Daily Current Affairs Quiz: February 23-24, 2025

Notes:
The US President signed an Executive Order to develop an Iron Dome-style missile defense system to protect against ballistic, hypersonic, and cruise missiles. Iron Dome is Israel’s short-range air defense system that intercepts rockets in the air. It is developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Israel Aerospace Industries. It functions in all weather conditions, day and night.

Notes:
The first breeding site of the Blue-Cheeked Bee-eater in peninsular India was discovered in saltpans of Aandivilai near the Manakudy Mangroves, Kanniyakumari, Tamil Nadu. This bird belongs to the bee-eater family (Meropidae) and was previously known as a migrant and winter visitor in India. It prefers sub-tropical semi-desert regions with sparse trees like acacias for breeding. It nests alone or in small colonies and sometimes shares colonies with European bee-eaters. Its breeding range includes the Nile Delta, Pakistan, and Iran, while it winters in Africa. It breeds in sandy deserts near water bodies.

Notes:
Scientists discovered deadly brine pools beneath the Red Sea that kill or stun marine life. Brine pools are hypersaline, oxygen-lacking lakes on the seafloor, denser than surrounding ocean water. They are also called “underwater lakes” because their high salt content prevents mixing with seawater. The Orca Basin in the Gulf of Mexico has the deepest known brine pool, 2,200 meters below sea level. This pool is 8 times saltier than the Gulf, with a salt content of 300 g/liter. Most sea life cannot survive in these pools, but some specialized organisms thrive.

Notes:
International Asperger’s Day is celebrated on 18 February every year, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2007. On this day, the National Institute for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (NIEPID) holds programs to raise awareness and promote inclusivity. Asperger’s Syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder under the autism spectrum, marked by social communication challenges and no significant language delay. Individuals with Asperger’s often have average or superior intelligence.

Notes:
The Prime Minister of India attended Jhumoir Binandini 2025, a grand cultural event featuring 8,000 performers. Jhumoir, also known as Jhumur, is a traditional folk dance of Assam’s Adivasi tea tribes, performed during the harvest season. It is accompanied by instruments like the Madal, Dhol, Taal, and Flute. Dancers perform in a circular formation with rhythmic footwork and swaying movements. Women wear colorful sarees, while men wear dhotis and kurtas. The dance symbolizes unity, inclusivity, and Assam’s rich cultural heritage, fostering social bonding and community celebration.