Tnpsc Current Affairs in English – 22nd May 2024

1. Which day is observed as ‘World Refugee Day’ every year?

A. May.20

B. May.21

C. May.22

D. May.23

• World Refugee Day, observed on May 20, raises awareness about refugees displaced by war, persecution, and economic factors. Originating from African Refugee Day in 1975, the UN adopted it in 2000. The first World Refugee Day was in 2001, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the 1951 Refugee Convention and 1967 Protocol. The 2024 theme is “Hope Away from Home.”

2. Lunar Polar Exploration Mission (LUPEX) is a joint mission of which two space organizations?

A. ISRO and JAXA

B. NASA and ISRO

C. ESA and ISRO

D. ISRO and CNSA

• The India-Japan partnership is gearing up for the Lunar Polar Exploration Mission (LUPEX), set to launch in 2025 aboard Japan’s H3 rocket. Coordinated by ISRO and JAXA, the mission aims to explore the moon’s southern polar region, particularly focusing on water presence. It showcases advanced surface exploration tech, with a rover searching autonomously for water and sampling soil.

3. Which organization recently released its updated Bacterial Priority Pathogens List (BPPL) 2024?

A. World Health Organisation

B. Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases

C. United Nations International Children’s Fund

D. United Nations Development Programme

• The World Health Organization (WHO) released its updated Bacterial Priority Pathogens List (BPPL) 2024, aiding the fight against antimicrobial resistance.
• Originally launched in 2017 with 13 pathogens, the 2024 list now includes 24, categorized into critical, high, and medium priority groups. Developed using the multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) method, it guides investment in research and development (R&D) and public health interventions to combat antibiotic-resistant bacterial pathogens.

4. An endangered species, Red Panda was recently spotted in which wildlife sanctuary of Arunachal Pradesh?

A. Talle Valley Wildlife Sanctuary

B. Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary

C. Kamlang Wildlife Sanctuary

D. Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary

• A red panda was recently sighted in Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary, Arunachal Pradesh. This herbivore species uses its bushy tail for balance and warmth. It’s shy, arboreal, and an ecological indicator. Resembling a house cat, it inhabits mountainous forests across Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, and Nepal, with half its habitat in the Eastern Himalayas. Threatened by habitat loss, it’s classified as Endangered by IUCN, listed on CITES Appendix I, and protected under India’s Wildlife Protection Act 1972.

5. Which two Indian players recently won the Thailand Open 2024 badminton men’s doubles title?

A. HS Prannoy and Lakshya Sen

B. Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty

C. Sai Praneeth and Sameer Verma

D. Nikhil Kanetkar and Dhruv Kapila

• Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, ranked world no 3, clinched the Thailand Open 2024 men’s doubles title by defeating Chen Bo Yang and Liu Yi. The Indian duo won 21-15, 21-15 in 46 minutes at Bangkok’s Nimibutr Stadium. This marks their second title of 2024, following their victory at the French Open. It’s also their second Thailand Open win.

6. Recently, who has won 2024 Italian Open title in the women’s category?

A. Y. Putintseva

B. Iga Swiatek

C. C. Gauff

D. Aryna Sabalenka

• Alexander Zverev won his second Italian Open singles title, while world no 1 Iga Swiatek claimed her third Italian Open title. Swiatek defeated Aryna Sabalenka in straight sets, 6-2, 6-3, to win her 21st career title. This marks Swiatek’s third Italian Open victory in the last four years.

7. Which day is observed as National Anti-Terrorism Day annually?

A. May.20

B. May.21

C. May.22

D. May.23

• Anti-Terrorism Day in India commemorates the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, who was killed by an LTTE suicide bomber on May 21, 1991, in Sriperumbudur. This day highlights the nation’s commitment to combating terrorism and promoting peace, unity, and security. It encourages citizens to stand united against divisive and violent forces, reinforcing India’s resolve to maintain national and global stability.

8. Recently, which Indian created history by becoming the first Indian space tourist?

A. Ashutosh Sharma

B. Gopi Thotakura

C. Akhilesh Gupta

D. Balram Bhargava

• Gopi Thotakura, an Indian expatriate, became the first Indian space tourist and the second Indian in space on Blue Origin’s NS-25 mission. The mission, New Shepard’s seventh human spaceflight, included six crew members, among them Gopi Thotakura. The crew also featured historical figure Ed Dwight, the first black astronaut candidate selected by President Kennedy.

9. R21/Matrix-M vaccine is developed for the prevention of which disease?

A. Dengue

B. Smallpox

C. Malaria

D. Mumps

• The Serum Institute of India (SII) has begun exporting the ‘R21/Matrix-M’ malaria vaccine to Africa to combat the disease. This new vaccine, recommended by WHO, joins the RTS, S/AS01 vaccine. Developed by Oxford University’s Jenner Institute and SII, it received support from EDCTP, Wellcome Trust, and EIB. Affordable and effective, it’s approved for children and licensed in multiple African countries, marking a significant step in global malaria prevention efforts.

10. Which Indian para athlete created a world record of 55.06 seconds in the women’s 400m T20 category, at the ongoing Para Athletics World Championship 2024 in Kobe, Japan?

A. Deepthi Jeevanji

B. Palak Kohli

C. Ekta Bhyan

D. Deepa Malik

• Indian para-athlete Deepthi Jeevanji set a world record of 55.06 seconds in the women’s 400m T20 category at the Para Athletics World Championship 2024 in Kobe, Japan, winning gold.
• She previously set a new Asian record in the qualifying round with 56.18 seconds. Jeevanji also won gold at the Asian Para Games 2023. Additionally, Yogesh Kathuniya won silver in the men’s F56 discus throw with 41.80 meters.

11. What is the main purpose of the Copernicus Emergency Management Service Programme?

A. Agricultural Research

B. Disaster management

C. Wildlife Conservation

D. Urban planning

• In response to the crash of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi’s helicopter in East Azerbaijan, the European Union activated its Copernicus EMS mapping service. Named after Nicolaus Copernicus, the programme provides earth observation data since its launch in 1998. The Copernicus Emergency Management Service (EMS) Programme provides timely and accurate geo-spatial information to help manage natural disasters, man-made emergencies, and humanitarian crises.

12. Recently, which organization released a report titled ‘Water for Shared Prosperity’?

A. WHO

B. UNEP

C. World Bank

D. IMF

• The World Bank unveiled “Water for Shared Prosperity” at the 10th World Water Forum in Bali, Indonesia, defining shared prosperity as equitable growth, especially for the poorest. It identifies four key pillars: human, social, and natural capital, and economic opportunities.
• The report highlights disparities in water access due to population growth, urbanization, and climate change. In 2022, 197 million lacked safe drinking water, 211 million lacked basic sanitation, with 450 million in high-poverty, low-water-access areas globally.