Current Affairs Quiz - February, 2024

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:
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:
Turkey’s first fifth-generation aircraft, the KAAN, completed its maiden flight at the Akinci air base near Ankara. The 13-minute flight reached an altitude of 8,000 feet. The KAAN, also known as TF and MMU, is a twin-engine, all-weather fighter jet being developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries and BAE Systems. It’s designed to replace the Turkish Air Force’s F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft and will be sold to other countries.

Notes:
The 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13) of the World Trade Organization (WTO) started at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates from February 26 to 29, 2024. The conference will bring together trade ministers from around the world to review the multilateral trading system and chart the WTO’s future course. Priority items on the agenda include reforming the WTO’s dispute settlement function and new disciplines to eliminate fisheries subsidies that encourage overfishing.

Notes:
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated Bharat Tex 2024, a significant global textile event in New Delhi. The event, held at Bharat Mandapam and Yasho Bhoomi, featured over 3000 exhibitors from 100 countries and attracted 40,000 visitors. Modi emphasized Bharat Tex’s role in connecting Indian tradition with modernity, blending technology with heritage. The event symbolized Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat, showcasing diverse textile traditions and highlighting India’s rich textile heritage in terms of depth, longevity, and capability.

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:
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced that Armenia had “suspended” its participation in the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). According to a Russian expert, Pashinyan’s remarks are a result of recent agreements with France and a move to work with Western nations for military cooperation. The CSTO is a Russian-led regional military bloc established on May 14, 2002.

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:
Chief Minister Prof Dr. Manik Saha inaugurated the 2nd State Level Shehri Samridhi Utsav in Agartala, organized by Tripura Urban Livelihood Mission. The event focuses on enhancing urban livelihood opportunities and empowering women in the region. Chief Minister Prof Dr. Manik Saha highlighted state government initiatives supporting women’s empowerment during the inauguration at Children’s Park, Agartala.