Daily Current Affairs Quiz: October 23, 2024

Notes:
A new orchid species, Crepidium assamicum, was discovered in Dibru Saikhowa National Park, Assam. The discovery was made by Dr. Jintu Sarma and Khyanjeet Gogoi, known as the “Orchid Man of Assam.” Crepidium assamicum belongs to the genus Crepidium, increasing India’s total species count to 19 and the global total to 281. Globally, there are around 27,000 orchid species, with India home to about 1,265 and Northeast India hosting 800. Assam alone has about 414 species of orchids.

Notes:
The Fraser Institute released the 2024 Economic Freedom of the World Report, ranking 165 countries based on economic choice. The top five most-economically free countries were Hong Kong, Singapore, Switzerland, New Zealand, and the United States. India ranked 84th in the report. The report uses 42 variables, including government size, property rights, monetary policy, and trade freedom.

Notes:
The Nature Restoration Law (NRL) is a European Union law aimed at addressing climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation. It is the first comprehensive law of its kind in the EU. The NRL is part of the EU Biodiversity Strategy and sets binding targets for restoring degraded ecosystems, focusing on carbon capture and disaster prevention. Member States must restore at least 20% of the EU’s land and sea by 2030. By 2050, all ecosystems needing restoration should be included.

Notes:
The first anniversary of Namo Bharat Trains was celebrated as Namo Bharat Diwas in New Delhi. Namo Bharat Trains are India’s first Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS). The first 17-kilometer section between Sahibabad and Duhai Depot was inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi on 20 October 2023. Two more sections became operational, including Duhai to Modinagar North (March 2024) and Meerut South (August 2024). The current 42-kilometer corridor covers nine stations, soon expanding to 54 kilometers with new additions. RRTS offers high-speed, efficient suburban connectivity, promoting sustainable urban transport solutions.

Notes:
India launched its fourth nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), codenamed S4*, at the Ship Building Center in Visakhapatnam. S4* has 75% indigenous content and is armed with Kalam -4 ballistic missiles with a range of 3,500 km. It joins three existing submarines: INS Arihant, INS Arighaat, and INS Aridhaman. The government plans to build three more advanced diesel attack submarines in collaboration with the French Naval Group. Nuclear submarines use nuclear reactors for propulsion, allowing for unlimited range and endurance, limited only by supplies and maintenance.