Current Affairs Quiz - June, 2024

Notes:
The recent fire in Mangaf, Kuwait, resulting in the deaths of Indian migrant workers, highlights the poor living conditions and neglect of low-income workers’ rights in GCC states. The Kafala system ties migrant workers’ visas to their employers, granting employers extensive control and contributing to exploitation and vulnerability. Low wages, restricted movement, and the absence of worker unions further exacerbate these issues, worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic by confinement and deportations.

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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:
World Sickle Cell Day is observed on June 19 to raise awareness about sickle cell disease, a genetic blood disorder. Established by a 2008 UN resolution, it aims to inform the public and stakeholders about early detection and prevention. The 2024 theme, “Hope through Progress: Advancing Sickle Cell Care Globally,” emphasizes improving care and providing relief for patients worldwide.

Notes:
Ramesh Karthik Naik, a 26-year-old writer from Vivek Nagar, Nizamabad district, received the Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar for Telugu literature. Instituted in 2011, this award honors young writers under 35 for their creative works in 24 languages. It includes a plaque, shawl, citation, and a ₹50,000 cheque. The Sahitya Akademi, established in 1954, promotes literature in Indian languages autonomously under the Government of India, playing a pivotal role in literary discourse and publication.

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:
Scientists have discovered how to control the Casimir Effect to enhance tiny machines. The Casimir Effect, predicted by Hendrik Casimir in 1948, involves an attractive force between two closely placed uncharged conducting plates due to quantum vacuum fluctuations. This phenomenon, filled with virtual particles, has been experimentally verified and is crucial in nanotechnology and condensed matter physics, significantly impacting micromachined devices and our understanding of vacuum energy.

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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:
Food safety authorities in Denmark recalled three types of South Korean spicy instant noodles due to high capsaicin levels posing “acute poisoning” risks. Capsaicin, found in chili peppers’ placenta, binds to TRPV1 receptors in humans, which detect heat and pain. This triggers a false sensation of burning, causing sweating, a red face, runny nose, teary eyes, and gut cramps as the body attempts to expel the perceived heat.

Notes:
The Karnataka government approved the Centre’s proposal to revive gold mining at Kolar Gold Fields (KGF). Located 100 km from Bangalore in Kolar district, KGF mines are among the world’s deepest, operated by Bharat Gold Mines Limited (BGML), a public sector undertaking established in 1972. Mining here is costly due to the depth of the ore.