Current Affairs Quiz - February, 2024

Notes:
According to a 2023 report, India is the 80th most targeted country worldwide for cybercrime. The report states that 34% of Indian users were targeted by local threats in 2023, totaling 74 million incidents. In 2023, India has a national cybercrime rate of 129 per hundred thousand citizens. In the third quarter of 2023, India was ranked 10th globally for data breaches, with 369,000 leaked accounts.

Notes:
A birdwatching team from Telangana recently discovered a spur-winged lapwing (Vanellus spinosus) near Warangal, marking the first sighting in the region. The Vanellus spinosus, native to North Africa, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean, is a carnivorous wading bird found abundantly in tropical Africa. Thriving in various wetland habitats, it preys on insects, larvae, and small invertebrates. Notably, the species holds a conservation status of “Least Concern” according to the IUCN.

Notes:
Attukal Pongala, the world’s largest women’s congregation festival, extends globally with devotees observing rituals in the US and the UK. It is celebrated annually at Kerala’s Attukal Bhagavathy Temple, the event spans 10 days, starting on the Karthigai star of the Malayalam month of Makaram or Kumbham. On the 9th day, the Attukal Pongala Mahotsavam occurs, featuring the ritualistic preparation and offering of a sweet payasam to the Goddess Bhagavathy, signifying the festival’s cultural and religious significance.

Notes:
SECI has successfully commissioned India’s largest Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in Chhattisgarh, funded by the World Bank and Clean Technology Fund. The project utilizes battery storage to store solar energy for peak demand in the evening. It incorporates bifacial solar panels capturing direct and reflected light, increasing electricity generation. This innovation is estimated to save tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually, marking a significant milestone in sustainable energy solutions.

Notes:
Renowned Indian ghazal singer Pankaj Udhas passed away at 72 on February 26 at Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital, succumbing to a prolonged illness. Born on May 17, 1951, in Gujarat, Udhas rose to fame in the 1980s and 1990s. Beyond his musical accomplishments, he was known for philanthropy, supporting causes like cancer awareness.

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:
Sweden’s recent NATO accession, following Finland’s entry, completes the alliance’s presence around the Baltic Sea, except for Russia. This move, dubbed the ‘NATO lake,’ aims to bolster regional security. Despite this, Russia, stationed in the heavily-armed Kaliningrad exclave, poses a continued threat, both above and below the water surface. The strategic significance of the Baltic Sea underscores the importance of Sweden’s membership in countering potential threats in the region.

Notes:
A recent study focused on the Stratospheric Aerosol Intervention (SAI) to combat global warming in West Asia and North Africa. SAI involves injecting reflective aerosols into the stratosphere to mimic the cooling effects of volcanic eruptions. Inspired by the 1991 Mount Pinatubo eruption, this method aims to scatter radiation in the stratosphere, reducing tropospheric absorption. The artificial aerosol layer can be created by deploying sulfur particles via cannons, balloons, or aircraft. The study evaluates SAI’s potential impact on mitigating global warming in the MENA region.

Notes:
Shafiqur Rahman Barq, a 93-year-old Samajwadi Party MP representing Sambhal, passed away after a prolonged illness. He served as a four-time MLA and was elected as MP in 2019. Barq’s deteriorating health led to his admission to a Moradabad hospital. The Samajwadi Party mourns his loss, expressing deep sadness and extending condolences to his family.

Notes:
Indian PM and Mauritius PM will inaugurate a modern airstrip and jetty on Agalega Island, Mauritius, strengthening connectivity with mainland Mauritius. Agalega, a dependency of Mauritius, comprises two outer islands in the southwest Indian Ocean, situated 1,050 km north of Mauritius Island, with a total area of 2,600 ha. The projects enhance transportation infrastructure for the remote islands.