Current Affairs Quiz - June, 2024

Notes:
The first BRICS ministerial meeting with new members Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE was held in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, on 10-11 June 2024. Russia, the current BRICS chairman, hosted the meeting to prepare for the 16th annual BRICS summit in October 2024. Argentina declined membership. The 15th BRICS summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, in August 2023, had invited six countries to join.

Notes:
Chief Minister Pema Khandu was sworn in for a third consecutive term on June 13, 2024, at the DK State Convention Centre in Itanagar. He announced that the Bharatiya Janata Party’s election manifesto will guide Arunachal Pradesh’s new government for the next five years. Additionally, his Council of Ministers will meet to outline a development roadmap within the first 100 days of their tenure.

Notes:
Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi has been appointed as the Chief of the Army Staff, succeeding General Manoj C Pande. Born on July 1, 1964, he joined the Infantry (Jammu and Kashmir Rifles) in 1984. With nearly 40 years of service, he held key roles such as Director General Infantry and GOC-in-C Northern Command. An alumnus of prestigious institutions, he holds multiple advanced degrees and has received several military honors.

Notes:
The Indian Army has received Nagastra-1, a unique man-portable suicide drone designed to target launch pads, enemy camps, and infiltrators safely. Under Emergency Procurement Powers, the Army ordered 480 Loiter Munitions from Solar Industries’ Economics Explosives Ltd (EEL). Following successful pre-delivery inspections, 120 units have been delivered to an Army Ammunition Depot, according to defense sources.

Notes:
World Blood Donor Day is observed annually on June 14 to raise awareness about the importance of donating safe blood. Initiated by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2004, the day honors Austrian biologist Karl Landsteiner, born on June 14, 1886. In 2005, the World Health Assembly officially recognized the day. The 2024 theme is “20 years of celebrating giving: thank you, blood donors,” marking the 20th anniversary of the observance.

Notes:
The United Nations reported a record 120 million people were forcibly displaced globally from early 2023 to May 2024, as per the UNHCR’s Global Trends report. By the end of 2023, 117.3 million individuals had fled due to persecution, conflict, and violence. Conflict continues to be a major factor in displacement, affecting countries like Myanmar, Afghanistan, Ukraine, Palestine, Congo, Somalia, Haiti, Syria, and Armenia.

Notes:
Kalimpong in West Bengal faces extensive damage from heavy rains, causing flooding in the Teesta River. The Teesta, a Brahmaputra tributary, originates from glacial lakes in Sikkim, spanning 309 km. It flows south through deep gorges in the Siwalik Hills, before turning eastward into Bangladesh. Major tributaries include Lachung Chhu and Rangit River. The recent floods highlight ongoing challenges in managing this vital river system in India’s northeastern region.

Notes:
Punjab Police, in collaboration with the BSF and VDCs, conducted a one-week anti-drug campaign, “Mission Nishchay,” in Fazilka district from June 15 to 21. They will engage residents of 42 villages along the India-Pakistan border to gather intelligence on drug demand and supply. The initiative aims to foster community participation, with a special focus on youth and women, in curbing the drug menace.

Notes:
India is set to become the 6th country with a Deep Sea Mission, planning the first harbor trial at 40-50 meters depth by September 2024. The Matsya 6000, a three-person submersible developed by Chennai’s National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), will reach depths of 6,000 meters. Made of 80mm-thick titanium alloy, it can operate for 12-16 hours with a 96-hour oxygen supply. This mission is expected to boost India’s economy significantly.

Notes:
Despite the Union government’s environmental improvement claims, India ranks 176th out of 180 nations in the 2024 Environmental Performance Index (EPI), slightly better than its 180th position in 2022. Compiled by Yale and Columbia researchers, the EPI assesses green performance across multiple parameters. Since 2012, India has consistently declined in this index, highlighting ongoing environmental challenges.