Current Affairs Quiz - April, 2024

Notes:
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.

Notes:
The Indian Naval Sailing Vessel INSV Tarini completed a significant transoceanic journey, led by two female officers, culminating in its return to Goa after nearly two months. During the expedition, the crew engaged with Mauritian officials and collaborated with the Mauritius Coast Guard, bolstering bilateral relations. This achievement underscores the Indian Navy’s commitment to gender equality and women’s empowerment in maritime roles. Next, the crew is gearing up for Sagar Parikrama-IV, a global circumnavigation expedition set for September 2024 aboard INSV Tarini.

Notes:
Papua New Guinea has named Colonel Edison Napyo as its inaugural Defence Advisor to India, signifying deepening cooperation between the two nations. Acting Chief of Defence Force Commodore Philip Polewara led the farewell ceremony for Napyo, who will serve as a liaison between PNG’s government and military in India. Col Napyo, the first to hold this position, aims to facilitate training and diplomatic engagements. Commodore Polewara emphasized representing PNG effectively during Napyo’s deployment.

Notes:
Recently, tragedy struck the English Channel as five individuals, including a child, lost their lives attempting to cross it. This event occurred mere hours after Britain’s passing of a bill aiming to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda, in hopes of deterring such perilous crossings. The English Channel, also known as “the Channel,” is a narrow stretch of the Atlantic Ocean, separating the southern coast of England from the northern coast of France.

Notes:
Nuclear energy holds promise in spurring ‘pink’ hydrogen generation in India through legislative amendments. Pink hydrogen, generated via electrolysis fueled by nuclear power, offers advantages like reduced costs and emissions compared to conventional methods. Nuclear reactors’ high temperatures can also enhance hydrogen production efficiency. Pink hydrogen finds applications in various industries as a clean alternative to fossil fuels. Electrolysis, crucial for carbon-free hydrogen production, involves splitting water using electricity.

Notes:
President Joe Biden has signed a 95 billion military aid package, featuring 61 billion for Ukraine, 26 billion for Israel, and 8 billion for the Indo-Pacific. Notably, the bill includes provisions targeting TikTok, giving parent company ByteDance nine months to sell the app before it’s banned in the US. Months of negotiation, lobbying by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and a split in the House Republican conference preceded the signing, posing challenges for House Speaker Mike Johnson’s leadership due to conservative opposition to increased aid for Ukraine.

Notes:
Drought in Botswana’s Okavango Delta threatens endangered hippos, forcing them to seek water near Maun. The delta, formed by the Okavango River from Angola, lacks an outlet to the sea, draining into the Kalahari Basin. Africa’s third largest alluvial fan, it’s a haven for endangered species like cheetahs and rhinos. Recognized on the World Heritage List in 2014, it’s a vital ecosystem battling the effects of climate change.

Notes:
Palaeontologists from Argentina discovered Chakisaurus nekul, a medium-sized herbivorous dinosaur, in Patagonia’s Pueblo Blanco Natural Reserve. It was named after indigenous languages, “Chaki” means “old guanaco,” and “Nekul” means “fast” or “agile.” Lived approximately 90 million years ago in the Late Cretaceous period, it was a fast runner with a uniquely downward-curving tail. The discovery sheds light on the region’s diverse prehistoric fauna and challenges previous assumptions about dinosaur anatomy.

Notes:
China has launched the first of eight Hangor-class submarines for Pakistan under a defense agreement. Wuchang Shipbuilding Industry Group will construct four, while Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works will build the rest with technology transfer. The submarines boast advanced stealth, equipped with top-tier weapons and sensors to engage threats at stand-off ranges. Pakistan Navy recently inducted two Chinese Type 054 A/P frigates.

Notes:
V Srinivas Prasad, a prominent BJP leader and former Union minister, passed away at 77 due to age-related ailments in Bengaluru. Originally a Congress member, he joined BJP before the 2018 Karnataka Assembly elections. Prasad, a Dalit leader in Old Mysuru, extended support to Congress in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. His political career spanned 50 years, winning 8 of 14 elections. Prasad served as a Union minister and Karnataka’s revenue minister.