Daily Current Affairs Quiz: April 20, 2024

Notes:
On April 19th, World Liver Day promotes liver health awareness globally. This year’s theme, “Keep your liver healthy and disease-free,” highlights preventive measures and regular check-ups. The initiative aims to educate about liver-related disorders, encourage lifestyle changes, and support affected individuals. By fostering proactive approaches, the campaign empowers people to make informed choices, prioritizing their liver’s well-being through early detection and healthy habits.

Notes:
Renowned economist Utsa Patnaik receives the 2023 Malcolm Adiseshiah Award, an honor granted annually by the Malcolm & Elizabeth Adiseshiah Trust. Selected by a national-level jury, the award acknowledges exceptional contributions to Development Studies. It includes a citation and Rs. 2 lakh cash prize. Malcolm Adiseshiah, the award’s namesake, was an Indian development economist and educator, recognized with the Padma Bhushan in 1976 for his impactful work.

Notes:
Severe drought and intense heat have caused the complete drying up of the Lakshmana Tirtha River, a tributary of the Kaveri in Karnataka. Originating in the Brahmagiri hills, it flows eastward before merging with the Kaveri River at Krishna Raja Sagara Lake. The famous Lakshmanatirtha Falls, or Irupu Falls, adorns its path, near Kerala’s border. The Kaveri River, originating at Talakaveri, is sacred to Hindus and empties into the Bay of Bengal at Poompuhar, Tamil Nadu.

Notes:
Israel reportedly utilized GPS spoofing to disrupt Iran’s missile targeting by interfering with GPS navigation signals. This cyberattack involves broadcasting false GPS signals, misleading receivers into providing inaccurate location data. GPS spoofing exploits weaknesses in satellite signals, posing significant threats to navigation and various industries like logistics, telecommunications, and defense. Unlike jamming, spoofing is more sophisticated and potentially catastrophic, highlighting the critical importance of safeguarding GPS systems.

Notes:
NASA confirmed the Dragonfly rotorcraft mission to Saturn’s moon Titan with a $3.35 billion budget, launching in July 2028. It’s a “dual quadcopter” exploring various locations, mainly on the moon’s surface, with a radioisotope power system. Scheduled to arrive in 2034, it will search for prebiotic chemical processes, resembling early Earth conditions. This marks NASA’s first scientific vehicle on another planetary body. Titan, Saturn’s largest moon, boasts an Earth-like liquid cycle and a thick atmosphere.