Current Affairs Quiz - June, 2024

Notes:
World Oceans Day 2024, celebrated on June 8th, aims to raise awareness about the importance of oceans and their conservation. The theme, “Awaken New Depths,” focuses on the impact of human activity on marine environments and promotes sustainable ocean management. Events and campaigns worldwide support this cause, with the United Nations hosting the main celebration at its New York Headquarters.

Notes:
The Health Ministry and IRDAI are launching the National Health Claim Exchange (NHCX), a digital platform uniting insurance companies, healthcare providers, and government insurance administrators. NHCX aims to enhance efficiency, transparency, and accuracy in claims processing by facilitating data exchange among stakeholders. It supports the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission’s goals of simplifying health insurance claims and creating a unified digital healthcare platform, benefiting policyholders and patients.

Notes:
Enterprises globally are adopting Large Action Models (LAMs), advanced AI models that understand complex goals via natural language and autonomously execute tasks. Unlike Large Language Models (LLMs), LAMs integrate language comprehension with logic and reasoning for task execution. They utilize deep learning and reinforcement learning from vast datasets for strategic planning and real-time decision-making. Applications include personal assistants, autonomous vehicles, robotics, healthcare, and financial modeling.

Notes:
A new tiger reserve will be established in Uttar Pradesh due to evidence of tiger presence in Suhelwa Wildlife Sanctuary (SWS). Located in Shravasti, Balrampur, and Gonda districts, SWS spans 452 sq km along the Indo-Nepal border. Established in 1988, it features a mix of deciduous and semi-evergreen woodlands. SWS hosts diverse flora and fauna, including tigers, leopards, and various bird species, and is part of the Bhabar-Tarai ecosystem.

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:
Urbanization threatens the survival of greater adjutant storks in Assam’s wetlands. Found in South and Southeast Asia, they nest in tall trees near wetlands, feeding mainly on fish, frogs, and carrion. Threats include habitat loss, overfishing, and pollution. Classified as Near Threatened by the IUCN, they play a vital role in sanitation and disease control. Two Indian breeding populations exist, primarily in Assam, highlighting the urgency for conservation efforts.

Notes:
Israel’s military has been added by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to a global list of offenders for violations against children in 2023. Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad are also listed. The decision, termed “shameful” by Israel’s UN envoy Gilad Erdan, was officially communicated on Friday. The violations include killing, sexual violence, abduction, recruitment of children, aid denial, and attacks on schools and hospitals. Israel’s Foreign Minister Israel Katz warns of consequences for relations with the UN.

Notes:
During excavations for an airport on Crete, Greece’s largest island, a 4,000-year-old circular monument was discovered. Crete, the fifth largest Mediterranean island, covers 8,336 sq. km and features rugged mountains. Historically significant, it hosted the Minoan civilization (2700-1420 BCE) and has been ruled by various powers, including Romans, Byzantines, Venetians, and Ottomans. It became part of Greece after independence from Ottoman rule.

Notes:
Cyril Ramaphosa secured a second term as South Africa’s President on June 14, 2024, after a coalition deal between the ANC, Democratic Alliance (DA), and other smaller parties. The ANC, for the first time since 1996, failed to secure a parliamentary majority, obtaining only 40% of the votes in the May 29, 2024 election. Ramaphosa first became President on February 15, 2018. This marks South Africa’s second national unity government since Nelson Mandela in 1994.

Notes:
Thousands of Kashmiri Pandits gathered at the Kheer Bhawani temple in Tulmulla, Ganderbal, for the annual Zeisht Ashtami festival. Built by Maharaja Pratap Singh in 1912 and renovated by Maharaja Hari Singh, the temple is dedicated to Goddess Ragnya Devi, an incarnation of Durga. It sits above a sacred spring that changes colors. The Kheer Bhawani Mela is also celebrated at shrines in Kupwara, Anantnag, and Kulgam.