UPSC Current Affairs Pointers of the past week | May 20 to May 26, 2024
Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting, UNCCD Report, Naegleria fowleri, Cannes Film Festival and more — Here are some must read current affairs tidbits for your prelims preparation that you shouldn't miss for UPSC, state PSCs, and other competitive examinations.
The 46th edition of the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting, also known as the Antarctic Parliament, kicked off on Monday (May 20) in Kochi, Kerala. (Wikimedia Commons)
UPSC Current Affairs Pointers is a new initiative of UPSC Essentials to consolidate your prelims exam prep. Every Monday, take a quick look at last week’s current affairs tidbits curated specially for those preparing for UPSC and various other competitive examinations.
🚨 The Indian Express UPSC Essentials brings to you the May edition of its monthly magazine. Click Hereto read. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at manas.srivastava@indianexpress.com🚨
Environment
Worried about antibiotic resistance? The WHO’s updated Bacterial Priority Pathogens List (BPPL) sheds light on the fight against superbugs. (Freepik)
The World Health Organization (WHO) has unveiled an updated Bacterial Priority Pathogens Priority List, encompassing 24 pathogens across 15 families of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, categorized into three priority groups.
The Critical Priority List comprises Gram-negative bacteria such as Acinetobacter baumannii, representing the most significant threat.
In the High Priority list, notable entries include Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium, primarily associated with hospital-acquired infections, presenting major challenges, especially within healthcare settings.
The Medium priority list features Group A and B Streptococci, pathogens responsible for a considerable disease burden, warranting attention, particularly among vulnerable populations.
Around 39 flamingos were found dead in various locations of Ghatkopar East after colliding with an Emirates aircraft landing at Mumbai airport late Monday evening (20th May).
In India, flamingos are protected under Schedule IV of the Wildlife Protection Act (1972).
The country is home to two species of flamingos: the Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus), which is Gujarat’s state bird and listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, and the Lesser Flamingo (Phoeniconaias minor), which has a Near Threatened status.
The 46th edition of the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM) commenced in Kochi, Kerala, on Monday (May 20).
Often referred to as the “Antarctic Parliament,” the treaty serves as a framework for peaceful coexistence and scientific collaboration on the continent. Initially signed by 12 countries on December 1, 1959, the treaty came into effect in 1961, with a total of 56 countries joining since then. India became a signatory in 1983.
India’s first Antarctic research station, Dakshin Gangotri, was established in 1983 in Queen Maud Land, operating until 1990. The second station, Maitri, in the Schirmacher Oasis, was established in 1989 and remains operational to this day.
In 2012, India inaugurated its third Antarctic research station, Bharati, located on the Prydz Bay coast.
Recently, the Rajasthan government received a directive from the Supreme Court to close down 68 mines operating within a 1-kilometer radius of the critical tiger habitat (CTH) surrounding the Sariska reserve.
This tiger reserve is located in the Alwar district of Rajasthan.
Reports
A maldhari with his herd of goats. (Photo courtesy: Sahjeevan)
According to the report released by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) almost half of the world’s rangelands are degraded due to climate change, population growth, land-use change and growing farmlands.
Rangelands are characterised by low vegetation and comprise grasslands, shrublands, wetlands, desert, semi-arid land, mountain pastures, plateaus and tundra.
Mongolia will host the 17th UNCCD Conference of the Parties meeting in 2026, the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP), declared by the United Nations General Assembly on Mongolia’s initiative.
The European Union (EU) activated its rapid satellite mapping service in response to a helicopter crash involving Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on May 19.
The EU’s Copernicus programme, a key part of its space initiatives, facilitated this response. Copernicus aims to monitor the Earth’s environment through data collected by a network of satellites called the Sentinels, playing a critical role in emergency management and environmental monitoring.
Earlier it was called Global Monitoring for Environmental Security (GMES). Currently, it is implemented by the European Commission (EC) with support from the European Space Agency (ESA) and the European Environment Agency (EEA).
