Current Affairs Quiz - March, 2024

Notes:
As of March 2024, water is disappearing from Cuatro Cienegas, Mexico’s vital desert oasis, due to agricultural activities. The oasis is the Chihuahuan Desert’s most important wetland, and scientists say it can help them understand climate change, the origin of the Earth, and the chances of life on Mars. However, water is being used for alfalfa crops and other agricultural activities, causing the oasis to dry up. As a result, communities have to bring in water by truck when there is gasoline, which is a costly expense.

Notes:
Kerala’s decision to opt for an alternative approach to smart electricity meters undermines government’s Rs 3 lakh crore smart meters project. Smart meters record electricity usage and voltage levels, aiming to enhance billing and collection efficiencies for distribution companies. The Smart Meter National Programme (SMNP) seeks to replace 25 crore conventional meters with smart ones across India. Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), a joint venture under the Ministry of Power, leads the implementation.

Notes:
Swisspod Technologies, a Swiss hyperloop company, has inked an MoU with TuTr Hyperloop, an IIT Madras spin-off, to pioneer hyperloop systems in India. Hyperloop, proposed by Elon Musk in 2013, offers ultra-high-speed ground-level transport powered by solar energy. It’s the 5th mode of transport, employing maglev technology for levitated travel in low-pressure tubes. This collaboration aims to revolutionize transportation in India with airplane-like speeds for both cargo and passengers.

Notes:
The Moyar Valley, also known as Maayar Valley, hosts the critically endangered Gyps Vulture. Located within the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, stretching from Gudalur through Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, it harbors vital species like tigers and elephants. This region boasts the largest nesting colony of Gyps vultures in peninsular India. Biomes, classified by resident species, define this area, making it a crucial habitat for endangered wildlife.

Notes:
The Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, collapsed when a container ship, manned entirely by Indian crew members, collided with its tower. Opened in 1977, the bridge spans the Patapsco River and Baltimore Harbor, honoring Francis Scott Key, author of the US national anthem. A continuous truss bridge, it ranks as the third longest of its kind globally.

Notes:
In Delhi, the Barakhamba Cemetery, now Ghalib Park, has vanished, leaving only a few worn graves. Across India, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) plans to remove 18 monuments from its list of protected sites due to lack of “national importance”. Nine are in Uttar Pradesh, two each in Delhi, Rajasthan, and Haryana. The list also encompasses Arunachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. This marks ASI’s first delisting effort in decades.

Notes:
World Theatre Day is celebrated annually on March 27, initiated by the International Theatre Institute (ITI) in 1961. Each year, a prominent theatre figure delivers a message. Jean Cocteau gave the inaugural speech in 1962. ITI boasts over 85 global centers. Theatre encompasses various roles including writers, directors, actors, sound producers, costume and set designers, and show callers, all crucial in bringing a performance to life beyond acting and narration.

Notes:
The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) released a Global Trade Update report noting a 14% increase in India’s services exports in 2023, while goods exports fell by 6%. It anticipates a global trade rebound in 2024. However, logistical challenges like shipping disruptions in the Red Sea and Black Sea may escalate costs and disrupt supply chains. Established in 1964, UNCTAD serves as the primary authority of the UN General Assembly in trade and development matters.

Notes:
Thailand issues warning following an anthrax outbreak in Laos. Anthrax is a severe infectious disease caused by Bacillus anthracis bacteria, also known as malignant pustule or woolsorter’s disease. It’s naturally found in soil and affects both domestic and wild animals globally. Anthrax is zoonotic, transferring from animals to humans. The FDA has approved BioThrax and Cyfendus vaccines for prevention.

Notes:
CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, launches the White Rabbit Collaboration (WRC) to promote White Rabbit technology adoption in Industry. WRC provides specialized support, training, and facilitates R&D projects. White Rabbit (WR) technology, developed at CERN, offers sub-nanosecond accuracy and picosecond precision synchronization for the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) accelerator chain. LHC, the world’s largest and most powerful particle accelerator, was first utilized in 2012 and incorporated into the Precision Time Protocol (PTP) global industry standard in 2020.