Current Affairs Quiz - September, 2024

Notes:
Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged $51 billion to African countries at the ninth Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Beijing. China will support 30 infrastructure projects, offering 360 billion yuan in financial assistance. This year’s theme is “Joining Hands to Advance Modernization and Build a High-Level China-Africa Community with a Shared Future.” FOCAC was established in 2000 to strengthen China-Africa relations. The forum is held every three years, alternating between China and an African nation. FOCAC includes 53 African countries, except Eswatini, which maintains ties with Taiwan, opposing China’s “One China” policy.

Notes:
The 5th Defence Cooperation Dialogue between India and the Maldives was held in New Delhi on September 6, 2024. Discussions included bilateral military exercises, marking the first defence dialogue after recent tensions between the two nations. Earlier, the Maldives President, as part of his “India Out” campaign, had Indian military personnel withdraw and leaned towards pro-China policies. Recent cooperation between the two countries has improved following India’s External Affairs Minister’s visit to the Maldives and the Maldives President attending India’s Prime Minister’s oath ceremony.

Notes:
The Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board hosted the 5th International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies on 7 September 2024 in Jaipur. This day is also known as Swach Vayu Diwas in India. Along with this, the 4th meeting of the Apex Committee of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) took place, chaired by Bhupendra Yadav, Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change. The United Nations declared 7 September as the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies in 2019. The theme for 2024 is “Invest in clean air now.”

Notes:
INS Malpe and INS Mulki, two anti-submarine warfare shallow watercraft vessels, were launched by the Indian Navy at Cochin Shipyard. These are the fourth and fifth indigenously built vessels of this type. They belong to the Mahe Class and will replace the Navy’s Abhay Class ASW Corvettes. The vessels are designed for anti-submarine operations, mine-laying, sub-surface surveillance, and search and rescue in coastal waters. They are 78 meters long, can reach speeds of 25 knots, and have an endurance of 1,800 nautical miles. They feature state-of-the-art SONAR, torpedoes, and advanced weapon systems.

Notes:
Home Minister Amit Shah was unanimously re-elected as Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Official Language. The government aims for all government systems to operate in Indian languages by 2047. The Department of Official Language is developing software to automatically translate all languages of the Eighth Schedule. A meeting was held in New Delhi to reconstitute the committee after the formation of the new government. Amit Shah previously served as the committee’s Chairperson from 2019 to 2024.

Notes:
Montelukast is widely sold in India without strict regulation, despite its potential risks. It is an oral medication used to prevent asthma attacks in adults and children over 2 years old. Montelukast also prevents breathing issues during exercise for those 6 years and older. It treats allergy symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, and congestion. Developed by Merck, it was approved by the U.S. FDA in 1998 under the brand name ‘Singulair.’ It works by blocking leukotrienes, which cause inflammation. In 2020, the U.S. FDA and the U.K. agency issued warnings about serious neuropsychiatric side effects.

Notes:
The Paraguay River is facing its lowest water level in over a century. It is the fifth-largest river in South America and a main tributary of the Paraná River. The river originates in Mato Grosso, Brazil, and flows through Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina. A key feature of its upper basin is the Pantanal, a vast seasonal swamp. The climate in the river’s drainage basin is hot and humid, with dry winters and heavy summer rains. This significant drop in water level poses challenges for the regions relying on the river.

Notes:
The President of India presented the 2024 National Florence Nightingale Awards. Instituted by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in 1973, these awards honor outstanding nurses from Central, State/UTs, and Voluntary Organizations.
The award recognizes nurses for their exceptional service in hospital, community, educational, or administrative roles.
Winners receive a Certificate of Merit, Rs.1,00,000 in cash, and a medal. Florence Nightingale was a pioneering English social reformer and founder of modern nursing, known for organizing care for soldiers during the Crimean War and establishing the first scientific nursing school.

Notes:
The Union Cabinet approved the PM E-DRIVE Scheme to promote electric mobility, replacing the FAME programme. It has a budget of Rs 10,900 crore over two years, proposed by the Ministry of Heavy Industries. The scheme aims to boost electric vehicle adoption by offering upfront incentives for EV purchases. It focuses on building the required charging infrastructure to support EV use. The goal is to reduce the environmental impact of transportation and improve air quality. The scheme promotes EVs, mass public transport, and advanced EV technologies to enhance sustainability.

Notes:
The United Kingdom has allowed Ukraine to use Storm Shadow cruise missiles against Russian targets. Storm Shadow is a long-range, air-launched cruise missile with low observability. It was jointly developed by the UK and France, known as SCALP-EG in France. The missile is designed to hit high-value stationary targets like airbases, radar stations, communications hubs, and ports. It is used by the air forces of countries including Egypt, India, Italy, Greece, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE.