Current Affairs Quiz - September, 2024

Notes:
Recently, five people fell unconscious and were hospitalized in Visakhapatnam while shifting acetanilide bags between containers. Acetanilide is a synthetic organic compound with the formula C8H9NO, also known as N-phenylacetamide or acetanil. It is a white, odorless solid related to acetic acid and was first used as a fever-reducing drug in 1886.
Acetanilide was used for pain relief, including headaches and cramps, but has been largely replaced by acetaminophen (paracetamol) due to toxic side effects that affect hemoglobin function. It is still used as an intermediate in producing dyes, rubber, and other chemicals.

Notes:
Himanshi Tokas won a silver medal at the Asian Cadet and Junior Judo Championships. The event took place in Mungyeong, South Korea. Himanshi competed in the women’s 63-kilogram weight category. She is 19 years old and part of the Khelo Bharat program. 12 members from India participated in the competition. The event is concluded at the Mungyeong Gymnasium.

Notes:
The Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry recommended an anti-dumping duty on aluminium foil imported from China. Anti-dumping duty is a tariff imposed on foreign imports priced below fair market value. Dumping occurs when a product is exported at a price lower than in its domestic market. The duty matches the price difference between the import price and market value in the exporting or other similar markets. It aims to protect local businesses from unfair competition by foreign imports. The World Trade Organization (WTO) allows anti-dumping measures to ensure fair competition. Legal action requires evidence of genuine harm to domestic industries.

Notes:
The Union Cabinet approved Kaynes Semicon Pvt Ltd to set up a semiconductor unit in Sanand, Gujarat, under the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM). This is the fifth semiconductor unit approved under ISM. ISM is a specialized division within the Digital India Corporation. It aims to make India a global hub for electronics manufacturing and design by building a strong semiconductor and display ecosystem. ISM has full administrative and financial powers and an advisory board of global semiconductor experts. Launched in 2021, ISM operates under the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) with a budget of ₹76,000 crores. ISM supports semiconductor manufacturing, packaging, and design initiatives.

Notes:
Sea turtles in Guanabara Bay, Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), are showing improvement in health after years of suffering from fibropapillomatosis. Fibropapillomatosis is a serious infectious disease affecting sea turtles globally, causing benign tumors on their bodies. These tumors hinder the turtles’ movement, vision, and feeding, often leading to death. The disease is caused by a herpes virus and is linked to polluted coastal areas, high human density, agricultural runoff, and harmful algae.

Notes:
The central government has designated the international trans-shipment hub at Galathea Bay in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands as a ‘Major Port.’ It is located on Great Nicobar Island and is being developed as an International Container Transshipment Port (ICTP). The project will receive central funding and be developed under a public-private partnership model. Phase 1 is set to begin in 2028 with a handling capacity of 4 million TEUs, growing to 16 million TEUs by 2058. The port’s strategic location near international trade routes and its deep water depth make it significant for capturing transshipment cargo from other ports.

Notes:
The Union Minister for Textiles announced that annual exports of technical textiles are expected to exceed $10 billion by 2030. Technical textiles are materials designed for their functional properties rather than aesthetics. They include industrial, functional, performance, and hi-tech textiles. These textiles offer high physical, mechanical, thermal, and chemical properties for various industrial uses. They are used in sectors like construction, transport, defense, medical, and more, either on their own or as parts of other products. They are made from both natural and synthetic fibers and are categorized into 12 groups based on their applications.

Notes:
A Bengaluru doctor noted an increase in Kawasaki disease among children after COVID-19’s second wave. Kawasaki disease, or Kawasaki syndrome, mainly affects children under 5 years. It causes fever and inflammation of blood vessels, especially the coronary arteries, leading to heart issues. The immune system attacks blood vessels, causing swelling and problems with lymph nodes, skin, and the mouth. Symptoms include fever, rash, swollen hands, red eyes, and swollen lymph glands. First identified by Tomisaku Kawasaki in Japan in 1967. The cause is unknown, but cases often occur in late winter and early spring.

Notes:
Researchers discovered a new species, Curcuma ungmensis, in Nagaland’s Mokokchung district. It belongs to the Curcuma genus, part of the ginger family (Zingiberaceae). Named after Ungma village, where it was found, Curcuma ungmensis is a rhizomatous herb with underground stems. It can be used as an ornamental ground cover plant in gardens after domestication. The plant flowers from August to October, with blooms lasting only a day. It faces threats from road development, construction, and natural disasters. The Curcuma genus has about 40 species in India, primarily found in the northeast, south, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Notes:
Arun Goel, a retired IAS officer and former Election Commissioner of India, has been appointed as India’s Ambassador to Croatia by the Ministry of External Affairs. Following his retirement in March 2024, this new role highlights his continued contribution to public service. His extensive experience in governance and administration will help strengthen diplomatic relations between India and Croatia, marking an important step in his distinguished career.