Diseases in News
Naegleria is an amoeba, a single-celled organism, and only one of its species, called Naegleria fowleri, can infect humans. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)
Recently, a 5-year-old girl in Kerala succumbed to primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), a rare and deadly brain infection caused by the ‘brain-eating amoeba,’ Naegleria fowleri.
Naegleria is an amoeba, a single-celled organism, and only one of its species, called Naegleria fowleri, can infect humans, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
This free-living amoeba inhabits warm freshwater and soil globally, infecting individuals when it enters the body through the nose. Favorable conditions for its growth include temperatures up to 115°F (46°C).
Early symptoms of PAM include headache, fever, nausea, and vomiting. As the infection progresses, patients may experience a stiff neck, confusion, seizures, hallucinations, and eventually coma.
Achievement
Payal Kapadia, second from right, winner of the grand prize for ‘All We Imagine as Light,’ poses with Kani Kusruti, from left, Chhaya Kadam, and Divya Prabha at the 77th Cannes international film festival on May 25, 2024 | AP
Director Payal Kapadia’s debut feature film, All We Imagine As Light, recently won the prestigious Grand Prix prize at the 77th Cannes Film Festival.
In another historic achievement, actor Anasuya Sengupta became the first Indian to win Best Actress at Cannes in the Un Certain Regard category for her performance in Bulgarian director Konstantin Bojanov’s The Shameless.
Person in News
Gopi Thotakura is an Indian expatriate entrepreneur and aviator. Gopi Thotakura / Linkedin
Recently, India-born aviator and commercial pilot Gopi Thotakura made history as the first space tourist from India.
On Sunday, May 19, Thotakura and five other space tourists embarked on a short recreational trip to space aboard a spacecraft operated by Blue Origin, a leading private space company offering such experiences.
The Iranian authorities have confirmed the death of the Iranian President in a helicopter crash near a mountainous region in the northwest of the country bordering Azerbaijan.
The Supreme Leader of Iran is Ayatollah Ali Khamenei who appointed the First Vice-President Mohammad Mokhber as interim president after Ebrahim Raisi’s death.
As president, Raisi faced criticism for overseeing a harsh crackdown on the women’s rights movement following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in September 2022.
Under the Iranian constitution, a new President will have to be elected within 50 days of Raisi’s death.
The legacy of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the first Supreme Leader known for establishing the doctrine of Vilayat-e-Faqih (Rule of the Jurisprudent) and leading the Islamic Revolution in 1979, remains significant in Iran’s history. He was succeeded by Ali Khamenei, the present Supreme Leader of Iran.
— Sanjiv Puri
Recently, ITC Chairman and Managing Director Sanjiv Puri assumed office as the president of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) for the 2024-25 term.
He succeeds R Dinesh, Chairman of TVS Supply Chain Solutions.
Sports
Deepthi Jeevanji set a world record timing of 55.07 seconds in the women’s T20 400m final in Kobe, Japan on Monday, also qualifying for the Paris Paralympics.
Indian para-athlete Deepthi Jeevanji set a new world record in the women’s 400m T20 category with a time of 55.06 seconds at the ongoing Para Athletics World Championship 2024 in Kobe, Japan.
This remarkable achievement not only earned India its first gold medal at the championship but also broke the previous world record of 55.12 seconds held by USA’s Breanna Clark.
Manchester City achieved a historic milestone in English football by becoming the first team ever to win four consecutive Premier League championship titles.
This remarkable feat was accomplished after their victory over West Ham United.
India’s Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty secured the men’s doubles title at the Thailand Open 2024 by defeating China’s Chen Bo Yang and Liu Yi.
This victory marked their eighth title on the BWF World Tour.
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Khushboo Kumari is a Deputy Copy Editor with The Indian Express. She has done her graduation and post-graduation in History from the University of Delhi. At The Indian Express, she writes for the UPSC section. She holds experience in UPSC-related content development. You can contact her via email: khushboo.kumari@indianexpress.com ... Read More
