Current Affairs – 20 May 2024 - SAMUNDRAGYAAN EDUCATION FOUNDATION

Current Affairs – 20 May 2024

Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ)

After five days of discussions to strengthen crime prevention, criminal justice responses and cooperation, the 33rd session of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, came to a conclusion recently.

Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ)
- A commission of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
- Principal policymaking body of the United Nations in crime prevention and criminal justice
Membership
- Consists of 40 member states elected by ECOSOC
- Chaired by a Bureau
Mandates and Priorities (Resolution 1992/22)
- International action to combat national and transnational crime (organized crime, economic crime, money-laundering)
- Promoting the role of criminal law in protecting the environment
- Crime prevention in urban areas, including juvenile crime and violence
- Improving the efficiency and fairness of criminal justice administration systems
Functions and Roles
- Provides a forum for Member States to exchange expertise, experience, and information
- Helps develop national and international strategies for combating crime
- Identifies priorities for crime prevention and criminal justice
UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice
- Acts as a preparatory and implementing body for the quinquennial United Nations Congress
Expanded Mandates (Resolution 61/252, 2006)
- Functions as the governing body of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
- Approves the budget of the United Nations Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Fund
- Provides resources for technical assistance in crime prevention and criminal justice worldwide
Collaboration
- Maintains close links with research institutes in the UN Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Programme Network (PNI)
- Assists the international community in strengthening cooperation in crime prevention and criminal justice

Summer solstice

The summer solstice heralds the start of astronomical summer in the Northern Hemisphere and marks the day with the most daylight for the year.

Summer Solstice
- In Latin, “Solstice” means “sun stands still”
- An annual astronomical phenomenon marking the longest day of the year
Astronomical Details
- Northern Hemisphere is tilted toward the sun, receiving the full glare of the sun’s rays
- Earth’s axis, tilted at 23.5 degrees, causes the North Pole to be tipped towards the Sun and the South Pole away from it during the solstice
Effects of the Solstice
- Earth receives a greater amount of energy from the Sun
- Occurs on June 20 or June 21 in the Northern Hemisphere
- Occurs on December 21 or December 22 in the Southern Hemisphere
- Date variation due to the Gregorian calendar having 365 days, with an extra leap day added every four years
Daylight Variations
- Amount of light received in the Northern Hemisphere depends on the latitudinal location
- Further north from the equator, more light is received during the solstice
- At the Arctic Circle, the sun does not set during the solstice

Lunar Polar Exploration Mission (LUPEX)

The India-Japan partnership for their joint moon mission, Lunar Polar Exploration Mission (LUPEX), is likely to take flight in a few years, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) said in an interview recently.

Lunar Polar Exploration Mission (LUPEX)
- Collaborative mission between Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
- Scheduled for launch in 2025
- Will launch aboard Japan’s H3 rocket
Primary Goal
- Explore the moon’s southern polar region
- Investigate the presence of water and other elements, potentially as surface ice
Objectives
- Showcase innovative surface exploration technologies
- Focus on vehicular transport and lunar night survival
Mission Components
- Features both a lander and a rover
- JAXA is responsible for developing and operating the rover
- ISRO is responsible for developing and operating the lander
Rover Capabilities
- Autonomous driving to search for water and sample soil
- Equipped with a drill for digging into the ground
- Observation equipment for detailed sample analysis
- Instruments for measuring water content of regolith, drilling, and sampling
Technological Highlights
- World-first and world-leading technologies in the driving system and batteries
- Instruments from ISRO, JAXA, NASA, and the European Space Agency (ESA)

Bacterial Pathogens Priority List

Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) released its updated Bacterial Priority Pathogens List (BPPL) 2024.

Bacterial Pathogens Priority List (BPPL)
- Tool in the global fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR)
- Developed by the World Health Organization (WHO)
Background
- First BPPL created in 2017 by WHO
- Initial list included 13 bacterial pathogens (phenotypes)
- Developed using the multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) method
  - MCDA is a decision-making scientific method evaluating alternatives based on multiple criteria

2024 WHO BPPL
- Covers 24 pathogens across 15 families of antibiotic-resistant bacterial pathogens
- Categorizes pathogens into critical, high, and medium priority groups
- Informs research and development (R&D) and public health interventions
Significance
- Guides prioritization of R&D and investments in AMR
- Emphasizes the need for regionally tailored strategies to combat resistance effectively
- Targets:
  - Developers of antibacterial medicines
  - Academic and public research institutions
  - Research funders
  - Public–private partnerships investing in AMR R&D
  - Policy-makers developing and implementing AMR policies and programs
Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)
- Occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites no longer respond to medicines
- Leads to increased sickness, disease spread, illness, and deaths
- Driven largely by the misuse and overuse of antimicrobials

Project Astra

Recently, Google at the company’s annual developer conference, presented an early version of Project Astra.

