Current Affairs Quiz - April, 2023

Notes:
Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Parshottam Rupala has launched the Animal Pandemic Preparedness Initiative under the National One Health Mission.
He also launched the World Bank-funded Animal Health System Support for One Health to enhance India’s preparedness and response to potential animal pandemics, in line with the One Health approach.

Notes:
The Arcturus variant, also known as XBB.1.16, is a type of Omicron variant that is spreading in India. It is believed to be responsible for the surge in COVID-19 cases in India.
The surge is being monitored by the WHO as it has shown high infectivity and increased pathogenicity.

Notes:
The Buzi Bridge was inaugurated by Union External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar. The Minister also had a meeting with President of Assembly Esperança Bias.
It was built as part of 132 km Tica-Buzi-Nova-Sofala Road project by India in Mozambique.

Notes:
A team of scientists led by the Indian Institute of Spices Research (IISR), Kozhikode, have discovered a new species of insect pathogenic fungus.
The fungus, isolated from leafhopper pest of Malabar tamarind, has been named Metarhizium indicum to indicate its Indian origin. It is said to have a potential biocontrol application.

Notes:
Union Minister of State for Tourism Shripad Naik inaugurated a Millets Food Festival of the member countries of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Mumbai.
It includes a variety of cuisines made of different millets prepared by chefs from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan Uzbekistan, Russia and India.

Notes:
The Epstein–Barr virus is one of the nine known human herpesvirus types in the herpes family. A new study has found that this virus, which primarily spreads via saliva, can evolve into cancer.
Researchers at the University of California San Diego have discovered how the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) can exploit genomic weaknesses to trigger cancer, while also decreasing the body’s ability to suppress it.

Notes:
The Saurashtra Tamil Sangamam is an initiative under the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat program which aims to preserve and promote the rich culture & heritage of Saurashtra and Tamilnadu. The Sangamam will be organized In Gujarat from 17-30 April, 2023.
This event is scheduled at multiple locations in Gujarat such as Somnath, Dwarka and the Statue of Unity at Kevadia and feature an exhibition of Tamil Nadu and Gujarat’s art, culture, cuisine, handlooms, handicrafts etc.

Notes:
The Government of Maharashtra has conferred Maharashtra Bhushan Award 2023 to Dr. Appasaheb Dharmadhikari. The award was conferred by the Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
It is the highest civilian award conferred every year by the state government of Maharashtra. The award was first conferred in 1996.

Notes:
The India Steel 2023 is a conference and International Exhibition on the steel industry, held at Mumbai from April 19 to 21. The conference is jointly organized by the Union Ministry of Steel, Commerce Department and the FICCI.
The event provides an integrated platform for discussing prospects of the steel industry, facilitate the growth and connect new technologies & innovative products.

Notes:
The State of World Population report titled ‘8 Billion Lives, Infinite Possibilities’ was released recently by the United Nations Population Fund.
According to this report released by UNFPA, India is now the most populous country in the world, as it has surpassed China’s population numbers.