Daily Current Affairs Quiz: February 15, 2024

ANSWER: D

ANSWER: B

ANSWER: C

ANSWER: A

• India has secured the prestigious 9th GovTech Prize for its pioneering endeavors in AI-powered government services, at the World Government Summit 2024.
• India was awarded iRASTE, a transformative project under Ministry for Road Transport & Highways
• iRASTE, a collaborative initiative involving the government, industry, and academia, is revolutionizing road safety through the integration of AI technology.
  • By harnessing predictive insights generated by AI algorithms, iRASTE endeavors to prevent accidents before they occur, thus mitigating the risk of fatalities and injuries on Indian roads.
  • It aims at a targeted 50% reduction in road accidents anticipated in urban areas.
  • Additionally, iRASTE aims to significantly diminish black spots within the city’s road network, further enhancing safety and efficiency in transportation systems.

ABOUT THE AWARD

• The annual award is instituted by the government of the UAE and is presented to government entities, central or local, worldwide, to recognize creative and innovative solutions.
• India won under the category of ‘AI-Powered Government Services’.

ANSWER: B

• A 19-year-old youth died after being hit by a bull during a bull race at Kalmane in Shikaripur taluk of Karnataka.
• The race was organised as part of Hori Habba.

ABOUT HORI HABBA

• It is also known as Hatti Habba.
• It is held during the harvest season.
• It is an ancient folk game and played on the lines of Jallikattu in Tamil Nadu and Kambala in Dakshina Kannada district.
• In Hori Habba competitions, held mostly in rural parts, trained and decorated draught cattle and bulls are forced into running through huge cheering crowds.
• Copra, cash and gifts are tied to these bovines and people try to catch them and snatch these items from them.

ANSWER: D

• Chinese researchers have introduced a novel high-power microwave (HPM) weapon, powered by a Stirling engine, marking a significant advancement in directed-energy warfare.
• It utilizes four compact Stirling engines to convert thermal energy into mechanical energy, driving powerful HPM waves capable of neutralizing drones, military aircraft, and satellites.
• The weapon’s superconducting coil can generate a magnetic field up to four teslas, significantly reducing energy consumption compared to existing technologies.
  • The system can operate continuously for four hours, consuming only a fifth of the energy required by previous methods.
• HPM weapons are a type of Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) system.
  • These are electromagnetic systems capable of converting chemical or electrical energy to radiated energy and focusing it on a target, resulting in physical damage.
  • Directed-energy weapons, including lasers and HPMs, are considered the future of anti-drone and anti-satellite warfare.
• However, HPMs have faced challenges such as low efficiency and limited range.

ABOUT STIRLING ENGINE

• It is an external combustion engine working on the principle of compression and expansion to convert thermal energy into mechanical energy.

ANSWER: A

• The Hastsal Minar a medieval tower is located in the Hastsal village in West Delhi’s Uttam Nagar.
• In 2018, the minar was accorded a Grade A status that is given to buildings of regional or local importance possessing special architectural or aesthetic merit, or cultural or historical significance.
• It is also called Mini Qutab Minar. Locals call it Hastsal Ki Laat and Kaushal Minar.
• The construction of the minar (or tower) was finished in 1634 during the reign of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan.
• The minar is 17 metres (five storeys) tall, standing on a square platform and with an octagonal body.

The structure’s domed arches and use of red Lakhori bricks is a clear marker of Mughal architecture.

ANSWER: A

• The governments of Poland, France and Germany vowed to make Europe a security and defence power with a greater ability to back Ukraine.
• They discussed reviving the so-called Weimar Triangle.

ABOUT WEIMAR TRIANGLE

• It is a long-dormant regional grouping that was designed to promote cooperation between France, Germany and Poland.
• The Weimar Triangle was created in 1991 as Poland was emerging from decades of communism as a platform for political cooperation among the three nations.

ANSWER: D

• The Assam government has declared ‘Kaji Nemu’ (citrus lemon) as the state fruit.
• ‘Kaji Nemu’ is known for its unique aroma and health benefits
• The fruit had received a Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2016 and has been commercially grown in the state, along with being exported.
• It helps in boosting immunity and bringing a unique flavour to food.

ANSWER: C

• UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC) report on “State of the World’s Migratory Species” was launched recently.
• The inaugural State of the World’s Migratory Species – 2024 report was launched by the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS).
• It provides the first comprehensive global assessment on the conservation status and threats facing migratory animals.

MAJOR FINDINGS

• Nearly half of CMS-listed species are showing population declines
• More than one-in-five species are threatened with extinction
• 97% of CMS-listed fish are threatened
• Extinction risk is growing for both CMS listed species and all migratory species.
• Around 400 global migratory species (threatened or near TwE) are not currently listed under CMS.
• The 2 major threats to migratory species are –
  • Habitat loss,degradation and fragmentation;
  • overexploitation

OTHER DETAILS

• The Fourteenth Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP14) to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals was held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
• Theme/slogan- Nature Knows No Borders

 ABOUT CMS

• Signed in 1979, the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (Bonn Convention; CMS) is an environmental treaty under the aegis of the United Nations Environment Programme.
• It provides a global platform for the conservation and sustainable use of migratory animals and their habitats.
• CMS Appendices
  • Appendix I: Migratory species that have been assessed as being in danger of extinction.
  • Appendix II: Migratory species which require international agreements for their conservation.

ANSWER: C

• The state government is setting up Adarsh Swasthya Sansthans in all 68 Assembly constituencies of the state, with at least six specialist doctors in each constituency.
• Around 134 types of laboratory test facilities, specialists and medical staff and state of the art’ MRI, CT scan, Ultrasound and digital X-ray facilities would be provided in such centres.
• To address the shortage of doctors and paramedical staff in health institutions, the government is recruiting new medical officers and supporting staff.
• Furthermore, plans are underway to improve working conditions in health institutions and introduce fixed eight-hour shift for medical personnel.