Current Affairs Quiz - April 2022

Notes:
India and the European Union recently agreed to establish a Trade and Technology Council. Such a decision to set up the council is the first for India with any of its partners and second for the EU, after the first one with the US.
The Council will serve as a strategic mechanism to address the challenges of ensuring technology and security amidst rapid geopolitical changes.

Notes:
On 26 April every year, the ‘International Chernobyl Remembrance Day’ is observed to mark the nuclear accident that occurred in Chernobyl, Ukraine, in 1986.
The disaster is considered to be the biggest nuclear accident in the world. Hence, the United Nations decided to mark the International Chernobyl Remembrance Day to highlight the impact of the incident, which exposed around 8.4 million people in Belarus, Ukraine and Russia to radiation.

Notes:
Himachal Pradesh government has signed MoU for the development of seven ropeway projects in Kangra, Kullu, Chamba, Sirmour and Bilaspur districts of the state.
The MoU was signed between Ropeways and Rapid Transport System Development Corporation (RTDC) HP Limited and National Highways Logistic Management Limited (NHLML) for the development of ropeways as innovative transport solution in Himachal Pradesh.

Notes:
Andhra Pradesh Tourism Ministry re-launched the refurbished ‘Bodhisiri’ cruise boat operated by the state Tourism Development Corporation in Krishna River, at Punnami Ghat.
The boat was originally launched by former Chief Minister the late Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy in 2004, and it was taken off the river in 2019 due to repairs. It is being re-introduced after refurbishing at an estimated price of Rs 30 lakh.

Notes:
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the continuation of the Prime Minister Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) scheme till December 2024.
Through the scheme, affordable collateral-free loans are given to street vendors. The scheme aimed to facilitate loans for an amount of Rs 5,000 crore while the recent approval has increased the loan amount to Rs 8,100 crore.

Notes:
An H3N8 strain of bird flu has been detected in humans for the first time, in China’s Henan province. Avian influenza or bird flu is a highly contagious viral disease with the first reports of human cases in the 1990s.
As per the country’s National Health Commission, the four-year-old boy infected had been in contact with chickens and crows raised at his home. Some strains of the bird flu have been passed to humans in rare conditions. H3N8 viruses circulate in birds and in horses and have also been detected in dogs.

Notes:
Rural Development Minister Giriraj Singh launched ‘Azadi se Antyodaya Tak,’ 90-day inter-ministerial campaign under Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.
The identified districts are aligned with the birthplace of 100 Indian Freedom Fighters. The campaign aims to saturate 75 Districts with 17 beneficiary schemes of 9 central ministries and departments namely MoRD, MoW&CD, MoL&E, MoSD&E, DH&FW, DFS, DSJ&E, DA&FW and DAH&D.

Notes:
The Union Cabinet approved an additional funding of Rs 820 crore for India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) for expansion of its services to all post offices in the country.
Out of the 1.56 lakh post offices, IPPB currently operates from 1.3 lakh post offices. Since the launch, it has opened over 5.25 crore accounts with 82 crore aggregate number of transactions. The Cabinet has approved a future fund infusion worth Rs 500 crore for meeting regulatory requirements and technological upgradation.

Notes:
In the recent study published by Washington State University, the researchers have demonstrated the idea of incorporating old masks into a cement mixture to create stronger, more durable concrete.
As per the paper, the mixture using mask materials was 47% stronger than commonly used cement after a month of curing. Production of cement is a carbon-intensive process, responsible for 8% of carbon emissions worldwide.

Notes:
The National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal under the Home Affairs Ministry has changed the helpline number 155260 to ‘1930’. It can be used for immediate reporting in case of any financial fraud committed via cyber means.
The Cyber Crime Division of Punjab Police has recently developed a multifunctional web-portal, where citizens can immediately report all kinds of cyber frauds. Using this portal one can also download First Information Reports (FIRs) registered in state Cyber Crime Police Stations. Under ‘Cyber Safe’, users can verify UPI, Account No. before making transactions to prevent frauds.