Current Affairs Quiz - August, 2024

Notes:
Shiveluch volcano in Russia erupted following a 7.0 magnitude earthquake off the eastern coast. It is located about 280 miles from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky in Kamchatka, it is one of the largest and most active volcanoes in the region. Shiveluch has two parts: Old Shiveluch (3,283 meters) and Young Shiveluch (2,800 meters), which is within an ancient caldera. The volcano has been erupting continuously since August 1999, with significant explosive events, including in 2007.

Notes:
World Mosquito Day is observed on August 20 to highlight the importance of protecting against mosquito-borne diseases.
Mosquitoes spread diseases like malaria, dengue, Zika, and West Nile virus, affecting millions and causing deaths worldwide. The 2024 theme is “Accelerating the fight against malaria for a more equitable world.” This theme stresses the need to improve access to malaria treatment, diagnosis, and prevention. Timely diagnosis and treatment can prevent complications and save lives.

Notes:
The Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI) and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) have launched the Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work (FPRW) project. This initiative aims to raise awareness and share best practices on labor standards. The FPRW project focuses on upholding basic human values crucial for social and economic well-being. It was established in 1998 and updated in 2022. The ILO Declaration covers essential labor standards across various conventions. Originally four categories of standards were recognized, now expanded to five, including occupational safety and health.

Notes:
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh released a Rs 100 commemorative coin for Kalaignar M Karunanidhi’s birth centenary in Chennai on August 18, 2024. Karunanidhi, a key figure in the Dravidian movement and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister for nearly two decades, passed away on August 7, 2018. Known as Kalaignar (“the artist”), he led the DMK party, which remains influential under his son, Stalin. Commemorative coins celebrate events or notable individuals and often feature special designs. These coins are usually minted in limited quantities and held by the Reserve Bank of India as collectibles.

Notes:
ESA’s Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) has completed a unique lunar-Earth flyby to gain momentum for its journey to Venus and then Jupiter. The mission explores Jupiter and its moons: Callisto, Europa, and Ganymede, which might have conditions that support life. JUICE, launched in 2023 by the European Space Agency (ESA), is expected to reach Jupiter by 2031 after an eight-year journey. This mission marks the first-ever lunar-Earth flyby combined with a double gravity assist maneuver.

Notes:
Similipal Tiger Reserve in Odisha will grow bamboo grass in the National Park. It is located in Mayurbhanj District, Odisha. It covers 2,750 sq km and features waterfalls like Joranda and Barehipani. It was designated as a tiger reserve in 1973 and a wildlife sanctuary in 1979. In 1980, 303 sq km was proposed as a National Park, and in 2009, UNESCO added it to its Biosphere Reserves list. The reserve is part of the Mayurbhanj Elephant Reserve and features hilly terrain with diverse vegetation, mainly Northern tropical moist deciduous forests and semi-evergreen patches.

Notes:
Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) in Hyderabad has been named the Best Airport at the India Travel Awards for the third consecutive year. This award highlights RGIA’s commitment to providing an exceptional passenger experience and boosts its reputation in the aviation industry. RGIA also won the Skytrax award for ‘Best Airport Staff in India & South Asia 2024,’ reinforcing its status as a top airport. The airport’s modern facilities and efficient operations make it a key player in Hyderabad’s growth as an important air travel hub in India and South Asia.

Notes:
The Uttar Pradesh government is launching the UP AGREES project to boost farmers’ income, agricultural productivity, and agri-based industries in the state. The project will focus on 21 districts in eastern Uttar Pradesh and 7 in Bundelkhand. It includes four components: improving agricultural productivity, creating agro clusters, enhancing digital and financial systems, and focusing on project management and learning. Despite improvements in crop productivity, areas like Bundelkhand and Purvanchal need more focus. The project, developed with World Bank help, aims to benefit farmers, fish farmers, and agriculture-related MSMEs.

Notes:
India celebrates its first National Space Day on 23 August 2024, highlighting the nation’s achievements in space exploration. The Indian space program began with a sounding rocket launch from Thumba, Kerala, in 1963, and has since advanced to landing rovers on the moon and exploring planets like Mars and the Sun. National Space Day was announced to honor the successful landing of the Vikram lander from the Chandrayaan-3 mission on the moon’s south pole on 23 August 2023. The landing site was later named “Shiv Shakti Point” by the Indian government.

Notes:
The Ministry of External Affairs denied that floods in eastern Bangladesh were due to the opening of the Dumbur dam in Tripura on the Gumti river. The Gumti River is a transboundary river starting from a range in Tripura, India. The river flows through Bangladesh and joins the Meghna river system near Daudkandi.