Current Affairs Quiz - June, 2024

Notes:
The Central Council for Research in Yoga & Naturopathy (CCRYN) and Svyasa University organized the “Yoga for Space” conference at S-Vyasa University, Bengaluru, for International Day of Yoga 2024, themed “Yoga for Self & Society.” The event featured keynote addresses from Indian institutions and highlighted various activities promoting yoga, including global contests and innovative challenges. The conference emphasized yoga’s role in fostering a healthy society and its potential applications for astronauts.

Notes:
The IUCN has upgraded the conservation status of the Iberian lynx from Endangered to Vulnerable, indicating a significant population increase. This medium-sized wild cat is native to the Iberian Peninsula in Portugal and Spain. It has long legs, a short tail, tufted ears, and a small head. The solitary, nocturnal hunter relies heavily on European rabbits, facing threats like poaching and habitat loss. It is listed in Appendix I of CITES.

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.

Notes:
The Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) was awarded the 2024 Blue Planet Prize for its role as the global authority on biodiversity, ecosystem services, and nature’s contributions to people. Established in 1992, this prestigious award by Japan’s Asahi Glass Foundation recognizes scientific contributions towards solving global environmental challenges. IPBES shares the honor with Robert Costanza from University College London for his work in ecological economics, each receiving USD 500,000 for their achievements.

Notes:
Indian botanists discovered two new plant species in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Arunachal Pradesh. Dendrophthoe longensis, an aerial stem-parasitic plant, was found on mango trees in the evergreen forests of the Andamans. Petrocosmea arunachalense, a small, white, and hairy herb with purple blotches, was discovered in a cave in Arunachal Pradesh. It is only the second known Petrocosmea species in India.

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:
United Nations Public Service Day is celebrated globally on June 23rd to highlight the importance of public service and honor the dedication of public servants. The day aims to celebrate the value of public service to communities, showcase its contribution to development, honor the work of public servants, and inspire young people to consider careers in the public sector.

Notes:
The Bharat Centre of Olympic Research and Education (BCORE) was inaugurated on June 23 at Rashtriya Raksha University, Gandhinagar, Gujarat. Indian Olympic Association president PT Usha highlighted BCORE’s role as a hub for knowledge, innovation, and performance in Indian sports. Officially recognized by the International Olympic Committee, BCORE promotes Olympic values as an academic center.

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:
The Ministry of Mines launched the Scheme for Partial Reimbursement of Exploration Expenses to accelerate mineral exploration and reduce costs. The scheme offers 50% reimbursement, up to Rs 20 crore, for exploration expenses. This cap increases to Rs 24 crore if a G2 block is auctioned within three years. Funded by the Rs 5,000 crore NMET, recipients must repay the amount over ten years from production start or within one month of receiving lump sum payments.