Current Affairs Quiz - February, 2024

Notes:
Trinidad and Tobago’s prime minister declared a national emergency after an oil spill from an overturned vessel. The spill has coated beaches on Tobago’s southwest coast, including during Carnival season, one of the country’s main tourist attractions. The government has designated the spill as a Level 2 disaster, and is debating raising it to Level 3, which is a national emergency only declared when local resources are overwhelmed and international assistance is required. The government has yet to identify the owner of the vessel, which is only known as “Gulfstream”.

Notes:
The Uttar Pradesh government is collaborating with the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IITR) to improve disaster management. The government is set to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with IITR to strengthen disaster preparedness and mitigation efforts.

Notes:
The Haryana police used drones to drop tear gas shells on protesters near the Shambhu border. This is the first time law enforcement agencies in India have used drones to launch tear gas shells. The drones are originally designed to monitor agriculture and horticulture crops, survey infrastructure projects, and conduct security surveillance in sensitive areas. The drones were repurposed for crowd control.

Notes:
As of February 2024, Germany is the world’s third largest economy, surpassing Japan. Japan’s economy was contracted by 0.4% in the fourth quarter of 2023, pushing the country into recession. This is due to weak domestic consumption, a weak yen, and a shrinking population. The IMF’s latest projections estimate Germany’s nominal GDP at 4.4 trillion this year, compared with 4.2 trillion for Japan.

Notes:
The Odisha government recently launched the “Swayam” scheme to provide interest-free loans to the state’s youth. The scheme aims to support young entrepreneurs by providing loans of up to Rs 1 lakh to help them start small businesses and contribute to the state’s business environment.

Notes:
The “world’s highest frozen lake marathon,” Pangong Lake marathon in Ladakh, hosted 120 runners from seven countries in its second edition. Organized by the Adventure Sports Foundation of Ladakh, supported by the Administration Union Territory of Ladakh and the 14 Corps of the Indian Army, the event aimed to raise awareness about melting Himalayan glaciers and their environmental impact. Dubbed ‘theastrun,’ it hinted at the threat posed by climate change to the frozen lake, emphasizing the urgency of addressing environmental concerns.

Notes:
The Tamil Nadu Government has launched the “TN Endangered Species Conservation Fund” to protect lesser-known species like the Nilgiri Marten. This rare carnivore, scientifically named Martes gwatkinsii, is exclusive to the Western Ghats in India, spanning Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. Found in Shola ecosystems, it boasts chocolate-colored fur and a canary yellow throat, resembling a civet or mongoose. The conservation effort focuses on its habitat in high altitudes (300 to 1200 m) across specific Western Ghats clusters.

Notes:
Babar Azam, former Pakistan captain, set a historic record as the fastest batter to score 10,000 runs in T20 cricket during a Karachi Kings vs. Peshawar Zalmi match in PSL 2024. This remarkable feat makes him the 13th player to achieve this milestone, adding another accolade to his illustrious career.

Notes:
The Karnataka Legislative Assembly passed a bill prohibiting hookah bars in the state, imposing imprisonment of 1-3 years and fines up to Rs 1 lakh for violations. The bill also bans tobacco products in public places, sale near educational institutions, and to those under 21. Titled the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) (Karnataka Amendment) Bill, 2024, it amends the 2003 central act in the state. Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao stressed protecting youth’s health and preventing tobacco-related diseases, citing hookah’s glamorization among the youth.

Notes:
Skyroot Aerospace, an Indian aerospace manufacturer, introduces the Kalpana Fellowship, India’s inaugural program empowering women in space tech. Named after astronaut Kalpana Chawla, the initiative targets final-year students and recent graduates in relevant engineering disciplines, marking a significant step in promoting gender diversity in the space industry.