Daily Current Affairs Quiz: 13th May 2024

Answer: B) Uttarakhand.

Notes: The ‘Bambi Bucket Operation’ was launched by the Indian Air Force (IAF) in Uttarakhand to combat forest fires. The IAF deployed its Mi-17 V5 helicopters for this operation. The helicopters carried out multiple sorties, dropping large amounts of water on the fire-affected areas. This operation was crucial in controlling the spread of the fires and preventing further damage to the forest ecosystem. The operation showcased the IAF’s commitment to environmental conservation and its ability to respond swiftly to emergencies.

Answer: C) Japan.

Notes: The Peace Memorial in Kohima, Nagaland, India was inaugurated by the Ambassador of Japan to India, Suzuki Hiroshi. This memorial is a symbol of peace and reconciliation, marking the site of the Battle of Kohima during World War II. It was constructed with the aid of the Japan International Cooperation Agency. The inauguration of this memorial signifies the transformation of a relationship that began in conflict into one advocating peace and brotherhood. The memorial also serves as a solemn place to offer prayers for all victims of the battle.

Answer: D) China.

Notes: The Thomas Cup Badminton 2024 was won by China. The People’s Republic of China regained their status as the top badminton nation in the world by winning the men’s title at the 2024 BWF Thomas & Uber Cup Finals. The tournament took place in Chengdu, China. This victory showcases China’s dominance in the sport of badminton and their consistent performance at the international level. The Thomas Cup is one of the most prestigious tournaments in badminton, and winning it is a significant achievement.

Answer: B) China women’s team.

Notes: The 2024 Uber Cup was won by the women’s badminton team from China. The tournament took place in Chengdu, China. China clinched its 16th Uber Cup title with a 3-0 victory over Indonesia. The win was secured through Chen Yufei’s singles win, and Chen Qingchen and Jia Yifan’s doubles triumph. This victory reaffirms China’s dominance in the sport of badminton and their consistent performance at the international level.

Answer: B) Ukraine.

Notes: The parliament of Ukraine passed a bill allowing certain categories of prisoners to join the country’s armed forces. This decision was made in response to a critical personnel shortage as the country defends itself against a full-scale invasion. The legislation requires the signatures of the chairperson of parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to become law. The move marks a significant shift in Ukraine’s approach, as it had previously criticized Moscow for mobilizing prisoners to fill its ranks. The mobilization is voluntary and open only to certain categories of prisoners.

Answer: C) Moldova.

Note: India and Moldova signed an agreement on visa waiver for diplomatic and official passports. This agreement allows holders of diplomatic and official passports from either country to travel to the other without requiring a visa. The agreement was signed in New Delhi by Pavan Kapoor, secretary (West) of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), and Ana Taban, ambassador of Moldova. This move is expected to strengthen bilateral relations and enhance people-to-people contact between the two countries.

Answer: B) 11 May 2024.

Notes: World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) is an annual global campaign that aims to raise awareness about the conservation of migratory birds and their habitats. In 2024, WMBD will be celebrated on Saturday, 11 May. The campaign in 2024 will focus on the importance of insects for migratory birds, highlighting concerns related to decreasing populations of insects. Insects are essential sources of energy for many migratory bird species, not only during the breeding seasons but also during their extensive journeys.

Answer: A) Iceland.

Notes: The world’s largest direct air capture plant, named ‘Mammoth’, began operations in Iceland. The plant is run by Swiss startup Climeworks AG and is designed to remove up to 36,000 tons of CO2 from the air per year. The CO2 is captured from the air and stored permanently underground. The plant is powered by renewable energy provided by ON Power, a geothermal energy partner in Iceland. This initiative marks a significant step in the fight against global warming.

Answer: C) Keki M Mistry.

Notes: Keki M Mistry has been appointed as the new chairman of HDFC Life Insurance. He took over the position after Deepak S Parekh stepped down from his role as chairman and non-executive director. Mistry has been associated with the company since December 2000. His appointment marks a significant leadership transition in HDFC Life, one of India’s leading life insurance companies. Mistry’s vast experience and leadership skills are expected to guide the company towards continued growth and success.

Answer: A) Assam.

Notes: The Sonai Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the north-western part of the Sonitpur district in Assam, India. This sanctuary, declared in 1998, spans over an area of 220 sq km. It is known for its rich biodiversity and scenic landscape. The sanctuary is home to a diverse range of species and is situated along the foothills of the Great Himalayan Range. It is an important biodiversity hotspot, with conservation efforts implemented to preserve its unique ecological features.

Answer: C) ‘BoB World’ by Bank of Baroda.

Notes: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) recently lifted the restrictions on Bank of Baroda’s mobile application, ‘bob World’. The restrictions were initially imposed in October 2023 due to concerns about the onboarding process. The RBI found “material supervisory concerns” with Bank of Baroda’s customer onboarding process for ‘bob World’. However, after rectification of the deficiencies observed and strengthening of the related processes by the bank, the RBI lifted the restrictions on May 8, 2024. This means Bank of Baroda can now resume signing up new customers through the app.

Answer: D) Maldives.

Notes: India has withdrawn all its military personnel from the Maldives. The decision was made in response to a request from the Maldivian government, led by President Mohamed Muizzu. The withdrawal was completed ahead of the May 10 deadline set by the Maldivian government. The Indian troops had been stationed in the Maldives to operate and maintain two helicopters and a Dornier aircraft that India had gifted to the island nation. The withdrawal of troops marks a significant development in the bilateral relations between India and the Maldives.

Answer: D) New Delhi.

Notes: The Tri Service Conference called ‘Parivartan Chintan-2’ will be held in New Delhi under the chairmanship of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Anil Chouhan. This two-day conference, scheduled for 9-10 May 2024, focuses on the jointness and integration of the Armed Forces. It is a platform for the heads of all Tri-services Institutes to generate novel reformative ideas and initiatives. The conference aims to review the progress made in multiple domains and ideate on the necessary reforms to achieve the desired end state towards transformation through jointness and integration.

Answer: C) Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).

Notes: The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has released upgraded Dietary Guidelines for Indians to suit modern eating habits for 2024. These guidelines were framed by researchers from the Hyderabad-based National Institute of Nutrition (NIN). The guidelines specifically advise people to be physically active, exercise regularly, restrict intake of salt, minimize high fat, sugar, ultra-processed foods and take steps to prevent abdominal obesity, overweight and overall obesity. The guidelines aim to boost health and significantly reduce the prevalence of diseases like coronary heart disease, hypertension, and Type 2 diabetes.

Answer: B) European Union.

Notes: The Council of the European Union has adopted the first-ever EU law to combat violence against women and domestic violence. This law requires all EU countries to criminalize female genital mutilation, forced marriage, and cyber violence such as the non-consensual sharing of intimate images. The law also contains measures to prevent violence against women and domestic violence and sets standards for the protection of victims of these crimes. This groundbreaking law is a significant step towards ensuring the values and fundamental rights of equality between women and men and of non-discrimination.