Project Astra
- New multimodal AI agent developed by Google
- Capable of answering real-time questions using text, video, images, and speech
- Pulls up relevant information based on the input
Capabilities
- Can see the world and remember locations of objects
- Checks computer code accuracy by analyzing it through a phone’s camera
- Answers queries with a straightforward approach, lacking emotional diversity in its voice
- Usable beyond smartphones, demonstrated with smart glasses
Human-Assistant-Like Experience
- Learns about the world
- Provides an experience similar to a human assistant
Multimodal Model AI
- A machine learning model that processes information from different modalities (images, videos, text)
- Example: Google’s multimodal model, Gemini
  - Can generate a written recipe from a photo of cookies and vice versa
- Expands on generative capabilities
- Processes and understands different sensory modes

New Caledonia

French security forces are stepping up efforts to regain control of New Caledonia amid ongoing and deadly unrest.

New Caledonia
- French overseas collectivity with significant autonomy under the 1998 Nouméa Accord
- Located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, about 900 miles (1,500 km) east of Australia
- An ancient fragment of the Gondwana supercontinent
Geography
- Comprises the main island of Grande Terre, the four Loyalty Islands (Ouvéa, Lifou, Tiga, and Maré), the Belep archipelago, the Isle of Pines, and some remote islands
- Capital: Nouméa (located on Grande Terre)
Population
- Just over 270,000 people (2019)
- Approximately 39 percent are indigenous Kanak
- Remainder are Caledonians of European, Polynesian, and other origins (including Vietnamese, Indonesian, and Algerian)
Citizenship and Political Rights
- New Caledonians are French and European citizens with the right to live anywhere in France
- Entitled to vote in territorial and French national elections
- President of the French Republic is New Caledonia’s Head of State, represented by a High Commissioner
European Union Relations
- One of the EU’s Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs)
- Not part of the EU, the Euro, or Schengen zones
Governance Framework
- Governed under the Nouméa Accord (1998) and consequent Organic Law (March 1999)
- Accord defines relations with France and sets a timetable for New Caledonia to assume responsibility for most areas of government
International Role
- Seat of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community
  - Formed by Australia, France, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States in 1947
  - Promotes economic and social stability in South Pacific countries

World’s First 6G Device Launched in Japan

A Japanese consortium has unveiled the prototype of what is touted to be the world’s first high-speed 6G device, promising data transfer rates at lightning speed.

6G Device Prototype
- Unveiled by a Japanese consortium
- Touted as the world’s first high-speed 6G device
Breaking Speed Barriers
- Data transmission rate of 100 gigabits per second (Gbps)
- 20 times faster than current 5G technology
- Utilizes 100 gigahertz (GHz) frequency indoors and 300 GHz band outdoors
Challenges of Higher Frequencies
- Higher frequencies enable faster data transfer but limit signal travel distance and penetration strength
- Innovative solutions needed for widespread coverage and reliable connectivity
Real-World Implications
- Transition from 4G to 5G focused on enhancing data capacity for video streaming and mobile browsing
- 6G could revolutionize communication and entertainment
  - Real-time holographic communication
  - Immersive virtual and mixed-reality experiences
Beyond Personal Convenience
- Healthcare
  - Real-time data transmission from medical devices
  - Remote surgeries and instant access to critical patient information
- Transportation
  - Seamless communication for autonomous vehicles
  - Safer and more efficient transportation systems
- Artificial Intelligence
  - Enhanced AI applications with faster data analysis and informed decision-making

RBI Approves Appointment of Pradeep Natarajan as IDFC FIRST Bank’s Whole Time Director

RBI has given its nod for the appointment of Pradeep Natarajan as Whole Time Director on the Board of IDFC FIRST Bank, marking a significant development for the private sector lender.

Appointment of Pradeep Natarajan
- RBI has approved the appointment of Pradeep Natarajan as Whole Time Director on the Board of IDFC FIRST Bank
- Tenure of three years
Appointment Confirmation
- IDFC FIRST Bank announced the approval in a regulatory filing on May 16
- Pradeep Natarajan will assume the role of Executive Director within the bank
- Appointment highlights Natarajan’s expertise and experience
Formalities and Shareholder Approval
- Necessary formalities to be completed by IDFC FIRST Bank
- Appointment contingent upon shareholders’ approval
- Reflects the bank’s commitment to transparency and corporate governance
Financial Performance Highlights
- IDFC FIRST Bank reported a net profit of Rs 724 crore for the fourth quarter ended March 2024
- Demonstrates the bank’s resilience and operational efficiency amidst a dynamic economic landscape

Ronaldo Tops Forbes’ List of Highest-Paid Athletes Again

Cristiano Ronaldo, despite nearing the twilight of his career, has secured the top spot on Forbes’ list of the world’s highest-paid athletes.

