Tnpsc Current Affairs in English – 14th May 2024

1. Which organization recently celebrated 70^th anniversary of the Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict?

A. UNESCO

B. WTO

C. FAO

D. UNICEF

• UNESCO marked the 70^th anniversary of the Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in Armed Conflict. It’s the first global legal framework solely dedicated to safeguarding movable and immovable heritage during peacetime and conflict. With 135 member states, including India, the Convention and its Protocols (1954, 1999) operate under UNESCO.

2. Recently, where was the 19^th session of the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF) held?

A. Paris

B. New York

C. California

D. London

• The 19^th UN Forum on Forests convened recently in New York, aiming to foster global forest management, conservation, and sustainability. Established in 2000 under ECOSOC, it includes all UN member states and specialized agencies, with India as a founding member. Based in New York, it reports to the General Assembly via ECOSOC. Its objective is to bolster long-term political commitment to forest issues and promote their sustainable development.

3. What is ‘Kawasaki Disease’?

A. A rare heart disease

B. An eye disorder

C. Fungal disease

D. Bacterial disease

• Two baby girls diagnosed with Kawasaki disease were successfully treated at Coimbatore Medical College and Hospital (CMCH). Kawasaki disease, a rare heart condition, primarily affects children under 5, leading to high fever and inflamed blood vessels.
• It’s a significant cause of heart disease in kids, targeting coronary arteries. Symptoms include fever, rash, swollen hands and feet, and inflamed mucous membranes. The disease’s cause remains unknown, with cases peaking in late winter and early spring.

4. What is ‘Hermes-900’?

A. Unmanned Aerial System

B. Nuclear Ballistic Submarine

C. Invasive weed

D. Ancient Monument

• The Indian Army and Navy are set to receive Hermes-900 drones, or Drishti-10, enhancing their surveillance capabilities. Hermes-900, a Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial system, boasts over-the-horizon, multi-mission capabilities with a payload capacity of 350 kgs. It facilitates Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, Reconnaissance and maritime patrol missions.

5. Which country became the first nation to lose all of its glaciers?

A. Russia

B. Venezuela

C. Norway

D. Sweden

• Venezuela loses all glaciers, with the Humboldt Glacier being the last to vanish. The International Cryosphere Climate Initiative declares it too small to be classified as a glacier. It’s now termed an ice field.

6. DigiLocker is a flagship initiative of which ministry?

A. Ministry of Commerce and Industry

B. Ministry of Communications

C. Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology

D. Ministry of Civil Aviation

• DigiLocker, initiated by India’s Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology in 2015, serves as a secure platform for government documents. Students can access scores and verified marksheets. It’s government-approved with stringent security measures, including 2048 Bit RSA SSL encryption and multi-factor authentication.
• Users can store essential documents digitally, aiding paper-free initiatives. Documents issued via DigiLocker hold legal equivalence to physical copies. The app supports passport applications and identity verification, enhancing convenience and accessibility.

7. Which two countries recently carried out the 7^th edition of the Joint Military Exercise ‘Shakti’?

A. India & Maldives

B. India & Russia

C. India & UAE

D. India & France

• Joint military Exercise Shakti, a biennial event between Indian and French forces, occurred at Umroi, Meghalaya, from May 13-26, 2024. Attended by French Ambassador Thierry Mathou, Brigadier Mayur Shekatkar, and dignitaries, it focuses on joint planning and strategy development for war scenarios.
• Shakti, alternating between India and France, aims to enhance cooperation, understanding, and interoperability while sharing combat experiences in countering terrorism.

8. What is the theme for ‘International Nurses Day 2024’?

A. Our Nurses, Our Future, The Economic Power of Care

B. Closing the Gap

C. Nurses: A Voice to Lead

D. Nurses: A Force for Change

• International Nurses Day, observed on May 12, honors Florence Nightingale’s legacy. Some countries extend celebrations into National Nurses Week.
• The day emphasizes nurses’ critical role in healthcare, combating undervaluation. Each year, a theme is chosen by the International Council of Nurses; for 2024, it’s ‘Our Nurses Our Future, The Economic Power of Care,’ highlighting nurses’ impact on global economy and the need for investment in the profession for better health outcomes.

9. Recently, which space organization successfully tested a liquid rocket engine made with the help of 3D printing?

A. ISRO 

B. NASA

C. JAXA

D. CNSA

• The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully tested a liquid rocket engine made via 3D printing. ISRO utilized the PS4 engine, employed in the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle’s fourth stage, for this advancement. 3D printing constructs objects layer by layer from computer-generated designs. It reduces components from 14 to one, eliminates 19 weld joints, saving 97% of raw material, and cuts production time by 60%.

10. Andrott, Kiltan, and Kalpeni Islands, recently seen in the news due to coral bleaching, are located in which region of India?

A. Tamil Nadu

B. Lakshadweep Sea

C. Andaman Sea

D. Kerala

• ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) found severe coral bleaching in Lakshadweep Sea due to prolonged maritime heatwaves since October 2023. Corals, sessile organisms, suffered due to warm waters, ejecting algae, their food source. Lakshadweep’s islands, mostly coral atolls, rely on coral-derived soil. Bleaching affects major islands like Bitra, Kiltan, Amini, Andrott, Kalpeni, and Kavaratti.

11. Recently, Idashisha Nongrang has been appointed as the first woman Director General of Police (DGP) of which state?

A. Nagaland

B. Sikkim

C. Meghalaya

D. Assam

• Idashisha Nongrang makes history as Meghalaya’s first female Director General of Police (DGP), breaking barriers in the state’s matrilineal society. A 1992 Indian Police Service member from the Khasi community, she succeeds Lajja Ram Bishnoi upon his retirement on May 19. Nongrang previously served as DGP in 2021 and currently leads Meghalaya Civil Defence.

12. Which country recently won 30^th Sultan Azlan Shah Trophy?

A. Japan

B. India

C. China

D. Malaysia

• Japan secured their first Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey trophy by defeating Pakistan 4-1 in the penalty shootout. The final match, held at Azlan Shah Stadium in Ipoh, Malaysia on May 11, 2024, ended 2-2 in normal time. This victory marked Japan’s maiden title in the tournament. Pakistan, making its 10th final appearance, has previously won the trophy thrice. In the 30th Sultan Azlan Shah Trophy, Japan clinched the top spot, followed by Pakistan and Malaysia.