Daily Current Affairs Quiz: 10th May 2024

Answer: B) Five times.

Vladimir Putin, the long-standing leader of Russia, has been re-elected as the President for an unprecedented fifth term. He first served as President from 2000 to 2008, then as Prime Minister from 2008 to 2012, and has been serving as President again since 2012. His fifth term began in 2024. Putin’s leadership has been marked by significant political and economic changes in Russia.

Answer: C) New York City.

New York City, USA, has retained its title as the wealthiest city in the world in 2024. With a total of $3 trillion in private wealth, it tops the list of the world’s richest cities. The city is a hub of business, trade, and intricate networks where culture, technology, and innovation converge to create a vast economy. Its wealth is measured by its Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which takes into account the value of all goods and services provided in the area.

Answer: A) Manipur.

The ‘School on Wheels’ program was launched by the Manipur state government. This innovative initiative, spearheaded by Vidya Bharati Shiksha Vikash Samiti, Manipur, aims to extend educational outreach to students residing in relief camps across the state. The school bus, equipped with a library, computers, and sports items, accompanied by a dedicated teacher, will traverse various relief camps, ensuring that education reaches the doorsteps of displaced students. This initiative stands as a testament to the collective efforts of the government and educational organizations in ensuring that every child has access to quality education, irrespective of their circumstances.

Answer: D) Uttarakhand.

The ‘Pirul Lao Paise Pao’ campaign was launched by the Uttarakhand government to combat forest fires. This initiative involves local villagers and youth collecting dry Pirul (Pine tree leaves) from forests. The collected Pirul is weighed at designated collection centers, and the collectors are compensated at Rs 50 per kg, transferred directly to their bank accounts. This campaign not only helps in preventing forest fires but also provides a source of income for the locals.

Answer: C) 3rd.

India has made significant strides in solar power generation, securing the third position globally in 2023. This achievement is a result of rapid solar energy deployment, pushing India past Japan. Solar energy accounted for 5.8% of India’s electricity in 2023. This progress reflects India’s commitment to renewable energy and its efforts to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

Answer: A) 8th May.

World Thalassemia Day is celebrated annually on 8th May. This day is observed in memory of George Englezos, the son of TIF’s President and Founder, Panos Englezos, and all patients who are no longer with us. The day is dedicated to raising awareness about thalassemia, a genetic blood disorder, and its impact while celebrating the solidarity of the resilient thalassemia community worldwide. It serves as a powerful call to ensure that every person with thalassemia, no matter their location or economic circumstance, has equal access to proper diagnosis, existing and future treatment options, and well-rounded disease care.

Answer: B) Gautam Hari Singhania.

Gautam Hari Singhania has been re-appointed as the Managing Director of Raymond, a leading clothing company. His re-appointment is effective from July 1, 2024, for a term of five years. Singhania, a commerce graduate from the University of Mumbai, took over the reins of Raymond Limited as Chairman & Managing Director in September 2000. Under his leadership, the group has made significant progress, and his vision is to take the Raymond Brand from being amongst the most respected Indian brands to being amongst the best in the global markets.

Answer: A) Four.

India dominated the Asian Open Pickleball Championship 2024, winning four gold medals. The Indian team showcased exceptional skills and teamwork, with players like Sachin Pahwa, Isha Lakhani, Aniket Patel, Vijay Menon, and Priyanka Chhabra shining in their respective categories. This achievement signifies the growing popularity and success of pickleball in India4, and the sport is fast gaining traction in the country.

Answer: D) Kerala.

The West Nile Virus has recently been reported in the state of Kerala, India. Cases of the virus have been identified in the districts of Malappuram, Kozhikode, and Thrissur. The Kerala Health Department has issued an alert and is taking measures to curb the spread of the virus. This includes strengthening cleaning and awareness activities, and intensifying mosquito control efforts. The West Nile Virus is spread by the Culex species of mosquitoes.

Answer: C) Google Wallet.

Google has launched the Google Wallet app for Android users in India. This app allows users to securely store essential digital documents such as boarding passes, loyalty cards, event tickets, public transport passes, gift cards, and more. It’s different from Google Pay, which is primarily a payments app. Google Wallet complements Google Pay by providing a platform for storing non-payment digital assets. This launch marks a significant step in Google’s efforts to simplify and enhance the digital experience for users in India.

Answer: B) Sri Lanka.

In a bid to boost tourism, Sri Lanka has extended visa-free entry for visitors from several countries, including India, until May 31, 2024. This initiative allows Indian tourists to visit Sri Lanka without a visa for 30 days. The move is part of Sri Lanka’s efforts to revive its tourism sector, which is a significant contributor to the country’s economy. By offering visa-free entry, Sri Lanka aims to attract more tourists and provide them with a seamless travel experience.

Answer: B) Colombia.

The Ritacuba Blanco Glacier is located in Colombia. It’s situated in the Sierra Nevada del Cocuy National Park, approximately 250 kilometers northeast of Bogota. The glacier is the highest peak of Cordillera Oriental, in the Andes Mountains of Colombia. However, due to global warming, its glacier is melting at very high rates. If this melting rate continues, the glacier is expected to disappear before 2055.

Answer: A) Zomato.

Zomato, a leading food aggregator company, introduced India’s first crowd-supported weather infrastructure. This innovative platform provides real-time updates on weather parameters like temperature, rain, humidity, and wind speed. It comprises a proprietary network of over 650 on-ground weather stations across different cities. The data generated holds significant potential for enterprises and research institutes. This initiative is a significant leap forward in making informed decisions, particularly in optimizing customer service. The infrastructure is currently operational in 45 cities, with plans for rapid expansion.

Answer: B) Film Director

Sangeeth Sivan was a renowned Indian film director and screenwriter, contributing significantly to both Malayalam and Hindi film industries. Born in 1959, he passed away on May 8, 2024. Sivan is best remembered for his directorial works, including “Vyooham” (1990), “Yodha” (1992), “Kyaa Kool Hai Hum” (2005), and “Yamla Pagla Deewana 2” (2013). His innovative storytelling and cinematic techniques left an indelible mark on Indian cinema. His demise is a significant loss to the film industry. His last rites were held at the Oshiwara Crematorium.

Answer: C) COVID-19.

The FLiRT virus is a new variant of COVID-19 that has been spreading in the United States. It is derived from the JN.1 lineage of the Omicron variant. The FLiRT variants, which include KP.2, are marked by mutations identified by the letters F, L, R, and T in their genetic codes. As of May 2024, the KP.2 variant has become the dominant strain in the U.S., accounting for about 28.2% of COVID-19 cases. Scientists are closely monitoring these variants due to their potential impact on public health.