Current Affairs Quiz - February, 2024

Notes:
Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak became the prime minister of Yemen. He is also the country’s Foreign Minister and was previously the Yemenian Ambassador to the United States.

Notes:
Kyasanur Forest Disease, also known as Monkey Fever, poses a significant health threat in Karnataka, India. This year, 49 confirmed cases and two fatalities prompted the state’s health department to be on high alert. Originating in 1957 from the Kyasanur Forest, the disease is caused by the Kyasanur Forest Disease Virus (KFDV). Uttara Kannada district has seen the majority of cases, indicating a concentrated outbreak zone, leading to intensified efforts by health officials to control the spread.

Notes:
Chile mourns the loss of former President Sebastian Pinera, who died at 74 in a helicopter crash on February 6th. A key figure in Chilean politics, Pinera served two terms from 2010 to 2014 and 2018 to 2022, playing a pivotal role in strengthening the nation’s democracy. As the first conservative leader after a military dictatorship, his leadership brought significant governance improvements, enhancing the quality of life for Chileans in various aspects.

Notes:
Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda unveiled the ‘Sarathi’ portal, aiming to offer a range of insurance products, including PMFBY, for Indian farmers. The Krishi Rakshak portal and helpline number 14447 were also launched to enhance grievance redressal for the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana. Learning materials for PMFBY, MIIS, and KCC were introduced for stakeholders. Munda emphasized India’s development, embracing digital technology. The Sarathi portal ensures a simplified, digitized insurance journey for farmers, offering various insurance products in phases. The Krishi Rakshak initiative serves as a mediator for farmer-insurer communication.

Notes:
The Arakan Army’s capture of Paletwa in Myanmar’s Chin State poses challenges to the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project (KMTTP) between India and Myanmar. The project, facing delays, aims to connect Kolkata with the Sittwe seaport in Rakhine state. The Arakan Army, allied with China-supported groups, adds geopolitical complexities.

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With the Paris Olympics approaching, the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) held the “Road to Paris 2024: Championing Clean Sports and Uniting for Anti-Doping” Conference to educate Indian athletes on the dangers of prohibited substances. Anurag Singh Thakur inaugurated the Centre of Excellence for Nutritional Supplements Testing at the National Forensic Sciences University in Gandhinagar. The university, recognized for its national significance, is a hub of innovation in forensic and cyber sciences. The event in New Delhi facilitates crucial discussions and strategies for anti-doping initiatives leading up to the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Notes:
NASA and SpaceX rescheduled the Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, and ocean Ecosystem (PACE) mission launch due to weather delays. The mission, exploring ocean-atmosphere connections amid climate change, aims to understand the impact of microscopic life in water and air. PACE will monitor carbon dioxide exchange, atmospheric variables, and ocean health through phytoplankton study. The mission’s aerosol products will aid health advisories for phenomena like wildfires and monitor harmful algae blooms. Scientists express excitement for groundbreaking insights, emphasizing PACE’s significance in advancing Earth system understanding.

Notes:
The New Delhi Book Fair, hosted by the National Book Trust and ITPO from February 10 to 18, 2024, celebrates “Multilingual India: A Living Tradition.” Saudi Arabia is the Guest of Honor, highlighting its literary heritage with 25 delegates, fostering cultural exchange and strengthening bilateral ties between India and Saudi Arabia at Pragati Maidan.

Notes:
The National Board for Wildlife postponed the decision on diverting forest land for Karnataka’s Kalasa-Banduri Project in Kali and Sahyadri tiger reserves. The project aims to address drinking water needs in Karnataka’s Belagavi, Dharwad, Bagalkot, and Gadag districts by diverting water from Goa’s Mahadayi River to the Malaprabha River basin (a tributary of Krishna River). Proposed in the 1980s, the project faced disputes among Karnataka, Goa, and Maharashtra. Barrages on Kalasa and Banduri streams are planned to redirect water to Karnataka’s drought-prone districts.

Notes:
The 67th All India Police Duty Meet (AIPDM) was hosted by the Railway Protection Force (RPF) in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, from February 12th to 16th, 2024. Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister of Railways, will be the chief guest at the opening ceremony, and Chief Minister Shri Yogi Adityanath will attend the closing ceremony. The event, organized by the RPF, aims to promote excellence and collaboration among police officers, fostering scientific detection, investigation, and internal security. The dedicated mobile app and website facilitate real-time updates and communication, enhancing the overall participant experience.