Current Affairs Quiz - April, 2024

Notes:
The IMF raised India’s GDP growth projection for FY 2024-25 to 6.8%, up 30 basis points from its previous forecast. India’s growth is anticipated to stay strong due to robust domestic demand and a growing working-age population. Globally, growth is projected to continue at 3.2% for FY 2024-25 and FY 2025-26. India retains its status as the world’s fastest-growing economy, outpacing China’s growth projection of 4.6% in the same period.

Notes:
Astronomers have identified Gaia-BH3, the most massive known stellar black hole in the Milky Way. Discovered through data from the Gaia mission, it causes an unusual ‘wobbling’ of its companion star. Confirmed by ground-based observatories, it boasts a mass 33 times that of our sun, located 1,926 light-years away in Aquila. Gaia-BH1, another nearby black hole, has nearly 10 solar masses. Sagittarius A* remains the galaxy’s most massive black hole.

Notes:
Scientists recently discovered that Leaf Litter Frogs emit ultrasonic sounds as a defense against predators. These high-frequency screams, inaudible to humans, are a survival strategy for the most abundant frog species in forest communities. Found in Brazilian Atlantic rainforest, they inhabit leaf litter and low vegetation. Females are the largest at 64mm. Despite their unique adaptation, they are categorized as “Least Concern” by the IUCN. Ultrasonic waves exceed human hearing frequencies.

Notes:
Scientists recently found 160 marine species in the Salas y Gomez ridge, an oceanic ridge in the Southeastern Pacific. This region, isolated by the Atacama Trench and the Humboldt Current System, boasts high marine endemism. Most waters are beyond national jurisdiction, leaving 73% of the area unprotected. The discovery, including at least 50 new species, was made during an expedition to Rapa Nui (Easter Island), fueling consideration for high seas marine protection.

Notes:
Archaeologists uncovered a unique Iron Age megalithic site at Ooragutta near Bandala village in SS Tadvai mandal, Mulugu district, Telangana. The Iron Age, spanning from 1200 B.C. to 600 B.C., marked a pivotal shift in human history with the advent of iron tools. This period witnessed significant advancements in agriculture, notably with the introduction of iron plows, enhancing farming efficiency. Ironwork originated in Turkey before spreading across Europe, revolutionizing metalworking practices.

Notes:
The Ministry of Finance has issued new Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) regulations for the space sector. The ‘Foreign Exchange Management (Non-debt Instruments) (Third Amendment) Rules, 2024’ modify the Foreign Exchange Management (Non-debt Instruments) Rules, 2019. These rules operate under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), 1999. The amended FDI policy allows 100% FDI through both automatic and government routes, aligning with the Indian Space Policy 2023, replacing the previous approval route for satellite establishment and operation.

Notes:
NOAA’s Coral Reef Watch (CRW) and the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) confirmed the fourth global mass coral bleaching event (2023-2024). Coinciding with unprecedented ocean heat, 53 countries experienced bleaching across five ocean basins. The Indian Ocean, including Tanzania and Indonesia, was significantly affected. It’s the second such event in a decade, with previous occurrences in 1998, 2010, and 2014-2017. Climate models predict annual bleaching by 2040-2050. CRW declares global bleaching only after confirming bleaching across all ocean basins.

Notes:
India delivered BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to the Philippines under a $375 million deal signed in 2022. BrahMos Aerospace, a joint venture of India’s DRDO, signed the contract with the Philippines in January 2022 for the supply of Shore Based Anti-Ship Missile System. India’s arms sales this year totaled Rs 21,000 crore, according to Prime Minister of India.

Notes:
The World Health Organization (WHO) introduces the term ‘Infectious Respiratory Particles’ (IRPs) to describe pathogens transmitted through the air, addressing a lack of common terminology during the COVID-19 pandemic. IRPs encompass particles expelled through breathing, talking, coughing, or sneezing. They exist across a spectrum of sizes, with two descriptors: Airborne transmission (inhalation) and Direct deposition (exposure to expelled particles). This clarifies communication and aids efforts to combat pathogen transmission.

Notes:
On April 20, 2024, North Korea announced testing of Pyoljji-1-2 anti-aircraft and Hwasal-1 Ra-3 super large strategic cruise missiles in the West Sea of Korea. Conducted a day earlier, this test escalated tensions with South Korea and the USA. The Hwasal-1 Ra-3, capable of carrying nuclear warheads, underwent a power test. This follows a February 2024 test, and adds to recent missile tests, including a solid-fuel hypersonic missile, heightening regional tensions.