Current Affairs Quiz – June 2025

Notes:
Recently, a United States federal court blocked President Donald Trump’s broad tariffs, stating that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) does not allow him to impose sweeping import taxes. The International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977 (IEEPA) was legislated on 28 October 1977. It gives the US president the power to regulate financial transactions after declaring a national emergency. The IEEPA allows the president to act against unusual and exceptional threats to national security, foreign policy, and the economy, especially if the threat comes from outside the country. It empowers the president to freeze assets and restrict transactions.

Notes:
The Telangana State government recently declared the tiger corridor linking Kawal Tiger Reserve and Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra as the ‘Kumram Bheem Conservation Reserve’. Kawal Tiger Reserve is located in Telangana along the banks of the Godavari River and lies in the Deccan Peninsula-Central Highlands. It is part of the Sahyadri Mountain Ranges and lies at the southern-most tip of the Central Indian Tiger Landscape. It shares ecological connections with Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra and Indravati Tiger Reserve in Chhattisgarh.

Notes:
Mock drills were recently held in states and Union Territories near India’s western border under Operation SHIELD. The main goal is to check and improve India’s readiness against external threats. The drills simulate emergencies like enemy air raids, drone attacks, missile strikes, and mass evacuations. It includes silent and general recall of civil defence volunteers to test quick response. This helps authorities prepare better for real security situations along the border.

Notes:
China has recently announced plans to build the world’s first hybrid fusion-fission nuclear plant named Xinghuo, which means “spark” in Mandarin. This plant will combine both fusion and fission reactions to increase energy production and reduce radioactive waste. Fusion involves joining atomic nuclei, while fission splits them; together, they can offer a more efficient and cleaner energy solution. Xinghuo aims to set a new global standard in sustainable and high-output nuclear power technology.

Notes:
Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla is leading the Indian Parliamentary Delegation (IPD) to the 11th BRICS Parliamentary Forum in Brasília, Brazil, from June 3 to 5, 2025. The theme of the forum is “The Role of BRICS Parliaments in Building More Inclusive and Sustainable Global Governance.” Shri Om Birla is addressing plenary sessions on four topics: strengthening BRICS parliamentary ties; reforming global peace and security structures; promoting inclusive and responsible Artificial Intelligence (AI); and exploring new strategies for economic development.

Notes:
The Coal Ministry recently launched C CARES Version 2.0, a new portal of the Coal Mines Provident Fund Organization (CMPFO). It was developed by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) with support from State Bank of India. The portal improves efficiency and transparency in Provident Fund and Pension services for coal sector workers. It enables real-time tracking of claims, automatic ledger updates, and direct transfers to workers’ accounts.

Notes:
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar announced that India has been elected to the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) for the 2026–2028 term. India was elected from the Asia-Pacific States group, which has four seats, along with Lebanon, Turkmenistan, and China. ECOSOC was established in 1945 under the UN Charter and is one of the six main organs of the United Nations. It is headquartered in New York, United States.

Notes:
The National Agriculture-Renewable Energy Conference 2025 was held in New Delhi by the National Solar Energy Federation of India (NSEFI) to promote renewable energy in agriculture. A report and reference book on agriculture and renewable energy were released at the event. The conference aims to strengthen dialogue among policymakers, experts, and farmers.

Notes:
Recently, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced that the India-England Test series will now be called the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. This honors Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar, who played 200 Tests before retiring in 2013, and England’s James Anderson, who retired in July 2024 after 188 Tests. Earlier, the series in England was known as the Pataudi Trophy and in India as the Anthony de Mello Trophy. This renaming follows a global trend like the Crowe-Thorpe Trophy for England–New Zealand Tests and Border-Gavaskar Trophy for India–Australia Tests.

Notes:
The Kerala State Public Health Laboratory has developed its own molecular diagnostic test kits to detect five toxic species of Free-Living Amoeba (FLA). These Free-Living Amoeba (FLAs) can cause Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (AME), a rare but deadly brain infection. Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (AME) is an infection of the brain and its protective membranes called meninges. It is caused by microscopic single-celled organisms found in water. The disease has a mortality rate of over 95% and mainly affects young people. This recent development highlights Kerala’s proactive steps in public health and early disease detection.