Current Affairs Quiz 16th May 2024 Quiz

Exp. AIIMS New Delhi signed MoU with University of Bolton Institute of Medicine

AIIMS New Delhi has signed an MoU with the University of Bolton Institute of Medicine to collaborate in the field of medical research, innovation and education.

The MoU was signed through a virtual event by executives from both institutions.

The partnership will encompass various initiatives such as staff and student exchange, educational conferences and collaborative degree programmes.

Recent MoU

• Mahindra & Mahindra sign MoU with MSDE for ‘Drone Didi’ Pilot Project
• NHPC Limited to collaborate with Ocean Sun for implementation of Floating Solar Energy Technology
• Mines Ministry inks MoU with Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation for knowledge support on critical minerals
• NTPC inks pact with RINL for supply of limestone
• NGEL and ITL sign MoU for Renewable Energy Ventures
• CleanMax teams up with Apple to drive renewable energy adoption in India

Exp. India overtakes Australia, Japan and Singapore in data centre capacity

India has become the country with the highest data center capacity in the Asia-Pacific region, surpassing major countries like Australia, Hong Kong SAR, Japan, Singapore, and Korea.

The country is expected to record the highest capacity addition of 850 MW during the 2024-2026 period, higher than major APAC countries.

In 2023, there was an addition of 255 MW of new supply, resulting in a total stock of approximately 1,030 MW by the end of the year.

Exp. Sela Tunnel recognized as India’s highest tunnel by International Book of Honour

Sela Tunnel, constructed by BRO India, is officially recognized as the highest tunnel in the country by the International Book of Honour, England.

The 2.598 Km long tunnel is situated at an altitude of 13000 ft on the Tezpur-Tawang Road.

Situated at an altitude of 13,000 feet, the strategically important Sela Tunnel will ensure all-weather connectivity to Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh.

About Arunachal Pradesh

• Capital – Itanagar
• Chief Minister – Pema Khandu
• Governor – LG (Retd) Kaiwalya Trivikram Parnaik

Exp. India registers record export at USD 778 Billion in 2023-24

India registered record exports in financial year 2023-24 at USD 778 billion, according to the commerce ministry.

In the financial year 2022-23, the combined value of exported goods and services stood at USD 776.3 billion.

In 2023-24, services exports increased from USD 325.3 billion to USD 341.1 billion, while merchandise exports marginally declined from USD 451.1 billion to USD 437.1 billion.

China, Russia, Iraq, UAE, and Singapore are among the countries where India’s exports in the just-concluded financial year have risen substantially, though with a low base.

The other countries in the Top 10 list are the UK, Australia, Saudi Arabia, the Netherlands, and South Africa.

Meanwhile, there was a decline in overall imports from USD 898.0 billion in 2022-23 to USD 853.8 billion in 2023-24.

Moreover, the trade deficit showed significant improvement, shrinking from USD 121.6 billion in 2022-23 to USD 75.6 billion in 2023-24.

Exp. ‘Operation Sadbhavana’: Army’s support for North Sikkim’s communities

The Indian Army’s Trishakti Corps under Operation Sadbhavana provided essential aid and healthcare to North Sikkim’s Naga and Rangrang villages post-GLOF.

Over 150 villagers received medical attention, and youths participated in educational sessions linked to the Agniveer Scheme for empowerment.

These efforts, rooted in compassion, highlight the Army’s commitment to fostering community development and strengthening bonds with border populations, ensuring sustained harmony and solidarity in the region.

Other Operations in India

• Operation Bambi Bucket – To extinguish the forest fire near Nainital in Uttarakhand
• Operation True Promise – Iran launches against Israel
• Operation Ajay – To evacuate Indians from Israel
• Operation Kaveri – To evacuate Indians from Sudan
• Operation Karuna – To help Myanmar affected by cyclone Mocha

Exp. LIC gets 3-yr extension from Sebi to achieve 10% public shareholding

Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) of India has been granted a three-year extension by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to achieve a 10 per cent public shareholding.

LIC is required to increase its public shareholding to 10 per cent on or before May 16, 2027.

According to SEBI norms, a company must attain a 10 per cent public shareholding within three years from the date of listing.

LIC was listed on May 17, 2022.

Exp. Tata AIG General Insurance partners Aurm for its vault services

Aurm, an asset protection firm has partnered with Tata AIG General Insurance to provide comprehensive insurance coverage to its customers for their valuables.

Under this partnership, Aurm’s vaults will be fully insured for up to Rs 2.5 million, courtesy of TATA AIG, India’s leading general insurance provider.

Aurm partners with banks and real estate companies to offer state-of-the-art safe deposit storage facilities that are fully automated and available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Aurm vaults are equipped with military-grade security infrastructure, active surveillance and intrusion detection system.

Recent MoUs Signed in Banking Sector

• South Indian Bank and Northern Arc Capital join hands to set new benchmarks in the financial sector
• Infibeam’s CCAvenue partners with Shivalik SFB to improve merchant access
• Tata Motors partners with South Indian Bank for commercial vehicle finance
• NABARD & RBI Developed Innovation Hub to fasten digital Agri lending
• Indian Bank ties up with Tata Solar Power to finance Central Rooftop Solar scheme

Exp. Lawrence Wong to be Sworn in as Singapore’s fourth PM

Singapore’s deputy leader Lawrence Wong is set to be sworn in as the nation’s fourth Prime Minister.

51-year-old US-trained economist Wong will succeed 72-year-old Lee Hsien Loong, who stepped down after two decades at the helm.

Lee’s resignation marked the end of a family dynasty led by his father Lee Kuan Yew.

