Current affairs 12 July 2024

India's Bengaluru firm becomes exporter of sniper rifles.

• This is the 1st time that India has exported sniper files to a foreign country.
• Bengaluru's SSS Defence secures contract for .338 Lapua Magnum sniper rifles, marking a significant shift from being an importer to an exporter of such weaponry.
• Contracts include nearly USD 50 million in ammunition sales to multiple friendly nations, showcasing India's emerging role in global defense exports.

UNESCO Designates 11 New Biosphere Reserves Across 11 Countries.

• UNESCO has approved the designation of 11 new biosphere reserves in 11 countries including 2 transboundary biosphere reserves.
• The new biosphere reserves are located in Colombia, Dominican Republic, Italy, Mongolia, Netherlands, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Slovenia, Spain, Belgium & Gambia.
• The World Network of Biosphere Reserves now totals 759 sites in 136 countries.

Russia Offers India Cooperation in Building Small Nuclear Power Plants.

• Russia has offered to assist India in constructing small tropical nuclear power stations, with a focus on deep localization and transferring construction responsibilities to India.
• India and Russia are already collaborating on the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant, with plans for further developments in nuclear energy technology, including 4G nuclear technologies.

Italy's Etna and Stromboli Erupt, Shutting Down Catania Airport.

• Stromboli is an island in the Tyrrhenian Sea, off the north coast of Sicily, containing Mount Stromboli, one of the four active volcanoes in Italy.
• Mount Etna is an active stratovolcano on the east coast of Sicily, Italy, in the Metropolitan City of Catania.
• Both the Mount Etna and Stromboli island are located above the convergent plate margin between the African Plate and the Eurasian Plate.

India to Sign and Ratify High Seas Treaty on Marine Conservation.

• India will sign and ratify the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement, part of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), to protect high seas biodiversity through international cooperation.
• The Ministry of Earth Sciences will implement the treaty, which aims to strengthen India's marine conservation, enhance strategic presence, and boost scientific research.