Current Affairs Quiz - August, 2024

Notes:
The Prime Minister introduced 109 new seed varieties that are high-yielding, climate-resilient, and biofortified. These varieties cover 61 crops, including 34 field crops and 27 horticultural crops. Field crops include cereals, millets, forage crops, oilseeds, pulses, sugarcane, cotton, and more. Horticultural crops include fruits, vegetables, plantation crops, spices, flowers, and medicinal plants. The new seed varieties are designed to consume less water while producing higher yields. One paddy variety requires 30% less water than usual, benefiting farmers.

Notes:
Scientists in Germany have discovered plastic-eating fungi from the Aspergillus and Pestalotiopsis genera that may help address plastic waste. These fungi can break down plastics, potentially offering a solution to plastic pollution. Challenges include CO2 release and the need for specific environmental conditions to optimize the process. This discovery could significantly help in reducing plastic pollution in the world’s oceans.

Notes:
The Indian Government launched the AI-based National Pest Surveillance System (NPSS) on August 15 to assist farmers with pest control. NPSS helps farmers connect with agricultural experts using their phones, reducing reliance on pesticide retailers. Farmers can send images of infested crops to experts for accurate diagnosis and treatment. The system uses AI tools to analyze pest data, providing timely information to around 14 crore farmers. This initiative aims to increase productivity, conserve soil health, and will be implemented at the state level through outreach programs without additional funding.

Notes:
The US Navy’s new AIM-174B missile aims to counter China’s aerial dominance. It’s an air-launched version of the SM-6 missile and was introduced in July 2024 by Raytheon. This long-range air-to-air missile can strike targets up to 400 km away, exceeding the range of China’s PL-15. Deployed in the Indo-Pacific, it supports US power projection amid rising regional tensions. The AIM-174B targets high-priority ground objects like air defense sites and warships, operating in a quasi-ballistic manner.

Notes:
The Union Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilisers discussed the PM-PRANAM initiative in the Lok Sabha recently. The Cabinet approved the PM Programme for Restoration, Awareness Generation, Nourishment, and Amelioration of Mother-Earth (PM-PRANAM) on June 28, 2023. The scheme aims to reduce chemical fertilizer use by incentivizing states. States that cut chemical fertilizer use will receive a subsidy based on the savings. The goal is to promote balanced fertilizer use, including bio and organic fertilizers. States/UTs will get 50% of the saved subsidy as a grant, which can be used for benefiting farmers and other state needs.

Notes:
The WHO declared mpox a “public health emergency of international concern” (PHEIC) for the second time in two years. A PHEIC is a serious and unexpected health event that spreads internationally and needs a coordinated global response. Mpox is caused by the monkeypox virus (MPXV), a double-stranded DNA virus from the Orthopoxvirus genus. There are two genetic clades of MPXV: clade I and clade II. mpox was first reported in humans in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Notes:
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.

Notes:
According to recent study, climate change may reduce the Malabar Tree Toad’s range by up to 68.7% in India’s protected areas. This toad is the only species in the genus Pedostibes and was first discovered in 1876 but not seen again until 1980. It was rediscovered in Silent Valley National Park, Kerala. It is endemic to India’s Western Ghats. It lives in evergreen to moist deciduous forests, climbing trees and dwelling in tree cavities. Unique among Indian toads for its tree-climbing ability, it breeds in water pools during the monsoon.

Notes:
Russian forces attacked port infrastructure in Odessa, injuring two people, including a port employee and a grain carrier driver. The attack involved a ballistic missile. Ukraine’s port infrastructure has faced frequent Russian attacks since Russia withdrew from a U.N.-brokered grain shipment deal. Kyiv has since created its own maritime corridor for shipments.

Notes:
Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh inaugurated the new Indian Coast Guard Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. He also virtually launched the Regional Marine Pollution Response Centre in Chennai and the Coast Guard Air Enclave in Puducherry. The MRCC aims to enhance the coordination and effectiveness of maritime rescue operations, focusing on mariners and fishermen in distress. The Centre is equipped with advanced distress monitoring systems and real-time communication tools.