Current Affairs Quiz - June, 2024

Notes:
The central government has extended the Digital Health Incentive Scheme (DHIS) for digitising patients’ health records and linking them with the Ayushman Bharat Digital Health Account (ABHA ID) until June 30, 2025. Launched on January 1, 2023, under Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, the DHIS aims to promote digital health practices in India. Eligibility includes health facilities and digital solution companies, with incentives based on the number of ABHA-linked digital health records created.

Notes:
Astronomers have been searching for a hypothetical ninth planet, Planet Nine, in the outer solar system for nearly a decade. Proposed to explain anomalies in the orbits of distant trans-Neptunian objects, Planet Nine is estimated to be 5-10 times the mass of Earth with a highly elliptical orbit, ranging from 400 to 800 AU from the Sun. Experts believe we may soon find it.

Notes:
Using the James Webb Space Telescope, astronomers discovered SN 2023adsy, the most distant Type Ia supernova detected. A supernova is a cataclysmic explosion of a massive star, with Type I occurring when a star accumulates matter from a neighbor, and Type II when a star collapses under its gravity. Supernovas, the largest explosions in space, outshine galaxies, produce heavy elements, and occur once every 50 years in Milky Way-sized galaxies.

Notes:
HelpAge India’s report, “Ageing in India: Exploring Preparedness & Response to Care Challenges,” was released on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, June 15. Key findings include: 65% of elders are financially insecure, with 40% of illiterate elderly lacking income sources. Only 29% access social security schemes, and 15% are employed. Health-wise, 52% face daily living challenges, and 54% have multiple NCDs. Additionally, 59% lack digital device access, exacerbating isolation.

Notes:
Scientists at Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea are pioneering “meaty rice,” injecting beef cells into rice grains coated with fish gelatine. This innovative food technology aims to offer a sustainable protein source without animal agriculture’s ethical concerns. The rice’s porous structure facilitates cell growth over 11 days in a Petri dish. Meaty rice promises a significantly lower carbon footprint compared to traditional beef production, potentially revolutionizing global food sustainability practices.

Notes:
Vinod Ganatra, a prominent children’s filmmaker from India, has been honored with South Africa’s prestigious ‘Nelson Mandela Lifetime Achievement Award’ for his contributions to cinema. He is the first Indian to receive this accolade, presented at the 7th Nelson Mandela Children’s Film Festival. Ganatra’s career spans over four decades, producing numerous documentaries and youth programs, and winning 36 national and international awards, including the ‘Liv Ullmann Peace Prize’ and ‘DadaSaheb Phalke Lifetime Achievement Award.’

Notes:
Archaeologists discovered Tu’am, an ancient city known for its pearl trade, on UAE’s Siniyah Island, confirming its historical existence. Dating back to the fourth century, Tu’am thrived until succumbing to local conflicts and the bubonic plague. Excavations revealed ancient homes and a Christian monastery, aligning with historical records. This discovery establishes Siniyah Island as the true location of Tu’am, showcasing its significance as the largest known ancient town on the UAE’s Gulf coast.

Notes:
The Sustainable Development Report 2024 reveals significant delays in achieving most 2015 SDG targets, such as reducing poverty and hunger. Published by the Sustainable Development Solutions Network, it highlights that only 16% of goals are on track for 2030. Released before the UN Summit of the Future, it proposes key UN reforms and introduces an index for UN-based multilateralism. Finland, Sweden, and Denmark lead the rankings, while vulnerable nations lag significantly.

Notes:
The UNCTAD’s World Investment Report 2024 reveals a 2% global decline in foreign direct investment (FDI) flows in 2023, with significant drops noted in India. Funding for Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) investments via sustainable finance products is also slowing. Established in 1964, UNCTAD aids developing nations in accessing the advantages of a global economy equitably.

Notes:
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) issued a notice to the Odisha government over unpaid compensation for a custodial death. From 2017 to 2022, India reported over 660 custodial deaths, with Gujarat having the highest at 80. Constitutional safeguards include Articles 14 and 21, while legal safeguards encompass Sections 330, 331 IPC, and 176 Cr.P.C. NHRC guidelines and Supreme Court rulings further protect detainees, ensuring prompt reporting and proper arrest procedures.