Current Affairs Quiz - February, 2024

Notes:
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is developing a laser weapon called DURGA-2 (Directionally Unrestricted Ray-Gun Array). DURGA-2 is a 100-kilowatt, lightweight, directed-energy weapon (DEW). It can be used for land, naval, and air use. DURGA-2 can neutralise drone or ballistic missile attacks from the skies or even at the originating location. It can travel at the speed of light.

Notes:
The world is on the verge of eradicating Guinea worm disease, a neglected tropical disease caused by the Dracunculus medinensis parasite. According to the World Health Organization, cases dropped to 14 in 2021, 13 in 2022, and just 6 in 2023. The disease is contracted by consuming water contaminated with Guinea worm larvae, leading to painful blisters. Currently, there is no drug treatment or vaccine for Guinea worm disease.

Notes:
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW) and IIM Shillong have joined forces to establish India’s inaugural ‘Gati Shakti Research Chair.’ This collaborative effort aims to boost academic research in multimodal logistics, with a specific focus on the North-East region. The initiative aims to empower students in logistics-related fields by fostering skill development and creating career opportunities.

Notes:
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) was removed from the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) “grey list” on February 23, 2024. The FATF is an intergovernmental organization that sets global standards for combating illicit finance. The FATF placed the UAE under closer scrutiny in 2022, highlighting the risk of money laundering and terrorist financing involving banks, precious metals and stones as well as property. The FATF said the UAE had taken significant steps to address concerns from a 2022 FATF action plan and demonstrated political support for further action. As of February 2024, only the Democratic Republic of North Korea, Iran and Myanmar are mentioned in the FATF blacklist.

Notes:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the ‘Sudarshan Setu,’ India’s longest cable-stayed bridge, spanning 2.32 km over the Arabian Sea. Connecting Beyt Dwarka to mainland Okha in Gujarat, it features a unique design with a Bhagavad Gita-adorned footpath and Lord Krishna images. The bridge incorporates solar panels generating one megawatt of electricity and cost Rs 979 crore. Beyt Dwarka, believed to be Lord Krishna’s residence, is a small island with temples, white sand beaches, and coral reefs at the Gulf of Kutch mouth.

Notes:
Vietnam targets annual hydrogen production of 100,000-500,000 metric tonnes by 2030, a key element in its energy transition. The nation plans to scale up output to 10-20 million tonnes by 2050, incorporating green hydrogen, showcasing a strong commitment to sustainable energy initiatives and contributing to global decarbonization efforts.

Notes:
The Plasma Analyser Package for Aditya (PAPA) payload on the Aditya-L1 satellite detected the impact of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) on solar wind. The PAPA payload is an energy and mass analyzer that measures solar wind electrons and ions. It contains two sensors, the Solar Wind Electron Energy Probe (SWEEP) and the Solar Wind lon Composition Analyser (SWICAR).

Notes:
World NGO Day, celebrated annually on February 27, acknowledges the vital role of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) globally. Over 89 countries and 6 continents participate. The day promotes active engagement in NGOs, advocates for collaboration between NGOs and public-private sectors, and raises awareness among the needy about the impactful work of NGOs. The 2024 theme, “Building a Sustainable Future: The Role of NGOs in Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals,” emphasizes their crucial contribution to global sustainability.

Notes:
Maryam Nawaz made history by becoming the first woman Chief Minister of Pakistan’s Punjab province on February 26, 2024. Sworn in at the Punjab Governor House, she took the oath in the presence of her father, Nawaz Sharif, and uncle, Shahbaz Sharif. Maryam’s achievement marks a significant milestone, as she is the first woman to hold such a position in any Pakistani state. She is also the senior vice president of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party.

Notes:
Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar inaugurated IIT Madras’ ‘Investor Information and Analytics Platform,’ aiding startups in accessing investor networks, government schemes, and comprehensive startup insights. Developed by CREST researchers, the platform offers a one-stop solution for entrepreneurs, integrating information on government agencies, investors, VCs, and banks supporting startups. Noteworthy is the AI-based “StartupGPT” for simplified data navigation. With information on 200,000 startups, 11,000 angel investors, 5,000 VCs, and more, the platform fosters growth in India’s dynamic startup ecosystem.