Current Affairs Quiz - October, 2024

Notes:
The Giant Salmon Carp, thought to be extinct, has been spotted three times in the Mekong River in recent years. This fish, also known as the Mekong giant salmon carp, can grow up to 4 feet long and has a distinctive knob on its lower jaw.
It is found in northern Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand and has seen its population decline by over 90% due to overfishing and habitat loss. The fish is critically endangered, according to the IUCN. The Mekong River is the longest in Southeast Asia and supports many large fish species while creating a fertile delta in southern Vietnam.

Notes:
The Commitment to Reducing Inequality (CRI) Index 2024 shows that many countries are failing to reduce socio-economic inequalities. The report, published by Oxfam and Development Finance International (DFI), ranks 164 countries based on Public Services, Progressive Taxation, and Labour Rights. Top performers include Norway, Canada, and Australia, while South Sudan and Nigeria are the worst performers. The rank of India is 127th in the index. Belarus, Costa Rica, and South Africa are leading among low- and middle-income countries. Rising inequality, conflict, and climate shocks hinder spending in poorer countries, worsening food prices and hunger while billionaires’ numbers double.

Notes:
The Delhi Government has adopted the PM-SHRI (Prime Minister’s Schools for Rising India) scheme. This centrally sponsored initiative aims to establish over 14,500 schools managed by various government bodies like KVS and NVS. It aligns with the National Education Policy (2020) and is part of the Samagra Shiksha scheme. The initiative focuses on creating safe learning environments with quality infrastructure and diverse educational experiences. It aims to nurture engaged citizens and promote inclusivity, benefiting over 20 lakh students directly. Implementation is planned from 2022-23 to 2026-27, with lessons for scaling up in other schools.

Notes:
Scurvy, once common in the 15th century, is resurfacing today. It’s caused by a severe lack of vitamin C, which humans must get from food as we can’t produce it. Key sources of vitamin C are fresh fruits, vegetables, and fortified foods; cooking can reduce vitamin C levels. Symptoms include anemia, fatigue, bleeding, limb pain, swelling, gum ulcers, and tooth loss. Untreated scurvy can be fatal, but it’s treatable with oral or intravenous vitamin C supplements.

Notes:
IndiaAI and Meta have launched the Center for Generative AI, Shrijan at IIT Jodhpur to foster AI innovation. Shrijan will support next-gen AI innovators using open-source AI, focusing on Large Language Models (LLMs). Research will be shared through All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and college networks, with hackathons to discover local use cases. Master workshops will introduce LLM basics to colleges and ITIs, encouraging youth engagement. The center aims to nurture 100,000 youth in AI skills within 3 years. Meta will fund up to INR 750 lakhs over three years, and IndiaAI will support researchers at Shrijan.

Notes:
Salt Typhoon is a name given by Microsoft cybersecurity experts to a Chinese hacking group suspected of infiltrating U.S. telecommunications systems. This group has targeted high-profile individuals, including presidential candidates, as part of a broader intelligence-gathering operation. The incident raises concerns about the vulnerabilities in U.S. data networks and the potential access to sensitive information related to national security and political campaigns. The name reflects Microsoft’s practice of naming hacking groups after weather phenomena.

Notes:
Indonesia’s Marapi Volcano, one of its most active, recently erupted, sending thick ash clouds and covering nearby villages, though no casualties occurred. It is located in the Padang Highlands of western Sumatra, Indonesia. Marapi is part of the Pacific’s Ring of Fire, a seismically active zone. Marapi is the highest peak in the highlands, reaching 9,485 feet (2,891 meters) and has dense vegetation on its lower slopes.

Notes:
Recently, Brazil decided not to formally join the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), seeking alternative collaborations with China while prioritizing its own infrastructure projects. Brazil becomes second BRICS country after India not to join BRI. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), launched by China in 2013, aims to enhance global trade and economic connectivity through infrastructure development and investments in various countries. The BRI encompasses various sectors, including transportation, energy, and trade, and has faced scrutiny and resistance from several nations due to concerns over debt and sovereignty.

Notes:
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) released its annual Greenhouse Gas Bulletin, first published in 2004.
The bulletin analyzes greenhouse gas concentrations from the WMO Global Atmosphere Watch Programme. Global average CO2 reached 420 ppm, methane at 1934 ppb, and nitrous oxide at 336.9 ppb, significantly above pre-industrial levels. Methane and nitrous oxide levels increased, contributing to global warming. Drivers of the rise include high CO2 emissions from fossil fuels, vegetation fires, and reduced carbon absorption. The report urges immediate action to meet Paris Agreement goals and curb rising greenhouse gas levels.

Notes:
The Island of Taiwan is suitable for the reintroduction of the clouded leopard. Clouded leopards (Neofelis nebulosa) have distinct cloud-shaped patches on their pale-yellow to brown fur, helping them blend into dense forests. They are found in Southeast Asia, including India, China, and Malaysia, and prefer dense evergreen forests. Their conservation status is listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN, and they are protected under CITES Appendix I and the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, Schedule I.