Current Affairs Quiz - April, 2024

Notes:
Mexico ended diplomatic ties with Ecuador after Ecuadorian police raided the Mexican embassy in Quito on April 5, 2024, seeking to arrest former VP Jorge Glas, granted asylum by Mexico. President Lopez Obrador denounced the breach of Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations 1961, asserting sovereignty violation. Brazil and UN Secretary-General Guterres criticized Ecuador’s actions. The Convention, established in 1961, governs diplomatic norms including the establishment of embassies in receiving states.

Notes:
Zimbabwe’s ZiG, a new gold-backed currency, saw a 0.2% strengthening to 13.53 per US dollar following its debut. Despite this, its introduction caused nationwide disruption as banks, retailers, and utilities struggled to adapt. Governor John Mushayavanhu announced an exchange rate of 13.56 per dollar during the unveiling last Friday. The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe’s website published this data, highlighting the country’s ongoing efforts to establish a stable local currency.

Notes:
Neptis philyra, a rare butterfly species known as the long-streak sailor, was recently discovered in India’s Tale Valley Wildlife Sanctuary. Previously found in east Asia, it boasts serrated wings with rich brownish-black on top and yellow-brown underneath, featuring a distinctive “hockey stick” pattern on the forewing. Part of the Nymphalidae family, it thrives in habitats like evergreen forests and rocky streams, marking a significant addition to India’s biodiversity.

Notes:
Israel deployed its ship-mounted defense system, C-Dome, for the first time. C-Dome, a naval adaptation of the Iron Dome, protects against rocket and missile threats. Utilizing radar detection and interceptors, it boasts high effectiveness. Mounted on Sa’ar 6-class corvettes, it integrates with ship radar for enhanced target detection. Operational since November 2022, C-Dome ensures comprehensive maritime defense against modern threats, showcasing Israel’s advanced military technology.

Notes:
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) initiated an awareness campaign in Delhi’s major markets like Khan Market and INA Market in April, 2024, in collaboration with the Food Safety Department. The campaign focused on detecting and mitigating pesticide residue and contaminants in food products, utilizing FSSAI’s “Food Safety on Wheel” mobile lab. Traders were educated on pesticide hazards, the necessity of testing, and adherence to safety standards, emphasizing collective responsibility for food safety.

Notes:
The Global Society for the Preservation of Baobabs and Mangroves (GSPBM) launches a pioneering effort to revive Madagascar’s iconic baobab trees. These long-lived giants, also known as the “upside-down tree,” are crucial for biodiversity. With nine species worldwide, they store water in their massive trunks, supporting life in arid landscapes. Found mainly in Africa and Madagascar, baobabs symbolize resilience, earning them the title “Tree of Life” for their ecological significance.

Notes:
GUJCOST becomes ISRO’s nodal center for the Space Science and Technology Awareness Training (START) Program. Geared towards postgraduate and final-year undergraduates in physical sciences and technology, START provides introductory online training covering various space science domains like Astronomy, Astrophysics, Heliophysics, Sun-Earth interaction, Instrumentation, and Aeronomy. Conducted by experts from Indian academia and ISRO centers, it aims to cultivate knowledge in space sciences among students.

Notes:
The forest department is monitoring an outbreak of mange among Asiatic wild dogs in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve. Mange, caused by mite infestations, leads to inflammation, itching, skin thickening, and hair loss. The severe form, caused by Sarcoptes scabiei mites, also affects humans. All domestic animals can get mange, with specific mites infesting only one species. Transmission occurs through direct contact and contaminated objects. Most forms of mange are treatable.

Notes:
International Day for Human Space Flight (IDHSF) is celebrated annually on April 12, honoring Yuri Gagarin, the first human in space in 1961. The UNGA declared it in 2011 to advocate for peaceful space exploration. In 2024, the theme is “Encouraging Scientific Curiosity” to foster outer space exploration’s peaceful advancement. Gagarin’s historic flight paved the way for humanity’s space ventures, promoting benefits for all.

Notes:
NASA’s PACE satellite, launched into Sun-synchronous orbit, now shares high-quality Earth observation data publicly. Equipped with the Ocean Colour Instrument (OCI), alongside polarimeters SPEXone and HARP2, it enhances aerosol, cloud, and ocean research. OCI’s broad spectral range aids in phytoplankton identification. This data facilitates studies on oceanic life, air particles, fisheries health, algal blooms, pollution, and climate change impacts on the atmosphere and oceans, advancing scientific understanding.