Current Affairs Quiz - April, 2024

Notes:
Renowned Bollywood cinematographer Gangu Ramsay, part of the famed Ramsay Brothers, passed away at 83. With a legacy spanning over 50 films, Ramsay was celebrated for his remarkable cinematography, leaving an indelible mark on the industry. His contribution to cinema will be dearly remembered.

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:
In 2023, investments from large foreign investors in Indian startups plummeted by 80% due to a funding winter in the country’s startup ecosystem. A funding winter signifies reduced capital inflows, influenced by various factors such as geopolitical unrest and financial irregularities. This phenomenon forces startups to prioritize profit maximization, conserve working capital, and suspend expansion plans and expenditures, ultimately challenging founders to navigate through a period of financial constraint and sustainability focus.

Notes:
Hurun Research Institute’s “Global Unicorn Index 2024” ranks startups founded in the 2000s. India, with 67 unicorns in 2023 (down from 68 in 2022), ranks third globally. The USA leads with 703, followed by China with 340. India lacks unicorns in Aerospace/SpaceTech. Unicorns are privately held, venture-capital backed startups valued at $1 billion. Factors behind India’s unicorn decline include a startup ecosystem slowdown and unsustainable growth. India’s initiatives include the Fund of Funds for Startups Scheme and tax exemptions for startups since April 2016.

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.

Notes:
Canara Bank and Society for Innovation & Entrepreneurship (SINE), IIT Bombay, formalized collaboration via a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This collaboration aims to bolster the startup sector by offering financial aid and support. Canara Bank’s Canara Start-Up Scheme will provide funding for industrial units, while SINE, a renowned technology incubator, will offer full incubation and acceleration services to tech startups. Together, they seek to foster the growth and success of businesses in India.

Notes:
A sungrazer comet, discovered, photographed, and destroyed during a total solar eclipse, exemplifies this special class of comets. Sungrazers approach within 850,000 miles of the sun, enduring intense solar radiation and tidal forces. Most follow the Kreutz Path, originating from a shattered comet. They rarely survive their close encounter with the sun, often evaporating in its atmosphere. This comet’s demise sheds light on the dynamics of these celestial wanderers.

Notes:
Zimbabwean scientist innovates by converting carbon dioxide into valuable fuels, aiming to reduce emissions. Their research focuses on creating materials to capture and convert CO2 from fossil fuel burning into energy sources like formic acid and methanol. Formic acid, derived from carbon monoxide and alcohol with a catalyst, is utilized across industries including pharmaceuticals, textiles, and food processing. It’s naturally present in ants and is a colorless liquid with a sharp odor.

Notes:
India will deploy defense attaches in Ethiopia, Mozambique, Ivory Coast, Philippines, Armenia, and Poland to bolster strategic ties. This initiative aligns with India’s goal to expand global partnerships amid rising geopolitical tensions. Notably, India aims to strengthen defense relations with the Philippines to counter China’s assertiveness in the South China Sea. Recent deals include a USD 375 million agreement for BrahMos missiles. High-level discussions emphasize mutual security and development goals.

Notes:
Whooping cough, caused by Bordetella pertussis bacteria, is surging in countries like China, the Netherlands, and Czech Republic. Highly contagious, it affects the respiratory tract, especially infants, with potential for pneumonia and death. Spread through droplets, it damages airway linings, causing severe coughing fits, vomiting, and sleep apnea. Early symptoms resemble a cold, progressing to distinctive “whooping” cough.