Current Affairs Quiz - April, 2024

Notes:
British physicist Peter Higgs, renowned for discovering the ‘Higgs-Boson Particle’ or ‘God Particle’, passed away at 94. Awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2013, his work elucidated the universe’s post-Big Bang creation. Higgs, a long-time professor at Edinburgh University, contributed significantly to understanding bosons’ role in universal cohesion. His death on April 8, 2024, marked the end of an era in physics. The confirmation of the God particle came in 2012, revolutionizing scientific understanding.

Notes:
Neeraj A Sharma, Honorary Consul General of Palau in India, received the prestigious “Medal of Honour” from HCCD-India during Consular Day at ITC Grand Chola, Chennai. The event, hosted by HCCD-India, celebrated Honorary Consuls’ vital role in global relations. KL Ganju and Mohan Suresh graced the ceremony. Established in 1995, HCCD-India promotes understanding among Honorary Consuls. Tamil Nadu Governor R. N. Ravi presented the award, highlighting Honorary Consuls’ contribution to India’s global image.

Notes:
NTPC Limited, India’s largest power company, launches the latest edition of Girl Empowerment Mission (GEM), aligned with the Government’s Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao initiative. GEM offers a 1-month workshop nurturing girls’ imaginations and fostering opportunities. From April 2024, 3,000 underprivileged children join at 42 locations, totaling 10,000 beneficiaries. Started in 2018 with 392 participants, GEM expanded nationwide, benefitting 7,424 girls till date, despite COVID-19 challenges. 2,707 girls participated in 2023 alone.

Notes:
Germany proposed stricter limits on importing hunted trophies (animals are hunted and their remains are kept as trophies). In response, Botswana’s President threatened to send 20,000 elephants due to overpopulation. Botswana boasts the world’s largest elephant population due to stable governance, low human density, and rigorous conservation measures. Elephants sought refuge in Botswana after poaching crises in neighboring Namibia and Angola, avoiding crossing the Choba River.

Notes:
Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane oversaw the inaugural steel cutting of the Fleet Support Ships (FSS) for the Indian Navy at Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), Visakhapatnam. The FSS, with a 44,000-ton displacement, will play a vital role in replenishing naval fleets with fuel, water, ammunition, and stores, bolstering operational capabilities. Aramane also initiated the augmentation of slipway and infrastructure modernization at HSL, aiming to enhance its capacity and capability for future defense projects like the Landing Platform Dock, supporting ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative.

Notes:
The 5th edition of the ‘Dustlik’ joint military exercise between India and Uzbekistan begins on April 15 in Termez, Uzbekistan. Running for 14 days until April 28, it aims to enhance cooperation and future military ties between the two nations. Through training programmes, the exercise fosters mutual understanding and strengthens their relationship by sharing operational methodologies. This collaborative effort will significantly boost defence cooperation and deepen bilateral military engagement.

Notes:
Doxxing incidents are rising globally, defined as the unauthorized release of personal information online, including names, addresses, and phone numbers. Often used for harassment or intimidation, it can result in serious consequences like physical harm or job loss. Doxxing, derived from “dropping dox,” typically involves obtaining data illegally through hacking. This trend highlights the dangers of online privacy breaches and the need for stronger safeguards.

Notes:
Three-time World Champion Rashmi Kumari secured her 12th national women’s singles title at the 51st National Carrom Championship, defeating K Nagajothi 25-8, 14-20, 25-20. Rashmi, employed at ONGC, triumphed in the women’s final. In the men’s category, K Srinivas clinched his fourth national singles title by defeating S Aditya 25-0, 19-6, showcasing exceptional skills with seven white slams.

Notes:
World Hemophilia Day, observed annually on April 17, raises awareness about hemophilia and bleeding disorders. It highlights the rare blood disorder’s impact on clotting and prolonged bleeding due to clotting factor deficiency. The 2024 theme, “Equitable access for all: recognizing all bleeding disorders,” underscores universal treatment access regardless of condition, gender, age, or location, aiming for inclusive care for individuals with inherited bleeding disorders and honoring community volunteers.

Notes:
A Gray Slender Loris was rescued in North Goa by forest officials. The gray slender loris (Loris lydekkerianus) is native to southern India and central, north-central, and east-central Sri Lanka. It lives in subtropical and tropical dry forests, and subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests. It’s also commonly found in the tropical scrub and deciduous forests, and dense hedgerow plantations bordering farmlands. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species classifies the gray slender loris as Least Concern. The gray slender Loris is a small primate that’s part of the oldest and most primitive group of primates, called prosimians.