Current Affairs Quiz - July, 2024

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Researchers have discovered magnetofossils, fossil remains of magnetic particles produced by magnetotactic bacteria, in rock varnish layers in Ladakh, India. These prokaryotic organisms align with the earth’s magnetic field and are found in freshwater and marine habitats. They use the magnetic field to locate optimal oxygen levels. The bacteria contain iron-rich particles in small sacs acting as compasses, forming tiny crystals of magnetite or greigite. These crystals help them navigate changing oxygen levels in water. These microbes are believed to be among Earth’s earliest inhabitants.

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Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh announced the discovery of 1,600 tonnes of lithium resources in Karnataka’s Mandya and Yadgiri districts. The Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD), under the Department of Atomic Energy, identified these resources through preliminary surveys and subsurface exploration in the Marlagalla area. Lithium, a highly sought-after element globally, was first discovered in 1817 by Johan August Arfvedson. Derived from the Greek word “lithos” meaning stone, lithium is the metal with the lowest density, reacts vigorously with water, and is toxic in nature.

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The Ministry of Labour & Employment launched the SAMADHAN Portal to address industrial disputes for workmen, employers, and trade unions under the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947. It promotes efficiency and transparency through online filing, faster disposal, and internal monitoring. The portal also covers cases under the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972, Minimum Wages Act, 1948, Payment of Wages Act, 1936, Equal Remuneration Act, 1976, and Maternity Benefit Act, 1961.

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Ministry of Health & Family Welfare released a report titled “Economic Case for Investment in the Well-being of Adolescents in India,” highlighting key areas for investment in adolescent health. India has the largest adolescent population (253 million) globally. Between 2000 and 2019, the adolescent mortality rate dropped by over 50%, and fertility rates fell by 83%. Secondary school completion rates more than doubled from 22% in 2005 to over 50% in 2020. However, fatal road accidents among adolescents under 18 increased by 22.7% from 2021 to 2022. Recommended interventions are projected to boost India’s economy by 10.1% of annual GDP.

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South Africa has enacted its first Climate Change Act to regulate greenhouse gas emissions, aligning its efforts with the Paris Climate Agreement. The law mandates emission limits for major polluters and requires local strategies to address climate change. A primary goal is to reduce emissions from coal, South Africa’s main energy source, making it one of the top carbon dioxide emitters. The Act establishes emissions targets for key sectors like agriculture, transportation, and industry, with ministries responsible for implementation. It introduces a carbon budget system, where large emitters face extra carbon taxes if they exceed set limits.

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NASA’s Perseverance rover, nicknamed “Percy,” recently made a discovery that could reveal insights into Mars’s ancient history and potential past microbial life. Part of NASA’s Mars 2020 Mission, Perseverance is a semi-autonomous rover launched on July 30, 2020, from Cape Canaveral, Florida, and landed in Jezero Crater on February 18, 2021. Its primary mission is to seek signs of ancient life and collect rock and soil samples for future return to Earth. The rover, about the size of a small car, is powered by a Multi-Mission Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (MMRTG) and features a robotic arm, drill, cameras, and scientific instruments.

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According to the WTO’s “World Tariff Profiles” Report, 2024, India is the second-largest user of Non-Tariff Measures (NTMs) in 2023. NTMs are policy measures other than ordinary customs tariffs that can impact international trade in goods by changing quantities traded, prices, or both. Examples include quotas, price controls, Sanitary and Phytosanitary measures, and Technical Barriers to Trade. While many NTMs aim to protect public health or the environment, they also affect trade through information, compliance, and procedural costs.

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Recently, Shri Venkateshwara University in Meerut signed an MoU with Brazil to promote educational and research collaborations. The partnership focuses on student and faculty exchange programs in dairy, agriculture, biotechnology, health, and tourism. Both nations will collaborate on advanced technologies and innovations through joint seminars, workshops, and regular classes. This initiative aims to provide students with high-quality higher education and valuable international experiences, marking a significant step forward in academic and research cooperation between India and Brazil.

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During his visit to Vientiane, Laos, from 25 to 27 July 2024, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar unveiled the first postage stamp of Ram Lalla of Ayodhya. The event took place during ASEAN-related foreign minister meetings. Jaishankar, alongside Laos Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith, released two sets of stamps themed “Celebrating the shared cultural heritage of Lao PDR and India.” One stamp depicted Ram Lalla’s idol from Ayodhya, while the other commemorated Lord Buddha from Luang Prabang, Laos’s ancient capital. Although predominantly Buddhist, Laos’s culture is deeply influenced by Hinduism, including the Ramayana, known locally as Ramakien.

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The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) launched the One DAE One Subscription (ODOS) initiative, providing access to thousands of research papers and journals for scientists, engineers, and students. This effort unifies DAE’s 60 units under one subscription, securing access to over 4,000 journals from Wiley and Springer Nature. The initiative, part of the government’s One Nation One Subscription (ONOS) plan, aims to accelerate research and innovation in India.