Current Affairs Quiz - August, 2024

Notes:
Israel and Egypt are making progress in resolving their differences over the Philadelphi Corridor and the Rafah crossing point. The Philadelphi Corridor is a narrow strip along the Gaza-Egypt border, established as a demilitarized buffer zone by the 1979 peace treaty between Israel and Egypt. This area is crucial for controlling movement and preventing smuggling between Gaza and Egypt. It has been central in ceasefire talks and conflicts involving Israel, Hamas, and Egypt.

Notes:
The Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) has marked ten years since its launch on August 28, 2014, announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The scheme aims to include the unbanked population in India’s financial system. PMJDY has expanded financial services to nearly every adult in India, offering Basic Savings Bank Accounts, remittance, credit, insurance, and pensions. It is managed by the Ministry of Finance and focuses on providing affordable financial services to the masses. By July 2024, 52.74 crore Jan Dhan accounts had been opened. Over 55% of the account holders are women.
Nearly all villages have banking outlets within 5 km, as per the Jan Dhan Darshak App. The average deposit in PMJDY accounts increased by 4.12 times from 2015 to 2024. The number of zero-balance accounts dropped to 4.26 crore, down from 8.52 crore in March 2015.

Notes:
Biologist Johannes Fritz and the Waldrappteam helped increase the northern bald ibis population in Central Europe from zero to nearly 300 since 2002. The species moved from being “critically endangered” to “endangered.” The Northern Bald Ibis, or Geronticus eremita, was native to Central Europe until the 17th century but became extinct there due to excessive hunting. This bird has black plumage with a green sheen, a bald red head with black markings, and a long, curved red beak. They feed mainly on insect larvae and earthworms in open areas like meadows and sports fields. Northern Bald Ibises are social and form large colonies, engaging in ritual greetings involving crest-spreading and bowing.

Notes:
The Indian government has banned 156 Fixed-Dose Combination (FDC) drugs. FDC drugs combine two or more Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) in one pill, capsule, or injection. They are commonly prescribed for conditions like tuberculosis, diabetes, and hypertension to make it easier for patients by reducing the number of pills they need to take daily. The banned FDCs were considered “irrational” because they do not offer additional therapeutic benefits. Some combinations in these FDCs include ingredients that do not work well together or contain unnecessary components.

Notes:
Solar Paraboloid technology is a promising advancement for improving solar energy efficiency. It is a type of Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) that uses a Parabolic Trough Collector (PTC). Parabolic mirrors focus sunlight onto a receiver tube at the focal line. This technology offers advantages over traditional photovoltaic (PV) systems, including higher operating temperatures, greater thermal efficiency, and reduced heat losses. However, it faces challenges like high upfront costs and significant infrastructure needs.

Notes:
National Sports Day is celebrated every year on August 29 in India to honor the spirit of sports and physical fitness. The day marks the birth anniversary of Major Dhyan Chand, a legendary hockey player who greatly contributed to India’s success in hockey. National Sports Day aims to inspire youth participation in sports and promote a healthy, active lifestyle. The day is a reminder of how sports enrich lives and strengthen community bonds. Various sports events and ceremonies are held nationwide, honoring athletes and their achievements. The theme for 2024 has not been announced yet; last year’s theme was “Sports are an enabler to an inclusive and fit society.”

Notes:
The Department of Higher Education selected 16 teachers from higher education institutions and polytechnics for the National Awards to Teachers (NAT) 2024. The National Teachers’ Award celebrates the outstanding contributions of the best teachers in India. It recognizes teachers who have significantly improved the quality of education and positively impacted their students’ lives. The award is given to exemplary teachers and faculty members from higher education institutions and polytechnics. These awards honor teachers for their dedication and commitment to enhancing education.

Notes:
Namibian cheetah Pawan was found dead in Kuno National Park, Madhya Pradesh. Pawan was the only free-ranging cheetah to have survived in Kuno. After Pawan’s death, Kuno National Park now has 24 cheetahs, including 12 adults and 12 cubs.
Project Cheetah, started in 2022, aims to reintroduce the cheetah, which was extinct in India. The cheetahs were brought from South Africa and Namibia. The project also focuses on conserving prey species and protecting other endangered species in grasslands and open forests.

Notes:
The annual meeting of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) started on August 26 in Nuku’alofa, Tonga. It was established in 1971. PIF is an intergovernmental organization with 18 member states in the Pacific region. Member countries include Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, French Polynesia, Kiribati, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu. The forum aims to boost economic growth, improve political governance, and enhance regional cooperation. Its vision is for a peaceful, secure, and prosperous Pacific region where all people can lead healthy lives. Decisions are made by consensus and implemented by the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat. PIF members are working to raise funds for climate action, with the Pacific Resilience Facility currently $380 million short of its $500 million goal.

Notes:
The Jharkhand government has decided to waive Rs 3,584 crore in power dues for about 39.44 lakh consumers. This decision benefits those enrolled in the 200-unit free electricity scheme. The move is intended to ease financial burdens on domestic consumers under the Mukhyamantri Urja Khushali Yojana.