Current Affairs Quiz - April, 2024

Notes:
An International Humanitarian Conference convened in Paris on April 15, 2024, aimed to aid Sudan amidst conflict between its army and rebel paramilitary groups. Organized by France, Germany, and the EU, in response to a UN appeal, it drew representatives from 58 states, regional organizations like the African Union, and NGOs. The event sought funds to assist Sudan and neighboring nations. Notable attendees included UN agencies, the World Bank, IMF, and Arab Development Bank.

Notes:
Ahmad Abdullah al-Ahmad al-Sabah is appointed as Kuwait’s new Prime Minister by the Emir, succeeding Sheikh Mohammed Sabah al-Salem al-Sabah. This follows the election of Kuwait’s fourth parliament since December 2020. With a background in finance and government, Sheikh Ahmad held various key positions including Minister of Finance and Chairman of Burgan Bank. Kuwait’s political system prohibits parties but allows a relatively open environment, with the Emir holding ultimate authority.

Notes:
Mykolas Alekna of Lithuania recently broke the men’s discus throw world record at the Oklahoma Throws Series in Ramona, USA, on April 14, 2024, with a throw of 74.35 meters. He surpassed Jurgen Schult’s 38-year-old record of 74.08 meters. Cuban Yaime Perez also impressed with a 73.09-meter throw, maintaining the women’s record since 1989. Alekna’s record-breaking throw came on his fifth attempt, securing his place in athletics history.

Notes:
ISRO Chairman S Somanath declared India’s ambition for a debris-free space by 2030 at the 42nd IADC annual meeting. He emphasized ISRO’s clear strategy for future space endeavors and its commitment to sustainable space exploration. Somanath, also the Secretary of the Department of Space, highlighted the importance of debris-free missions for space sustainability. This initiative aims to spark discussions and actions toward achieving a cleaner space environment.

Notes:
Israel’s successful interception of Iranian drones and missiles is dubbed “Operation Iron Shield.” Its defense includes Arrow-2, Arrow-3, David’s Sling, and Iron Dome systems. Arrow-2 and Arrow-3 target medium to long-range missiles, while David’s Sling focuses on short to medium and medium to long-range ones. Iron Dome, the world’s first missile defense system, handles short-range rockets and UAVs, adeptly managing multiple threats simultaneously.

Notes:
Recently discovered in the Laccadive Sea near India’s southwest coast, three new fish species—Jansen’s, checkerboard, and moon—are capable of using tools. They utilize live or dead coral structures as anvils to crack open sea urchin shells for food, showcasing specialized behaviors. This behavior challenges the perception of fish intelligence. The Laccadive Sea, also known as the Lakshadweep Sea, borders India, Maldives, and Sri Lanka, encompassing 303,476 square miles within the Indian Ocean.

Notes:
Tiranga Barfi of Varanasi linked with India’s independence, attained Geographical Indication (GI) status. Dhalua Murti Metal Casting Craft from Varanasi also received GI recognition. The GI Registry Office in Chennai listed 75 new products from Uttar Pradesh, including these. Varanasi now boasts 34 GI products, contributing to Uttar Pradesh’s total of 75. Other items like Bareilly Zardozi and Tharu Embroidery also gained GI registration, bringing the state’s total to 75, a record.

Notes:
IIT Madras launched India’s first mobile medical device calibration facility to enhance healthcare accessibility. Developed under the Anaivarukkum IITM initiative, it addresses the critical need for accurate calibration of medical instruments for precise diagnosis and treatment. This initiative aligns with UN SDG 3, aiming for universal healthcare. Prof. Kamakoti emphasized its cost-effectiveness and scalability, ensuring quality healthcare even in remote areas.

Notes:
Hindustan Zinc Limited, a subsidiary of the Vedanta Group, has become the world’s third-largest silver producer, according to the 2024 World Silver Survey by The Silver Institute. The company’s Sindesar Khurd Mine in Rajasthan is the world’s second-largest silver-producing mine. In 2023, Hindustan Zinc produced 45.9 million ounces of silver, an 8% increase from the previous year.

Notes:
The Higher School of Economics in Russia and the University of Delhi signed a strategic cooperation agreement, establishing a joint research hub. New Delhi hosted the Indo-Russian Education Summit, a landmark event in bilateral relations, with 60 Russian universities participating from various regions. The summit aims to enhance educational ties and foster collaboration between India and Russia, marking a significant milestone in their partnership.