Current Affairs Quiz - October, 2024

Notes:
Recently, six people have died in Rwanda due to a Marburg virus outbreak. Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) is a rare but severe hemorrhagic fever affecting humans and primates. MVD is caused by the Marburg virus, similar to the Ebola virus, both from the Filoviridae family. The virus was first identified in 1967 in Marburg, Germany, linked to infected green monkeys. The African fruit bat is the reservoir host, and transmission occurs through direct contact with bodily fluids.

Notes:
Jordan has become the first country globally to eliminate leprosy, with the World Health Organisation confirming this milestone. This success is attributed to extensive public health campaigns, early detection initiatives, and free treatment programs. Community education played a crucial role in raising awareness and preventing the spread of this historically significant disease. Despite this achievement, Jordanian health officials emphasize the need for ongoing monitoring to avert potential future outbreaks of leprosy.

Notes:
ESA will launch a satellite called DRACO (Destructive Reentry Assessment Container Object) mission in 2027 to study satellite disintegration during reentry. DRACO aims to help reduce space debris by collecting data on how satellites break apart. The mission will also study the environmental impact of reentry, including material interactions with the atmosphere.Deimos, a European company, will build the 200-kilogram satellite. DRACO will carry a 40-centimetre capsule with cameras and sensors to record data during reentry. The capsule will parachute down after reentry, sending crucial information before being lost at sea.

Notes:
Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka signed an MoU to deploy trained elephants (Kumki) to control elephant issues in AP. The MoU includes elephant capture, mahout training, and knowledge sharing on tranquillising and capturing. Karnataka has transferred 62 Kumki elephants to states like Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra. Kumkis are trained Asian elephants used to manage wild elephants, including rescuing and patrolling. India has 60% of the world’s Asian elephants, with 27,312 elephants and 138 corridors. Elephants have a 22-month gestation period, the longest of any land animal. Asian elephants are classified as endangered on the IUCN Red List.

Notes:
Union Minister Sarabanand Sonowal launched the Cruise Bharat Mission on 30 September 2024 in Mumbai, Maharashtra. The mission aims to make India a global hub for cruise tourism and top cruise destination. The Union Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways will implement the mission with support from various regulatory agencies. A special purpose vehicle (SPV) for cruise development will be set up under the Indian Ports Association. The mission will run from 1 October 2024 to 31 March 2029 in three phases.

Notes:
According to recent data, China is the country with a growing trade deficit with India, exceeding $100 billion in FY24, making it India’s largest trade deficit partner; this is due to significantly higher imports from China compared to exports to that country. This has raised concerns about market access disparities. Additionally, public sentiment in China is increasingly critical of business relations with India, reflecting a complex interplay of economic and geopolitical factors, including the ongoing border disputes and India’s alignment with the Quad alliance against perceived Chinese aggression.

Notes:
NITI Aayog launched the first State Chapter of the Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) in Telangana. It was done in collaboration with WE Hub and the state government. The platform supports women entrepreneurs by tackling issues like lack of finance and mentorship. It focuses on digital skills, financial services, and market connections. Over 30,000 women entrepreneurs and 400 mentors are part of the platform. WE Hub will lead WEP-related activities in the state.

Notes:
A National Level Multi-Stakeholder Consultative Workshop on Sustainable Oil Palm Cultivation under the NMEO-OP was recently held. The workshop focused on enhancing oil palm cultivation and production of crude palm oil in India. It involved various stakeholders to discuss sustainable practices and strategies for implementing the National Mission on Edible Oils-Oil Palm (NMEO-OP). NMEO-OP was launched by India in August 2021 to boost oil palm cultivation and crude palm oil production. It focuses on the Northeast region and Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The scheme has a financial outlay of Rs 11,040 crore, with Rs 8,844 crore from the central government. It aims to increase oil palm cultivation from 3.5 lakh hectares to 10 lakh hectares by 2025-26 and crude palm oil production to 11.20 lakh tonnes.

Notes:
INSV Tarini sailed for the Navika Sagar Parikrama II, flagged off by Chief of Naval Staff Adm Dinesh K Tripathi on October 2, 2024. This is the first global circumnavigation by Indian women in double-handed mode, showcasing India’s maritime strength and commitment to women empowerment. INSV Tarini, inducted in 2017, has covered over 66,000 nautical miles and participated in several key expeditions. The vessel is equipped with advanced navigation, safety, and communication systems. The officers trained for over three years, with guidance from Cdr Abhilash Tomy (Retd), preparing for this challenging voyage.

Notes:
The INS Tir, along with INS Shardul and ICGS Veera, visited Bandar Abbas, Iran, as part of India’s First Training Squadron. This deployment aims to enhance maritime security and cooperation between the Indian Navy and the Iranian Navy. Activities include professional exchanges and Maritime Partnership Exercises (MPX). The visit reflects India’s commitment to its SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision, fostering stronger ties with regional partners. Previous interactions included Iranian naval ships visiting Mumbai, emphasizing ongoing naval diplomacy and training collaboration in the Persian Gulf region.