Current Affairs Quiz - July, 2024

Notes:
The Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully flight-tested the Phase-II Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) system. This phase aims to validate intercept systems for ballistic missiles in the 5000 km range. The Phase-II AD Endo-atmospheric missile is an indigenously developed, two-stage, solid-propelled system designed to counter various ballistic missile threats within endo- to low exo-atmospheric regions. In 2022, DRDO tested the AD-1 long-range interceptor missile for both exo- and endo-atmospheric interception.

Notes:
Recently, an unexpected hydrothermal eruption disrupted the stunning natural beauty of Yellowstone National Park. Established on March 1, 1872, Yellowstone is the world’s first national park, located mainly in Wyoming, with portions in Montana and Idaho. It is famous for its geothermal features, including the Old Faithful geyser, and its diverse wildlife, such as grizzly bears, wolves, and bison. Yellowstone’s creation marked the inception of the national park system and the global conservation movement, emphasizing the importance of preserving natural landscapes and biodiversity.

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The Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) has signed agreements with IIT Roorkee and IIT Mandi to develop ‘Cell-Free’ 6G access points, aligning with the ‘Bharat 6G vision’. This project utilizes ‘Cell-Free’ Massive MIMO technology, which deploys multiple access points (APs) to ensure seamless connectivity, eliminate dead zones, and boost data speeds. The Bharat 6G vision, spearheaded by the Technology Innovation Group on 6G (TIG-6G), aims to position India as a global leader in 6G by 2030, focusing on affordability, sustainability, and ubiquity, and enhancing connectivity worldwide.

Notes:
Scientists have discovered “dark oxygen,” a phenomenon where oxygen is produced in complete darkness thousands of feet below the ocean surface. This challenges the belief that oxygen is only created through photosynthesis, which requires sunlight. Traditionally, oceanic plankton, drifting plants, algae, and some bacteria produce oxygen via photosynthesis. However, at these depths, oxygen is generated by polymetallic nodules resembling lumps of coal. Composed of metals like manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, and lithium, these nodules produce oxygen through electrochemical activity, splitting H2O molecules into hydrogen and oxygen without light.

Notes:
On July 26, 2024, India and the USA signed their first-ever Cultural Property Agreement (CPA) to combat the illicit trafficking of antiquities. The agreement, signed by Shri Govind Mohan and U.S. Ambassador Eric Garcetti at the World Heritage Committee in New Delhi, aligns with the 1970 UNESCO Convention. The CPA aims to secure India’s cultural heritage and return smuggled artifacts. Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat highlighted India’s proactive efforts under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, noting that 358 antiquities have been repatriated since 1976, with 345 returned since 2014.

Notes:
The World Bank’s report “The Impact of Climate Change on Education” highlights how climate change intensifies extreme weather, disrupting schooling and causing learning losses and dropouts. Despite its significance, education remains overlooked in climate policy, with less than 1.3% of climate assistance allocated to it in 2020. Between 2005-2024, schools closed during 75% of extreme weather events, affecting over 5 million people. Over 99% of children globally face at least one major climate hazard. Rising temperatures negatively impact learning outcomes, with a 1°C increase reducing test scores. Climate change also threatens food security and economic stability, jeopardizing school enrollment and disproportionately affecting 4 million girls in low- and lower-middle-income countries.

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The host Sri Lankan women’s cricket team won their maiden Women’s Cricket Asia Cup, upsetting the defending champion Indian team. In the final of the 9th Women’s Cricket Asia Cup, held on 28 July 2024 at Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium in Dambulla, Sri Lanka, the hosts defeated India by 8 wickets with 8 balls to spare. Sri Lanka became the third team to win the Women’s Cricket Asia Cup, after India (seven times) and Bangladesh (once). All matches were played in Dambulla. In the semi-finals, India defeated Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka beat Pakistan to reach the finals.

Notes:
The US Navy, Navy SEAL commandos, and the US Air Force plan to install the Mako missile in all their aircraft. Developed by Lockheed Martin, an American aerospace manufacturer, the Mako missile is an air-launched hypersonic multi-mission weapon, capable of being fired from the internal weapons bay of the F-35 and F-22 Raptor stealth fighters. Named after the fastest shark, it can reach speeds over Mach 5 with high maneuverability, making it hard to intercept. Weighing around 590 kg and measuring 4 meters in length, the Mako missile is designed for diverse missions and represents a breakthrough in digital engineering in missile development.

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The Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare recently announced that the agriculture sector is now part of the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme, 2023. This scheme, initiated by the Ministry of Power, involves issuing carbon credit certificates by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) to entities that exceed their emission reduction targets. Entities failing to meet targets must buy these certificates. The Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change sets emission intensity targets, while a National Steering Committee chaired by the Power Secretary oversees the scheme. This inclusion aims to enhance carbon management in agriculture.

Notes:
China plans to launch the world’s first thorium molten salt nuclear power station in the Gobi Desert in 2025. Unlike traditional reactors that use uranium and require water for cooling, this station will use thorium and liquid salt or carbon dioxide for heat transfer. This design reduces meltdown risks. Thorium, a naturally occurring element, must be converted to U-233 in a reactor to produce nuclear energy.