Correct Answer :   Pakistan

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Former Pakistan Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Syedal Khan Nasir have been elected as Pakistan’s Senate chairman and deputy chairman, respectively.

Election Confirmation :

* Senate Secretary Qasim Samad Khan confirmed their election to the top roles in the upper house of Pakistan parliament.

Senate Swearing-in :

* A total of 41 newly elected Senators were sworn in as members of the House in a session of Pakistan’s Senate. The lawmakers took oath amid protests by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders.

PTI Protest :

* On the floor of the House, PTI Senator Ali Zafar proposed postponing the election session until the Senate elections are held in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. PTI announced its refusal to participate in electing the Senate chairperson and deputy chairperson.

Dysfunctional Senate :

* Pakistan’s upper house became dysfunctional after the retirement of half of its members. Elections were held in Islamabad, Punjab, and Sindh, but not in PTI-ruled Khyber Pakhtunkhwa due to delayed polls.

Election Results :

* The Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N)-led coalition secured 19 seats, sweeping the Senate elections. The ruling coalition now controls 59 of the 85 seats in the centre.

Foreign Minister as Presiding Officer :

* Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, who secured a win in a technocrat seat, is the presiding officer for the first session of the Senate. PTI Senator Mohammad Humayun Mohmand objected, arguing that a presiding officer should be someone who was already a Senator.

Correct Answer :   Second

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India ranks second globally in Hepatitis B and C cases, with 3.5 crore infections, as per the WHO's 2024 Global Hepatitis Report. This ranking highlights the significant health challenges posed by Hepatitis and the need for public health interventions.

Correct Answer :   Third

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India ranked third globally in unicorn creation with 67 unicorns, trailing behind the United States with 703 unicorns and China with 340, as per the Hurun Global Unicorn Index.

This position reflects India's status in the global startup ecosystem, despite a decline in unicorn creation for the first time since 2017.

Correct Answer :   SBI

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State Bank of India (SBI) engaged in the first Credit Default Swap (CDS) trade under the new RBI norms, partnering with Standard Chartered Bank India for a ?25 crore transaction.

This signifies a significant development in credit risk management and financial instrument sophistication in India.

Correct Answer :   KABIL

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* Khanij Bidesh India Limited (KABIL) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research - Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology (CSIR-IMMT) for Technical & Knowledge cooperation for Critical Minerals.

* The MoU entails KABIL leveraging CSIR-IMMT's technical expertise for various projects, including designing metallurgical test work-plans, reviewing process flowsheets, and selecting process technologies for mineral processing and metal extraction.

* This collaboration, spearheaded by KABIL, aims to advance scientific research and technology development in the mineral and metallurgical sectors, thereby enhancing India's mineral security and meeting domestic requirements in line with the Make in India initiative.

Correct Answer :   NTPC

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NTPC Limited, India's largest power company, is unveiling a new version of its Girl Child Empowerment Mission (GEM), aligning with the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao campaign to promote gender equality and provide opportunities for young girls' development.

Correct Answer :   Kazakhstan

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In the wake of the recent terrorist attack in Moscow, believed to be perpetrated by extremists from Central Asia potentially influenced by Pakistani seminaries, India and Kazakhstan convened in Astana to bolster their collaboration against terrorism.

Key Discussion Points :

* Regional Terrorist Threats: Both nations engaged in discussions regarding the terrorist landscape within their respective regions. This included addressing state-sponsored terrorism and cross-border terrorist activities, particularly prevalent in South Asia.

* Afghanistan-Pakistan Region: The meeting also delved into the specific challenges posed by terrorism in the Afghanistan-Pakistan region. Strategies were explored to combat the growing menace in this area, which often spills over into neighboring countries.

Key Points about Kazakhstan :

* Geographical Location : Kazakhstan is the world’s largest landlocked country, located in Central Asia, bordered by Russia to the north, China to the east, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan to the south, and the Caspian Sea to the west.

* Capital and Major Cities : The capital city of Kazakhstan is Nur-Sultan (formerly Astana), while other major cities include Almaty, Shymkent, and Karaganda.

* Rich Cultural Heritage : Kazakhstan boasts a diverse cultural heritage influenced by its nomadic history and the convergence of various ethnic groups. Kazakh, Russian, and other ethnic groups contribute to the country’s multicultural society.

* Economy : Kazakhstan has a robust economy driven primarily by its vast reserves of natural resources, including oil, natural gas, coal, and minerals. The country has been focusing on economic diversification and modernization efforts to reduce its reliance on resource extraction.

* Political System : Kazakhstan is a presidential republic, with Nursultan Nazarbayev serving as the country’s first president from independence in 1991 until his resignation in 2019. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev succeeded Nazarbayev as president.

Correct Answer :   New Delhi

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Inaugurating the Scientific Convention on World Homoeopathy Day 2024 (10th April 2024) at Yashobhoomi Conventional Centre Dwarka New Delhi, President Smt Droupadi Murmu said, “Many individuals who had become disillusioned with various methods of treatment have benefited from the miracles of Homeopathy. However, within the scientific community, such experiences can only be acknowledged when presented with a sufficient number of experiences backed by facts and analysis. Encouraging scientific rigor will increase confidence in this method of treatment among people.”

She added in her address “Scientific validity forms the basis of authenticity and both acceptance and popularity will increase with authenticity. Your efforts to empower research and enhance proficiency will be beneficial in promoting homeopathy. This will benefit everyone involved in Homeopathy, including doctors, patients, drug manufacturers, and researchers.”

