Current Affairs Quiz - April, 2024

Notes:
The 2024 WHO Global Hepatitis Report highlights India’s high prevalence, with 2.9 crore cases of hepatitis B and 0.55 crore cases of hepatitis C. Released during the World Hepatitis Summit, WHO aims to eliminate hepatitis by 2030. The report underscores the importance of awareness, vaccination, and healthcare. In 2022, India saw 50,000 new hepatitis B cases, 1.4 lakh hepatitis C cases, and 1.23 lakh deaths. Diagnosis and treatment rates remain low, emphasizing the need for urgent action.

Notes:
Dr. Ashvini Keshavan, an Indian-origin neurologist and Senior Clinical Research and Honorary Consultant Neurologist Fellow at University College London (UCL), has been selected to be part of Britain’s research team on dementia. The team, called ADAPT (Alzheimer’s disease Diagnosis And Plasma pTau217), will focus on the biomarker p-tau217, which reflects the levels of two proteins found in the brain that are associated with Alzheimer’s disease: amyloid and tau. The team will conduct a clinical trial to see if measuring p-tau217 in the blood can increase the rate of diagnosis for Alzheimer’s disease in people with early dementia, as well as in those with mild, progressive memory problems.

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:
India’s Jagjit Pavadia secures re-election to the INCB for the 2025-2030 term. The International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) is an autonomous body overseeing UN drug control treaties’ implementation. Established in 1968 under the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, it consists of 13 members elected by the UN Economic and Social Council every five years. The INCB’s mandate encompasses the enforcement of various drug control conventions, ensuring global compliance.

Notes:
Former Revenue Secretary Tarun Bajaj, now head of the US-India Tax Forum, brings extensive finance and taxation expertise to the US-India Strategic and Partnership Forum (USISPF). Appointed after serving as an advisor, Bajaj’s leadership aims to strengthen economic ties between the US and India.

Notes:
HDFC Bank makes history as the first private bank to establish a branch in India’s Lakshadweep, specifically at Kavaratti Island. Previously, only government banks operated in the region. The move aims to enhance banking infrastructure and provide personalized and digital services, with a focus on personal and digital banking. Notably, HDFC plans to introduce unique QR-based transactions for retailers, potentially revolutionizing banking in the island territory.

Notes:
The 2024 Asian Wrestling Championship took place in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, where India’s Udit clinched silver in men’s freestyle 57 kg, while Abhimanyu secured silver in 70 kg. Abhimanyu and Vicky also won bronze medals in their respective categories. Five Indian wrestlers competed, with Udit’s standout performance reaching the final. Despite defeating opponents from Iran, Kyrgyzstan, and North Korea, Udit settled for silver after a close final against Japan’s Kento Yumiya, marking India’s first absence from gold since 2019.

Notes:
Japan and the USA recently issued a joint statement opposing China’s unilateral attempts to change the status quo of the Senkaku Islands. The Senkaku Islands are located in the East China Sea. These islands, also known as Diaoyu in Chinese, are a point of contention between Japan and China. Situated approximately 410 km west of Okinawa Island, the largest island among them is Uotsuri Island.

Notes:
In a milestone for India, the Eurasian otter was recently radio-tagged in Satpura Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh. This marks the first instance of such tagging in the country. India is also home to two other otter species: the Smooth-coated otter and the Asian small-clawed otter. The Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra) is classified as near threatened by the IUCN, with protected status under India’s Wildlife Protection Act and CITES Appendix I. It boasts brown fur, webbed feet, and unique adaptations for its aquatic lifestyle.

Notes:
India will deploy defense attaches in Ethiopia, Mozambique, Ivory Coast, Philippines, Armenia, and Poland to bolster strategic ties. This initiative aligns with India’s goal to expand global partnerships amid rising geopolitical tensions. Notably, India aims to strengthen defense relations with the Philippines to counter China’s assertiveness in the South China Sea. Recent deals include a USD 375 million agreement for BrahMos missiles. High-level discussions emphasize mutual security and development goals.