Current Affairs Quiz - February, 2024

Notes:
Recently, Mesolithic rock paintings were unearthed at Sitamma Loddi, Gattusingaram, in Telangana’s Peddapalli district. Discovered on a hillock in a dense forest, the paintings adorned a 1,000-foot-long, 50-foot-high sandstone rock shelter. The Mesolithic, or Middle Stone Age, bridged the gap between the Paleolithic and Neolithic periods, spanning approximately 12,000-10,000 years ago. Notable for the transition from large chipped stone tools to microliths, small tools affixed to bone or wood handles for making implements like saws and sickles, it marked a pivotal era in human cultural development.

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An international team of astronomers recently observed AT 2023clx, the nearest Tidal Disruption Event (TDE) to Earth. TDEs happen when a star comes too close to a supermassive black hole, torn apart by tidal forces. The resulting debris falls onto the black hole, emitting radiation that indicates a TDE’s occurrence. This international team’s multi-wavelength observations enhance our understanding of these celestial events.

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The Interim Budget prioritizes the advancement of ‘Blue Economy 2.0,’ concentrating on sustainable development concerning oceans, seas, and coasts. Key initiatives include schemes for coastal restoration, aquaculture, and mariculture, with an integrated approach. Plans encompass setting up five integrated aquaparks and enhancing the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana for increased productivity, exports, and job creation. The Blue Economy is defined by the World Bank as the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth and improved livelihoods, preserving ocean ecosystem health.

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Abhinav Bindra, a former shooter and India’s first Olympic gold medalist, has been selected as a torchbearer for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Bindra is one of 11,000 torchbearers selected throughout France for the 2024 Olympics. The 2024 Olympic torch relay will start in France on May 8, 2024, with the flame arriving in Marseille before traveling across France for 68 days.

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Exercise Vayu Shakti-24 will be held on February 17, 2024 at the Pokhran Air to Ground Range, near Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. The exercise will demonstrate the Indian Air Force’s offensive and defensive capabilities. The exercise will involve over 100 aircraft, including fighter jets, transport aircraft, helicopters, mid-air refuellers, airborne warning and control system (AWACS) aircraft, and unmanned systems. The fighter planes will target and destroy simulated enemy sites with missiles, precision-guided munitions, bombs, and rockets.

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Scientists recently discovered a novel class of virus-like entities called obelisks within the human body. These RNA-based organisms, around 1,000 nucleotides in size, form rod-like structures and differ from known biological agents. Larger than typical genetic molecules like plasmids, obelisks occupy a unique niche between viruses and viroids. Present in diverse areas of the human body, their hosts and potential presence in bacteria remain unidentified, adding intrigue to this recently unveiled class of organisms.

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The Union Agriculture Minister revealed in Rajya Sabha that Thrips Parvispinus, an invasive pest, may have displaced native chilli thrips in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. This polyphagous pest affects various crops, including drumstick, pigeon pea, and mango. Originally reported in India in 2015, Thrips Parvispinus has spread globally, causing economic losses and viral infections. The pest’s infestation, exacerbated by heavy rainfall, leads to flower drop, reducing fruit production, posing a threat to horticultural crops amid changing agricultural practices and climate conditions.

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Cameroon recently adopted the Nagoya Protocol, a global agreement enforcing access and benefit-sharing obligations outlined in the Convention on Biological Diversity. Adopted in 2010 and effective since 2014, the Protocol establishes a legal framework facilitating fair and equitable sharing of benefits from genetic resource utilization. It supports biodiversity-based research, ensuring researchers access resources for biotechnology while indigenous communities receive fair returns, respecting the value of traditional knowledge linked to genetic resources.

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The Delhi government unveiled free bus rides for the transgender community, marking a significant step towards inclusive public transportation. The decision awaits Cabinet approval, with plans to promptly implement the initiative. This move aims to facilitate accessible and cost-free travel for transgender individuals on public buses in Delhi.

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Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi launched India Energy Week 2024 in Goa, highlighting India’s dedication to significant investments in the energy sector. Addressing global energy leaders, PM Modi underscored the nation’s commitment to unprecedented levels of investment, emphasizing India’s role in shaping the future of the global energy landscape.