Current Affairs Quiz - June, 2024

Notes:
Recently, SIPRI reported on nuclear warheads, revealing China’s arsenal at 500 warheads, tripling India and Pakistan’s counts. Some Chinese warheads are on high alert for the first time. India’s arsenal stands at 172 warheads, slightly surpassing Pakistan’s 170. India is expanding its nuclear triad with advanced submarines and long-range missiles. Nuclear warheads, deployed via missiles or bombers, harness nuclear reactions for devastating energy release, encompassing fission and fusion processes, causing immense destruction.

Notes:
Indian Prime Minister’s recent visit to Varanasi marked his first since assuming office for the third time. He inaugurated the Kashi Vishwanath Temple corridor’s first phase, linking it to the Ganga River banks, highlighting India’s Sanatan culture. PM Modi praised Varanasi’s historical resilience and cultural richness. He offered prayers at Kaal Bhairav Temple and witnessed Ganga Aarti, underscoring the visit’s cultural and historical significance, celebrating Varanasi’s spirit and iconic temple.

Notes:
BJP leader and seven-time MP Bhartruhari Mahtab was appointed pro-tem Speaker of the Lok Sabha. His duties include administering the oath to newly elected members of the 18th Lok Sabha and presiding over the House until the Speaker is elected. The pro-tem Speaker is a temporary position, essential for the initial functioning of a newly formed Lok Sabha.

Notes:
Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport Ltd launched a self-service baggage drop system on June 17. About 50 units are installed across Terminals 1 and 3, available for Air India, IndiGo, and Air India Express passengers. The system allows passengers to print tags at kiosks, place bags on the conveyor belt, and complete check-in quickly. It checks airline criteria and dangerous goods declarations internally for a seamless experience.

Notes:
At the 112th International Labour Conference in Geneva, India’s delegation, led by the Secretary of the Ministry of Labour & Employment, highlighted the e-Shram portal. Launched in 2021, the portal registers unorganized workers across 400 occupations, providing a comprehensive national database. Fully Aadhaar-verified, it aims to facilitate access to social security schemes. The e-Shram portal integrates with the National Career Service, Skill India Digital Hub, myScheme portal, and Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Mandhaan scheme.

Notes:
INS Sunayna, a Saryu-class Offshore Patrol Vessel commissioned in Kochi and based under the Southern Naval Command, visited Port Victoria, Seychelles on June 15, 2024. This visit, alongside SCGS Zoroaster, aims to enhance cooperation between the Indian Navy and Seychelles Coast Guard under the SAGAR vision. Built at Goa Shipyard Limited, INS Sunayna supports fleet operations, coastal patrols, ocean surveillance, and can reach speeds of 25 knots.

Notes:
Mudgal Fort in Karnataka showcases India’s rich historical and cultural heritage, reflecting its architectural, cultural, and historical significance. The fort has a 1,000-year history, linked to the Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, Bahmani Sultans, and Vijayanagara Empire. It became a strategic battleground between the Vijayanagara Empire and Adil Shahi Sultanate, witnessing 11 battles due to its pivotal location in the fertile, mineral-rich Raichur Doab between the Tungabhadra and Krishna rivers.

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 Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) inaugurated the first National Additive Manufacturing Symposium (NAMS) 2024, emphasizing India’s commitment to advanced manufacturing. MeitY Secretary S Krishnan released an Additive Manufacturing Landscape Report and unveiled an indigenous AM machine. The symposium highlighted India’s AM ecosystem, building on the 2022 National Strategy for Additive Manufacturing. Diverse stakeholders, including industry leaders and government representatives, participated, underscoring a collaborative approach to advancing AM technologies in India.

Notes:
Air pollution is the second leading global risk factor for death, per the 2024 State of Global Air (SoGA) report by the Health Effects Institute and UNICEF. It causes non-communicable diseases like heart disease and lung cancer, with 8.1 million deaths in 2021. India and China accounted for 54% of the global air pollution disease burden. In 2021, air pollution caused 1,69,400 child deaths in India and 2,37,000 COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) deaths.