Monthly Current Affairs PDF and Quiz April 2019 • The theme for this year is Assistive Technologies, Active Participation. • Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder which affects communication and socialisation. • They have difficulties with making eye China successfully launches second generation contact with people, using gestures and data relay satellite actions for communication. • Currently, studies say one in 59 children have autism. Algeria's President Abdelaziz Bouteflika to resign before his mandate expires Algeria's President Abdelaziz Bouteflika will resign before his mandate expires on 28 April. • A statement issued by the President's office China has successfully launched the first of its new- said the president will take steps to ensure generation data relay satellites into orbit that will state institutions continue to function during provide data relay, measurement and control services the transition period. for its manned spacecraft. • Millions of Algerians have been holding weekly protests nationwide calling for the 82- • The Tianlian II-01 satellite was launched by year-old Bouteflika to step down after almost a Long March-3B carrier rocket from the 20 years in office. Xichang Satellite Launch Centre. • He has rarely been seen in public since he • The Tianlian II network will be markedly suffered a stroke in 201 more advanced in mission planning, system management and operations than the first- Points to Remember generation network composed of Tianlian I satellites. • Capital: Algiers • The satellite is developed by the China • Currency: Algerian dinar Academy of Space Technology under the China Aerospace Science and Technology US approves sale of 24 MH 60 Romeo Seahawk Corporation. helicopters to India • China launched its first data relay satellite, the Tianlian I-01, in April 200 The US has approved the sale of 24 multi-role MH- 60 Romeo Seahawk helicopters to India at an World Autism Awareness Day: 2 April 2019 estimated cost of 4 billion US dollars. • It is considered the world's most advanced maritime helicopter. • The choppers will provide the Indian defence forces with the capability to perform anti- surface and anti-submarine warfare missions. South Korea to launch world's first national 5G April 2 is celebrated all world over as World Autism networks Awareness Day and April, the month for autism awareness. The UAE government has announced granting long- term visas for the top 100 start-ups shaping the fourth industrial revolution. • The 100 Arab start-ups were selected at the World Economic Forum on the Middle East and North Africa, held in Jordan between 6- 7th April. • According to the World Economic Forum's South Korea launched the world's first nationwide latest report, 20% of the Arab world's 100 5G mobile networks. most promising startups are based in the UAE. • Three top telecom providers SK Telecom, • The initiative aims to further integrate the KT, and LG Uplus began their 5G services at Arab world's most promising start-up 11 pm local time 3 April 2019 entrepreneurs into a national and regional • Experts say 5G will bring smartphones near- dialogue on pressing challenges. instantaneous connectivity will be 20 times faster than 4G. Points to Remember International Day for Mine Awareness and • UAE Capital: Abu Dhabi Assistance: 04 April • Currency: United Arab Emirates Dirham • It is formed by seven emirates: Ajman, On 8 December 2005, the United Nations (UN) Dubai, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah General Assembly declared that April 4 of each year and Umm Al Quwain. would be officially proclaimed and observed as International Day for Mine Awareness and Japan space probe drops explosive on an asteroid Assistance in Mine Action. to make a crater • This day aims to raise awareness about Japan's space agency JAXA,has said its Hayabusa2 landmines and progress toward their spacecraft released an explosive onto an asteroid. eradication. • It was first observed on April 4, 200 • The explosive was used to make a crater on • Theme: Safe Ground - Safe Home its surface and collect underground samples to find possible clues to the origin of the solar Chicago makes history electing Lori Lightfoot as system. the first black woman • Hayabusa2 successfully touched down on a tiny flat surface on the boulder-rich asteroid Chicago has created history by electing an African- in February 2019 American woman as its mayor for the first time. Points to remember • Lori Lightfoot, a 56-year-old former federal prosecutor and practising lawyer who has • The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency never before held elected office, won the (JAXA) is a Japanese national aerospace and city's mayoral race by a huge margin. space agency. • Lightfoot will take over office from Mayor • Headquarters: Tokyo Rahm Emanuel, who previously served as chief of staff under former President Barack US declares Iran force as foreign terrorist Obama. organisation UAE announces