Current Affairs Quiz - June, 2024

Notes:
The U.S. pledges $135 million in aid to Moldova to counter Russian influence. Moldova, a landlocked country in the northeastern Balkan region of Europe, borders Ukraine and Romania. Its highest point is Mount Bălănești, with major rivers including the Dniester and Prut. Moldova experiences moderate winters and warm summers and possesses natural resources like lignite, phosphorites, gypsum, and limestone.

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The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) introduced the framework for recognizing self-regulatory organizations in the financial technology sector (SRO-FT). SROs act as intermediaries between industry players and regulators, setting standards for conduct and promoting ethical practices. India boasts the world’s third-largest fintech ecosystem, with significant global funding. The Indian fintech industry was valued at 50 billion in 2021, expected to reach around 150 billion by 2025. India also accounted for 46% of global real-time transactions in 2022.

Notes:
The Daksha project plans to construct two high-energy space telescopes targeting gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) and gravitational wave sources’ electromagnetic counterparts. Each telescope will detect energy from 1 keV to over 1 MeV. Positioned on opposite sides of Earth, they promise superior coverage compared to existing missions, anticipating the discovery of thousands of GRBs and dozens of high-energy binary neutron star mergers over a five-year mission. Other missions include Astrosat, Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope, and Swift Observatory.

Notes:
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.

Notes:
A recent study warns that the January 15, 2022, eruption of the Hunga Tonga–Hunga Haʻapai Volcano may lead to unusual weather patterns throughout the decade. Hunga Tonga–Hunga Haʻapai is a submarine stratovolcano in the Tongan archipelago in the Southern Pacific Ocean. It’s part of the Tonga-Kermadec Islands volcanic arc, resulting from the subduction of the Pacific Plate beneath the Indo-Australian Plate. Eruptions from this highly active area have occurred regularly over the past few decades.

Notes:
The Department of School Education and the National Book Trust signed an MoU in New Delhi to create the Rashtriya e-Pustakalaya, a 24/7 Digital Library Platform. Secretary K. Sanjay Murthy highlighted its potential to enhance book accessibility and address library reach issues in many states. He anticipates that in 2-3 years, the platform will feature over 10,000 books in more than 100 languages.

Notes:
The Uttarakhand government recently organized a three-day ‘Nakshatra Sabha’ to promote astro tourism, aiming to position the state as a top destination for celestial enthusiasts. Held at George Everest Peak in Mussoorie, the event showcased the region’s stunning views of the Himalayan peaks and the Doon Valley. This initiative is part of Uttarakhand’s broader strategy to boost multidimensional tourism, including green, adventure, and wellness tourism, enhancing the state’s appeal to diverse travelers seeking unique and sustainable experiences.

Notes:
The Netherlands became India’s third largest export destination in 2023-24, following the U.S. and UAE, despite a 3% dip in India’s overall merchandise shipments. Key exports to the Netherlands included petroleum products (14.29 billion), electrical goods, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals. Consequently, India’s trade surplus with the Netherlands rose to 17.4 billion, up from $13 billion in 2022-23, according to the Commerce Ministry data .

Notes:
In Madhya Pradesh’s Indore constituency, the “None of the Above” (NOTA) option became the runner-up with a record 2,18,674 votes, the highest ever. NOTA allows voters to disapprove of all candidates without choosing any, expressing negative opinions and maintaining secrecy. First used in the 2013 Assembly elections, it was introduced following a 2013 Supreme Court directive in the PUCL vs. Union of India case.

Notes:
The 12th Plenary Assembly of the Global Soil Partnership (GSP) was hosted by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) from June 3–5, 2024. The assembly included over 700 partners and FAO members. The GSP is a globally recognized mechanism that promotes sustainable soil management and has implemented programs around the world. The assembly is a key platform for GSP partners and FAO members to exchange knowledge and expertise and make important decisions about the global soil agenda.