Daily Current Affairs Quiz: 22nd May 2024

Answer: B) Magnus Carlsen

Notes:

The Casablanca Chess Variant Tournament 2024 saw a triumphant Magnus Carlsen. This unique event featured grandmasters competing in a new format designed to honour the history of chess. Carlsen scored 4½/6 points to claim outright victory. On the second day, he beat Bassem Amin and signed draws against Hikaru Nakamura and Vishy Anand. Nakamura finished in second place with 3½ points¹. This tournament marked a significant moment in the chess world.

Answer: C) Be Part of the Plan

Notes:

The International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) 2024 is a call to action for all stakeholders to halt and reverse the loss of biodiversity. The theme, “Be part of the Plan“, emphasizes the importance of supporting the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, also referred to as the Biodiversity Plan. This plan offers opportunities for cooperation and partnerships among diverse actors, including governments, indigenous peoples, local communities, non-governmental organizations, lawmakers, businesses, and individuals.

Answer: B) Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services

Notes:

Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services announced the appointment of Mahesh Rajaraman as the Chief Risk Officer (CRO) effective from August 1, 2024. Rajaraman, with 29 years of banking experience, will lead the risk management function for a 5-year term. He has been associated with various banks namely Yes Bank, HDFC Bank, HSBC Bank and ANZ Grindlays Bank. His areas of expertise include retail assets, credit cards, agri lending and SMEs in the domains of policy/risk, underwriting, fraud risk management and anti-money laundering across all banking products.

Answer: D) Malaria

Notes:

The R21/Matrix-M vaccine, developed by the University of Oxford and manufactured by the Serum Institute of India (SII), is a significant advancement in the fight against malaria. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended this vaccine for malaria prevention in children. It targets the plasmodium ‘sporozoite’, the first form of the malaria parasite entering the human body. This vaccine, along with other measures, is expected to be a game-changer in reducing malaria infections and deaths.

Answer: B) Bank of Maharashtra

Notes:

Among India’s 12 public sector banks (PSBs), the Bank of Maharashtra recorded the highest growth rate in total domestic business at 15.94% in the financial year 2024. This achievement is a testament to the bank’s robust strategies and effective execution. The State Bank of India (SBI) followed closely with a growth rate of 13.12%. The growth in the banking sector reflects the overall economic progress and the effective policies implemented by these banks.

Answer: D) Venezuela

Notes:

The Humboldt Glacier is one of the major glaciers in northern Greenland. Named after German naturalist Alexander von Humboldt, it is the widest tidewater glacier in the Northern Hemisphere. The glacier borders the Kane Basin in North West Greenland. It has been in the news recently due to its significant role in global climate studies and the observable effects of climate change on its structure.

Answer: A) R. Venkataramani

Notes:

R. Venkataramani, a senior advocate in the Supreme Court of India, was appointed as the Attorney General for India for a period of three years effective from October 1, 2022. He succeeded K.K. Venugopal, whose term ended on September 30, 2022. With an experience of 42 years of practice in the Supreme Court, Venkataramani has represented Central Government, several State Governments, Universities, and Public Sector Undertakings in their major litigations.

Answer: C) Xander Schauffele

Notes:

The 2024 US PGA Championship was a significant event in the golf world, with Xander Schauffele emerging as the champion. Schauffele, at the age of 30, claimed his first major championship with a record-setting score of 21 under par. He led the tournament from start to finish, demonstrating remarkable resilience and skill. This victory marks a major milestone in Schauffele’s career, solidifying his status as one of the top golfers in the world.

Answer: A) Sri Lanka

Notes:

The LTTE was a Tamil militant organization based in the northern and eastern parts of Sri Lanka. Established in 1976, it fought for the creation of an independent Tamil state called Tamil Eelam. The LTTE was involved in attacks on government targets, policemen, and local politicians, escalating into a full-scale nationalist insurgency, which started the Sri Lankan Civil War. However, it was militarily defeated in May 2009.

Answer: C) Nelly Korda

Notes:

Nelly Korda, an American professional golfer, emerged victorious in a back-nine showdown with Hannah Green of Australia. This win at the Mizuho Americas Open marked her sixth victory in seven starts on the LPGA Tour this year. Korda’s consistent performance and determination have made her a standout player in the golf world. Her victory at the Mizuho Americas Open further solidifies her position as one of the top players in women’s golf.

Answer: B) Sirbaz Khan

Notes:

• Sirbaz Khan, a renowned mountaineer from Pakistan, successfully scaled Mount Everest without relying on supplementary oxygen.
• He emulated the achievement of Sajid Sidpara, who was the first Pakistani to climb Everest without oxygen support.
• Sirbaz was part of the “Imagine Nepal 2024 Everest Expedition” team, which included 14 international climbers and 18 Sherpas.
• His journey from being a cook on a small expedition to ascending 13 out of the world’s total 14 peaks above 8,000 meters is truly inspiring.
• This milestone makes Sirbaz Khan the second Pakistani to conquer Everest without using oxygen support.
• His determination and resilience have solidified his place among the elite mountaineers of the world.

Answer: C) 39th

Notes:

• India’s global travel and tourism index rank has climbed to 39th position in 2024.
• The recovery of global tourism after pandemic-related restrictions has been robust.
• Despite external challenges, such as inflation rates, geopolitical factors, and environmental issues, the T&T sector shows resilience.
• India’s performance is commendable, especially considering its position in South Asia and among lower-middle-income economies.
• The US leads the overall rankings, but India’s progress is noteworthy.

Answer: A) Urmimala Boruah

Notes:

• Urmimala Boruah, an Indian beauty pageant director, made her debut at the 77th Cannes Film Festival.
• She is the first-ever Indian pageant director to walk the esteemed red carpet.
• Urmimala’s journey from a small Indian town to Cannes is a testament to her unwavering belief in “dream it, believe it, achieve it.”
• Her presence redefines beauty and represents her vision and the aspirations of her Queen’s tribe.
• This historic moment will be cherished forever in Urmimala’s life.

Answer: C) Bikramjit Chaudhari

Notes:

• Dr. Bikramjit Chaudhuri takes charge as the Chief of Measurement Science & Analytics at BARC India.
• He succeeds Dr. Derrick Gray, who contributed significantly to audience measurement and advanced analytics.
• Dr. Chaudhuri’s expertise spans Statistics, Stochastic Modelling, Market Measurement, Consumer Segmentation, AI & ML, Demand Forecasting, and Big Data Analytics.
• His strategic vision aims to evolve the current measurement system to meet industry demands.
• BARC India’s legacy continues under Dr. Chaudhuri’s leadership.

Answer: D) Seoul, South Korea

Notes:

• The AI Global Forum 2024 convened in Hong Kong.
• The focus was on AI safety and fostering collaboration across various stakeholders.
• Experts, researchers, and industry leaders participated in discussions about the future of AI.
• The event aimed to bridge academia, industry, and policy to shape responsible AI development.