Current Affairs Quiz - September, 2024

Notes:
Syria won the 4th Intercontinental Cup men’s football championship, defeating India 3-0 in the final round-robin match. Mahmoud Al-Mawas, Syrian captain, received the winners’ trophy and was named the Syed Abdul Rahim Player of the Tournament. The tournament, organized by the All India Football Federation (AIFF), took place from 3 to 9 September 2024 at GMC Balayogi Stadium in Hyderabad. Three teams participated: Syria, India, and Mauritius, in a round-robin format.

Notes:
Nepal has become the 101st country to join the International Solar Alliance (ISA) as a full member. Nepal handed over its Instrument of Ratification to the ISA in New Delhi. This was done during a meeting between Nepal’s Dr. Surendra Thapa and India’s Joint Secretary Abhishek Singh. The ISA is a collaborative platform focused on increasing the use of solar energy technologies. Its main goals are improving energy access, ensuring energy security, and supporting energy transitions. ISA was initiated by India and France to combat climate change through solar energy deployment.

Notes:
World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) is observed annually on September 10 to raise awareness about suicide prevention globally. First held in 2003, its goal is to educate the public on suicidal behavior and ways to prevent it. Suicide is a significant cause of death, affecting various aspects of society, mental health, and financial well-being. Over 700,000 suicides occur worldwide each year, impacting many lives. The 2024 theme, “Changing the Narratives on Suicide,” focuses on “Telling our Stories,” encouraging open discussions about suicide at all levels of society.

Notes:
China and Russia recently announced joint naval and air drills called ‘Northern United-2024’ in the Sea of Japan and Sea of Okhotsk. The exercise aims to boost strategic cooperation between China and Russia and enhance their ability to address security threats. The Sea of Japan is a marginal sea in the western Pacific, bordered by Japan, Sakhalin Island, Russia, and Korea. The Sea of Okhotsk is surrounded by the Kamchatka Peninsula, Kuril Islands, Hokkaido, and Sakhalin Island. These drills highlight the increasing military collaboration between the two nations.

Notes:
A Soyuz spacecraft carrying two Russians and an American recently docked at the International Space Station (ISS). The Soyuz is a Russian spacecraft and the longest-running human spacecraft program in history. It transports cosmonauts and astronauts to and from the ISS, weighing 7 tonnes, and can carry three people. It also brings supplies like food and water. One Soyuz remains docked at the ISS as an emergency escape pod. The spacecraft has three modules: the Orbital Module for crew living, the Descent Module for safe reentry, and a third for life support. The Soyuz rocket launches the capsule, which reaches space in nine minutes.

Notes:
Mithun, a semi-domesticated bovine species, was recently spotted in Assam for the first time. Known as the “cattle of the mountain,” Mithun originated over 8,000 years ago and is believed to be a descendant of the wild Indian gaur. It is most concentrated in Northeast India, especially in Arunachal Pradesh, and is also found in Southeast Asia. Mithun resembles the Indian bison but is smaller, weighing 400-650 kg, with distinct horns and coloration. It is the state animal of Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland. Mithun is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and in CITES Appendix I.

Notes:
The Union Cabinet approved ‘Mission Mausam’ with a budget of Rs. 2,000 crore for two years. It aims to enhance India’s weather and climate-related research, services, and technologies. Mission Mausam focuses on improving weather surveillance, forecasting, and management using advanced systems like AI, machine learning, and high-performance computing. It will provide accurate weather and climate information, including monsoon forecasts, extreme weather alerts, and air quality updates. Implemented by India Meteorological Department, Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, and National Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasting. It benefits sectors like agriculture, disaster management, aviation, and energy.

Notes:
The Union Minister for Commerce launched the Trade Connect e-platform to boost international trade for Indian exporters, especially MSMEs. This digital platform links Indian exporters, MSMEs, and entrepreneurs with stakeholders like Indian Missions Abroad and Export Promotion Councils. It provides information on global trade events, Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), and other trade data. Developed in collaboration with key partners like EXIM Bank, Ministry of MSME, and Ministry of External Affairs. The platform aligns with Digital India’s vision, reducing trade costs and complexities, helping Indian businesses succeed globally.

Notes:
The Indian Navy and DRDO successfully tested the Vertical Launch Short Range Surface to Air Missile (VL-SRSAM) on 12 September 2024 at Chandipur Island, Odisha. This is DRDO’s second missile test, following the Agni-4 trial on 6 September 2024. The missile was launched from a vertical launcher and intercepted a high-speed target at low altitude using an advanced seeker. VL-SRSAM will replace Israel’s Barak-1 missile and be produced by Bharat Dynamic Limited. The missile defends against supersonic sea-skimming threats and has a range of 50 km with advanced countermeasure systems.

Notes:
India has advanced to Tier 1 in the Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI) 2024, released by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). This achievement reflects India’s strong commitment to cybersecurity and its positive impact. The Global Cybersecurity Index measures how countries commit to cybersecurity on a global level, raising awareness about its importance. Cybersecurity is important because it affects many industries and sectors across the world. India’s role-modeling in cybersecurity demonstrates its leadership and efforts in ensuring safer digital spaces globally.