Current Affairs Quiz - June, 2024

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:
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 Indian Army inaugurated a state-of-the-art skin bank at Army Hospital (Research & Referral) on June 18. This facility, a first within Armed Forces Medical Services, focuses on treating severe burn injuries for armed forces personnel and families. It addresses injuries from fire accidents, electrical incidents, and high-altitude kerosene warmers. The skin bank centralizes collection, processing, storage, and distribution of skin grafts, enhancing medical capabilities nationwide for military hospitals.

Notes:
At the 43rd World Medical and Health Games in Saint-Tropez, France, from June 16-23, 2024, four officers from the Armed Forces Medical Service won a record 32 medals. Lieutenant Colonel Sanjeev Malik, Major Anish George, Captain Stephen Sebastian, and Captain Dania James collectively secured 19 gold, 9 silver, and 4 bronze medals. The Medgames is the world’s largest sporting event for medical and health professionals, first held in 1978.

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:
India and the US are discussing co-producing American Javelin missiles in India for its military needs. The Javelin is a man-portable antitank guided missile (ATGM) developed by Raytheon and Lockheed Martin. Designed to defeat heavily armored vehicles and other targets like bunkers and helicopters, it features a 2,500-meter range, “fire-and-forget” infrared guidance, and a high-explosive antitank warhead. It can be shoulder-fired or vehicle-mounted.

Notes:
Julian Assange is heading to a courtroom in Saipan, capital of the Northern Mariana Islands, to plead guilty to a single charge and return to Australia. Saipan, located in the Western Pacific Ocean, is a US commonwealth with a history of Spanish, German, and Japanese colonization. Tourism, especially from Korea and China, drives its economy. It’s unique for allowing visa-free entry to Chinese citizens.

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.