Daily Current Affairs – 17-04-2024

Culture/Events/Days

China remained top

import partner for India in FY2024

China retained its spot as top import partner for India in 2023-24 with goods inflows increasing 3.29% (year-on-year) to $101.74 billion as opposed to an overall 5.66% decline in the country’s imports. Russia vaulted to the second spot among India’s top import sources surpassing UAE and the U.S. in 2023-24. Imports from Russia rose 34% to $61.44 billion during the fiscal, comprising mostly oil.

Technology

US has accused

Russia of using banned choking gas Chloropicrin to drive out Ukrainian troops

The US Department of state said the riot control agent, also known as nitrochloroform , was used by Russia to dislodge Ukrainian soldiers “from fortified positions and achieve tactical gains on the battlefield”. The use of Chloropicrin is not an “isolated” incident, the US claimed, adding that Russia’s act goes against the 1993 Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) which Russia signed. Most commonly used as an insecticide , Chloropicrin’s use was weaponised in World War I. The oily substance was one of several gases used to wound and suffocate entrenched soldiers. The gas works as a toxic irritant that can cause tearing and burning sensations in the eyes, skin and affect the lungs. Inhaling a large amount of it can also cause nausea and vomiting.