Current Affairs - June 2, 2024 Current Affairs

Spain has committed to providing military aid to Ukraine amounting to 1 billion euros ($1.08 billion) under an agreement. This aid package includes a dozen U.S.-made Patriot anti-aircraft missiles, 19 second-hand German-made Leopard 2A4 tanks, along with other Spanish-made weapons. This initiative highlights Spain's role in supporting Ukraine amid geopolitical tensions and demonstrates bilateral cooperation between the two nations.

Goldman Sachs has raised India’s GDP growth forecast for 2024 to 6.7%, marking an upward revision of 10 basis points. This forecast reflects the anticipated growth trajectory of the Indian economy and indicates optimism regarding its performance in the coming years.

Smartphones have risen to become India's fourth-largest export item, experiencing a significant growth of 42% to reach $15.6 billion in FY24. This reflects the sector's robust performance and its growing contribution to India's export economy.

Rakesh Ranjan, a 1992 batch IAS officer from Manipur Cadre, has been appointed as the Chairman of the Staff Selection Commission (SSC). His appointment comes with the rank and pay of Secretary to the Government of India, indicating his elevated position within the organization.

The Cyber Security Conclave took place in New Delhi, focusing on strategies to address the rising cyber threats. The event, organized collaboratively by CSC and United Service Institution, aimed to strengthen cybersecurity resilience through discussions on cost-effective solutions and initiatives like the Cyber Rakshak program, which empowers women with cybersecurity skills. Additionally, the conclave facilitated the signing of an MoU between CSC and USI to further enhance cybersecurity efforts.

Vice Admiral Gurcharan Singh took over as the Commandant of the National Defence Academy from Vice Admiral Ajay Kocchar in Pune. Having been commissioned into the Indian Navy in 1990 and specializing in Gunnery and Missiles, Vice Admiral Gurcharan Singh brings a wealth of experience to his new role, ensuring the continued excellence of India's premier military training institution.

India held discussions with Libya to revitalize "Energy Sector Cooperation." During the meeting between Pankaj Jain, Secretary of India's Ministry of Petroleum, and Mohamed Khalil Issa, Deputy Minister for Political Affairs of Libya, in New Delhi, the focus was on enhancing bilateral energy cooperation. This included increasing crude oil trade and resuming exploration and production projects in Libya, involving Indian public sector entities like Indian Oil, ONGC, and Oil India.

NASA launched the Small Climate Satellite as part of its PREFIRE (Polar Radiant Energy in the Far-InfraRed Experiment) mission. This mission aims to gather data on the heat radiated by the Arctic and Antarctica into space, thereby enhancing understanding of global climate dynamics. Established in 1958 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., NASA is renowned for its contributions to space exploration, scientific research, and technology development.

Scientists at the Ulsan National Institute of Technology in South Korea have devised a novel technique to produce diamonds rapidly, completing the process in just 15 minutes at ambient pressure without the need for seed particles. This groundbreaking method involves a combination of gallium, iron, nickel, and silicon in a graphite crucible, with methane introduced at 1,175°C. Compared to traditional methods, this innovation significantly reduces production time, offering a promising advancement in diamond manufacturing technology.

SpaceX successfully launched the inaugural batch of operational spy satellites for the new US spy constellation. This launch, conducted from Vandenberg Space Force Base in Southern California, marked a significant milestone in the project for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), aimed at bolstering the country's space-based surveillance capabilities.

Nishant Dev made history by becoming the first Indian male boxer to secure a spot in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. His qualification came after a victory over Moldova's Vasile Cebotari in the men's 71 kg category quarterfinal at the World Boxing Qualifiers. This significant achievement adds another feather to India's boxing prowess on the international stage, with Nishant joining other Indian pugilists like Nikhat Zareen, Preeti, and Lovlina Borgohain in representing the country at the prestigious Olympic event.