01 April 2016 Current Affairs
Chandigarh Becomes First Kerosene-Free City
For the first time, a city has been declared kerosene free with sale of subsidised cooking and lighting fuel being stopped in Chandigarh from 1 April completely. The Petroleum Ministry with the help of Chandigarh Administration has been working for the last few months to make Chandigarh ‘a Kerosene Free City’.
North Korea Announces Blocks On Facebook, Twitter and YouTube
North Korea has on 1 April officially announced it is blocking Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and South Korean websites in a move underscoring its concern with the spread of online information.The new North Korean restrictions are similar to censorship measures in neighbouring China, which allows more access in general but also maintains strict bans on sites that Beijing deems politically sensitive or harmful. They also mirror some restrictions in South Korea, which also bans North Korean websites and a wide variety of what the government deems to be adult content.
Shiva Thapa won Silver at Asian/Oceania Qualifying Event
Ace Indian boxer Shiva Thapa on 1 April won silver medal in the 56 kilogram category at the Asian/Oceania Qualifying Tournament in Qian’an, China. Thapa defeated Kazakhstan’s Kairat Yeraliyev in the semi-finals to earn the medal.With this win, Thapa became the first Indian boxer to book a seat in the Rio Olympics.
4th Nuclear Security Summit 2016
The fourth Nuclear Security Summit (NSS) was held in Washington, United States on March 31-April 1 2016. Chinese President Xi Jinping and around 50 other world leaders are gathered to discuss efforts to prevent terrorist acquisition of nuclear materials.At the NSS, the Prime Minister announced that Canada will invest an additional $42 million in the Global Partnership Program – over the next two years – to improve nuclear and radiological security world-wide. In support of the Global Coalition Against the so-called Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), Canada announced it would invest $51 million – over three years – to build the capacity of counter-terrorism programs in the Middle East and North Africa. The first Nuclear Security Summit was held in Washington DC in 2010 and the second NSS was held in Seoul in 2012. The third summit was held in The Hague, Netherlands in 2014.
Researchers Reveal First 3D Map of Zika Virus Structurer
Researchers from the Purdue University in Indiana in United States have achieved a breakthrough by revealing the first 3D map of the Zika virus structure It is considered as one of the major breakthrough in the battle against the mosquito-borne Zika virus. Study in this regard was published in the journal Science.The first 3D map of the Zika virus structure was produced at the atomic level. The 3D map reveals insights of virus that are critical to finding an effective antiviral treatment or vaccine for the virus.
Scientists Develop Biopolymer For Water Purification
Indian scientists have developed an eco-friendly biopolymer using nanotechnology for water-softening and water purification applications. It was developed by the team of scientists from Guwahati (Assam) based Institute of Advance Study in Science & Technology (IASST). The eco-friendly biopolymer has been created using a naturally occurring substance, called chitosan.