Current Affairs Quiz - June, 2024

Notes:
A PLA study claims China’s Fire Dragon 480 missile can sink a US Ticonderoga-class cruiser in the Red Sea. The 750-mm tactical ballistic missile, made by Norinco Group, features precision-guidance sensors and a high-speed launch platform. With a warhead over 400 kg and impact velocity over 500 meters per second, it can destroy a 10,000-ton cruiser with two hits. Adopted in 2019, it has a range exceeding 500 km.

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.

Notes:
At the Archery World Cup 2024 Stage 3 in Antalya, Türkiye, 22-year-old Dhiraj Bommadevara won two bronze medals in the recurve events. India secured four medals overall: one gold, one silver, and two bronze. The Indian women’s compound team, consisting of Aditi Swami, Jyothi Surekha Vennam, and Parneet Kaur, achieved a hat-trick of gold medals, marking their third consecutive win this season.

Notes:
The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying and the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) signed an agreement to upgrade the Biocontainment Facility at Chaudhary Charan Singh National Institute of Animal Health (CCSNAIH), Baghpat. The project, costing ₹160 crores, will take 20 months. CCSNAIH, an apex lab since 2010, conducts quality control testing for veterinary vaccines, including HS and RD. The agreement was signed in the presence of Secretary Alka Upadhyaya.

Notes:
Historians and enthusiasts are restoring Srikakulam’s ancient history in Andhra Pradesh. Known for its prominent Buddhist sites like Dantapuri and Salihundam, Neolithic-era caves, and ancient temples, Srikakulam was once part of the Kalinga Dynasty and later ruled by the Gajapati Kingdom, Eastern Chalukyas, Kakatiya, and Vijayanagara empires. Key sites include the Sri Suryanarayana Swamy Temple in Arasavalli and the Srimukhalingam Temple by the Vamsadhara River.

Notes:
The Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) and the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) signed an MoA to enhance human resource development in High Performance Computing (HPC) and related areas. Key initiatives include Master Trainer Programs, Quality Improvement Programs, HPC courses on the SWAYAM platform, industry-aligned course development, and offering C-DAC’s HPC learning platforms to AICTE-nominated institutes. This collaboration aims to foster innovation and meet industry and academic needs.

Notes:
The Indian Army swiftly constructed a 150-foot foot suspension bridge in North Sikkim within 48 hours to restore connectivity to border villages affected by heavy rains and landslides. This initiative aimed to aid locals following the tragic loss of six lives earlier this month. Suspension bridges feature roadways suspended from cables anchored securely, providing crucial infrastructure amidst challenging terrain and adverse weather conditions.

Notes:
The annual conference on MND ‘Awareness, Care, and Management’ at Nimhans, Bengaluru, highlighted the importance of symptomatic and supportive treatments. Motor Neuron Diseases (MNDs) are progressive neurological disorders affecting motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord, leading to muscle weakness, slurred speech, and paralysis, typically after age 50. Causes are mostly unknown, though some cases are genetic. MND affects more males than females.

Notes:
A new spider species, Steriphopus wangala, was discovered in Meghalaya’s West Garo Hills. Named after the Garo community’s Wangala harvest festival, this spider belongs to the Palp-Footed Spider family and has reddish-brown coloring. The Wangala festival, or 100 Drums Festival, marks the end of the agricultural season, featuring rhythmic drumming and dances to thank deities and celebrate the harvest, signifying winter’s onset.

Notes:
The Dubai Art Centre hosted the “Hunar” exhibition, showcasing India’s rich folk and tribal art heritage. Organized by Videsha Pandey, the exhibition features diverse works including a Ramayana painting, Aipan art from Uttarakhand, Madhubani art from Bihar, Warli art from Maharashtra, and Muria art from Chhattisgarh. The exhibition aims to highlight India’s cultural diversity and underrepresented art forms, offering visitors an immersive experience of India’s artistic traditions.