UPSC Current Affairs Pointers of the past week | May 6 to May 12, 2024
Auroras, Goldene, Human Development Index, Pulitzer Awards 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.
An illustrative image depicting an aurora. (stein egil liland via Pexels.)
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.
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Environment
The forensic surgeon indicated poisoning from oleander leaves. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)
Recently, in Kerala, a 24-year-old woman tragically lost her life after accidentally ingesting oleander leaves.
Oleander, scientifically known as Nerium oleander, is a plant cultivated worldwide in tropical, subtropical, and temperate regions. Recognized for its drought tolerance, this shrub is often utilized for ornamental and landscaping purposes.
In Kerala, it is locally known by names such as arali and kanaveeram.
It has been a well-known poisonous plant since classical times, as it contains cardiac glycosides (a type of chemical), including oleandrin, folinerin, and digitoxigenin.
Recently, an Air Force’s MI 17 V5 helicopter was dispatched to Nainital district, Uttarakhand, to combat the severe forest fires, employing the ‘bambi bucket.’
The ‘bambi bucket’ is a specialized aerial firefighting apparatus that has been in operation since the 1980s. It consists of a lightweight collapsible container attached to a helicopter, allowing for targeted water release using a pilot-controlled valve.
Reports
Youth unemployment is the principal challenge and is the focus of the India Employment Report, 2024.
It is published by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
India ranked 134 out of 193 countries in the Human Development Report with an HDI value of 0.644.
In 2021, India was ranked 135 out of 191 countries.
HDI is a summary measure of average achievement in key dimensions of human development: a long and healthy life, being knowledgeable, and having a decent standard of living.
It is released by UNDP in their Human Development Report 2023/2024.
India has been ranked 108 out of 193 countries with a score of 0.437. Its rank was 122 out of 191 countries with a score of 0.490 in the GII-2021. This is a jump of 14 ranks for India.
India has the largest gender gaps in its labour force participation rate–a 47.8 percent difference between women (28.3 percent) and men (76.1 percent).
On Wednesday, the Olympic torch made its way to Marseilles, France, a significant ceremonial step preceding the upcoming Summer Games in Paris.
Originating from the Greek town of Olympia, the birthplace of the ancient Olympics, the torch was initially ignited on April 16.
Following its lighting, the flame journeyed throughout Greece before embarking on a voyage from Athens to Marseille aboard a ship.
The torch’s route will traverse France through a relay, culminating in its arrival in Paris on July 26, coinciding with the opening ceremony of the Games.
The Cook Islands has captured headlines for spearheading efforts to mine the ocean floor for minerals crucial to the production of electric car batteries.
Comprising a 15-island chain, the Cook Islands, formerly a colony of New Zealand, has enjoyed self-governance since 1965.
The Cook Islands have entered into the High Treaty Alliance, aimed at regulating governmental activities in the “open seas,” encompassing the vast expanse of the world’s oceans beyond any single nation’s jurisdiction.
(Source: NYT)
Science and Technology
The engine, PS4, which is used as the engine for the fourth stage of Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), was redesigned by ISRO for production using 3D printing. (Photo: X/@isro)
ISRO recently tested a liquid rocket engine, PS4, using 3D Printing technology, marking a significant achievement.
In 3D printing, layers of materials such as plastic, composites, or bio-materials are systematically built up from computer-generated designs, allowing for the fabrication of diverse objects with varying shapes, sizes, and material compositions.
The CEO of OpenAi, Sam Altman, is planning to develop artificial general intelligence.
It aims to emulate human cognitive abilities such that it allows it to do unfamiliar tasks, learn from new experiences, and apply its knowledge in new ways.
This idea emerged in the 20th century by Alan Turing, widely considered to be the father of theoretical computer science and artificial intelligence.
It is the first free-standing sheet of gold that is only one atom thick. This makes gold as the first metal to be formulated into (freestanding) 2D sheets.
It has been developed by the scientists of Sweden’s Linköping University.
The Atlas V rocket is slated to carry Starliner’s inaugural crewed test flight, ferrying two NASA astronauts.
Starliner is a partially reusable crew capsule, officially known as CST-100 (crew space transportation).
Upon a successful mission, Boeing will join SpaceX as the second private company capable of transporting NASA crew to and from the International Space Station (ISS).
Diseases in News
For most of this year, the JN.1 variant of the coronavirus accounted for an overwhelming majority of Covid cases. But now, an offshoot variant called KP.2 is taking off. (Representational)
The Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) in Ludhiana has developed a biocontrol agent called Trichoderma asperellum (2% WP) to combat the devastating ‘foot rot’ or ‘bakanae’ disease.
Foot rot disease is a significant issue for Basmati rice crops, globally renowned for their fragrant varieties. This fungal disease primarily affects Basmati rice seedlings.
The disease is caused by the fungus Fusarium verticillioides, which is transmitted through the soil and seeds. It infects the roots of the plant, leading to colonization of the stem base and subsequent crop damage.
Awards
This photo by Reuters photographer Danish Siddiqui, provided by Columbia University, shows a ‘Naga Sadhu’ placing a mask across his face at the Kumbh Mela festival. Reuters photographers Adnan Abidi, Sanna Irshad Mattoo, Amit Dave and the late Danish Siddiqui of Reuters were awarded the 2022 Pulitzer Price for Feature Photography. (AP)
The Pulitzers honored the best in journalism from 2023 in 15 categories, as well as eight arts categories focused on books, music, and theater. The public service winner receives a gold medal. All other winners receive $15,000.
Category
Winner
Public Service
ProPublica for reports on ties between billionaires and US Supreme Court judges
Investigative Reporting
Hannah Dreier for a New York Times series on migrant child labour in the US
International Reporting
The New York Times for revelatory coverage of Hamas attack on Israel and the Gaza war
Editorial Writing
David E. Hoffman of The Washington Post
Breaking News Photography
Reuters for photos on Hamas attack on Israel, Gaza war
Feature Photography
Associated Press for chronicling the journey of migrants into the US
The 2022 Pulitzer Prize for feature photography was conferred upon a team of four Indian photographers from the Reuters news agency: the late photojournalist Danish Siddiqui, alongside Adnan Abidi, Sanna Irshad Mattoo, and Amit Dave.
Their acclaimed coverage depicted the COVID-19 crisis in India, offering a poignant portrayal of the pandemic’s profound impact through compelling visual narratives.
A member of the Ghadar Party in America, Indian-American journalist Gobind Behari Lal, was the first from India to win the Pulitzer Prize for journalism in 1937.
Sports
Neeraj Chopra, of India, makes an attempt in the men’s javelin throw during the Diamond League athletics meet at the Qatar Sports Club stadium in Doha, Friday, May 10, 2024. AP/PTI
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
