Current Affairs Quiz - June, 2024

Notes:
Six Asiatic lions recently migrated from Gir Forest to Barda Wildlife Sanctuary (BWS). These endangered lions, slightly smaller than African lions, are protected under IUCN’s Endangered status, CITES Appendix I, and India’s Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972. They exhibit moderate mane growth and lack a specific breeding season. The Gir forest and other protected areas in Gujarat’s Saurashtra region are their exclusive habitats.

Notes:
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) inaugurated the first National Additive Manufacturing Symposium (NAMS) 2024, emphasizing India’s commitment to advanced manufacturing. MeitY Secretary S Krishnan released an Additive Manufacturing Landscape Report and unveiled an indigenous AM machine. The symposium highlighted India’s AM ecosystem, building on the 2022 National Strategy for Additive Manufacturing. Diverse stakeholders, including industry leaders and government representatives, participated, underscoring a collaborative approach to advancing AM technologies in India.

Notes:
New research reveals Australia’s pink garnet sand originated from Antarctic mountains. Garnet, a deep red mineral formed in high-temperature conditions, is rare in beach sand due to wave erosion. Found in metamorphic and igneous rocks, garnets are often opaque to translucent. Australia produces nearly half of the world’s garnets, used in abrasives, grinding wheels, and decorative applications. Garnet-rich sand typically also contains epidote and magnetite.

Notes:
According to the World Bank’s Global Gas Flaring Tracker Report, gas flaring reached 148 billion cubic meters (bcm) in 2023, the highest since 2019. Gas flaring, the burning of natural gas during oil extraction, persists due to market constraints, regulatory issues, and political factors. Although flaring safely disposes of gas, it wastes a valuable resource that could be used for power generation or conservation.

Notes:
Researchers from the University of Gothenburg found that a significant portion of methane gas released from ruptured Nord Stream pipelines in the Baltic Sea last September did not reach the atmosphere. Methane, a primary component of natural gas, contributes significantly to global warming. The Baltic Sea, a semi-enclosed sea in Northern Europe, connects several countries and plays a vital role in regional and international maritime trade and transportation.

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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.

Notes:
UNODC released its Annual World Drug Report (2024) on World Drug Day, June 26th, aiming to combat drug abuse and trafficking globally. The report highlights a rise in illicit drug use, with 292 million users worldwide by 2022. Cannabis remains the most abused drug, followed by opioids and others. Regions like the Triple Frontier and Golden Triangle face significant criminal activity. Legalization efforts in Canada, Uruguay, and parts of the US are noted, alongside environmental impacts of drug-related activities.

Notes:
Rampur district, Uttar Pradesh, known as the “City of Knives,” has crafted the renowned Rampuri chaku since the 18th century. These blades, symbols of artisanship and royal patronage, are made from high-quality steel, paired with handles of bone, horn, or ivory, intricately carved into pieces of art. Despite a 1990s ban on longer blades to reduce violence, Rampur artisans adapt legally, preserving their craft’s legacy. This resilience highlights Rampur’s cultural heritage and commitment to craftsmanship.

Notes:
NASA recently observed gigantic jets over the Himalayan Mountains. These rare and powerful lightning phenomena extend from the top of a cloud to the edge of space, differing from regular cloud-to-cloud and cloud-to-ground lightning. Documented only in the 21st century, the bottoms of gigantic jets resemble blue jets, while the tops look like red sprites. This discovery adds to our understanding of atmospheric phenomena.

Notes:
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.