Daily Current Affairs Quiz: April 20, 2024

Answer- C

ANSWER: C

• Nigeria has become the first country in the world to roll out a new vaccine (called Men5CV) recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), which protects people against five strains of the meningococcus bacteria. The vaccine and emergency vaccination activities are funded by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, which funds the global meningitis vaccine stockpile, and supports lower-income countries with routine vaccination against meningitis.
• Nigeria is one of the 26 meningitis hyper-endemic countries of Africa, situated in the area known as the African Meningitis Belt. Last year, there was a 50% jump in annual meningitis cases reported across Africa.
• Between last October and mid-March this year, 1,742 cases were suspected in the country, with 153 deaths recorded in seven states in Nigeria.

ABOUT MENINGITIS:

• Meningitis is an infection and inflammation of the fluid and membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. These membranes are called meninges.
• The inflammation from meningitis typically triggers symptoms such as headache, fever and a stiff neck.

ANSWER: B

• Hindustan Zinc Limited, a Vedanta group company, became the third-largest silver producer globally, according to the World Silver Survey 2024 conducted by ‘The Silver Institute’, USA.
• According to the Survey, the company’s Sindesar Khurd Mine (Rajasthan) was now the world’s second-largest silver-producing mine, moving up from last year’s fourth position.
• Mexico-based Fresnillo is the world’s largest silver producer. It has silver and gold mining operations across Mexico.
• Polish miner KGHM Polska Miedz is the second-largest producer of silver in the world.
• Hindustan Zinc, a Vedanta Group company in zinc, lead and silver businesses, is the world’s second largest integrated zinc producer and now the third largest silver producer.
• Chairperson of Hindustan Zinc – Priya Agarwal Hebbar

ANSWER: A

• The Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for collaborative research and training with Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur.
• The MoU was signed by Director General Armed Forces Medical Services Lt Gen Daljit Singh and Officiating Director, IIT Kanpur Prof. S. Ganesh.
• AFMS and IIT Kanpur will team up to undertake research and develop new technologies to address health problems faced by soldiers in difficult terrains.
• IIT Kanpur will also provide technical expertise for developing AI diagnostic models, at Armed Forces Centre for Computational Medicine established in Armed Forces Medical College, which is first of its kind amongst medical colleges in India.
• The faculty exchange program, joint academic activities and development of training modules will also be planned.

ANSWER: B

• Meta announces its new AI assistant, Meta AI, powered by the advanced language model, Llama 3. This AI is being integrated across all major Meta apps and will soon be accessible on Meta’s VR headset and smart glasses.

FEATURES OF META AI

• Meta AI is an artificial intelligence laboratory owned by Meta Platforms Inc. (formerly known as Facebook, Inc.).
• Meta AI develops various forms of artificial intelligence, including augmented and artificial reality technologies. Meta AI is also an academic research laboratory focused on generating knowledge for the AI community.
• Basically, Meta AI is a free virtual assistant which can be used “to do everything from research, planning a trip with your group chat, writing a photo caption and more,”

ABOUT LIMA 3

• It is the most advanced AI model, capable of understanding and generating human-like responses to a wide range of queries and prompts. The model runs on powerful chips designed by NVidia, enabling it to process and analyze large volumes of data efficiently.

ANSWER: D

• Rohit Sharma has played his 250th Indian Premier League match, becoming only the second player to do so after MS Dhoni.
• Rohit reached this milestone in a match against Punjab Kings in Mullanpur, Chandigarh.
• Rohit Sharma through his IPL career has racked up 6472 runs at an average of 30.1 and strike rate of 131.22. He has hit 42 half-centuries and scored 2 tons in his IPL career. This makes him the fourth highest run-scorer in the tournament’s history just behind the likes of Virat Kohli who is at the top followed by Shikhar Dhawan and David Warner respectively.

Most Matches Played in IPL

• 256 – MS Dhoni (Chennai Super Kings & Rising Pune Supergiant)
• 249 – Rohit Sharma (Deccan Chargers & Mumbai Indians)
• 249 – Dinesh Karthik (Delhi Capitals, Mumbai Indians, Kolkata Knight Riders, Punjab Kings, Royal Challengers

Bengaluru & Gujarat Lions)

• 244 – Virat Kohli (Royal Challengers Bengaluru)
• 232 – Ravindra Jadeja (Rajasthan Royals, Chennai Super Kings & Gujarat Lions)

ANSWER: C

• The conference, held on the first anniversary of Sudan’s civil war, features representatives from its neighbors, Gulf states and western powers, all brought together to collect donations for an underfunded UN humanitarian aid appeal.
• France is seeking contributions from the international community, and attention to what officials say is a crisis crowded out of the global conversation by ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza.
• The ambassador of France to Sudan- The Ambassador of France to the Republic of the Sudan is Ms Raja Rabia. The Ambassador of the Sudan in France is Mr Omar Bachir Manis.

ANSWER: A

• Complete 100% FDI under automatic route is permitted to manufacture components and systems/ sub-systems for satellites, ground segment and user segment.
• At present, satellite manufacturing and operation, satellite data products and ground and user segment can get a 74% FDI. Beyond this, government route will be applicable.
• Up to 49% FDI is allowed in the creation of spaceports for launching and receiving spacecraft through automatic routes. Beyond this, government route is applicable on these activities.
• Elon Musk expected to announce the launch of Star link and investments worth $2-$3 billion.

WHAT IS STARLINK ?

• Starlink has a constellation of 4,000 low earth orbit satellites. Starlink is a satellite internet constellation operated by Starlink Services, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of American aerospace company SpaceX, providing coverage to over 70 countries.

ANSWER: B

• The Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) has set up an office in Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City), Gandhinagar, to provide foreign currency-denominated debt financing for green hydrogen and renewable energy manufacturing projects.
• This move is particularly crucial in the context of India’s ambitious National Green Hydrogen Mission, which aims to produce over 5 million metric tons per annum (MTPA) of hydrogen by 2030.

ABOUT IRDEA

• IREDA is a mini ratna company under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).
• It was set up in 1987 as a specialized non-banking finance agency for the renewable energy sector.
• IREDA plays a key role in renewable energy project financing which gives confidence to the financial institutions/banks to lend in the sector.