long-term visas for best 100 Arab start-ups • The image which has been captured by a network of eight telescopes across the world shows an intensely bright 'ring of fire' surrounding a perfectly circular dark hole. • According to some scientists, the black hole is located 500 million trillion kilometres away. The US designated Iran's Revolutionary Guard Google Wing launches first home delivery drone Corps a foreign terrorist organisation, an service unprecedented declaration against a foreign government that may prompt retaliation and make it harder for American diplomats and military officers to work with allies in the region. • It is the first time that the US has designated an entity of another government as a terrorist organization. • The IRGC is a paramilitary organization formed in the wake of Iran's 1979 Islamic Wing, owned by Google's parent company Alphabet, Revolution to defend the government. The will deliver takeaway food, coffee and medicines by force answers only to Iran's supreme leader, drone to about 100 homes in Canberra. operates independently of the regular military and has vast economic interests across the • It has been testing its drones in Australia country. since 2014 but many residents had complained about the noise. Israel: Voting begins to elect new parliament • Australia's aviation authority gave Wing permission to launch a commercial service Israelis began voting to elect a new parliament. after examining its safety record and Fourteen main parties are competing for 120 seats in operational plans. the Knesset or parliament. London becomes the first city to implement 24x7 • Incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin pollution charge zone Netanyahu is running for his fifth term in office. London became the first city in the world to • His main challenger is Benny Gantz, a former implement a special Ultra Low Emission Zone chief of staff of the Israeli military. (ULEZ). • Voters will cast their ballots for a party, not a candidate. The more votes a party gets, the • The ULEZ would charge an entry fee for more seats it obtains in the Knesset as the older vehicles if they do not meet the government is based on a nationwide emission standards. proportional representation system. • In an attempt to reduce air pollution and • Political parties must pass an electoral protect public health, the ULEZ will be threshold of 25 percent to gain a Knesset seat. operational for 24 hours and seven days a week. Astronomers take 1st ever image of a black hole • Motorists who drive into the zone in a vehicle that does not meet the new emission standard Astronomers have taken the first-ever image of a will have to pay a daily charge. black hole, which is located in a distant galaxy. SpaceX carries out first commercial launch with Falcon Heavy rocket SpaceX has carried out its first commercial launch UAE has announced that India will be the Guest of with its Falcon Heavy rocket. Honour country at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, ADIBF 2019 • It completed the task with placing a Saudi satellite in orbit. • It will be held from 24th to 30th April 2019 • The rocket carried a Saudi Arabian satellite • The fair aims to highlight the UAE’s rich operated by Arabsat, a year after sending heritage, showcasing its authenticity and founder Elon Musk's red Tesla roadster into modernity, as well as its cultural and literary orbit as a test. output. • The Indian Pavilion will host Indian authors Points to remember and literary scholars who will serve as ambassadors for the literature and art of their • CEO: Elon Musk country. • Founded: 6 May 2002 • Headquarters: California, United States UAE to host world’s foremost Artificial Intelligence Summit Sudan's army ousts president Omar al-Bashir UAE is set to host the world’s foremost Artificial Intelligence, AI Summit to empower global dialogue Sudan Defence Minister Awad Ibnouf announced on the future of government, business and society. that the President has been removed from power and detained by the army. • The inaugural 'AI Everything', AIE will take place at the Dubai World Trade Centre, • A three-month state of emergency is being between 30 April to 1st May. put in place. • The two-day event will bring together world • He said, Sudan's constitution is being leaders to define the underlying pillars of suspended, border crossings are being closed governance, business and society. until further notice and airspace is being closed for 24 hours. Finland’s Social Democrats declare general • Mr Bashir is the subject of an international election victory arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC), which accuses him of organising war crimes and crimes against humanity in Sudan's western Darfur region. Points to Remember • Capital: Khartoum • Currency: Sudanese pound The leader of Finland’s centre-left Social Democratic India to be Guest of Honour country at ADIBF Party (SDP) Antti Rinne, has declared victory in the 2019 general election.