Current Affairs Quiz - October, 2024

Notes:
The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty is observed every year on October 17th. Its purpose is to raise awareness about the need to eliminate poverty in all its forms. The day encourages efforts to create a more just, inclusive, and equitable world. Special attention is given to people living in extreme poverty.

Notes:
The SFIO recorded the statement of the Kerala Chief Minister’s daughter, raising political controversy. The Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) is a corporate fraud investigation agency established on July 21, 2015. It was given statutory status under Section 211 of the Companies Act, 2013. SFIO operates under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs with experts in various fields. It investigates complex fraud cases with public interest. SFIO can take cases based on government reports or public interest. Once assigned, no other agency can investigate that case. The SFIO is led by a Director and headquartered in New Delhi.

Notes:
The Army is planning month-long events to mark the 62nd anniversary of the Battle of Walong from the 1962 Sino-Indian War. The battle took place in Arunachal Pradesh near the India-China-Myanmar tri-junction. Indian troops defended Walong, a vital supply route, against a large-scale Chinese offensive. Indian troops from various regiments held the Chinese for nearly three weeks despite shortages. Around 830 Indian soldiers were killed, wounded, or captured. The battle is remembered for Indian bravery and stands as the only Indian counterattack in the war.

Notes:
A study by researchers from South Africa and the UK found that artificial nests improve African penguins’ breeding success. African penguins have a black stripe, unique black chest spots, and pink glands above their eyes that turn pinker as they heat up. Males are larger than females and have bigger beaks. Penguins live near the shore and breed, molt, and rest in coastal habitats from Namibia to South Africa. They naturally breed in guano burrows, which shield them from heat. They feed on sardines and anchovies. Their average lifespan is 20 years. IUCN lists them as endangered due to habitat threats from global warming.

Notes:
The Indian Coast Guard conducted the coastal security exercise ‘Sagar Kavach’ on October 16-17 in Gujarat and Daman & Diu. This was the second edition of the exercise this year, coordinated by the Coast Guard Regional Headquarters in Gandhinagar. The exercise aimed to enhance maritime and coastal security and validate existing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Various stakeholders participated, including the Indian Navy, State Police, Marine Police, BSF, NSG, Gujarat Maritime Board, IB, and port authorities. Key assets included ships and boats from the Coast Guard and Navy, with aerial surveillance from aircraft and drones. Operational scenarios were simulated to test coordination and effectiveness in maintaining maritime security.

Notes:
Vijaya Rahatkar has been appointed as the Chairperson of the National Commission for Women (NCW). The appointment was notified by the Ministry of Women and Child Development. Rahatkar previously served as Chairperson of the Maharashtra State Commission for Women and Mayor of Aurangabad. She also held roles as BJP National Secretary and President of the party’s women wing. Dr. Archana Majumdar has been appointed as a member of the NCW.

Notes:
The first-ever G7 Defence Ministers’ meeting was held in Naples, Italy, on 19 October 2024, hosted by Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto. The meeting took place amid Israel’s announcement of killing Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar, accused of masterminding the October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel. Defence ministers from the US, UK, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, and representatives from NATO, the EU, and Ukraine attended the meeting. Italy holds the G7 presidency for 2024.
The G7 is a group of advanced industrialized countries including Italy, Germany, France, the UK, Japan, Canada, and the US.

Notes:
The Rongmei Naga Council Manipur (RNCM) opposes oil exploration in Zeilad Wildlife Sanctuary, Tamenglong district, Manipur. The sanctuary, established in 1982, is located near the Indo-Myanmar border. It covers 21 sq. km and features hilly terrain in the Barak River basin. Zeilad Wildlife Sanctuary is home to seven lakes, with Zeilad Lake being the largest and most famous.

Notes:
The 27th All India Forest Sports Meet concluded in Raipur, Chhattisgarh. Chhattisgarh emerged as the overall champion, winning 174 medals. Kerala finished second with 103 medals, and Madhya Pradesh secured third place with 88 medals. Nearly 3,000 athletes from various states and Union Territories participated. Around 300 competitions were held across 26 disciplines during the five-day event.

Notes:
Member countries of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, Heads of Delegations and partners of the Global Framework on Water Scarcity in Agriculture (WASAG) adopted the Rome Declaration on Water Scarcity in Agriculture during the High-level Rome Water Dialogue. This event occurred alongside FAO’s annual World Food Forum. The declaration aims to tackle water scarcity, which is worsened by the climate crisis. WASAG was launched at the 2016 UN Climate Conference in Marrakesh to help countries with water scarcity challenges. The initiative focuses on supporting nations in managing water scarcity issues effectively.