Tnpsc Current Affairs in English – 21st May 2024

1. What is the theme of National Endangered Species Day 2024?

A. Wildlife Without Borders

B. Celebrate Saving Species

C. Recovering key species for ecosystem restoration

D. Sustaining all life on Earth

• National Endangered Species Day, observed on May 17th in 2024, highlights the importance of protecting endangered species. Established annually on the third Friday of May, it raises awareness about the plight of endangered species. Conceived by David Robinson, a senior staff member at the Endangered Species Coalition, this year’s theme, “Celebrate Saving Species”.

2. Recently, which country has successfully conducted a training launch of the guided multi launch rocket system ‘Fatah-II’?

A. Pakistan

B. China

C. Japan

D. Iran

• Pakistan successfully tested its indigenous guided multi-launch rocket system, ‘Fatah-II’, with a 400-kilometer range. Equipped with advanced avionics and navigation, it ensures high-precision targeting. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) stated the system’s capabilities. Senior military officers and scientists witnessed the launch. ‘Fatah-II’ signifies Pakistan’s advancement in defense technology, enhancing its strategic capabilities.

3. What is the theme of ‘World Bee Day 2024’?

A. Bee engaged – Build Back Better for Bees

B. Bee Engaged: Celebrating the diversity of bees

C. Bee Engaged with Youth

D. Bee Engaged in Pollinator-Friendly Agricultural Production

• World Bee Day, observed on May 20, marks Anton Janša’s birth anniversary, a beekeeping pioneer. Established by the UN in 2017, it highlights bees’ crucial roles in food security, biodiversity, and sustainable agriculture. The 2024 theme, “Bee engaged with Youth,” focuses on involving young people in bee conservation efforts to protect these essential pollinators.

4. Ebrahim Raisi, who recently passed away in helicopter crash, was the President of which country?

A. Vietnam

B. Egypt

C. Iraq

D. Iran

• On May 19, 2024, Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi tragically died in a helicopter crash in northwestern Iran. Raisi, a significant political figure and potential successor to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was viewed as pivotal in Iran’s leadership.

5. Nikhat Zareen, who recently won gold medal at Elorda Cup 2024, belongs to which sports?

A. Wrestling

B. Boxing

C. Chess

D. Badminton

• Nikhat Zareen and Minakshi won gold medals for India at the 3rd Elorda Cup 2024 in Astana, Kazakhstan. Zareen defeated Kazakhstan’s Zhazira Urakbayeva in the 52 kg category, while Minakshi overcame Uzbekistan’s Saidakhon Rakhmonova in the 48 kg category. India’s 21-member boxing contingent secured a total of 12 medals: 2 gold, 2 silver, and 8 bronze.

6. Spiti Valley is located in which state?

A. Arunachal Pradesh

B. Himachal Pradesh

C. Nagaland

D. Sikkim

• Due to rising temperatures, apple cultivation has become viable in Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh, at elevations up to 3,400 meters. Farmers are shifting from barley and potatoes to apples, which are economically significant. In 2023-24, Spiti Valley produced apples worth Rs 34 crore. Apples, a temperate fruit, originated in the Middle East over 4000 years ago. China is the largest apple producer globally.

7. Recently, where was the 2nd edition of India- Australia- Indonesia Trilateral Maritime Security Workshop (TMSW) conducted?

A. Kochi

B. Chennai

C. Varanasi

D. Bengaluru

• The 2^nd India-Australia-Indonesia Trilateral Maritime Security Workshop was held from May 15-17, 2024, at INS Dronacharya, Kochi, India. The theme was ‘Indian Ocean Region: Collaborative Efforts to Enhance Regional Maritime Security’.
• Chaired by senior naval officials from the three countries, discussions focused on maritime security challenges, Information Exchange mechanisms, Maritime Domain Awareness, and enhancing interoperability among the navies. The workshop aimed at fostering cooperation to address present-day maritime threats in the Indian Ocean Region.

8. What is ‘SPECULOOS-3 b’?

A. Earth-size exoplanet

B. Submarine

C. Aircraft carrier

D. Invasive plant

• Astronomers found SPECULOOS-3b, an Earth-sized planet, orbiting an ultra-cool red dwarf star 55 light-years from Earth. The star emits light 100 times dimmer than the sun, with half the temperature, making SPECULOOS-3b the second planet of its kind found around such a star. It lacks an atmosphere, receiving 16 times more energy than Earth. It takes 17 hours to orbit and is likely tidally locked, with one side in perpetual daylight and the other in darkness.

9. Which organization recently unveiled the carbon reduction initiative of SFO Technologies?

A. DRDO

B. BHEL

C. ISRO

D. CSIR

• ISRO Chairman S Somanath unveiled SFO Technologies’ carbon reduction initiative, aiming for a 50% reduction by 2035 and zero emissions by 2040. At NeST HiTek Park, he planted a sapling and unveiled a Chandrayaan replica, highlighting SFO’s cooperation with ISRO.

10. What is the theme of ‘International Museum Day 2024’?

A. Future of Museums: Recover and Reimagine

B. The Power of Museums

C. Museums for Education and Research

D. Sustainability and Well-being

• International Museum Day is celebrated annually on May 18 to highlight museums’ societal roles. Established by the International Council of Museums (ICOM) in 1977, the first theme was introduced in 1992. The 2024 theme is “Museums for Education and Research.”

11. Phawngpui National Park is located in which state?

A. Sikkim

B. Assam

C. Mizoram

D. Manipur

• A new hemi-parasitic terrestrial plant, Phtheirospermum lushaiorum, was discovered in Mizoram’s Phawngpui National Park. Lacking a fully developed root system, it connects to host plants for water and minerals but can photosynthesize and grow independently to some extent. Flowering occurs from July to September, with fruits produced from August to October. The species is named after the Lushai tribe of Mizoram.

12. Which day is observed as ‘World Metrology Day’ every year?

A. May.18

B. May.19

C. May.20

D. May.21

• World Metrology Day, celebrated on May 20, marks the 1875 Metre Convention signing, establishing a global measurement system. The 2024 theme, “Sustainability,” emphasizes the role of measurements in fostering a sustainable economy and environment. Key applications include monitoring energy use, managing agricultural resources, identifying pollution sources, and regulating vehicle emissions.