Current affairs 21 May 2024

World's first 6G device launched in Japans.

• A Japanese consortium has unveiled a 6G prototype capable of transferring data at 100 Gbps, 20 times faster than current 5G technology, and covering distances over 300 feet.
• The device uses 100 GHz and 300 GHz bands for indoor and outdoor speeds respectively, but higher frequencies may limit signal penetration through obstacles like walls and rain.

AstraZeneca to build $1.5 Billion cancer drug plant in Singapore.

• AstraZeneca will invest $1.5 billion to establish its first end-to-end antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) production facility in Singapore, supported by the Singapore Economic Development Board.
• The plant will focus on manufacturing advanced cancer treatments and is expected to be operational by 2029, achieving zero carbon emissions from its first day.
• CEO of AstraZeneca: Pascal Soriot.

Brazil set to host FIFA Women's World Cup 2027.

• Brazil will host the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup, marking the first time this event will be held in South America.
• The tournament has expanded from 12 teams in 1991 to 32 teams in 2023, with past winners including the USA, Norway, Germany, Japan, and Spain.
• 5 countries have won FIFA Women's World Cup: US, Norway, Germany, Japan, and Spain.
• US has the most 4 titles in 1991, 1999, 2015, 2019.

Pasqal to deploy 1st Quantum Computer in Saudi Arabia by 2025.

• Paris-based startup Pasqal will install a 200-qubit quantum computer in Saudi Arabia through a partnership with Aramco, marking the first installation of its kind in the country.
• Co-founded by Alain Aspect, Pasqal previously sold quantum computers to France and Germany.
• Alain Aspect won the 2022 Nobel Prize in Physics for experiments in quantum mechanics.

United Nations revises India’s 2024 growth forecast to 6.9%.

• The UN upgraded India's 2024 GDP growth estimate from 6.2% to 6.9%, citing strong public investment and private consumption.
• The Indian economy is projected to grow at a rate of 7% in 2024, benefiting from robust domestic demand and growth in manufacturing and services.
• Globally, the economy is expected to grow at 2.7% in 2024.
• Moody's also revised India's 2024-25 growth estimate to 6.6%.