Current Affairs Quiz - June, 2024

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:
Indira Gandhi Zoological Park (IGZP), Andhra Pradesh excels in captive breeding of threatened species like Asiatic wild dogs, striped hyaenas, Indian grey wolves, and others. Striped hyaenas, found in various regions including North Africa and India, are primarily scavengers and mostly nocturnal. Asiatic wild dogs, endangered and pack-living, inhabit diverse Asian environments. IGZP’s efforts are crucial for the conservation of these species, which are listed as Near Threatened and Endangered by IUCN.

Notes:
The iconic Maharani Temple, situated on a small hillock in Gulmarg, Jammu and Kashmir , was tragically gutted in a blaze. Constructed in 1915 by Mohini Bai Sisodia, wife of Maharaja Hari Singh, it was a royal temple of the Dogra dynasty. Dedicated to Lord Shiva and Parvati, the temple featured intricate Indian and Persian designs. The Indian Army and local communities restored it in 2021, highlighting its cultural significance.

Notes:
UNESCO’s 2024 State of Ocean Report highlights climate change and human activities impacting global oceans. Initiated by IOC-UNESCO during the 2022 UN Ocean Conference, it supports the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030). Key findings include significant warming of the upper 2,000 meters, increased ocean acidification, consistent sea level rise since 1993, and the urgent need for better monitoring systems. The report emphasizes the uncertain impacts of marine carbon dioxide removal technologies.

Notes:
The world’s largest optical astronomy digital camera will be placed on the edge of Chile’s Atacama Desert, renowned for its dryness and clear skies. Mounted on the Vera C. Rubin Observatory’s Simonyi Survey Telescope, it weighs three tonnes and boasts a 3.2-gigapixel resolution. This initiative aims to study dark energy, dark matter, potential Earth impacts, and close celestial bodies. The observatory anticipates generating 20 terabytes of daily data, forming a 15-petabyte catalog over its ten-year survey.

Notes:
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued an advisory regarding the unauthorized use of liquid nitrogen in food by establishments. Liquid nitrogen, a colorless, odorless gas or liquid, is used for freezing, propelling, packaging, and foaming. It’s considered a Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) additive under regulations and permitted in dairy-based ice cream desserts solely for contact-freezing and cooling, as per the Food Safety and Standards Regulation of 2011.

Notes:
The third Glasgow Dialogue on Loss and Damage occurred during the 60th Session of the Subsidiary Bodies to the UNFCCC in Bonn, Germany. The Santiago Network for Loss and Damage, founded in 2019, aids developing nations in mitigating climate change-induced loss and damage. It mobilizes technical support from diverse entities to bolster vulnerable countries’ capacity in managing climate-related impacts.

Notes:
The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) now automatically deposits duty drawback payments into exporters’ bank accounts. This WTO-compliant scheme, under the Customs Act, 1962, rebates Customs and Central Excise duties on imported and excisable materials used in exports. It promotes exports by ensuring they are zero-rated, relieving exporters of specific tax burdens. Eligibility includes goods imported, used, or manufactured from imported or indigenous materials.

Notes:
Secretary (East) Jaideep Mazumdar represented India at the East Asia Summit (EAS SOM) and ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF SOM) in Vientiane, Lao PDR, on June 7-8, 2024. Key issues discussed included Indo-Pacific peace, maritime security, and regional conflicts. Mazumdar emphasized EAS’s role in promoting stability and highlighted India’s maritime security initiatives. He also held bilateral meetings with counterparts from several countries, discussing regional cooperation and shared perspectives.

Notes:
Rajasthan’s Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma announced a Rs 100 crore investment to develop the Maharana Pratap Tourist Circuit during the Maharana Pratap Jayanti celebration in Udaipur. Places linked to Maharana Pratap’s life in Mewar, including Udaipur and Chittorgarh, will be developed. The Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation will enhance connectivity and tourist amenities. Originally part of the Mewar Complex Circuit, this initiative aims to preserve the region’s historical and cultural heritage.