Current Affairs Quiz - April, 2021

Notes:
As per a recent study, MK-4482, an experimental antiviral drug, is said to have decreased levels of virus in the lungs of hamsters treated for SARS-CoV-2 infection.
The scientists from the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) published the study in the journal Nature Communications. MK-4482 is now in human clinical trials, and is delivered orally. These data suggest that MK-4482 treatment could mitigate high-risk exposures to the coronavirus.

Notes:
As per the ‘2021 Norton Cyber Safety Insights Report,’ by NortonLifeLock, a consumer security company, around 59 per cent experienced cybercrime in the last 12 months.
As per the report, more than 27 million Indian adults experienced identity theft in the past 12 months and 52 per cent of Indian adults admitted they don’t know how to protect themselves from cybercrime.

Notes:
The Ministry of Energy, Israel has announced a National plan which includes the main target of reducing 80 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
The plan aims to shut down all coal-fired power plants by 2025, reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the electricity sector by 75 to 85 per cent by 2050, increase electricity generation from renewable energy among others.

Notes:
Recently, researchers have identified a new and distinct shark species, by recognising the 300-million-year-old shark’s single tooth on its lower jaw.
The researchers named the 6.7-foot shark as “Dracopristis hoffmanorum”, or Hoffman’s Dragon Shark. The fossils were found in the Manzano Mountains, New Mexico. The skeleton of the species was found in 2013 in New Mexico.

Notes:
Israel and Greece have signed their biggest ever defence procurement deal. It includes a USD 1.65bn contract for establishment and operation of a training centre for the Hellenic Air Force (Greece) by Israeli defence contractor.
This deal is expected to strengthen political and economic ties between the countries. The Air Forces of the two countries also launched a joint exercise.

Notes:
The Ministry of Railways has decided to map local festivals celebrated near railway tracks across the country. It would issue advisory to loco pilots on speed restrictions and other safety aspects to be followed.
There are several local festivals celebrated in India during which the people gather near railway premises and cross the track in groups as part of the event. Two years ago, 61 people who were a part of Dussehra celebrations near Amritsar, were run over by train.

Notes:
Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) announced that Sivasubramanian Ramann has taken charge as Chairman and Managing Director of the bank.
The appointment is for a period of three years. Prior to this appointment, Ramann was serving as MD and CEO of National E-Governance Services Ltd (NeSL). He has also held the position of Executive Director in Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).

Notes:
The country’s very first ‘Oxygen Express’ departed from Andhra Pradesh to supply oxygen to the state of Maharashtra.
The Ro-Ro (roll-on, roll-off) service operated by Central Railways is ferrying oxygen from Vishakhapatnam steel plant to meet the sudden surge in oxygen demand in Maharashtra due to COVID 19 pandemic.

Notes:
The United Nation’s flagship report – State of the Global Climate report has been released for the year 2020.
The report has stated that Cyclone Amphan that made landfall in the India-Bangladesh border last year, was the costliest tropical cyclone on record for the North Indian Ocean. It has led to economic losses amounting $14 billion to the affected nations.

Notes:
The Russian Space Agency – Roscosmos is set for building its own space station and aims to launch the same by the year 2030.
This project is expected to end Russia’s cooperation with the United States of America for more than 2 decades aboard the International Space Station (ISS).