Current Affairs Quiz - October, 2024

Notes:
The World Bank released the “Pathways out of the Polycrisis: Poverty, Prosperity, and Planet Report 2024”. The report highlights challenges in economic development. Global poverty reduction has nearly stalled over the past 5 years due to the “polycrisis.” Polycrisis refers to multiple overlapping crises like slow growth, fragility, climate risks, and uncertainty. Extreme poverty is projected at 7.3% in 2030, far from the UN SDG target of eliminating it. The global prosperity gap has widened, with income growth slowing since the pandemic. In India, extreme poverty has dropped from 431 million in 1990 to 129 million in 2024.

Notes:
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has established the iGOT Lab to enhance online learning for its employees. This initiative aims to onboard all employees onto the iGOT portal by October 19 and offers 16 selected courses including Budget Management and Leadership. To promote engagement, the Ministry will recognize employees completing the most courses each quarter. This move follows a review of the Ministry’s Capacity Building Calendar and emphasizes the importance of skill enhancement, transparency, and timely grievance resolution.

Notes:
The Five Eye Alliance has supported Canada, urging India to cooperate with its legal process. The alliance is a multilateral intelligence-sharing network among five English-speaking countries: Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK, and the US. It was formed after World War II, based on the UK-USA Agreement of 1946. The alliance is known for global surveillance using satellites, telephone networks, and fiber optic cables.

Notes:
The First ASEAN-India Track 1 Cyber Policy Dialogue was held in Singapore, co-chaired by Amit A. Shukla from India’s Ministry of External Affairs. Both sides discussed the cyber threat landscape, national cyber policies, threat assessments, and recent ICT developments at the UN. The Dialogue focused on cooperation in capacity building and training. It aimed to identify specific areas for joint activities in cybersecurity. This Dialogue strengthened the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, supporting the ASEAN-India Joint Statement on Advancing Digital Transformation from the ASEAN-India Summit on October 10.

Notes:
The European Space Agency (ESA) launched the Moonlight Lunar Communications and Navigation Services (LCNS) programme. It aims to support over 400 planned lunar missions by space agencies and private companies in the next 20 years. The Moonlight programme will deploy a constellation of about five lunar satellites. These satellites will provide accurate autonomous landings, high-speed communication, and surface mobility on the Moon. The satellites will enable data transfer over a distance of 4,00,000 km (2,50,000 miles) between Earth and the Moon.

Notes:
Engine manufacturer General Electric has announced that its LM2500 marine engines will power the Indian Navy’s Next Generation Missile Vessels (NGMV). These heavily armed vessels, built by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) at a cost of Rs 9,805 crore, will incorporate stealth, high speed, and offensive capabilities. Six NGMVs are under construction, with delivery set to begin in March 2027, primarily serving to enhance offensive operations against enemy warships, merchantmen, and land targets.

Notes:
INS Trikand and Dornier Maritime Patrol Aircraft recently took part in the Indo-Oman naval exercise Naseem-Al-Bahr in Goa. This exercise, initiated in 1993, reflects the strong strategic ties between India and Oman. Oman is the first GCC country to conduct bilateral naval exercises with India. The exercise included two phases: a harbour phase with professional interactions and sports, followed by a sea phase. During the sea phase, both navies conducted gun firings, anti-aircraft operations, and replenishment maneuvers. The Dornier aircraft provided Over-the-Horizon Targeting data, enhancing interoperability and understanding of best practices.

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:
Hurricane Oscar made landfall in Cuba, leading to its worst power outage since Hurricane Ian in 2022. The storm has resulted in at least six fatalities and extensive blackouts lasting four nights. The storm triggered widespread power outages, disrupting daily life and leading to protests in areas like Santos Suárez and central Havana. The blackout has severely affected families, highlighting the ongoing struggles of the Cuban population in the wake of natural disasters.

Notes:
Chug Valley in Dirang, Arunachal Pradesh, once known for dense Cosmos flowers, has shrunk due to excessive human interference. The valley features green grasslands, pine trees, and the Dihing River, with the Duhumbi Monpa community residing in Chug village. The Cosmos flowers, blooming in September and October, act as pest repellents and attract pollinators. In 2024, Chug Valley won the 2nd Best Tourism Village Award, and Dammu’s Heritage Dine earned the Responsible Tourism Award.