Current Affairs Quiz - June, 2024

Notes:
South Korea plans a Mars landing by 2045, investing 100 trillion won ($72.6 billion) in space exploration. President Yoon Suk Yeol announced this at the launch of the Korea Aerospace Administration (KASA), which aims to boost South Korea into the top five space powers. KASA will support the aerospace industry, with the first lunar lander planned for 2032. South Korea also plans at least three more space launches by 2027.

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The Global Food Policy Report 2024 by IFPRI reveals that 38% of Indians consume unhealthy foods, while only 28% eat all five recommended food groups. Malnutrition in India rose from 15.4% in 2011 to 16.6% in 2021. Adult overweight prevalence increased from 12.9% in 2006 to 16.4% in 2016. Processed food consumption is growing, with packaged foods’ share in household budgets nearly doubling to 12%.

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The Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) and IIT Hyderabad have signed an MoU to collaborate on research and training. This partnership aims to innovate medical devices and address health issues for soldiers in diverse terrains. The agreement was signed by Lt Gen Daljit Singh and Prof. BS Murty, with IIT Hyderabad providing technical expertise through its Biotechnology, Biomedical Engineering, and Bioinformatics departments.

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Recently, Purana Qila was handed over to the Sabhyata Foundation of the Dalmia Group under the ‘Adopt a Heritage’ scheme by the Ministry of Tourism. Located in New Delhi, it’s one of the oldest forts built on the banks of the Yamuna River, also known as Qila-e-Kohna. Built under Humayun and Sher Shah Suri, it reflects a blend of Islamic and Hindu architecture. The rectangular fort boasts three gates, notably the Bara Darwaza, combining Islamic and Hindu elements.

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A recently discovered sarcophagus fragment beneath a religious center’s floor is identified as belonging to Ramesses II, a prominent ancient Egyptian pharaoh. Sarcophagi, highly decorated coffins, date back to ancient Egypt, Rome, and Greece. Typically made of stone, they vary in design and are adorned with carvings and inscriptions. Sarcophagi offer valuable insights into ancient societies’ art, culture, and beliefs, making them significant artifacts for archaeologists and historians.

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The 21st Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia-Pacific’s premier defense summit, concluded on 2 June 2024 in Singapore. Held at the Shangri-La Hotel from 31 May to 2 June, it gathered over 100 delegates worldwide. Organized by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) and the Singapore government, the summit addresses Asia-Pacific security challenges, fostering discussions among defense ministers, officials, and NGOs. The dialogue aims to create a utopian environment for regional security solutions.

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The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) lost contact with Akatsuki, launched in 2010 as Japan’s first successful mission to another planet. Akatsuki, in an equatorial orbit around Venus, aimed to study its toxic atmosphere and volcanic surface, weather patterns, lightning, and super-rotation caused by strong winds. It complemented ESA’s Venus Express, operational until 2014, using ultraviolet and infrared cameras to globally map clouds and atmospheric structures.

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The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting now mandates a Self-Declaration Certificate (SDC) for all new advertisements. Following a Supreme Court directive, ads on TV, print media, or the internet require a valid SDC. Advertisers must submit SDCs via the Broadcast Seva Portal for TV/radio ads and the Press Council of India’s portal for print/digital ads. The SDC ensures ads are truthful and comply with regulatory guidelines.

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Marine microbiologists from the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research discovered the marine fungus Parengyodontium album, which can break down plastic polyethylene (PE) in the ocean. This fungus converts PE-derived carbon into fungal biomass, aided by UV sunlight’s initial photodegradation of PE. This discovery highlights its potential in reducing oceanic plastic litter. Annually, humans produce over 400 billion kilograms of plastic, much of which pollutes the ocean.

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IIT Madras researchers discovered that water microdroplets can break common minerals into nanoparticles, published in ‘Science’ journal. Atmospheric water droplets can become charged, aiding mineral disintegration. This process creates nascent surfaces where catalysis occurs, potentially contributing to the origin of life. This groundbreaking research sheds light on the role of water in nanoparticle formation and its significance in catalytic processes, offering insights into fundamental aspects of chemistry and biology.