This is the current affairs of 25 May 2024. Here are questions and answers of daily current affairs for better preparation of competitive exams for government jobs.
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1. In which sea did the powerful cyclonic storm ‘Remal’ form?
a. Arabian Sea
b. Bay of Bengal
c. Red Sea
d. Persian Gulf
Answer: b. Bay of Bengal
– A new cyclone has formed in the Bay of Bengal.
– According to the Meteorological Department, this cyclone is expected to make landfall somewhere between Sagar Island in West Bengal and Khepupara in Bangladesh.
– During this period, the wind speed will be 135 kilometers per hour.
– The Meteorological Department has issued a warning of heavy rainfall in parts of West Bengal and northeastern states including Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura.
– Nine disaster relief teams have been deployed at strategic locations including Haldia, Paradip, Gopalpur, and Fraserganj.
Indian Coast Guard in West Bengal,
– The Indian Coast Guard has stated that the cyclone is likely to reach near the West Bengal coast and the situation is being actively monitored.
– Extensive precautionary measures have been initiated to ensure minimal loss of life and property at sea.
– Fishermen and merchant ships have been advised to stay alert.
India’s East Coast Sensitive to Cyclones
– The districts located on India’s east coast are highly sensitive to the impacts of cyclones.
– Considering these risks, the government is working to mitigate damage through initiatives such as the National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project (NCRMP).
Previous Cyclonic Storms
– Before Cyclone Remal, Cyclone Michong hit in December 2023, causing significant damage in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. It was named by Myanmar.
– Cyclone Biparjoy, which occurred in June 2023, was the longest-lasting cyclone since 1977. It remained active for 13 days and three hours.
How Do Cyclonic Storms Form?
– Cyclonic storms form when a low-pressure area develops in the ocean.
– The question arises, what is a low-pressure area in the ocean, and how does it form?
– Global warming is responsible for this.
– When the ocean’s temperature rises or when the ocean starts to warm, the heat causes the air to rise, and the surrounding air rushes in to fill that empty space (creating a sort of vacuum area). This is called a low-pressure area.
– Since the oceans are vast, this process becomes extensive.
– The warm air rises, and air from a large area moves in, but the rising air also cools as it goes up because the temperature decreases with altitude.
– Thus, the upper air, which has cooled, also wants to descend, and this turns into a storm.
– The air rotates very quickly.
– The ocean significantly contributes to absorbing global warming or heat on Earth.
– In a way, you can say that the ocean tries to keep itself cool through cyclonic storms.
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2. Which country named the cyclonic storm ‘Remal’?
a. Iran
b. Bangladesh
c. India
d. Oman
Answer: d. Oman
– Oman has given this name.
How Are Storms in the Indian Ocean Named?
– Thirteen countries in the Indian Ocean region determine the names of cyclonic storms.
– These countries include India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Maldives, Myanmar, Oman, Thailand, Iran, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Yemen.
– These 13 countries maintain a pre-determined list of names.
– As soon as a cyclone reaches any part of these countries, a different name from the list is given to the cyclone.
– This not only makes it easier to identify the cyclone but also aids in rescue operations. No name is repeated.
– The system of naming storms has been established under the guidance of the United Nations.
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3. Name the winner of International Booker Prize 2024?
a. Shehan Karunatilaka
b. Jenny Erpenbeck
c. Michael Hoffman
d. Frank Kermode
Answer: b. Jenny Erpenbeck
– 57-year-old German author Jenny Erpenbeck has been awarded the International Booker Prize.
– The International Booker Prize was announced on May 21, 2024, in London.
– Jenny Erpenbeck is the first German author to receive the Booker Prize.
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4. For which novel did author Jenny Erpenbeck receive the International Booker Prize 2024?
a. Time Shelter
b. Folding and Smalle
c. Kairos
d. The Canterbury
Answer: c. Kairos
– German author Jenny Erpenbeck was chosen for the International Booker Prize for her work “Kairos.”
– It was written in German and translated into English by 66-year-old Michael Hofmann.
– This prize includes an amount of £50,000 (US$64,000), which Jenny Erpenbeck will share with translator Michael Hofmann.
– Michael Hofmann is the first man to receive this award.
“Kairos” is a Love Story from East Germany
– The story of “Kairos” is set in the final days of the German Democratic Republic, before the fall of the Berlin Wall (November 9, 1989).
– It is based on the complex love story between a 19-year-old girl and a married man in East Berlin during the 1980s.
– Jenny Erpenbeck was born and raised in East Berlin, which became part of East Germany after the German reunification in 1990.
