Current Affairs Quiz - June, 2024

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Observed annually on May 31st, World No Tobacco Day 2024 focuses on “Protecting Children From Tobacco Industry Interference.” The theme aims to safeguard young people from the harmful effects of tobacco and calls on the industry to cease targeting the youth with detrimental products.

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Pakistan launched the Multi-Mission Communication Satellite (PAKSAT MM1) from China’s Xichang Satellite Launch Center, part of Pakistan’s National Space Programme 2047. The satellite aims to enhance internet connectivity, TV broadcasts, cellular phones, broadband, e-commerce, and e-governance in Pakistan. Recently, Pakistan also launched the mini satellite ‘iCube-Qamar’ with China’s Chang’e-6 lunar mission. Previous space assets include BADR-A, BADR-B, PAKSAT 1-R, PRSS-1, PakTes 1-A, and iCube-Qamar.

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China introduced the “One Person, One File” (OPOF) mass surveillance program, intending to triple facial recognition camera deployment and compile extensive personal data on residents. This reflects China’s push for comprehensive digital censorship, transcending mere surveillance to create a pervasive digital record for each citizen. The initiative encodes individuals’ relationships, activities, and behaviors into data, enhancing Party oversight.

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Germany’s Bundeswehr lost an Iris-T missile, raising concerns about technology compromise. The Iris-T is a short-range air-to-air missile developed by a six-nation program, led by Germany. Diehl BGT Defence serves as the prime contractor. It’s designed for short and medium-range air defense, capable of neutralizing various aerial threats up to 40 km away. With extreme maneuverability and advanced features like infrared seeker and thrust-vector control, it’s effective in close combat.

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India dispatched around 90 tonnes of medical supplies to Cuba, including nine different Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), essential for producing antibiotics. The shipment departed from Mundra port on June 2. These medicines are crucial for treating chronic communicable diseases in Cuba, showcasing India’s role as the “Pharmacy of the World.” The aid underscores the enduring friendship between India and Cuba, reflecting India’s commitment to humanitarian assistance.

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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 Ministries of Health and Defence signed an MoU to establish a dedicated Tele Manas Cell for the Armed Forces, providing specialized mental health support. This initiative adds to the 51 existing Tele Manas cells operating across all States and Union Territories, enhancing mental health services for military personnel nationwide.

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The Defense Accounts Department (DAD) collaborated with four banks to enhance its SPARSH program for pension administration. Banks like Bank of India, Canara Association, Central Bank of India, and Utkarsh Small Finance Bank will establish SPARSH service centers in 1,128 branches nationwide under MoUs. This initiative aims to streamline pension management, ensuring direct payments to beneficiaries. SPARSH, a Ministry of Defence initiative, seeks to bring efficiency, responsiveness, and transparency to defense pension administration.

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A recent Russian missile attack on Dnipro, Ukraine’s fourth-largest city, injured seven people, including two children, and damaged civilian infrastructure. Dnipro, an industrial hub in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, covers 409,718 square kilometers and lies along the Dnieper River. The city produces launch vehicles, machinery, and chemicals. The Dnieper River, Europe’s fourth-longest, drains much of Belarus and Ukraine. The attack underscores the ongoing conflict’s impact on civilians and infrastructure.

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The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) launched ‘Saarthi 2.0’, a mobile app aiding investors in managing finances. The app simplifies complex financial concepts, offers financial calculators for informed decisions, and includes educational modules on KYC, mutual funds, ETFs, and stock trading. It also provides investor support through grievance redressal and Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) platforms, along with video content on personal finance planning.