Current Affairs Quiz - August, 2024

Notes:
The Indian Air Force faces delays in receiving Tejas light combat aircraft from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, affecting its readiness and capabilities. Tejas, a 4.5-generation single-seat supersonic multirole fighter, was developed by DRDO’s Aeronautical Development Agency and HAL. Intended to replace older MiG-21 and Su-7 jets, it joined the IAF in 2016. It has three models and is known for being the smallest and lightest in its class, with versatile combat roles.

Notes:
Wayanad, Kerala, struck by a deadly landslide killing nearly 200 people, ranked 13th in ISRO’s 2023 Landslide Atlas of India. Prepared by National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) of ISRO, the atlas details landslide occurrences and damage in 147 districts across 17 states and two Union Territories. It includes 80,000 landslides mapped from 1998 to 2022, categorized by season, event, and route. The data, using high-resolution satellite imagery, ranked districts based on socio-economic exposure to landslides.

Notes:
The Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak 2024 was introduced in the Lok Sabha by the Union Civil Aviation Minister. This bill aims to empower the government to set rules for investigating air accidents and incidents, and regulating aircraft design, manufacture, maintenance, use, and safety. The Aircraft Act of 1934 has been amended many times, creating confusion. This bill seeks to streamline and clarify these regulations.

Notes:
Lieutenant General Sadhna Saxena Nair became the first woman to lead the Indian Army’s Medical Services on August 1, 2024. A third-generation armed forces member, she graduated from the Armed Forces Medical College and joined the Army Medical Corps in 1985. She previously served as Director General of Hospital Services and has received numerous honors, including the Vishisht Seva Medal and commendations from top Air Force officials.

Notes:
The World Bank’s 2024 report highlights the “Middle-Income Trap,” where countries stuck in middle-income status struggle to advance to high-income levels. This trap often occurs around $8,000 GDP per capita. Since 1990, only 34 of 108 middle-income countries have moved to high-income status. Key challenges include aging populations, rising protectionism, and the need for faster energy transitions. India, classified as a lower-middle-income country since 2007, has a GNI per capita of $2,540 and would need 75 years to reach one-quarter of U.S. income per capita at current trends.

Notes:
India hosted the 14th India-Vietnam Defence Policy Dialogue in New Delhi on August 1, 2024. The meeting aimed to strengthen bilateral defence ties and coincided with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s visit. It was co-chaired by Indian Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane and Vietnam’s Deputy Minister of National Defence, Hoang Xuan Chien. Both sides reviewed cooperation areas and signed a Letter of Intent to enhance training exchanges.

Notes:
The “VIRAASAT” exhibition, celebrating the 10th National Handloom Day, is being held from August 3 to August 16, 2024, at Handloom Haat, Janpath, New Delhi. Organized by the National Handloom Development Corporation Ltd (NHDC) under the Ministry of Textiles, this event promotes India’s rich handloom traditions and supports weavers. National Handloom Day, established on August 7, 2015, commemorates the Swadeshi Movement of 1905 and the handloom sector’s socio-economic contributions.

Notes:
The United Nations FAO and the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation signed agreements to protect the Miombo forest, a critical African dryland ecosystem spanning 2.7 million square kilometers across seven southern African countries. Dominated by Brachystegia species, the Miombo supports millions in rural areas with essential resources like firewood, food, and water, and plays a crucial role in the Greater Zambezi river basin and regional trade.

Notes:
The yen carry trade became notable after the Bank of Japan raised interest rates and cut bond purchases, causing the yen to strengthen. Investors reacted by unwinding their positions to prevent losses, which led to a selloff in US tech stocks and affected global markets, including Asia. A carry trade involves borrowing in a country with low interest rates and investing in assets in a country with higher returns.

Notes:
During her first official visit to Fiji from August 5 to 7, 2024, President Droupadi Murmu was honored with Fiji’s highest civilian award, the Companion of the Order of Fiji. She is the first Indian President to visit Fiji, where she met with Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and President Ratu William Maivalili Katonivere. The Fiji government also allocated land for a 100-bed Super Speciality Hospital, supported by India.