Current Affairs Quiz - October, 2024

Notes:
India is aligning its state business readiness rankings with the new World Bank B-READY index. The B-READY (Business-Ready Index) replaces the discontinued Ease of Doing Business rankings. It assesses the business environment of global economies based on regulatory framework, public services, and efficiency. Key areas include digitalization, environmental sustainability, and gender equality. The index evaluates ten parameters across a business’s lifecycle, from starting to closing. It will expand from 54 economies initially to 180 countries by 2026. Global institutions and companies will use it to assess a country’s regulatory and policy environment.

Notes:
The World Health Organization (WHO) approved the Alinity m MPXV assay, a real-time PCR test for mpox. This test detects the virus using swabs from skin lesions, providing immediate results. It helps health workers confirm suspected mpox cases quickly, aiding outbreak control. Mpox has caused over 800 deaths in 16 African countries this year, with limited testing contributing to its spread. The Alinity m MPXV assay is the first mpox test on the WHO’s Emergency Use Listing (EUL) for faster availability during health emergencies. Mpox is a viral zoonotic disease that spreads through human contact and infected animals.

Notes:
Odisha has reported the presence of rare melanistic leopards, known as black panthers, in three forest divisions based on the All Odisha Leopard Estimation-2024. This species is particularly vulnerable to poaching, and the state is taking measures to protect them. The survey revealed a total of 696 leopards in Odisha, an increase from previous estimates, highlighting the importance of conservation efforts in the region, especially in the Similipal Tiger Reserve, which also houses unique Royal Bengal tigers.

Notes:
Tunisian President Kais Saied was re-elected for a second five-year term with 90.7% of the vote. The election result was announced on 7 October 2024 by Tunisia’s Independent High Authority for Elections. The election, held on 6 October 2024, saw a record-low voter turnout of 28.8%. This is the lowest turnout since the 2011 Jasmine Revolution, which introduced democracy. In the 2019 election, voter turnout was 55%.

Notes:
The Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare launched the online platform ‘Anubhav’ on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s direction. This platform allows retiring and retired government employees to share their work experiences. An Annual Awards Scheme was created in 2015 to encourage submissions, resulting in 10,886 published write-ups. So far, 78 outstanding write-ups have received 59 Anubhav Awards and 19 Jury Certificates. The National Anubhav Awards Scheme 2025 invites Central Government employees and pensioners to submit their write-ups for awards. For the first time, employees from Central Public Sector Undertakings will also be eligible to participate. The submission period for pensioners has been extended from one year to three years post-retirement.

Notes:
The Marburg virus, part of the filovirus family, is one of the deadliest pathogens, with case fatality rates ranging from 24% to 88%. The recent outbreak in Rwanda has already resulted in 12 deaths among 46 infections, predominantly affecting medical workers. Marburg spreads through direct contact with infected bodily fluids and contaminated materials. Initial symptoms include high fever and severe headache, progressing to hemorrhagic symptoms. Currently, there are no approved vaccines, but experimental treatments are being sought, highlighting the urgent need for effective healthcare responses in affected regions.

Notes:
Researchers have discovered a new damselfly species named Agasthyamalai Bambootail in Manjadininnavila, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. This rare species belongs to the bambootail group, known for their long cylindrical abdomens resembling bamboo stalks. It was found in the Agasthyamalai landscape of the Western Ghats. The only other species in this genus is the Malabar Bambootail, located in Coorg-Wayanad. Agasthyamalai Bambootail can be identified by the absence of the anal bridge vein in its wings. It features a long black body with striking blue markings and differs from the Malabar Bambootail in specific anatomical structures.

Notes:
Uttarakhand will host the 38th Summer National Games from January 28 to February 14, 2025, and the next Winter Games.
The 37th National Games were held in Goa from September 25 to November 9, 2023. This will be the first time Winter Games are held outside Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. The National Games, organized by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) , aim to identify talent for the Summer Olympics. The first National Games were held in 1924 in Lahore, originally called the All-India Olympic Games.

Notes:
South Korean author Han Kang won the 2024 Nobel Prize in Literature. She is the first Korean to receive this honor. Her work is known for its “intense poetic prose” that addresses historical traumas and the fragility of life. Notable works include The Vegetarian (Man Booker International Prize winner in 2016), The White Book, Human Acts, and Greek Lessons.

Notes:
World Migratory Bird Day is a global campaign to raise awareness about conserving migratory birds. It emphasizes the importance of international cooperation for their protection. In 2024, it was celebrated on 11 May and 12 October, marking the seasonal migrations in both hemispheres. The 2024 theme is “Protect Insects, Protect Birds.”