Current Affairs Quiz - July, 2024

Notes:
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma introduced the state’s inaugural Witness Protection Scheme to bolster the justice delivery system. The scheme, aligned with Section 398 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, aims to safeguard witnesses facing threats during investigations and trials. Witnesses can apply for protection under the scheme through a prescribed form before a competent authority, ensuring fair trials and security against intimidation.

Notes:
A new Android malware called ‘Snowblind’ targets users to steal banking credentials by bypassing anti-tamper mechanisms using the ‘seccomp’ security feature. Snowblind repacks apps to avoid detection and utilizes accessibility services to remotely view screens, disabling biometric and two-factor authentication. It primarily infects devices via apps from untrusted sources and is most active in Southeast Asia, posing a significant threat to banking app security.

Notes:
Former world chess champion Viswanathan Anand of India won the Leon Masters chess championship for the 10th time by defeating Jaime Santos Latasa of Spain 3-1 in the final on June 30, 2024, in Leon, Spain. Anand, a five-time world champion, has previously won the tournament in 1996, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2011, and 2016. The Leon Masters features four players, including Arjun Erigaisi and Veselin Topalov.

Notes:
India successfully test-fired the Rudram-1, its first indigenous anti-radiation missile developed by DRDO for the Indian Air Force (IAF). Key features include a launch platform on Sukhoi-30MKI fighter jets, INS-GPS navigation, and a Passive Homing Head. It has a range of 100-250 km and speeds up to Mach 2. Rudram-1 enhances the IAF’s Suppression of Enemy Air Defence (SEAD) capability, acts as a force multiplier, and marks a significant step towards self-reliance in defense technology.

Notes:
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav introduced the Lokpath Mobile App to enhance transparency and public welfare. Developed by the Public Works Department, the app aims to improve the state’s 40,000 km highways by enabling the public to report road issues. It ensures accountability, with officers expected to resolve complaints within seven days. The app is downloadable from the Public Works Department’s website and promotes an open, efficient working system.

Notes:
For the first time, a large-scale migration of Common Grass Yellow butterflies was observed during a three-day survey at Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR). The Common Grass Yellow (Eurema hecabe) is a small butterfly found across Asia, North America, Africa, and Australia. They prefer open grassy or bushy terrains and exhibit vibrant yellow wings with seasonal color variations. Notably migratory, these butterflies travel in large groups, with females seeking nectar alone. Despite their widespread presence, they are listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List and are not protected under India’s Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.

Notes:
Bajaj Auto launched the world’s first CNG-powered two-wheeler, the Freedom 125, in Pune. Priced at around Rs 95,000, this entry-level vehicle aims to revolutionize the motorcycle market. CEO Rajiv Bajaj highlighted its freedom from petrol reliance. Key features include telescopic front forks, mono-link suspension, front disc and rear drum brakes, and a 125cc engine.

Notes:
Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary, nestled in the Western Ghats of Maharashtra, boasts rich biodiversity including rare species like the brown palm civet, recently discovered by the Discover Koyna group. Endemic to the Western Ghats, these civets play a crucial role in seed dispersal, promoting native rainforest growth. A 2021 study highlighted their habitat spanning 21,853 sq km across the Ghats, with significant populations in Anamalai, Nilgiris, and other reserves. The sanctuary, integral to the UNESCO-listed Western Ghats, houses diverse flora like teak and wildlife such as Indian bison and leopards. It’s closely associated with the Koyna Dam, a vital water source in Maharashtra.

Notes:
China has unveiled HH70, the world’s first fully high-temperature superconducting Tokamak device, in Shanghai. Developed by Energy Singularity, HH70 achieved first plasma, utilizing innovative pre-ionization methods. With a toroidal magnetic field of 0.6 Tesla and a major radius of 0.75 meters, it features 26 high-temperature superconducting magnets. HH70 marks China’s leadership in high-temperature superconducting magnetic confinement fusion, setting milestones as the first commercial superconducting Tokamak worldwide. Energy Singularity plans to advance with HH170, aiming for significant energy gain by 2030, cementing China’s pioneering role in fusion energy technology.

Notes:
Bone remains from the Baishiya Karst Cave on the Tibetan Plateau, 3,280 meters above sea level, reveal that Denisovans, an extinct human species, survived there for millennia. The study, published in Nature, found a rib bone dated between 48,000 and 32,000 years ago. This discovery highlights Denisovans’ resilience to climatic fluctuations and suggests their interbreeding with Neanderthals and Homo sapiens. The remains also indicate their diverse diet, including blue sheep and woolly rhinos.