelona.
• Real Madrid has now shifted their focus to the prestigious Champions League.
• Madrid has only lost once in 34 rounds so far.