Current Affairs Quiz - April, 2024

Notes:
A groundbreaking discovery has unveiled a vast ocean hidden beneath the Earth’s crust, located 700 kilometers deep within a rock called ringwoodite. This subterranean reservoir, three times the volume of all surface oceans combined, was detected using a network of 2000 seismographs across the US. Ringwoodite’s unique properties, detailed in a 2014 scientific paper, allow it to absorb and trap water, supporting the theory of Earth’s internal water origin and reshaping our understanding of the planet’s water cycle.

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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.

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India gains approval from the Ministry of External Affairs to manage its second overseas port, Sittwe in Myanmar, following Chabahar in Iran. Sittwe, situated at the Kaladan River’s mouth in Rakhine State, Myanmar, is developed under the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project (KMTTP), supported by India’s grant aid. This strategic move is poised to amplify trade prospects for India’s Northeast, fostering enhanced commerce between India and Myanmar.

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The Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) has recommended a five-year anti-dumping duty on sodium cyanide (NaCN) imported from China, the EU, Japan, and Korea. The investigation, conducted under the Customs Tariff Act and Rules, cited suppressed prices, production declines, and financial losses for domestic industry. Economic non-viability has led to production suspension despite capacity expansion. Sodium cyanide, used in various applications including insecticides and metal extraction, appears as a white crystalline solid with the chemical formula NaCN.

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South Africa has decided to end captive lion breeding due to concerns over trophy hunting and the use of lion bones in traditional Chinese medicine. In April 2024, Environment Minister Barbara Creecy announced that the country will stop breeding lions for a variety of reasons, including trophy hunting and the use of bones as substitute for tigers in traditional Chinese medicine. The South African government had already announced its intention to ban the breeding of lions for hunting in 2021.

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India is contributing to the ‘Early Warnings for All’ initiative by the United Nations, aiming to establish life-saving early warning systems for hazardous weather, water, or climate events globally by 2027. Collaborating with Nepal, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Mauritius, India is aiding in setting up early warning weather systems. These efforts enhance disaster preparedness and response capabilities by providing timely alerts and forecasts for natural disasters like cyclones, floods, and storms.

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Simon Harris, 37, became the youngest Prime Minister (Taoiseach) of Ireland on April 9, 2024, succeeding Leo Varadkar. The Prime Minister is elected by members of the Dáil, the lower house of Ireland’s bicameral parliament, the Oireachtas. The Dáil comprises 158 directly elected members. Ireland operates as a parliamentary democracy with the President as Head of State, but executive power rests with the Prime Minister.

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Researchers at IIT Jodhpur created a nanosensor for rapid Cytokine detection, crucial in cell regulation. It aims to reduce mortality by addressing delayed diagnoses. This technology promises rapid, point-of-care health monitoring, disease diagnosis, and immune response tracking. Prof. Ajay Agarwal stated the technique shows promise for key biomarkers like IL-6, IL-β, and TNF-α. Currently in development, clinical trials are imminent. This innovation could revolutionize healthcare diagnostics and patient management.

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The commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard’s navy warned of Tehran’s potential to close the Strait of Hormuz if Israel’s presence in the United Arab Emirates is perceived as a threat. The Strait of Hormuz, nestled between the Gulf of Oman, Iran, and the Persian Gulf, is a vital maritime pathway for global oil trade, accommodating a substantial portion of the world’s oil supply from the Middle East. Shared by Oman and Iran, its strategic significance extends to international trade and global security due to geopolitical sensitivities. Its narrow confines underscore its pivotal role in shaping regional and global economic dynamics.

Notes:
Canara Bank and Society for Innovation & Entrepreneurship (SINE), IIT Bombay, formalized collaboration via a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This collaboration aims to bolster the startup sector by offering financial aid and support. Canara Bank’s Canara Start-Up Scheme will provide funding for industrial units, while SINE, a renowned technology incubator, will offer full incubation and acceleration services to tech startups. Together, they seek to foster the growth and success of businesses in India.