Current Affairs Quiz - April, 2024

Notes:
The “Mother of Dragons” comet, officially Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks, is now visible in the Northern Hemisphere after dusk. A ‘Halley-type’ comet, it orbits roughly every 71 years with a 30 km wide nucleus. Composed of ice, dust, and rocky material, it transitions from solid to gas as it nears the Sun. Classified as a Jupiter-family comet, it reaches perihelion near Mars’ orbit and will approach Earth closely in June 2024.

Notes:
The recent viral video featuring US Vice President Kamala Harris making irrational remarks underscores the threat of shallow fakes. Unlike deepfakes created with AI, shallow fakes are produced using basic editing tools, posing a significant risk to society. Deepfakes, on the other hand, employ AI-generated content to deceive. The World Economic Forum’s Global Risk Report 2024 identifies AI-powered misinformation as a major concern for the next two years, emphasizing the need for vigilance against digital deception.

Notes:
A new Javan rhinoceros calf was sighted in Ujung Kulon National Park on Java Island, Indonesia. This species is the rarest living rhinoceros, found solely in Indonesia’s Ujung Kulon National Park. It closely resembles the greater one-horned rhinoceros but has a smaller head and fewer skin folds. Females lack prominent horns, while males possess a single horn. Classified as critically endangered by IUCN and listed in CITES Appendix I, conservation efforts are vital for its survival.

Notes:
Delhi’s ancient Satpula dam, built in the 14th century during Sultan Muhammad Shah Tughlaq’s reign, remains intact. Constructed with Delhi quartz, it formed a crucial part of Jahanpanah’s defense wall, serving dual roles of irrigation and protection. Believed to possess healing properties due to its proximity to Sufi saint Chirag Dehlavi’s residence, it was a site for Diwali celebrations and pilgrimages. Satpula, meaning ‘seven bridges,’ symbolizes resilience and heritage in Delhi’s history.

Notes:
Gangaur, a significant festival in Rajasthan, honors the union of Lord Shiva (Gan) and Goddess Parvati (Gauri), symbolizing marital bliss. Celebrated in Chaitra (March-April), it signifies the onset of spring. Women worship clay idols of Gan and Gauri, seeking blessings for marital happiness or their husbands’ well-being. Unmarried girls pray for suitable spouses, while married women wish for their husbands’ health and longevity.

Notes:
The Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) has recommended a five-year anti-dumping duty on sodium cyanide (NaCN) imported from China, the EU, Japan, and Korea. The investigation, conducted under the Customs Tariff Act and Rules, cited suppressed prices, production declines, and financial losses for domestic industry. Economic non-viability has led to production suspension despite capacity expansion. Sodium cyanide, used in various applications including insecticides and metal extraction, appears as a white crystalline solid with the chemical formula NaCN.

Notes:
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) unveiled its inaugural ‘Vision for Regional Security’ in Riyadh, marking a historic milestone since its establishment in 1981. Comprising Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman, the GCC fosters unity among member states through shared political and cultural identities. The council’s presidency rotates annually, reflecting its commitment to collective objectives rooted in Arab and Islamic traditions.

Notes:
Russia’s Angara A5 space rocket is set for its maiden launch from the Vostochny Cosmodrome. This three-stage marvel aims to deliver 24.5 tonnes of payload into low orbit, replacing the veteran Proton M. The launch site, nestled in the Amur region’s forests, strategically borders China and lies 1,500 km from Vladivostok. This moment marks a significant leap in Russia’s space endeavors, heralding a new era in heavy-lift rocket technology.

Notes:
The 5th India-Kazakhstan Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism met in Astana on April 8, 2024. Led by Mr. K.D. Dewal and H.E. Mr. Talgat Kaliyev, the delegations discussed regional terrorist threats, including cross-border terrorism in South Asia and the Af-Pak region. They addressed challenges such as technology use by terrorists, internet misuse, radicalization, and terror financing. Both stressed cooperation enhancement via information exchange, capacity building, and multilateral engagement. They agreed on the 6th Meeting in India.

Notes:
NASA has been tasked with establishing Coordinated Lunar Time (LTC) as a unified standard for timekeeping on the Moon and other celestial bodies. Unlike time zones, time standards define units of time and aid in timekeeping. With lunar missions planned, a standard is crucial due to varying gravitational forces and celestial influences.