Current Affairs Quiz - February, 2024

Notes:
The 11th International Puppet Festival was inaugurated at Tagore Theatre in Chandigarh on February 17, 2024. The festival’s inauguration was presided over by the Governor of Punjab and Administrator UT Chandigarh, Banwarilal Purohit, along with Rajeev Verma, Adviser to the Administrator. The festival runs from February 17–21, 2024 and includes special morning shows for students and evening shows for the general public. The festival also features a puppet exhibition that includes live demonstrations of puppet making.

Notes:
Global Tourism Resilience Day (GTRD) is celebrated on February 17th every year. The day was designated by the United Nations in 2023 to highlight the need for tourism development to be more resilient to shocks and emergencies. The initiative focuses on bolstering the tourism sector against various challenges, supporting sustainable development, and promoting economic stability, particularly in developing nations.

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:
In February 2024, Greece became the first Orthodox Christian country to legalize same-sex marriage under civil law. The Athens parliament passed the bill with a vote of 176-76, and the bill also allows same-sex couples to legally adopt children.

Notes:
Union Minister Shri Sarbananda Sonowal launched ‘Sagar Aankalan’ guidelines to improve Indian ports’ performance, focusing on mapping, benchmarking, and aligning standards globally. Stemming from the success of GMIS 2023, a major maritime summit, the initiative aims to boost the maritime sector, evidenced by a ₹10 lakh crore investment commitment. The move underscores the government’s dedication to modernize and optimize India’s maritime infrastructure for economic growth and global competitiveness.

Notes:
The UNESCAP’s ‘Asia and the Pacific SDG Progress Report 2024’ reveals that the region is 32 years behind the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals target. Established in 1947 as ECAFE, it became ESCAP in 1974, one of the UN’s five regional commissions. With 53 member states (including India) and 9 associate members, UNESCAP is headquartered in Bangkok, Thailand. Its objective is to foster cooperation among members to address sustainable development challenges.

Notes:
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, in partnership with DRDO, launches a Rs 60,000 crore project to upgrade the Su-30MKI fighter jet fleet. The initiative focuses on enhancing capabilities by integrating advanced technologies and indigenous systems. With over 50% indigenous content, India demonstrates a commitment to self-sufficiency in defense production, emphasizing a significant stride towards technological independence.

Notes:
Malta has joined the International Solar Alliance (ISA), becoming its 119th member. Christopher Cutajar, Permanent Secretary of Malta’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, signed the ISA Framework Agreement in New Delhi. Established in 2015 with headquarters in Gurugram, India, ISA aims to promote solar energy globally. India warmly welcomed Malta’s participation in this alliance, strengthening international cooperation for sustainable solar development.

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:
A surge in cases of ‘Zombie Deer Disease’ (Chronic Wasting Disease) in the USA has raised concerns. The fatal neurological condition, caused by misfolded proteins called prions, affects cervids like deer and elk. There are no treatments or vaccines, and symptoms include weight loss, stumbling, and listlessness. While no evidence of human transmission exists, the disease’s increasing prevalence among wildlife is alarming, demanding continued monitoring and research for potential risks.