Current Affairs Quiz - October, 2024

Notes:
The Indian Navy’s aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya recently participated in a joint exercise with the Italian Navy’s Carrier Strike Group, including the aircraft carrier ITS Cavour. This historic maritime engagement took place off the Goa coast from October 1 to 6, 2024, and involved various complex operations, showcasing interoperability between the two navies. The exercise highlighted the importance of collaboration in maintaining maritime security and addressing challenges such as piracy and threats to commercial shipping in the Indian Ocean region.

Notes:
India’s men’s team won the bronze medal at the 2024 Asian Table Tennis Championships after losing 3-0 to Chinese Taipei in the semi-finals. This is India’s third consecutive bronze in the men’s team event, following 2021 and 2023. India has won a total of seven bronze medals at the Asian Table Tennis Championships. Indian players faced tough competition against higher-ranked opponents.

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The Indonesian government plans partial closures of Komodo National Park in 2025 to mitigate the negative impacts of a growing number of tourists on the fragile ecosystem, primarily aimed at protecting the iconic Komodo dragons. The Komodo dragon is the largest lizard species, scientifically known as Varanus komodoensis. It lives on Komodo Island and nearby Lesser Sunda Islands in Indonesia. Komodo dragons grow up to 3 meters long, weigh about 135 kg, and have yellow, forked tongues. They can reproduce through parthenogenesis when isolated from males. Known for their venomous bite, they can occasionally attack humans. Lifespan is 30 years, and they are classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.

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The ‘Prerna Sthal’ memorial in Sikkim, inaugurated by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, honors 22 soldiers who lost their lives in the October 2023 glacial lake outburst at South Lhonak Lake. The memorial symbolizes their courage and sacrifice, aiming to inspire national pride. Similar to the National War Memorial in New Delhi, it serves as a tribute to fallen heroes, fostering unity and remembrance across generations.

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Nihon Hidankyo, the Japanese organization of atomic bomb survivors, was awarded the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize for its efforts to eliminate nuclear weapons and raise awareness about the humanitarian consequences of their use. The group, representing the Hibakusha, has played a crucial role in the global movement for nuclear disarmament since its founding in 1956. Their testimonies have significantly contributed to establishing a nuclear taboo, ensuring that nuclear weapons have not been used since 1945. This recognition highlights the ongoing challenges and pressures faced by the disarmament movement in the contemporary world.

Notes:
The Cabinet Committee on Security approved phase III of the Space Based Surveillance (SBS) mission for enhanced land and maritime awareness for civilian and military use. The National Security Council Secretariat and Defence Space Agency are handling the project. SBS 1 began in 2001 with the launch of four surveillance satellites; SBS 2 followed in 2013 with six satellites. SBS 3 will see India launch 52 satellites in the next decade, costing Rs 26,968 crore. ISRO will launch 21 satellites, and private companies will launch 31, with dedicated satellites for the Army, Navy, and Air Force.

Notes:
AI-generated synthetic medical images offer an ethical, scalable, and cost-effective solution for healthcare. These images are created by AI or computer algorithms, not by traditional imaging devices like MRI or CT scans. Techniques like generative adversarial networks (GANs), diffusion models, and autoencoders are used to construct these images. In healthcare, AI creates new medical scans or radiological images that mimic real ones but are not based on actual patient data.

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The Telangana government has started a comprehensive household caste survey to ensure fair resource distribution among all communities. This makes Telangana the third state to conduct a caste-based headcount, following Andhra Pradesh and Bihar. The survey aims to plan and implement various opportunities for the socio-economic and educational improvement of OBCs, SCs, STs, and other weaker sections. It focuses on enhancing employment and political opportunities for these communities in the state.

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The Union Ministry of Earth Sciences approved the installation of an X-band radar in Kerala’s Wayanad district after recent floods and landslides. An X-band radar emits radiation in the 8-12 GHz frequency range, producing high-resolution images due to its shorter wavelengths. While higher frequencies lead to faster attenuation, the radar’s applications include monitoring particle movements, such as soil, to provide landslide warnings. The radar will also conduct high temporal sampling, allowing it to quickly detect particle movements. X-band radars are often used to study cloud development and light precipitation.

Notes:
The ISSF Junior World Cup will be hosted by India in 2025, confirmed by ISSF President Luciano Rossi. Mr. Rossi made this announcement at a press conference before the ISSF World Cup Final in New Delhi. He praised India for its growing role in promoting the sport of shooting globally. India is recognized for its talented athletes and commitment to enhancing shooting infrastructure. Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo, president of the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI), attended the press conference.