Current Affairs Quiz - August, 2024

Notes:
World Lion Day is celebrated annually on August 10 to promote lion conservation and protection. Lions are scientifically known as Panthera leo. The Big Cat Initiative (BCI), started in 2009 by conservationists Dereck and Beverly Joubert with National Geographic, aims to protect lions from poaching and hunting. World Lion Day was first observed in 2013 to raise awareness about the threats faced by lions. In India, the Asiatic Lion Conservation Project, launched by the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, focuses on protecting Asiatic lions under the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972.

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World Elephant Day is observed on August 12th since 2012 to raise awareness about the challenges faced by elephants, the largest land mammals. Elephants, known as pachyderms, have thick skin and are related to animals like hippos and rhinos.
They are primarily found in Africa and Asia but are threatened by poaching for ivory and human-elephant conflicts due to habitat encroachment. India is home to about 55% of the Asian elephant population. The 2024 theme is “Personifying prehistoric beauty, theological relevance, and environmental importance.”

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Gotipua is a traditional dance form from Odisha, performed by young boys who dress as women to honor Lord Jagannath and Lord Krishna. This dance, a precursor to Odissi classical dance, involves acrobatic movements inspired by the life of Radha and Krishna. The boys wear a bright blouse called “Kanchula” and an embroidered silk cloth called “Nibibandha.” Gotipua emerged in the 16th century during King Rama Chandra Dev’s reign, replacing female temple dancers known as Devadasis. However, the future of these young dancers becomes uncertain as they age and leave the tradition.

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A fire recently broke out at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, which Russia has called an act of nuclear terrorism.
Zaporizhzhia is the largest nuclear plant in Europe, located in southeastern Ukraine and currently controlled by Russia.
Nuclear terrorism involves unauthorized use or threats related to nuclear materials or facilities that endanger lives and the environment. It can take forms such as detonating a nuclear weapon, stealing fissile material for an improvised device, acquiring a “dirty bomb,” or sabotaging nuclear facilities.

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Vishalgad Fort, also known as Khelna, is facing tensions as right-wing groups target local Muslim residents over alleged encroachments. The fort, built in 1058 by Shilahara king Marsinh, is located on a hilltop in the Sahyadri mountain ranges, Maharashtra. It was captured by the Seuna Yadavas in 1209 and later fell under the Khilji dynasty, the Vijayanagar Empire, and the Adilshahi dynasty. Shivaji captured the fort in 1659 and renamed it Vishalgad, meaning “grand fort.”

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The Tamil Nadu Water Resources Department blames Kamarajar Port for spreading invasive species by not regulating ballast water from ships. Ballast water is stored in ships’ ballast tanks to provide stability during voyages, especially when not carrying enough cargo. It is pumped into the ship at one port and released at the next, sometimes mixing waters from multiple ports. The release of ballast water can introduce non-native organisms, known as exotic, alien, or nonindigenous species, into new environments, causing ecological problems.

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The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) released the 25th issue of the ‘Women and Men in India 2023’ report, offering a comprehensive view of gender-related data. By 2036, India’s population is expected to reach 152.2 crore, with the female percentage increasing to 48.8%. The sex ratio is projected to rise from 943 (2011) to 952 (2036). The working-age population (15-59 years) is expected to grow from 60.7% to 64.9% by 2036. Life expectancy is projected to improve to 71.2 years for males and 74.7 years for females by 2031-36.

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The Maharashtra government has declared the geoglyphs and petroglyphs in Ratnagiri as protected monuments under the Maharashtra Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1960. This move addresses concerns about preserving these important cultural artifacts. Geoglyphs and petroglyphs are ancient art from the Mesolithic era, featuring animal figures and footprints that offer insights into prehistoric life and creativity. Over 1,500 artworks are found at around 70 sites in Ratnagiri, covering 210 square meters, with seven sites on UNESCO’s tentative World Heritage list.

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Paetongtarn Shinawatra, 37, became Thailand’s youngest prime minister after Srettha Thavisin was dismissed. She is the third member of the Shinawatra family, after her father and aunt, to hold the position. Paetongtarn won 319 votes in the parliamentary vote, showing strong legislative support. Despite her family’s political influence, she faces challenges like a struggling economy and political competition. Her party, Pheu Thai, is also under pressure with a pending $14.25 billion cash handout program.

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Sweden reported its first case of the dangerous Clade 1b variant of mpox, which has been causing a severe outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo since September 2023. The case was confirmed in Stockholm and contracted during a visit to Africa. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) assesses the risk of transmission in Sweden as very low due to the country’s high vaccination rate against mpox.