– Jenny has also written the books “The End of Days” and “Go, Went, Gone.”
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5. The top UN court ordered Israel to stop military operations in Rafah, name it?
a. International Court of Justice (ICJ)
b. International Criminal Court (ICC)
c. European Court of Justice
d. Permanent Court of International Justice
Answer: a. International Court of Justice (ICJ)
– On May 24, 2024, the United Nations’ top court, the ICJ, ordered Israel to halt its military operations in Rafah.
– This is a historic decision that is likely to increase international pressure for a ceasefire in the war that has been ongoing for more than seven months since the Hamas attack on October 7.
– The court’s order, based in The Hague (Netherlands), is legally binding, but there is a lack of enforcement mechanisms.
Note: The ICJ and ICC are different entities. Recently, the Chief Prosecutor of the ICC (International Criminal Court) issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Hamas leaders.
Related Questions
– What is the International Court of Justice (ICJ)?
– How was it established?
– What are its powers and jurisdictions?
– For what types of crimes does the ICC issue warrants?
ICJ
– Headquarters : The Hague, Netherlands
– Established: June 26, 1945
According to the founding charter, the UN has six principal organs:
– General Assembly
– Security Council
– Economic and Social Council
– Trusteeship Council
– International Court of Justice
– Secretariat
(Note – These are the main organs. Others like WHO, IMF, UNESCO, ILO are specialized agencies of the UN)
India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations – Ruchira Kamboj
Is the ICJ’s decision binding?
– Although the court has no mechanism to enforce its orders.
– There have been many instances in the past where countries have violated ICJ’s orders.
– If a decision is not followed, the ICJ puts pressure on the concerned country through the Security Council (UNSC).
– However, countries like China, which have veto power, often do not comply with ICJ orders.
– President of South Africa – Cyril Ramaphosa
– Prime Minister of Israel – Benjamin Netanyahu
Role of ICJ: It settles legal disputes between nations and provides advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by authorized UN organs and specialized agencies in accordance with international law.
– Official languages: English and French.
Difference between International Court of Justice and International Criminal Court – List
ICJ’s Order:
– The ICJ stated that Israel should “immediately cease its military attacks, and any other actions in the Rafah region, which could create conditions of life likely to bring about the physical destruction of the Palestinian group in Gaza, in whole or in part.”
– Rafah crossing should be kept open for immediate essential services and unimpeded humanitarian assistance.
What did Israel say?
– Israel has given no indication that it is prepared to change its course in Rafah, insisting that the court has made the wrong decision.
UN Chief said – Follow the order
– United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized that “the court’s decisions are binding and he is confident that all parties will comply with the court’s order,” according to his spokesperson.
What Palestine and Hamas said:
– Palestinian Ambassador to the United Nations Riyad Mansour called for immediate compliance with the court’s decision from Israel. Hamas welcomed the ruling but expressed regret that it applies only to Rafah, not the entire Gaza Strip.
Israel’s Rafah Operation:
– According to Israeli official figures, the Gaza war began after Hamas’s attack on October 7, resulting in over 1,170 deaths, mostly civilians.
– However, according to Gaza’s Ministry of Health, at least 35,800 people, mostly women and children, have died in Israel’s retaliatory strikes in Gaza.
– Following this, in May 2024, Israel launched an attack on Rafah in southern Gaza, resulting in numerous casualties as well.
History of India’s involvement with the ICJ:
– India has been a party to six cases before the ICJ, four of which also involved Pakistan.
These include:
— Right of Passage over Indian Territory (Portugal v. India, terminated in 1960).
— Appeal Relating to the Jurisdiction of the ICAO Council (India v. Pakistan, concluded in 1972).
— Examination of Pakistani Prisoners of War (Pakistan v. India, concluded in 1973).
— The 10th August 1999 Air Incident (Pakistan v. India, concluded in 2000).
— Discussions relating to the expeditious termination of the production of nuclear weapons and nuclear disarmament (Marshall Islands v. India, terminated in 2016).
— Kulbhushan Jadhav (India v. Pakistan, concluded in 2019).
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6. US announced to designate which African country as a major non-NATO ally?
a. Ethiopia
b. Congo
c. South Africa
d. Kenya
Answer: d. Kenya
NATO: North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
– Kenyan President William Ruto arrived in the United States capital, Washington, on a three-day trip on May 22, 2024.
– On May 23, 2024, bilateral talks and a state dinner were held between the two leaders.
– This is the first trip by any African president since 2008.