The President further said that the continuous improvement in the education system of homeopathy will make this method more attractive to young students. The involvement of a large number of young people is essential for the bright future of homeopathy. President congratulated the Ayush ministry for organisating this mega event and promoting homeopathy along with other Ayush systems of medicine.

President graced this two-day Scientific Convention on the theme of “Empowering Research, Enhancing Proficiency” organized by Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH), an autonomous apex research organization under Ministry of Ayush to celebrate the occasion of the World Homoeopathy Day 10th April 2024.

On this occasion, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha said “in homeopathy, there are immense possibilities for integration between other medical systems and traditional medicine. Efforts to integrate these systems, where appropriate, will benefit patients who demand a comprehensive approach to healthcare. Strong research and clinical testing are crucial for establishing a robust scientific foundation for homeopathy.

The government is committed to quality control and patient safety by working collaboratively with the homeopathic community. To increase public access to homeopathy and expand its reach, we are actively promoting its integration into primary healthcare systems. We are actively encouraging research in homeopathy through facilities like the CCRH and other collaborators and allocating resources for clinical trials and evidence-based studies.”

Dr. Subhash Kaushik, DG, CCRH, Ministry of Ayush, in his welcome address, emphasized on the need of evidence-based research in today’s era, for which it is important that the scientists of various fields and specialties come together. He thanked eminent scientists and doctors from various organisations like AIIMS, ICMR, Apollo Cancer Hospital, Chennai, Janakpuri Superspecialty Hospital, Delhi, etc. for showing their support for Homoeopathy by attending the symposium..

Source : PIB

Correct Answer :   April 11th

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National Safe Motherhood Day, observed annually on April 11th, is a crucial occasion to highlight the importance of maternal health and well-being. This day serves as a powerful reminder of the need to prioritize the care and support for mothers, ensuring a safe and healthy journey through pregnancy and childbirth.

Potential Themes for 2024

* The official theme for National Safe Motherhood Day 2024 has not yet been announced. However, there are several promising possibilities based on recent trends and global priorities:

* Equity in Maternal Healthcare: Leaving No Mother Behind: This theme would focus on ensuring that all mothers, regardless of their socioeconomic status or geographic location, have access to quality healthcare services.

* Investing in Maternal Health for a Sustainable Future: This theme would emphasize the importance of long-term investments in maternal healthcare infrastructure, research, and education to create a brighter future for mothers and their children.

* Empowering Families, Strengthening Communities for Optimal Maternal Health: This theme would highlight the crucial role that families and communities play in supporting mothers throughout their pregnancy and postpartum journey.

* Leveraging Technology for Better Maternal Health Outcomes: This theme would explore how advancements in technology, such as digital healthcare solutions and telemedicine, can improve access to maternal healthcare services and enhance the quality of care.

* Regardless of the chosen theme, the goal of National Safe Motherhood Day 2024 will be to raise awareness about the importance of maternal health and inspire action towards a future where every mother has the opportunity for a safe and healthy pregnancy.

The History and Significance of National Safe Motherhood Day

* National Safe Motherhood Day has a rich history, reflecting a dedication to improving the lives of mothers and newborns. The concept of a dedicated day for maternal health emerged in the 1980s, driven by growing concerns about high maternal mortality rates in India.

* In 1991, the White Ribbon Alliance India (WRAI), a network of non-governmental organizations, actively campaigned for a national day to raise awareness and advocate for better maternal healthcare. Finally, in 2003, the Indian government officially recognized April 11th as National Safe Motherhood Day, coinciding with the birth anniversary of Kasturba Gandhi, a champion of women’s empowerment.

The significance of National Safe Motherhood Day lies in its ability to :

* Raise Awareness : The day draws attention to the challenges faced by mothers, such as pregnancy complications, childbirth risks, and lack of access to quality healthcare.

* Advocate for Better Maternal Healthcare Services : It encourages governments, healthcare providers, and communities to improve access to prenatal care, skilled birth attendants, and postpartum support.

* Promote Healthy Pregnancy Practices : The day emphasizes the importance of good nutrition, regular checkups, and access to essential information for pregnant women.

* Celebrate Motherhood : It provides an opportunity to appreciate and honor mothers for their immense contribution to society.

Over the years, National Safe Motherhood Day has evolved, shifting from awareness campaigns to advocacy and targeting specific challenges, such as anemia in pregnant women, institutional delivery, and access to postpartum care. The day has influenced government policies and programs, leading to increased funding for maternal healthcare, expansion of maternity leave, and promotion of institutional deliveries.

Correct Answer :   Bjarni Benediktsson

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Bjarni Benediktsson said on Tuesday (9th April 2024) he will become the country's next prime minister, replacing Katrin Jakobsdottir who last week announced she would resign and run for president.

Benediktsson, head of the pro-business, right-wing Independence Party, now serves as foreign minister in a broad three-party coalition and was previously prime minister in a short-lived government from January to November of 2017.

He takes the helm at a time of uncertainty in Iceland after recent volcanic eruptions triggered the indefinite evacuation of thousands of people, adding to pressures on an economy already facing high inflation and soaring interest rates.

"The parties had very good discussions in the past few days ... the government wants to stand for political stability," the Independence Party said in a statement, adding it would continue its work to bring down inflation among other things..

Source : Reuters