Current Affairs Quiz - June, 2024

Notes:
The Union Cabinet approved a Rs 2869.65 crore development plan for Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport in Varanasi. Managed by the Airports Authority of India (AAI), the project aims to expand passenger capacity significantly. Key features include a new terminal spanning 75,000 square meters, lengthened runways, and an enlarged apron. The airport will handle 6 million passengers annually, with eco-friendly measures like energy efficiency, waste recycling, and solar power adoption promoting sustainability and enhancing traveler experience.

Notes:
Researchers discovered a new diatom genus, Indiconema, in the clean water rivers of India’s Eastern Ghats. Diatoms are photosynthetic, single-celled organisms essential to the aquatic food chain and sensitive indicators of water health. Indiconema, differing from others by having pore fields at both poles, was also found in the Western Ghats. It is morphologically related to the East African genus Afrocymbella.

Notes:
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) signed an MoU with Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology (IIIT Delhi) to enhance road safety using AI-based solutions to improve road sign availability on national highways. The project will cover approximately 25,000 km. IIIT Delhi will conduct surveys to collect imagery and data on road sign conditions along selected highway stretches.

Notes:
Air pollution is the second leading global risk factor for death, per the 2024 State of Global Air (SoGA) report by the Health Effects Institute and UNICEF. It causes non-communicable diseases like heart disease and lung cancer, with 8.1 million deaths in 2021. India and China accounted for 54% of the global air pollution disease burden. In 2021, air pollution caused 1,69,400 child deaths in India and 2,37,000 COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) deaths.

Notes:
The NSO released the “Statistical Report on Value of Output from Agriculture and Allied Sectors (2011-12 to 2022-23).” Key highlights include agriculture’s 18.2% share of GVA in 2022-23. Sub-sector contributions are Crop (54.3%), Livestock (30.9%), Forestry (7.9%), and Fishing (6.9%). From 2011-12 to 2022-23, Crop’s share declined from 62.4% to 54.3%, while Livestock, Forestry, and Fishing output increased significantly.

Notes:
The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and the Australian Government held a roundtable to review the Australia-India Critical Agriculture Skills Pilot Project. Led by Shri Atul Kumar Tiwari and Mr. Mathew Johnston, the discussion focused on scaling and replicating the initiative. Representatives from NCVET, NSDC, ICAR, MoE, and ASCI attended. The project, initiated last March, identified five critical agriculture job roles through extensive consultations with 89 experts from 64 organizations.

Notes:
The Ele-fence project, India’s first AI-based smart fence, is being deployed in Wayanad, Kerala, to mitigate human-wildlife conflict, primarily involving elephants. Implemented by White Elephant Technologies and the Kerala Forest Department, it aims to prevent crop loss and casualties caused by elephants encroaching on human habitats. Human-wildlife conflicts escalate as human populations grow and encroach into animal habitats, affecting biodiversity and local economies. The Ele-fence seeks to protect both wildlife and human livelihoods in affected areas.

Notes:
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:
A severe bleaching event has ravaged 97% of coral at Lizard Island, part of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, due to extreme heat stress. Known as Jiigurru or Dyiigurra, Lizard Island is located in Queensland. The island’s traditional owners are the Dingaal people, an Aboriginal Australian clan also known as Dingiil, Walmbarddha, or Walmbaria.

Notes:
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav announced a new school curriculum chapter on the Emergency of 1975-77, highlighting the “excesses and repression” during that period. This aims to educate the younger generation about the struggle against the Emergency. Additional benefits for ‘Loktantra Senanis’ include air ambulances for serious health issues, fare discounts, state honors for funerals, and increased funeral financial support from ₹8,000 to ₹10,000. Employment training will also be provided to their families.