Current Affairs Quiz - April, 2019

Notes:
The first-ever global coalition on clean and efficient cooling was launched at the First Global Conference on Synergies between the 2030 Agenda and Paris Agreement, which concluded on April 3, 2019, in Copenhagen, Denmark. The aim of Cool Coalition is to inspire ambition, identify solutions and mobilise action to accelerate progress towards clean and efficient cooling. It is a global effort led by UN Environment, the Climate and Clean Air Coalition, the Kigali Cooling Efficiency Program, and Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL). It also includes government officials from Chile, Rwanda, Denmark as well as leaders from civil society, research and academia. As the world gets warmer, the demand for air conditioners is projected to grow and the greenhouse gas it emits will endanger the planet. Thus, the United Nations-backed ‘Cool Coalition’ comprising 23 members stated that clean, efficient cooling appliances and equipment can save up to $2.9 trillion in energy use by 2050, and help avoid 0.4° Celsius warming of the planet. The Global Cool Coalition is a unified front that links action across the Kigali Amendment, Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Notes:
In a setback to the ruling Pinarayi Vijayan government, a 49-page report submitted by an Amicus curiae to the Kerala High Court (KHC) on April 3 recommended a judicial probe into the cause of the worst-ever floods to hit the state in August 2018 after it found that faulty dam management led to the flooding. In a report, amicus curiae Jacob P. Alex said that none of the 79 dams in the State were operated or used for the purpose of flood control and moderation, despite the obligation to utilise them for flood control as per the stipulations under the National Water Policy, National Disaster Management Authority guidelines on flood and RTIO (real-time integrated operation). It seemed that high reservoir storage and sudden release of water had resulted in worsening the floods. Various alerts (blue/orange/red) were issued not in accordance with the EAP (Emergency Action Plan) guidelines. No proper follow-up action and effective precautionary steps, especially for evacuating people and accommodating them in safe locations, were taken after the issue of red alert. Hence, this was a matter to be inquired into.

Notes:
Isaak Hayik has set a new world record as the oldest person to play in a professional soccer match at the age of 73. He broke the record after playing as a goalkeeper for Israeli team Ironi Or Yehuda against Maccabi Ramat Gan on April 5, 2019. Hayik was officially recognised in an award ceremony attended by representatives from the Guinness World Record organisation. The previous record was held by Robert Carmona of Uruguay, who in 2015 played a professional match with Uruguay’s Pan de Azucar at the age of 53.

Notes:
As per latest report on “South Asia Economic Focus, Exports Wanted” by World Bank (WB), India’s GDP growth is expected to accelerate moderately to 7.5% in FY 20 (2019-20) and will be driven by continued investment strengthening, particularly private-improved export performance and resilient consumption. As per report, Credit growth will benefit from relatively more accommodative monetary policy amid benign inflationary conditions. Support from delayed fiscal consolidation will partially offset the effects of political uncertainty on economic activity around elections in May 2019. The real GDP growth is estimated at 7.2% in financial year FY 19 (2018-19).

Notes:
Scientists from University of Michigan in the United States have found that dangerous airborne viruses can be rendered harmless on-the-fly when exposed to ‘cold plasma’ – a stream of energetic, charged fragments of air molecules. The researchers have measured the virus-killing speed and effectiveness of non thermal plasmas – the ionised, or charged, particles that form around electrical discharges such as sparks. A non thermal plasma reactor was able to inactivate or remove from the air stream 99.9% of a test virus. The researchers hope to one day harness this capability to replace the surgical mask.

Notes:
The Indian Institute of Technology-Madras (IIT-Madras) has been ranked as the top institute in the overall category in the latest edition of National Institute Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2019 and is followed by Indian Institute of Science (IISc), IIT Delhi, IIT-Bombay, IIT-Kharagpur, IIT Kanpur, JNU, IIT-Roorkee, IIT-Guwahati and BHU. The NIRF is a Ministry of HRD initiative and released annually. On the other hand, Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Bangalore secured the top spot in the management college ranking followed by IIM Ahmedabad and IIM Calcutta. The National Law School of Indian in Bengaluru grabbed the top spot under the law category while Indian Institute of Technology was ranked first in the Architecture category. All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, followed by Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh and Christian Medical College, Vellore were ranked as the top three medical colleges.

Notes:
As per Article 324 of the constitution, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has recently issued an order prohibiting display in electronic media including cinematograph of any biopic or publicity material in the nature of biography/hagiography sub-serving the purposes of any political entity or any individual entity connected to it. Hence, ECI banned screening of “PM Narendra Modi”, a biopic on the Prime Minister, till the national elections are over. Earlier, on 10th March 2019, ECI announced General Elections to 17th Lok Sabha 2019 and from the date of announcement of the elections, the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) came into operation. The Lok Sabha elections will begin on April 11 and will be held over seven phases followed by counting of votes on May 23.

Notes:
The report on ‘Political Leaders Position and Action on Air Quality in India 2014-2019’ has recently released by a Delhi-based environment body – Climate Trends. As per report, Uttar Pradesh’s Kanpur has been ranked 1st on the WHO’s list of 15 most polluted cities. Faridabad (Haryana) stood at 2nd position, followed by Varanasi (UP), which is the Lok Sabha constituency of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The report claimed that the situation in Varanasi is deteriorating as its MP has focused on beautification and infrastructure. The Air Quality index (AQI) in Varanasi reached an alarming 490 in 2017 and 384 — very poor category — in December 2018. The report also noted that MPs of Lucknow and Kanpur — Home Minister Rajnath Singh and senior BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi respectively — have mostly been silent on the issue of air pollution in their respective constituencies. Gaya and Patna in Bihar are 4th and 5th on the list, while Delhi is 6th and Uttar Pradesh capital Lucknow is 7th. Cities of Agra, Muzaffarpur, Srinagar, Gurugram, Jaipur, Patiala and Jodhpur are also on the WHO list of most polluted cities.

Notes:
Alice G. Vaidyan, the CMD of the General Insurance Corporation (GIC) of India, has been awarded the Freedom of the City of London in recognition of her work to promote insurance ties between India and the UK. The Freedom of the City of London dates back to the 13th century and has since developed into an honour bestowed upon individuals who make an impact in the financial hub of London, referred to as the City or the Square Mile. The Freedom of the City of London is a very special and ancient tradition.

Notes:
Professor Najma Akhtar has become the first-ever woman Vice-Chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia University (JMI) for a period of five years or until she attains the age of 70 years, She is also the first lady vice chancellor of any central university in Delhi. Ms. Akhtar has four decades of academic scholarship in educational leadership. She is known for spearheading international educational administrators’ course for senior officials from 130 countries for more than 15 years at National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA) in New Delhi.