Cristiano Ronaldo Tops Forbes’ List
- Secured the top spot on Forbes’ list of the world’s highest-paid athletes
- Achieved this position for the fourth time
- Significant earnings in Saudi Arabia
Ronaldo’s Record Earnings
- Amassed $260 million over the past year
- $200 million from his contract with Saudi club Al-Nassr
- $60 million from off-field activities
- Highlights enduring marketability and skill
Saudi Arabia’s Growing Influence in Sports
- Ronaldo moved to Al-Nassr in January 2023
- Elevated the profile of the Saudi Pro League
- Al-Nassr finished second this season
- Four Saudi-based soccer players in the top 50 highest-paid athletes
Other Top Earners
- Jon Rahm (golf) – $218 million
  - Primarily from Saudi-backed LIV Golf Tour contract
  - $198 million from playing wages alone
- Lionel Messi (soccer) – $135 million
  - Now with Inter Miami
  - $70 million from off-the-field ventures
Record-Breaking Earnings in the Top-10
- Top 10 highest-paid athletes each surpassed $100 million in earnings
- Collective earnings of $1.38 billion
Top-10 Highest-Paid Athletes
- Cristiano Ronaldo (soccer) – $260 million
- Jon Rahm (golf) – $218 million
- Lionel Messi (soccer) – $135 million
- LeBron James (basketball) – $128.2 million
- Giannis Antetokounmpo (basketball) – $111 million
- Kylian Mbappé (soccer) – $110 million
- Neymar (soccer) – $108 million
- Karim Benzema (soccer) – $106 million
- Steph Curry (basketball) – $102 million
- Lamar Jackson (football) – $100.5 million
Notable Absence of Women
- No female athletes in the top 50 for the first time since 2019
- Historically, only Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova, Li Na, and Naomi Osaka have made the top 50 since 2012
- Highlights gender disparity in earnings within the sports industry
Forbes’ Methodology
- Involves extensive conversations with industry insiders, detailed news reports, and reliable salary databases such as Spotrac
- Financial figures converted to US dollars based on current exchange rates for consistency and accuracy

Brazil to Host 2027 Women’s World Cup Soccer

2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil
- Brazil to host the prestigious event for the first time
- Opportunity to showcase Brazil’s rich culture and passion for football
- FIFA’s effort to popularize and make women’s football more accessible globally
Selection of Brazil
- Long history of football
- Previous hosts of the 2014 FIFA Men’s World Cup and 2016 Summer Olympics
- Well-established sports infrastructure and large football fanbase
Significance of the Event
- Expected to boost local economies
- Supports gender equality in sports
- Aims to inspire young women to participate in sports in Brazil and worldwide
Preparation and Expectations
- Likely improvements to buildings and stadiums across Brazil
- Potential for social and urban development
- Anticipated influx of tourists and media attention
- Economic benefits for industries such as retail, transportation, and hospitality
- Promotion of cultural and international cooperation
- Spotlight on women’s empowerment through sports
Facts About the Women’s World Cup
- First FIFA-approved Women’s World Cup held in China in 1991
- Norway won the event in 1995; Hege Riise was instrumental and later became the first woman to coach in England’s professional men’s leagues
- Before 1995, matches lasted 80 minutes instead of the standard 90 minutes like the men’s
- Fastest hat-trick in a final scored by Carli Lloyd of the United States in 2015 in just 16 minutes
- Marta of Brazil holds the record for most goals scored in Women’s World Cups with 17 goals
- North Korea was banned from the 2015 Cup for doping violations in 2011
- The 2023 tournament in Australia and New Zealand will feature 32 teams, up from 24 teams in previous tournaments

Satwik-Chirag clinched Thailand Open title again.

Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty win the Thailand Open Men’s Doubles, defeating Chen Bo Yang and Liu Yi 21-15, 21-15.
The Indian duo’s victory marks their second title at this tournament since 2019 for their first Superseries or Super 500 level victory.
Ranked third in the world, Satwik and Chirag were the top seeds, demonstrating their dominance leading up to the final.