Current Affairs Quiz - April, 2024

Notes:
The United Kingdom has passed the Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill, permitting the deportation of some asylum-seekers to Rwanda to deter illegal entry via small boats. Proposed by former Prime Minister Boris Johnson in 2022, the bill follows a treaty enhancing migrant protections. Flights deporting migrants for processing in Rwanda are set to commence in 10 to 12 weeks, marking a significant step in UK immigration policy.

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The Embassy of Israel in India has partnered with the ‘Million Miyawaki’ project, which focuses on enhancing air quality in Indian cities by mass afforestation of urban areas. The initiative is based on the Miyawaki Method, developed by Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki, which promotes rapid growth and replication of natural biodiversity in limited spaces. Although lacking some qualities of natural forests, like medicinal properties and rain generation, Miyawaki forests aid in mitigating ecological impacts of activities like mining and create carbon sinks.

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NASA’s Voyager 1 probe, launched in 1977, is transmitting vital data after a period of malfunction, the agency announced. The spacecraft’s mission aims to explore the outer Solar System and beyond, conducting flybys of Jupiter and Saturn, discovering new moons and rings. It became the first human-made object to exit the Solar System in 2012, carrying a golden record depicting life on Earth. Voyager 1 is expected to remain operational until at least 2025, currently 13.8 billion miles away from the sun.

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On Earth Day, the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) revealed its Climate Strategy 2030, targeting India’s green financing requirements. Key pillars include accelerating green lending, broadening market-making roles, internal transformation, and resource mobilization. India needs approximately 170 billion annually to achieve a cumulative total of over 2.5 trillion by 2030, yet only received $49 billion in green financing as of 2019-20. Most funds focused on mitigation, with minimal allocation to adaptation and resilience, hindered by limited private sector engagement.

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The 6th International Conference on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure held in New Delhi, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Emphasizing the importance of investing in resilient infrastructure for a better future, Modi underscored that disasters’ impact goes beyond monetary losses, affecting individuals and communities. He advocated for integrating resilience into new projects and post-disaster reconstruction, stressing the global need for collective resilience across borders.

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India-Republic of Korea Consultations on Disarmament and Non-Proliferation occurred in Seoul on April 26, 2024. Discussions encompassed nuclear, chemical, and biological disarmament, regional non-proliferation issues, outer space security, conventional weapons (including AI), and multilateral export controls. Ms. Muanpuii Saiawi led the Indian delegation, representing the Ministry of External Affairs, while Mr. Youn Jong Kwon led the RoK delegation, representing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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NABARD and the RBI Innovation Hub have joined hands to modernize agricultural lending through digitalization, aiming to streamline loan processing and improve accessibility for Indian farmers. NABARD will integrate its e-KCC loan origination system portal with the RBI Innovation Hub’s Public Tech Platform for Frictionless Credit (PTPFC), promising faster loan approvals and enhanced efficiency for cooperative banks and Regional Rural Banks (RRBs). This collaboration aligns with NABARD’s goal of promoting rural prosperity and advancing financial inclusion in rural areas, as emphasized by Chairman Shaji K V.

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Regular use of fairness creams has been linked to nephrotic syndrome by Kerala researchers. Nephrotic syndrome is a kidney disorder causing excessive protein in urine due to glomeruli inflammation. Healthy kidneys filter waste but inflamed glomeruli leak protein into urine. It’s not a specific kidney disease but can result from various conditions damaging kidney filters. Diseases like nephritis, diabetes, and lupus can trigger nephrotic syndrome, impacting both kidneys and other body parts.

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In 2023, Indian service sector exports surged by 11.4% to 345 billion, while Chinese service exports fell by 10.1% to 381 billion, as per a UNCTAD report. India’s service imports slightly decreased by 0.4% to $248 billion. India ranks 7th globally in service exports, with the US leading. Additionally, India stood as the 9th largest service-importing country. The US and China hold top positions as service importers, according to UNCTAD.

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Nasscom’s recent release, the Patenting Trends in India report, coincided with World Intellectual Property Day. Celebrated annually on April 26, the day aims to highlight the importance of Intellectual Property (IP) rights in fostering innovation and creativity. Established in 2000 by WIPO, this year’s theme is ‘IP and the SDGs: Building Our Common Future with Innovation and Creativity’. The report revealed India’s significant patenting growth, with 83,000 patents filed in FY2023, a 24.6% increase, marking the highest growth rate in two decades.