Current affairs 08 June 2024

India became 3rd-Largest Gold Buyer in May, after Switzerland & China.

• The World Gold Council’s Gold Return Attribution Model noted that among the top buyers was India, purchasing $86.5 million worth of gold.
• Global gold (ETFs) ended a 12-month slump with a 2% increase in assets to $234 billion and net inflows of $529 million in May.
• An exchange-traded fund (ETF) is a basket of securities that tracks or seeks to outperform an underlying index.

Russian cosmonaut becomes 1st person to spend 1,000 days in space.

• A Russian cosmonaut became the first person to spend a cumulative 1,000 days in space.
• Kononenko's current mission to the ISS began Sept. 15, 2023, and is planned to end Sept. 23, 2024, bringing his total number of days spent in orbit to 1,110.
• His first was Expedition 17 to the ISS, which launched in April 2008.
• In total, Kononenko has been on five separate missions to the ISS.

Peru adopts India’s UPI technology for real-time payments.

• NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) and the Central Reserve Bank of Peru (BCRP) have announced a landmark partnership to introduce a UPI-like real-time payments system in Peru.
• This collaboration makes Peru the first South American country to adopt the Unified Payment Interface (UPI) technology, showcasing India’s leadership in digital payments.
• Peru: Capital: Lima

Nagi and Nakti Sanctuaries in Bihar Became International Wetlands.

• On World Environment Day 2024, the Nagi Bird Sanctuary and the Nakti Bird Sanctuary in Bihar were included in the global list of important wetlands.
• These newly designated Ramsar sites are man-made reservoirs located in the Jhajha forest range of Jamui district in Bihar.
• The two bird sanctuaries cover a total area of 544.37 hectares.
• This takes the no. of Ramsar Sites in the country to 82.

Siddhalinga Pattanashetti wins Gudleppa Hallikeri Award 2024.

• The veteran writer Siddalinga Pattanashetti has been selected for the prestigious Gudleppa Hallikeri Award for 2024.
• This is the 19th award and was presented in honor of the birth anniversary of Gudleppa Hallikeri.
• The award includes Rs 25,000 cash and a memento.
• Veeranna Chekki - Senior trustee of the Gudleppa Hallikeri Memorial Foundation.