Current Affairs Today - Latest Current Affairs Questions 2024

Naveen Tahilyani has been appointed as the new CEO and MD of Tata Digital, the e-commerce unit of the Tata Group. Naveen will replace Prateek Pal. Tahilyani is currently the CEO and MD of Tata AIA Life Insurance Company. Naveen will assume his post on 19 February 2024.

  Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda has recently launched 'SARATHI Portal' for insurance products including Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY). 'Krishi Rakshak Portal' and helpline number 14447 were also launched to resolve complaints related to crop insurance.

Recently the Union Agriculture Minister revealed in the Rajya Sabha that Thrips parvispinus, an invasive insect, has displaced the native chilli thrips in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. This omnivorous insect affects various crops including drumstick, pigeon pea and mango. Originally reported in India in 2015, Thrips parvispinus has spread globally, causing economic losses and viral infections. Heavy rainfall leads to increased pest infestation, causing flower drop, reduced fruit production, posing a threat to horticultural crops amid changes in agricultural practices and climatic conditions.

Recently Union Culture Minister G. Kishan Reddy inaugurated the foundation stone of the Digital National Archives of India at the Salar Jung Museum in Hyderabad. Managed by the Archaeological Survey of India, the museum aims to digitize one lakh ancient inscriptions from different periods and languages, aligning with the India Shared Repository Initiative. Reddy lauded the development as a significant progress in the Modi government's “development also heritage also” commitment, underscoring the role of technology in providing universal access to cultural heritage and highlighting the transformative potential of the museum for scholars.

Recent discussions between the United States and China have focused on joint efforts to combat the influx of fentanyl into the US. Fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid, has wreaked havoc in the US and has been linked to materials produced in China. This drug, 50 times more powerful than heroin and 100 times more powerful than morphine, is approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) for severe pain, but is also manufactured and sold illegally, often mixed with other drugs , which increases the risk of addiction and has an increased risk of mortality when taken in large doses or when combined.

Recently the Government of Karnataka, in partnership with AIGDF and NIMHANS, launched the Digital Detox initiative to address mental health challenges arising from excessive technology use. The initiative aims to promote responsible gaming, offer awareness programs, provide community connections through personal guidance and workshops at digital detox centres. It responds to issues such as lack of attention due to excessive dependence on electronic devices and stressful real-world relationships, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach to technology use for better mental well-being.

Recently, Mesolithic rock paintings were unearthed at Seetamma Loddhi, Gattusingaram in Peddapalli district of Telangana. Discovered on a hill in a dense forest, the paintings adorn a 1,000-foot-long, 50-foot-high sandstone rock shelter. The Mesolithic or Middle Stone Age spanned the gap between the Palaeolithic and Neolithic periods, spanning approximately 12,000–10,000 years ago. Notable for the transition from large chipped stone tools to smaller tools attached to bone or wooden handles to create tools such as microliths, saws and sickles, it marked an important era in human cultural evolution.

Recently, Union Minister Shri Pralhad Joshi launched C-CARES web portal for Coal Mines Provident Fund Organization (CMPFO). Developed by C-DAC, it aims to digitize records and streamline processes for 3.3 lakh provident fund subscribers and 6.1 lakh pensioners in the coal sector. The portal enables online settlement of claims, ensuring transparency, faster processing and better records management. In line with the vision of Digital India, this marks a significant leap towards efficient and transparent operations in the coal sector.

Recently the Government of Tamil Nadu has designated 80,114.80 hectares of Bargur Hills in Erode district as Thanathai Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. The area connects the Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve with the Male Mahadeshwara Hills Tiger Reserve and the Kaveri Wildlife Sanctuary, forming an important corridor for the tiger population. The area is rich in biodiversity, serving as a habitat for diverse flora and fauna. It has been identified by the National Tiger Conservation Authority as part of the Nilgiri Elephant Reserve and is important for water sources and cultural significance for local communities.

The rare Dusted Apollo butterfly (Parnassius stenosemus) was recently seen and photographed for the first time in Himachal Pradesh, extending its known distribution from Ladakh to western Nepal. Resembling the Ladakh banded Apollo, it is distinguished by a complete discal band on the upper forewing. The protected Regal Apollo (Parnassius charltonius) was also seen, highlighting the rich diversity of Apollo butterflies in the region. Urgent conservation is needed as Apollos face threats from commercial poaching, emphasizing the importance of community awareness and the establishment of conservation measures such as butterfly parks.