Current Affairs Quiz - September, 2024

Notes:
World Food India 2024 was held from September 19 to 22 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The event was hosted by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries. More than 90 countries, 26 Indian states and union territories, and 18 central ministries participated in the event. It showcased innovations, technology, and sustainability in food processing and highlighted India’s growing role in the global food sector. Government initiatives and future plans for food processing development were featured.

Notes:
Yemen’s Houthi rebels recently launched a ballistic missile that struck near Tel Aviv, Israel’s commercial hub. The Houthis, also known as Ansar Allah, are an Iranian-backed Shiite Muslim group in Yemen. They follow the Zaidi sect, a minority within the Shiite community, differing from dominant Shiite groups in Iran and Iraq. The Houthis, a significant minority in predominantly Sunni Yemen, emerged in the 1990s, initially seeking tribal autonomy and resisting Western influence. They have been in conflict with Yemen’s Sunni-majority government since 2004 and control much of northern Yemen. The group is known for its anti-American and anti-Semitic stance.

Notes:
Squadron Leader Mohana Singh became the first woman fighter pilot in the Indian Air Force’s elite 18 ‘Flying Bullets’ squadron, flying the indigenously made LCA Tejas fighter jet. She participated in the ‘Tarang Shakti’ exercise in Jodhpur, where she instructed the vice chiefs of the Army and Navy on the LCA Tejas.

Notes:
International Rhino Foundation recently published the report named ‘State of the Rhino 2024’ report. It highlights positive trends for Greater One-Horned Rhinos. Their population has increased by 20% in the last decade, now exceeding 4,000. They are found in the Indo-Nepal Terai, northern West Bengal, and Assam. India has 3,262 Greater One-Horned Rhinos (2021), mostly in Assam. Over 90% of them are in Kaziranga National Park.

Notes:
Saleema Imtiaz became the first Pakistani woman to be nominated to the ICC International Panel of Development Umpires. She started her umpiring career in 2008 with the PCB women’s panel. She officiated in the 2022 Asia Cup and 2023 ACC Emerging Women’s Cup. Imtiaz has officiated in 22 T20Is, including the Women’s Asia Cup Final in Dambulla.

Notes:
The International WASH Conference 2024, organized by the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Ministry of Jal Shakti, held from September 17-21 in New Delhi. It aims to promote dialogue and collaboration for equitable and efficient water resource use for current and future generations. The conference theme is ‘Sustaining Rural Water Supply’ and will focus on addressing global water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) challenges. It serves as a platform for sharing knowledge, showcasing innovations, and best practices. The event has a special focus on achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6).

Notes:
Researchers believe kleptoparasitism, or food theft among seabirds, may help spread the H5N1 avian influenza virus globally. Kleptoparasitism refers to one animal stealing food that another has already caught or prepared. This behavior can include stealing prey, stored food, or even nesting materials from other animals. It occurs in various animal groups, such as birds, insects, and mammals, and is a form of social parasitism. Kleptoparasites gain food without expending energy to find it, and the theft can happen between the same species (intraspecific) or different species (interspecific).

Notes:
Recent flooding in the Saryu River severely disrupted transportation and impacted local communities in Ballia district, Uttar Pradesh. The Saryu River flows through Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh and holds ancient significance, being mentioned in the Vedas and the Ramayana. It is formed at the confluence of the Karnali and Mahakali rivers and is a tributary of the Ganges River.

Notes:
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) will expand the Fast Track Immigration-Trusted Traveller Programme (FTI-TTP) to 20 more airports in India. It is an initiative of Ministry of Home Affairs. It aims to speed up immigration clearance for Indian Nationals and Foreign Nationals with OCI cards. The program, first launched at Delhi’s IGI Airport, facilitates faster and secure international travel. Similar to the U.S. Global Entry Program, it offers quick clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers. The FTI-TTP is managed through an online portal by the Bureau of Immigration, the nodal agency for implementation.

Notes:
Antimicrobial resistance is a major crisis of the 21st century, with Staphylococcus aureus playing a significant role. S. aureus is a gram-positive, sphere-shaped bacterium commonly found on the skin and in the noses of about 30% of people.
Usually harmless, it can cause infections, particularly skin infections, which may lead to blisters, abscesses, and swelling. The bacteria can spread through the bloodstream to organs like heart valves and bones. Transmission occurs through direct contact, contaminated objects, or inhaling droplets from sneezing or coughing. S. aureus can also be transmitted between humans and animals.