Current Affairs Quiz - June, 2023

Notes:
Kakhovka dam is a Soviet-era dam on the Dnipro River. This dam, which separates Russian and Ukrainian forces in southern Ukraine, was breached recently, unleashing floodwaters across the war zone.
Ukraine’s military and NATO have accused Russia of blowing up the dam, while Russia has blamed Ukraine. Thousands of people have been evacuated from low-lying areas.

Notes:
Sea ice is frozen seawater which floats on the ocean surface. It undergoes a melting process during summer and then re-freezes during the winter season. It forms in both the Arctic and the Antarctic in each hemisphere’s winter.
A new study revealed that Arctic may become sea ice-free in the summers by 2030s.

Notes:
Out of the four states where locations for biosafety research trials (BRL) of genetically engineered (GE) cotton hybrids were selected, Haryana is the only one that has granted approval.
Telangana and Gujarat have declined to issue no objection certificates (NOC) for conducting the trials during the 2023-24 cropping season, while Maharashtra has not yet provided a response.

Notes:
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) recently approved the continuation of the “Exploration of Coal and Lignite scheme”.
This central sector scheme will be implemented from 2021-22 to 2025-26 with an estimated expenditure of Rs. 2980 crore.

Notes:
Françoise Gilot is a renowned painter known for her relationship with Pablo Picasso. She recently passed away at the age of 101.
Her memoir, “Life with Picasso,” was published in 1964 and it became an international best seller. Her painting “Paloma à la Guitare” (1965), a blue-toned portrait of her daughter, sold for USD 1.3 million in an online auction by Sotheby’s.

 

Notes:
Kerala has initiated a unique approach to address climate change and its adverse effects by implementing a project to enhance the greenery in over 3,000 temples managed by the state’s five Devaswom Boards.
The project, named ‘Devankanam Charuharitham’ (Beautiful Green Abodes of God), aims to improve water resources by restoring abandoned temple ponds and safeguarding sacred groves throughout the state.

Notes:
National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC), which acquired a constitutional status in 2018, recently revealed that states like West Bengal, Rajasthan, Punjab and Bihar are flouting reservation norms are OBCs.
The NCBC is a constitutional body that comes under the aegis of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

Notes:
India and the United States concluded an ambitious roadmap for defence industrial cooperation to fast-track technology tie-ups and co-production of military platforms.
This move aims to counter China’s increasingly aggressive behaviour in the Indo-Pacific region.

Notes:
Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), through its Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), Mumbai has started the summer programme “Vigyan Vidushi” for girl students pursuing Physics at M.Sc. level.
It is an initiative to address the gender balance in the discipline of Physics at the doctorate level. The number of girl students at the doctorate level in Physics Departments of elite Research Institutes in India is 23%.

Notes:
Global DPI Summit and Global DPI Exhibition were inaugurated recently by Union Minister of State in Electronics and IT. Over 50 countries and 150 foreign delegates took part in Global DPI Summit, as the side event of third meeting of G20 Digital Economy Working Group.
During the summit, India signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with four countries namely Armenia, Sierra Leone, Suriname and Antigua and Barbuda on sharing INDIA STACK digital solutions.