Since becoming an independent nation in 1965, Singapore has only had three Prime Ministers – all from the ruling People’s Action Party.

Newly Appointed Prime Minister & President

• President of Russia – Vladimir Putin (5th time)
• Presidential of Panama – Jose Raul Mulino
• PM of Solomon Islands – Jeremiah Manele
• Deputy PM of Pakistan – Ishaq Dar
• President of Indonesia – Prabowo Subianto

Exp. PhonePe partners with LankaPay for UPI Payments

PhonePe has partnered with LankaPay to allow its users to pay using UPI across Sri Lanka.

PhonePe app users travelling to Sri Lanka can make payments using UPI across LankaPay QR merchants.

The transactions will be facilitated by the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and LankaPay National Payment Network.

Users can scan LankaQR code to make secure and quick payments without carrying cash or calculating currency conversions. The amount will be debited in INR, showing the currency exchange rate.

The collaboration with LankaPay offers unparalleled convenience to Indian tourists who can now use a familiar and secure payment method while travelling and paying across LankaQR merchant points.

Recent MoUs Signed in Banking Sector

• Aurm partnered with Tata AIG General Insurance to provide comprehensive insurance coverage to its customers for their valuables.
• South Indian Bank and Northern Arc Capital join hands to set new benchmarks in the financial sector
• Infibeam’s CCAvenue partners with Shivalik SFB to improve merchant access
• Tata Motors partners with South Indian Bank for commercial vehicle finance
• NABARD & RBI Developed Innovation Hub to fasten digital Agri lending

Exp. NASA plans to develop first railway systems on moon

NASA has unveiled its ambitious plan to construct the first lunar railway system, known as FLOAT (Flexible Levitation on a Track), designed to revolutionize payload transport on the Moon.

The long-lasting robotic transport system which will play a major role in the daily operations of a sustainable lunar base envisioned for the 2030s.

This lunar railway system is part of NASA’s Moon to Mars initiative and mission concepts such as the Robotic Lunar Surface Operations 2 (RLSO2).

This innovative system aims to provide reliable, autonomous, and efficient transportation essential for the daily operations of a sustainable lunar base, aligning with NASA’s Moon to Mars initiative and mission concepts like the Robotic Lunar Surface Operations 2 (RLSO2).

What is the FLOAT system?

The FLOAT system will utilise unpowered magnetic robots that levitate over a 3-layer flexible film track, i.e., a graphite layer that enables robots to float over tracks with the help of diamagnetic levitation passively.

A flex-circuit layer generates electromagnetic thrust to propel robots along tracks controllably and an optional thin-film solar panel layer generates power when in sunlight for the base.

FLOAT robots don’t have moving parts and minimize lunar dust abrasion/wear by levitating over the track, unlike lunar robots which are equipped with wheels, tracks or legs.

Exp. Sunil Chhetri announces retirement from International Football

India Captain Sunil Chhetri will be retiring from international football after the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier against Kuwait on June 6.

The 39-year-old striker has been capped 145 times by India, scoring 94 goals in a career spanning 20 years.

Chhetri, who made his debut in 2005. He will leave the scene as India’s all-time top scorer and most-capped player. He is also third in the list of goal scorers among active players behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

Recently Retired Players

• Colin Munro (New Zealand) – International Cricket
• Bismah Maroof (Pakistan) – International Cricket
• Saurav Ghosal (India) – Professional Squash
• Kento Momota (Japan) – International badminton
• Umpire Marais Erasmus (South Africa) – ICC Elite Panel of Umpires.
• Shahbaz Nadeem (Jharkhand, India) – International Cricket

Exp. 16 May – National Dengue Day

National Dengue Day is observed every year on May 16.

Objective – To spread awareness about the disease and ways to prevent it.

Theme 2024 – Dengue Prevention: Our Responsibility for a Safer Tomorrow.

Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral infection. it spreads from mosquitoes to humans and is more common in tropical and subtropical regions.

High fever, headache, body ache, joint and muscle pain, nausea and rash are common symptoms of dengue.

Exp. 16 May – International Day of Living Together in Peace

The International Day of Living Together in Peace is observed on 16 May every year.

The United Nations General Assembly established this day to support the international community’s efforts to promote peace, unity, and solidarity.

In 1997, “the General-Assembly proclaimed by its resolution 52/15 the year 2000 as the International Year for a Culture of Peace.

In 1998, it proclaimed the period 2001-2010 as the International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for Children of the World.

Exp. 16 May – International Day of Light

International Day of Light is observed every year on May 16.

Objective – To highlight the importance of light and its various applications in science, culture, art, education, and sustainable development.

In the year 1960, Physicist and Engineer Theodore Maiman conducted the first successful operation of the laser. To commemorate the special day, International Day of Light came to be observed every year on May 16.

In 2015, the United Nations observed International Day of Light to raise awareness about light science and light-based technologies and applications.

Following this, in 2016, UNESCO adopted the resolution to celebrate International Day of Light every year.

The first International Day of Light was observed in 2018.

Exp. Canadian author Alice Munro and Nobel Laureate passed away

Canadian author Alice Munro and Nobel laureate passed away at the age of 92.

She wrote short stories for more than 60 years, often focusing on life in rural Canada. She was often compared to Russian writer Anton Chekhov for the insight and compassion found in her stories.

Munro was recipient of the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2013.The Nobel committee called Munro a “master of contemporary short stories”.

Her first major breakthrough came in 1968, when her short story collection, Dance of The Happy Shades, about life in the suburbs of western Ontario, won Canada’s highest literary honour, the Governor General’s Award. It was the first of three Governor General’s Awards she would win in her lifetime.