Current Affairs Quiz - April, 2023

Notes:
The Arcturus variant, also known as XBB.1.16, is a type of Omicron variant that is spreading in India. It is believed to be responsible for the surge in COVID-19 cases in India.
The surge is being monitored by the WHO as it has shown high infectivity and increased pathogenicity.

Notes:
The Cabinet Committee on Security recently approved the sanctioning of seven battalions of Indo-Tibetan Border Police and the one sector headquarters in Arunachal Pradesh.
This is seen as a major push by the Indian Government to counter Chinese manoeuvres in the region.

Notes:
The Indian Army observes the 13th of April every year as Siachen Day to commemorate the anniversary of Operation Meghdoot. It was launched by the Indian Army on April 13, 1984 to secure the Siachen Glacier which is of strategic importance.
This year marks the 39th Siachen Day in which the Commander of Siachen Brigade laid a wreath on behalf of the General Officer Commanding (GOC) and paid respect to war heroes at the Siachen War Memorial, Base Camp.

Notes:
Villa of Quintilii is an ancient Roman villa situated beyond the fifth milestone along the Via Appia Antica, close to the boundaries of Rome, Italy.
A new study provided details about a lavish winery where the Roman elite gathered annually in Villa of Quintilii.

Notes:
The State of World Population report titled ‘8 Billion Lives, Infinite Possibilities’ was released recently by the United Nations Population Fund.
According to this report released by UNFPA, India is now the most populous country in the world, as it has surpassed China’s population numbers.

Notes:
Scientists from the Houston Methodist Academic Institute have recently developed a tiny nanofluidic device named Nanofluidic Drug-Eluting Seed (NDES) that delivers cancer drugs directly to pancreatic tumors.
The Nanofluidic drug-eluting seed (NDES) delivers low-dose immunotherapy via CD40 monoclonal antibodies (mAb) — which encourage the immune system to fight tumor cells — directly to pancreatic tumors to treat the aggressive form of pancreatic cancer.

Notes:
Type 2 diabetes is a chronic health condition that impacts the way the body processes blood sugar (glucose).
According to a new research, individuals infected with COVID-19 were significantly more likely to be diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes within a year of their infection, compared to those who have not been exposed to the viral pathogen.

Notes:
Gramdan is the expansion of Bhoodan movement that was started in 1951 by Vinoba Bhave. Under this initiative, the entire village will put its land under a common trust.
At present, seven states in India have 3,660 Gramdan villages, the highest being in Odisha (1309).

Notes:
A new India-Iran-Armenia trilateral grouping was announced recently. The first trilateral political consultation between the foreign affairs ministries of the three countries was held recently in Yerevan, Armenia’s capital.
For India, Armenia has emerged as a key geopolitical partner in recent years. This trilateral grouping is expected to open opportunities for cooperation in areas like energy, transportation, trade, among others.

Notes:
The Special Marriage Act (SMA) of 1954 provides legal framework for civil marriage between people belonging to different religions or castes.
The Act requires marriage officers to display a public notice inviting objections to an intended marriage 30 days prior to the ceremony. The Constitution Bench led by CJI DY Chandrachud termed the 30-day notice period under this Act ‘patriarchal’.