Current Affairs Quiz - June, 2024

Notes:
Anthropic has launched its latest AI model, Claude 3.5 Sonnet, part of the upcoming Claude 3.5 series. This large language model excels in visual reasoning, outperforming previous models like Claude 3 Opus. Claude 3.5 Sonnet is noted for its speed, visual data analysis, and accurate transcription of imperfect images. It sets new benchmarks in coding proficiency, reasoning, and knowledge, and excels in writing high-quality, relatable content.

Notes:
Despite extensive cleanup efforts, Paris’ Seine River remains too polluted for swimming events in the upcoming Olympic Games. The Seine, France’s second-longest river at 775 kilometers, has a drainage basin of 79,000 square kilometers, mainly in northern France. Originating in Burgundy, it flows through Paris for 13 kilometers before emptying into the English Channel. Major tributaries like the Marne join it near Paris.

Notes:
India’s aviation sector has ascended to the world’s third-largest domestic market, advancing from fifth place a decade ago under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. The average yearly growth rate in airline seat capacity is a leading 6.9%. Low-cost carriers (LCCs) now dominate with 78.4% market share, led by IndiGo capturing 62%. LCCs’ rapid expansion, with IndiGo growing 13.9% annually, has significantly boosted accessibility and contributed to economic growth.

Notes:
In Madhya Pradesh, the Prime Minister College of Excellence will be inaugurated in all 55 districts on July 1. Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav announced a new drone policy and emphasized enhancing teaching for aviation, agriculture, and AI job opportunities. Each college will also establish a Centre of Traditional Indian Knowledge. To promote environmental awareness, educational gardens will be developed in all government, non-government, and aided colleges.

Notes:
Devotees nationwide are gathering at Assam’s Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati for the annual Ambubachi Mela. The Kamakhya Temple, one of India’s 51 Shaktipeeths, is located atop Nilachal Hills and is dedicated to Goddess Kamakhya, a form of Goddess Parvati. The Ambubachi Mela celebrates the goddess’s annual menstruation. The temple’s architecture uniquely combines the traditional Nagara and Mughal styles, known as the Nilachala Style.

Notes:
Since February, the African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreak in Mizoram has killed over 3,350 pigs. ASF is a highly contagious viral disease with a 100% mortality rate in pigs. Symptoms include fever, weakness, and diarrhea. The virus spreads through direct and indirect contact and survives long in pork products. Endemic to sub-Saharan Africa, it reached India in 2020. There is no cure or vaccine, necessitating animal culling to prevent spread.

Notes:
Om Birla has been re-elected as Speaker of the Lok Sabha, defeating opposition candidate K Suresh in the first test of strength for the new Modi government. This marks Birla’s second term as Speaker, making him the sixth person to hold the position twice.

Notes:
India’s largest leopard safari has opened at Bannerghatta Biological Park, Karnataka. Covering 20 hectares, the safari houses eight leopards, with plans to increase this number. The area is secured with railway barricades and enclosed with 4.5-meter-tall chain-link mesh and mild steel sheets to ensure the leopards remain within the boundaries.

Notes:
Denmark will introduce the world’s first emissions tax on livestock in 2030, targeting greenhouse gases from cows, pigs, and sheep. Farmers will initially pay $43 per metric ton of CO2 equivalent, increasing to $108 by 2035. However, a 60% tax deduction will reduce the effective rates to $17 per metric ton in 2030 and $43 in 2035.

Notes:
India participated in the CLGF Annual Board meeting in Sri Lanka, focusing on “Reinforcing Social Resilience through Women’s Political Representation.” CLGF, headquartered in London since 1995, unites local governments and ministries across 56 Commonwealth nations, including India. It advocates for gender equality in local governance to support women’s active participation in public life, aligning with SDG 5 goals.