Current Affairs Quiz - October, 2024

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Researchers discovered living microbes in 2-billion-year-old rock from the Bushveld Igneous Complex (BIC), offering insights into early Earth life and aiding the Mars life search. Bushveld Igneous Complex (BIC) is the largest layered igneous intrusion on Earth, located in northern South Africa, spanning over 66,000 sq. km. It holds the world’s largest reserves of platinum-group metals and other minerals like iron, chromium, and titanium. BIC is divided into eastern, western, and northern sections, formed around 2 billion years ago. The complex formed through molten rock intrusions, creating distinct mineral layers, including three platinum-rich layers.

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Meta launched the ‘Scam se Bacho’ campaign in collaboration with the Indian government to educate citizens on online safety. This initiative addresses the rising threat of cyber frauds, which reached 1.1 million cases in 2023. With over 900 million Internet users, India’s digital growth under the Digital India initiative has been remarkable but comes with increased risks. The campaign seeks to empower citizens with knowledge and tools to protect themselves, reflecting a whole-of-government approach to enhancing digital security.

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The National Board for Wildlife has postponed approval for oil exploration in Assam’s Hollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary. This sanctuary is home to the Hoolock Gibbon, the only apes found in India. There are two types of Hoolock Gibbons: the western hoolock gibbon (Hoolock hoolock) and the eastern hoolock gibbon (Hoolock leuconedys). The western hoolock gibbon has a wider range, found in all northeastern states. The eastern hoolock gibbon is located in specific areas of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam. The western hoolock is classified as Endangered, while the eastern hoolock is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.

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Saudi Arabia has launched a digital platform, Musaned, aimed at ensuring wage protection and safeguarding the human rights of expatriate workers as part of its Vision 2030 plans. The platform targets workers from 10 African countries, including Sudan, Ethiopia, and Kenya, and nine Asian countries, including India, Bangladesh, and the Philippines. The initiative aims to secure workers’ rights, reduce illegal immigration, and enhance labor policies in line with Saudi Arabia’s broader reform goals.

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The ‘Exercise SWAVLAMBAN SHAKTI’ is conducted by the Sudarshan Chakra Corps at Babina Field Firing Ranges near Jhansi. This exercise focuses on integrating niche and emerging technologies into the Indian Army’s offensive strategies. It involves approximately 1,800 personnel and showcases over 50 new technology equipment (NTEs) from more than 40 industry partners, including advanced drones and robotic systems. The aim is to enhance combat readiness and foster collaboration between the Indian Army and the defence industry, boosting indigenous defence manufacturing capabilities.

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The regional assembly of Portugal’s Azores Islands approved the largest protected marine area in the North Atlantic. This decision aims to meet international conservation goals ahead of schedule. The Azores Archipelago consists of nine volcanic islands located in the North Atlantic. The islands are part of the Autonomous Region of the Azores and were formed from the Azores Plateau. They sit above the Azores Triple Junction, where the Eurasian, North American, and African tectonic plates meet. The Mid-Atlantic Ridge runs between the African-Eurasian and North American Plates, crossing the Azores Plateau.

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World Osteoporosis Day is observed on October 20 each year to raise awareness about osteoporosis and metabolic bone diseases. Organized by the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF), the campaign engages communities in over 90 countries with local initiatives. Osteoporosis weakens bones, making them fragile and prone to fractures, especially among postmenopausal women and the elderly. The day began in the UK in 1996, with the IOF taking over in 1997. The 2024 theme, “Say No to Fragile Bones,” emphasizes the need for proactive measures to protect bone health and reduce fracture risks.

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The ‘eShram-One Stop Solution’ is designed to facilitate access to various government schemes for unorganized workers in India. Launched by Union Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, this initiative integrates information from multiple social security and welfare schemes into a single platform. Since the launch of the e-Shram portal in August 2021, over 30 crore unorganized workers have registered, enhancing their awareness and access to support programs.

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Kerala’s Motor Vehicle Department (MVD) launched the Citizen Sentinel mobile app to enhance road safety by enabling citizens to report traffic violations in real time. The app allows users to capture and upload photos or videos of traffic offenses for review by enforcement officials. Kerala is the third state in India to implement this app, following Chhattisgarh and Odisha. Developed by the National Informatics Centre (NIC), the app allows users to upload images and videos from their mobile galleries. This initiative aims to improve road safety by encouraging active citizen participation in reporting traffic offenses.

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Recent research indicates that Betelgeuse, a red supergiant star, may have a companion star, “Betelbuddy,” influencing its brightness. This finding, led by astrophysicist Jared Goldberg, suggests that the companion star is responsible for Betelgeuse’s unusual dimming and brightening patterns by pushing aside dust. Betelgeuse exhibits two pulsation cycles, with the longer cycle linked to the companion’s orbit, challenging previous theories about its imminent supernova explosion.