– The U.S. President Joe Biden has described Kenya as a key non-NATO ally.
– Kenya has become the first sub-Saharan African country to achieve this status, currently held by 18 countries, including Ukraine.
Capital of Kenya: Nairobi
– President: William Ruto
– Prime Minister: Jomo Kenyatta
– Currency: Kenyan Shilling
– Population: 54 million (2022)
– Languages: Swahili and English
– Neighboring countries: Ethiopia, Somalia, Tanzania, Uganda, and Sudan.
What is a major non-NATO ally (MNNA)?
– The title of Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA) is bestowed by the U.S. government upon countries that, despite not being members of NATO, have strategic working relationships with the U.S. armed forces.
– Since this designation, both countries benefit from enhanced military and diplomatic relations, although there is no formal security treaty involved.
Discussion Points:
– In this bilateral discussion, both countries stated their commitment to working together to support the Somali government in the fight against terrorism.
– Plans were made in the discussion to invest in green energy, education, and healthcare infrastructure development in Eastern African countries and to reduce their debt burden.
America’s Late Focus on Africa:
– Africa has not often been a priority area for American politicians.
– However, now the continent has become a headache for America.
– Here, Russia has gained new footholds, recently in Niger, where the United States has agreed to withdraw its 1,000 troops, while Russian troops are coming in.
– America is also facing competition from China, which has invested billions of dollars in Africa’s infrastructure development over the past two decades.
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7. In which weight category did Pritismita Bhoi win the gold medal with a world record in the IWF World Youth Championships 2024?
a. 58 KG
b. 55 KG
c. 45 KG
d. 40 KG
Answer: d. 40 KG
– Preetismita Bhoi is 15 years old and hails from Odisha.
– In May 2024, she lifted a total weight of 133 kilograms (57+76) in the 40-kilogram category at the IWF World Youth Championship and won the gold medal.
– She broke the world record in the clean and jerk by lifting 76 kilograms, adding to her total weight of 133 kilograms.
– Earlier, she lifted 57 kilograms in the snatch.
Meanwhile, Jyotsna Sabar won the silver medal with a total attempt of 125 kilograms (56+69).
Note:
– Mirabai Chanu has previously set the world record in the clean and jerk in the senior category.
– The IWF World Youth Championship is taking place in Lima, Peru.
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8. When is World Thyroid Day observed?
a. 25 May
b. 26 May
c. 27 May
d. 28 May
Answer: a. 25 May
– The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located in the lower part of the neck.
– Imbalance in thyroid hormones can lead to weight gain or loss.
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9. When was Vesak Day celebrated in the year 2024?
a. 21 May
b. 22 May
c. 23 May
d. 24 May
Answer: b. 23 May
– The proposal to celebrate the birthday of Lord Buddha as “Vesak Day” was adopted by the United Nations in 1999.
– Since the year 2000, it has been observed by the United Nations as well.
– The day of the full moon in the month of May, “Vesak,” is the holiest day for millions of Buddhists worldwide.
– It was on Vesak Day, 623 BCE, two and a half millennia ago, that Lord Buddha was born. It was also on Vesak Day that he attained enlightenment and passed away at the age of eighty.
About Lord Buddha
– Gautama Buddha was born in Lumbini, near the capital of the Shakya Republic, Kapilavastu, in 563 BCE.
– Before renouncing the world, his name was Siddhartha.
– He was married to Yasodhara at the age of sixteen.
– He had a son named Rahul.
One day, seeing a sick person, an old person, and a corpse, Buddha realized the truth of life.
At the age of 29, he renounced his princely life and left home.
– After six years of austerity, at the age of 35, he attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree on the night of Vesakha Purnima in Bodh Gaya, Bihar.
– He became known as ‘Buddha’ from Siddhartha.
– The Bodhi tree under which he attained enlightenment is called the Bodhi tree.
– After attaining enlightenment, Buddha gave his first sermon in Sarnath near Varanasi.
At the age of 80, Buddha passed away in Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh.
– Followers of Buddhism refer to this as Mahaparinirvana.
– Buddha was born on the day of Vesakha Purnima. It was on this day that he attained enlightenment and also passed away.
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10. When is Africa Day celebrated?
a. 21 May
b. 22 May
c. 23 May
d. 25 May
Answer: d. 25 May
– On this same day, May 25, 1963, the Organization of African Unity (OAU) was established, which later became the African Union (AU) in 1999.
African Union
– Headquarters: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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11. When is International Missing Children’s Day Observed?
a. 22 May
b. 23 May
c. 24 May
d. 25 May
d. 25 May
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