Current Affairs Quiz - December, 2024

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Scientists have taken the first zoomed-in image of the Red Supergiant WOH G64 star located in another galaxy. The star was imaged with high sharpness by the ESO’s Very Large Telescope Interferometer (VLTI). WOH G64 is in the Large Magellanic Cloud, a satellite galaxy of the Milky Way, about 160,000 light years from Earth. A red supergiant, WOH G64 is 2,000 times the size of the Sun and is nearing the end of its life, shedding its outer layer surrounded by gas and dust.

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UNESCO has recognized West Bengal as a top destination for heritage tourism. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee highlighted the state’s progress in religious, heritage, and tea tourism. This recognition has boosted tourism and created thousands of jobs for youth. West Bengal is focusing on enhancing iconic religious sites and heritage spots. The state’s efforts are elevating its tourism sector, making it a key player in India’s tourism industry.

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The YesToAccess app, developed by the Association of People with Disability (APD), is India’s first AI-enabled tool for conducting accessibility audits. Launched during the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, it allows users to assess public spaces by photographing structures and analyzing features like ramps and signage. This initiative aims to promote barrier-free environments and enhance inclusivity, empowering citizens to contribute to accessibility improvements across India as part of the Accessible India Campaign.

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Jasleen Kaur, a Glasgow-born Scottish Sikh artist of Indian heritage, won the 2024 Turner Prize. Her exhibition Alter Altar explores personal, political, and spiritual themes. The jury praised her evocative use of sound and sculpture to highlight family memory and community struggles. A standout piece featured a Ford car, representing her father’s migrant aspirations. Actor James Norton presented the award at Tate Britain, marking the Turner Prize’s return to the venue after six years.

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PM Narendra Modi inaugurated the Rising Rajasthan Global Investment Summit in Jaipur, showcasing Rajasthan as a key investment hub. Rajasthan, with its rich resources, heritage, and skilled youth, offers opportunities in infrastructure, manufacturing, and tourism. Rajasthan contributes Rs 84,000 crore in exports, supported by the Make in India initiative and MSME policies, strengthening its manufacturing sector. Rajasthan excels in renewable energy, mineral reserves, and unique cultural assets, enhancing tourism and economic growth. Initiatives like e-visa, Udan Yojana, and heritage tourism have transformed Rajasthan into a vibrant investment destination.

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Bangladesh defeated India by 59 runs in the 11th Asian Cricket Council U19 Men’s Asia Cup Final on December 8, 2024, in Dubai, successfully defending its title. Bangladesh secured its second consecutive U19 Men’s Asia Cup victory, having won the previous edition in 2023. Iqbal Hossain Emon from Bangladesh was named Player of the Final and Player of the Tournament. The tournament, organized by the Asian Cricket Council, was held in the UAE from November 29 to December 8, 2024.

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IIT Madras has completed a 410-meter Hyperloop test track, a milestone for India’s modern transportation technology. The Hyperloop concept, introduced by Elon Musk in 2012, features trains moving in a frictionless, vacuum-sealed environment. This project is developed by IIT Madras’ Avishkar Hyperloop team, comprising 76 students, in collaboration with the startup TuTr. Hyperloop trains can achieve speeds up to 1,100 kmph, with operational speeds around 360 kmph, ensuring faster and energy-efficient travel. Plans include an 11.5-km test track in Phase 1 and expansion to 100 km in Phase 2. A Mumbai-Pune Hyperloop project aims to cut travel time to 25 minutes.

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Google DeepMind unveiled GenCast, an AI model for weather prediction outperforming the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), the world’s top forecast system. GenCast provides faster, more accurate forecasts up to 15 days ahead, advancing beyond its deterministic predecessor by generating 50+ weather scenarios. It uses diffusion AI adapted to Earth’s spherical geometry to model complex weather probabilities. GenCast improves predictions of extreme weather risks, aiding officials in saving lives, reducing damage, and cutting costs. It excels in forecasting tropical cyclone tracks and will soon release real-time and historical forecasts for public integration and research.

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The Eklingji Temple in Udaipur has introduced new rules, including a dress code and a mobile phone ban, to maintain sanctity. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, worshipped as Ekling Nath, the ruling deity of the Mewar kingdom. The temple is located in Kailashpuri, 22 km from Udaipur, Rajasthan. It was built in the 8th century by Bappa Rawal, founder of the Mewar dynasty. The temple showcases intricately carved stone architecture and houses a four-faced Shiva Lingam made of black marble. Historically managed by the Mewar royal family, who consider Lord Ekling Nath the real ruler, with the Diwan of Mewar as the earthly representative.

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IIT Madras became the first research organization globally to release detailed 3D high-resolution images of the fetal brain, called DHARANI. The data set includes 5,132 brain sections captured using advanced brain mapping technology. The research was conducted at the Sudha Gopalakrishnan Brain Centre on the IIT Madras campus. The team created a 3D atlas of the brain, identifying over 500 regions at a cellular resolution. This work helps understand brain development from foetal stages to adulthood. It also aids in studying developmental disorders like autism and cerebral palsy.