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Current Affairs 09 April 2024
1.Sumit Nagal becomes first Indian to win Monte-Carlo Masters singles main draw in 42 years
- Sumit Nagal made history by becoming the first Indian in 42
years to reach the singles main draw of the Monte Carlo Masters after a hard-fought win in the final round of qualifiers. He secured his spot by defeating World No. 55 Facundo Diaz Acosta in a gritty match. He showcased his prowess on the clay courts with a 7-5, 2-6, 6-2 victory. - Nagal’s stellar performance this year includes notable wins. He triumphed over Alexander Bublik at the Australian Open in January and secured victory at the Chennai Open, propelling him into the top 100 of the ATP rankings. Recently, he also achieved a career-high ranking of 95.
2. North Atlantic Treaty Organization Commemorates 75th Anniversary as Foreign Ministers Convene in Brussels
- North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Foreign Ministers
gathered at NATO Headquarters, Brussels, Belgium to mark 75 years since the signing of the Washington Treaty. NATO approved a proposal for a 100-billion-euro, 5-year fund to Ukraine. - Since 1949, the Alliance has ensured peace, democracy and prosperity for its members, now counting 32 Allies and one billion people on both sides of the Atlantic.
Foot Note:
About NATO :
Headquarter: Brussels, Belgium
3. H5N1 bird flu behind hundreds of dead penguins in Antarctica
- En masse deaths of a penguin species was reported on the
remote southern continent of Antarctica. The Federation University Australia said in a statement that a scientific expedition last month revealed that over 532 Adelie penguins died in Antarctica, and suggested thousands more could have died. - The Australian University suggested that the field tests of these birds were inconclusive. However, the researchers suspect the deadly H5N1 bird flu virus to be the cause of en masse deaths of the penguins.
4. PC imports rose amid licence uncertainty, China’s share spiked after plan scrapped
- In January 2024, nearly 90 per cent of the laptops and
personal computers (PCs) imported by India came from China. Beijing’s share was well over 89 per cent and, in November 2023, the figure was 83 per cent. - In all, until January in the 2023-24 financial year (FY), nearly eight out of 10 laptops sold in India came from China, shows an Indian Express analysis of the Commerce Ministry’s import-export data bank.
5. Meenesh Shah was Chosen as Chairman of the National Cooperative Dairy Federation of India Limited
- The apex body of dairy cooperatives, National Cooperative
Dairy Federation of India Limited. (NCDFI), in its Board elections, unanimously elected Meenesh Shah as the Chairman. Meenesh Shah is also serving as Director on the Board of the International Dairy Federation (IDF). - The election was conducted by Praveen Chaudhary, IAS, District Collector of Anand who served as the Returning Officer. Before this, NCDFI in its General Body meeting held on April 04, 2024 elected 8 directors on the Board unopposed.
6. Max Verstappen, representing the Red Bull team, dominated the Japanese Grand Prix
- At the Japanese Grand Prix, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen put
on a dominant display, securing his third victory out of four races in the 2024 season. Verstappen, who is a triple world champion, started the race from pole position and led his teammate Sergio Perez to the first turn. - He maintained his lead throughout the race, showcasing his exceptional driving skills and control of the car. Verstappen’s performance at the Japanese Grand Prix was a remarkable comeback after he had to retire from the previous race due to a brake issue.
7.Sam Pitroda’s New Book ‘The Idea of Democracy’
- Renowned author Sam Pitroda has written a new book titled
‘The Idea of Democracy’, which explores the current state of democracy and its potential challenges in countries like India and the United States. The book launch event was attended by Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal and other eminent personalities from the literary industry. - Pitroda’s book addresses the paradox of so-called democratic success coupled with its liberal decline. It provides a detailed analysis of the essence of democracy, its workings, the values it needs to encapsulate, and the forces and safeguards that can help preserve liberal democracy.
8. Sagar Kavach 2024 Coastal Security Exercise in Lakshadweep Islands
- A two-day coastal security exercise called Sagar Kavach 01/24
was conducted off the Lakshadweep Islands from April 1-2, 2024. The exercise involved the participation of all maritime security agencies, including the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, Marine Police, Fisheries, Customs, and other security agencies. - The primary objective of the exercise was to validate the effectiveness of the coastal security mechanism in dealing with asymmetric threats emanating from the sea. The exercise witnessed enhanced preparedness, response mechanisms, surveillance capabilities, and coordination among the various coastal security stakeholders.
Foot Note:
About Lakshadweep:
Capital: Kavaratti
Governor:Shri. Praful Patel
9.Pro-Russia candidate Peter Pellegrini elected Slovakia President
- In Slovakia’s recent presidential election, Peter Pellegrini
emerged victorious, reinforcing the pro-Russian stance of Prime Minister Robert Fico’s government. Pellegrini’s win signals a continuity in Fico’s policies, characterized by a tilt towards Russia, controversial reforms, and strained relations with the West. - Peter Pellegrini secured 53.26% of the vote, defeating pro-Western opposition candidate Ivan Korcok. Despite the presidency’s limited executive powers, Pellegrini’s victory consolidates support for Fico’s government agenda, particularly concerning reforms in criminal law and media regulations.
Foot Note:
About Slovakia:
Capital: Bratislava
Prime minister: Robert Fico
President:Zuzana Čaputová
10.India’s February 2024 coal imports up 13%
- India saw a 13% increase in coal imports, reaching 21.64
million tonnes (MT) in February 2024, attributed to buyers taking new positions to restock ahead of the summer season, reports Mjunction, an online - This marked a rise from the 19.15 MT imported during the same period in FY23. mjunction’s data indicates that non-coking coal imports surged to 13.77 MT in February, up from 11.68 MT in the previous year, while coking coal imports slightly increased to 4.56 MT compared to 4.40 MT in February 2023.
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