Current Affairs Quiz - June, 2024

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Scientists are using remote sensing and AI to find a female Encephalartos woodii in Ngoye Forest, South Africa. This cycad, a “living fossil” from the Carboniferous period, has thick trunks and stiff leaves. Cycads, gymnosperms like conifers, reproduce via insect-pollinated cones. Despite their ancient lineage, cycads are highly endangered due to slow growth, habitat loss, and illegal trade. The search aims to preserve this rare species.

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Recently, a Long March 2-C rocket launched the French-Chinese satellite SVOM from China’s Xichang Satellite Launch Center. SVOM, weighing 930 kilograms, aims to detect and study gamma-ray bursts from an orbit over 600 kilometers above Earth. Equipped with instruments from both nations, it has a designed life of five years but could operate up to 20 years. Gamma-ray bursts, originating from stellar explosions, offer insights into cosmic evolution by studying the light’s journey through space.

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Kozhikode in Kerala has been declared India’s first UNESCO City of Literature, joining the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN). Established in 2004, UCCN promotes urban development through creativity, encompassing nearly 300 cities globally in fields such as literature, crafts, and music. Other Indian cities in UCCN include Srinagar and Jaipur (crafts and folk arts), Mumbai (film), Chennai, Gwalior, and Varanasi (music), and Hyderabad (gastronomy).

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Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini announced an increase in the annual income limit for the creamy layer of Other Backward Classes (OBC) from ₹6 lakh to ₹8 lakh. The reservation quota for OBCs in Group-A and Group-B positions will rise from 15% to 27%, aligning with Central government policy. This aims to enhance the welfare of the OBC community and benefit the youth in government jobs.

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Indian wrestlers secured 11 medals (4 gold, 2 silver, 5 bronze) at the Under-17 Asian Wrestling Championship 2024 in Amman, Jordan, held from June 22-24. They competed in men’s and women’s freestyle and men’s Greco-Roman categories across 10 weight divisions per format. The event precedes the ongoing U-23 championship. The 2023 championship took place in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.

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Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh launched the “One Week One Theme” (OWOT) campaign to highlight India’s recent successes in science and technology. Aimed at integrating CSIR lab efforts, the initiative promotes innovation and benefits citizens by creating employment opportunities and empowering MSMEs, startups, and researchers. The launch saw 24 technology transfers and product launches. The campaign aligns with PM Modi’s vision to extend scientific benefits beyond labs to improve living standards.

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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.

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Flood-affected children in Assam will receive a ‘school in a box’ in 167 relief camps to continue their education. The initiative, aimed at children aged 6 to 18, helps them cope with trauma from losing homes or family members. Each camp will get a UNICEF-designed child-friendly space (CFS) kit with notebooks and learning materials. The Assam State Disaster Management Authority is training officials to maximize the kits’ utility and reduce children’s mental stress.

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The United States has designated Kenya as a major non-NATO ally (MNNA), offering benefits in defense trade and security cooperation. President Biden pledged this status during Kenyan President William Ruto’s recent US visit. The MNNA designation, a symbol of close US relations, provides military and economic privileges without security commitments. This status enhances Kenya’s defense and security partnership with the US.

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New findings from NASA’s Juno probe reveal the extent of lava lakes on Jupiter’s moon Io. Launched in 2011, Juno is designed to study Jupiter’s origins and changes. It arrived at Jupiter in 2016 and orbits every 11 days. Initially a 5-year mission, it has been extended to 2025. During this extended mission, Juno explores Jupiter’s moons Ganymede, Europa, and Io, as well as its atmosphere and rings.