Daily Current Affairs Quiz: August 18,2026

Notes:
India’s first virtual zoo has been started at Indore Zoo in Madhya Pradesh. Along with the virtual zoo, a 14-D cinema theatre and virtual jungle safari have also been opened. These facilities were developed under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model at a cost of around ₹4.5 crore. The virtual safari uses technology to provide visitors with an immersive experience of forests and wildlife. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav inaugurated the facilities and highlighted their role in promoting wildlife and environmental education.

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The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope is NASA’s upcoming infrared space observatory, scheduled for launch on August 30, 2026, from the Kennedy Space Center, Florida. It is named after Nancy Grace Roman, an astronomer known as the “Mother of Hubble” for her role in establishing NASA’s space astronomy programme. Roman has a 2.4-metre primary mirror and can survey an area of the sky about 100 times larger than Hubble, while surveying the sky much faster. It will operate near the Sun–Earth Lagrange Point 2 (L2), about 1.5 million km from Earth. Its major objectives include studying dark energy, dark matter, exoplanets and galaxy evolution.

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A loggerhead sea turtle weighing over 100 kg was rescued from the Arabian Sea by the Yellow Gate police patrolling team. The distressed turtle was handed over to RAWW (Resqink Association for Wildlife Welfare) for treatment and rehabilitation in coordination with the Mangrove Cell. The loggerhead sea turtle is a large migratory marine reptile known for its massive head and powerful jaws. It is found in tropical and temperate waters of the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans and the Mediterranean Sea. The species is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and plays an important ecological role by consuming hard-shelled marine organisms and recycling nutrients.

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Simhadri Super Thermal Power Station has been selected to host India’s first utility-scale pilot of an indigenous rechargeable iron-air battery. It is located in Visakhapatnam district, Andhra Pradesh. It is operated by National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC). The project will test Long-Duration Energy Storage (LDES) and support the integration of renewable energy into the regional grid. The battery system is intended to help manage peak demand and grid stability during periods of low renewable generation.

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Friedreich’s Ataxia (FRDA) is a rare genetic disorder that progressively damages the nervous system and heart. It is caused by mutations in the FXN gene, which produces frataxin, an important protein for mitochondrial function and cellular energy production. The disease commonly results from GAA repeat expansions in the FXN gene, with symptoms usually beginning between 5–15 years of age. Researchers found that 95% of expanded variants originated from two long-normal variants that underwent separate mutation events in Eurasia. Ancient DNA evidence suggests that these protomutations existed in Europe and Western Asia at least 9,000 years ago, but were absent in Neanderthals.