Current Affairs Quiz - January, 2024

Notes:
A new plant species, ‘Andrographis theniensis,’ was discovered in Tamil Nadu’s Theni district in the Western Ghats. Named after its location, the plant closely resembles Andrographis megamalayana, featuring glabrous leaves and stems, a nine-veined lower lip, pale yellowish sparse hair on the middle lobe, and yellow anther. Andrographis, a tropical Asian genus, is known for treating various ailments in traditional medicine systems. With nearly 25 species in India, it holds significance for its medicinal uses against cold, cough, fever, and more.

Notes:
The Mamani Ethnic Food Festival is celebrated in Ladakh, India. It is a festival celebrated by both Buddhist and Muslim communities in the majority of Kargil district blocks and the Skurbuchan block of Leh district. It is also celebrated in Kargil and Leh cities. The festival is a testament to the commitment of Ladakh communities to preserve their cultural heritage. It celebrates traditions and promotes communal harmony, bringing together diverse communities in a shared celebration of their heritage.

Notes:
The Indian Air Force (IAF) conducted Exercise Desert Knight with the French Air and Space Force (FASF) and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Air Force on January 23–24, 2024. The exercise took place over the Arabian Sea, with the IAF operating from its west coast bases and the UAE and France operating from Al Dhafra airbase. The exercise’s main focus was to improve synergy and interoperability between the three air forces. The IAF said that such exercises demonstrate the growing diplomatic and military interactions in the region, as well as the IAF’s capabilities.

Notes:
Punjab and West Bengal have challenged the central government’s decision to expand the Border Security Force’s (BSF) operational jurisdiction from 15 km to 50 km. They argue that this move violates federal principles and encroaches on state law and order powers. The BSF, established in 1965 after the India-Pakistan war, is a vital part of India’s security apparatus, operating under the Ministry of Home Affairs. It has over 2 lakhs personnel and is primarily deployed along the borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh, including the Indo-Pakistan International Border and Indo-Bangladesh International Border.

Notes:
The zombie virus is related to global warming and the thawing of Arctic permafrost. The rising temperatures caused by global warming have led to the thawing of previously frozen ice, which could unleash “zombie viruses”. The zombie virus is an amoeba virus that scientists have revived from the melted ice. The new strain has one of 13 viral genomes, with Pandoravirus yedoma, 48,500 years old, being the longest frozen virus to become infectious. Scientists are developing an Arctic surveillance system to detect and contain outbreaks.

Notes:
All India Presiding officers’ conference concludes in Mumbai. Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the 84th All India Presiding Officers’ Conference, emphasizing the ‘One Nation, One Legislative Platform’ through e-Vidhan and Digital Sansad. He commended the government’s removal of 2,000 outdated laws over the past decade. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, inaugurating the conference, expressed concerns about indiscipline in legislatures. The All India Presiding Officers’ Conference, celebrating its centenary in 2021, plays a crucial role in shaping legislative governance in India.

Notes:
The laughing gull, a North American migratory bird, was spotted for the first time in Kerala’s Kasaragod district at the Chittari estuary. Known as Leucophaeus atricilla, it is recognized by its laughter-like call. Typically found along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, as well as in the Caribbean and parts of Central America, this sighting expands its known habitat. The Chittari estuary, located in Kasaragod, is a coastal area where a river meets the sea, creating a brackish water environment.

Notes:
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited’s (HPCL) Biomass-based Compressed Biogas (CBG) Plant in Budaun. The event, attended by Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and other dignitaries, aligns with India’s goal to reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels. This initiative, part of the National Biofuel Policy 2018, contributes to the government’s aim of decreasing import dependency by 10%, focusing on second-generation biorefineries and Compressed Bio-Gas Plants.

Notes:
Iran launched three satellites into space using the Simorgh rocket: Mahda: A 32 kg satellite Kayhan-2: A nano-satellite weighing less than 10 kg Hatef-1: A nano-satellite weighing less than 10 kg The satellites were launched from the Imam Khomeini Spaceport in Iran’s Semnan province. They were sent into an orbit ranging from 450–1,100 kilometers. The launch comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East. Western countries have criticized previous Iranian satellite launches, saying they could help Iran develop long-range ballistic missiles.

Notes:
The Ministry of Culture’s tableau, themed “Bharat: Mother of Democracy”, won first prize at the 75th Republic Day parade in 2024. The tableau showcased the evolution of democracy from ancient India to modern times. The Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) announced the win. The Ministry of Home Affairs’ tableau, depicting “vibrant villages”, won second prize.