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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Dr. Basant Goel was honored at the United Nations Global Excellence Award in Dubai and received an honorary doctorate from the USA International University. He holds a Bachelor of Pharmacy, a Ph.D. in Diabetes, and a Doctorate in Health Science from prestigious U.S. institutions. His humanitarian work gained recognition during the COVID-19 pandemic, earning a World Book of Records (London) mention. On July 6, 2024, he set a Guinness World Record for the most blood donations in a single camp, ensuring 200 daily units in India. Named “Blood Man of India” by the President, he was hosted at the President’s House for four days. The International Book of Honour (England) recognized his contributions on October 26, 2024.

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The government has set up the Urban Infrastructure Development Fund (UIDF) to improve urban infrastructure in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. It is funded through the priority sector lending shortfall. The fund supports public agencies in providing basic services like sewerage, waste management, water supply, sanitation, and drainage. It aims to supplement state governments’ efforts and is managed by the National Housing Bank. The initial corpus of the fund is ₹10,000 crore. The UIDF is modeled after the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF).

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The World Maritime Technology Conference (WMTC) held in Chennai from December 4 to 6, 2024. This marks the first return to India in 15 years, with the previous event held in Mumbai. The conference covers critical topics such as climate change, sustainability, and geopolitical dynamics impacting the maritime industry. The last edition took place in Copenhagen in April 2022, with previous hosts including Shanghai, Houston, and St. Petersburg.

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The government has abolished windfall tax on crude oil, aviation turbine fuel (ATF), petrol, and diesel exports. Windfall tax targets industries earning unusually high profits due to favorable economic conditions. India introduced a windfall tax on domestic crude oil production in July 2022 after global crude prices surged. Such taxes are used to fund public projects, reduce deficits, or redistribute wealth.

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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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India will host the inaugural Women’s T20 World Cup for Blind Cricket in 2025. The decision was confirmed at the World Blind Cricket Council’s AGM in Multan, attended by representatives from 11 countries. Hosting rights were granted to India last year, but the event gains significance after India withdrew from the Men’s T20 Blind Cricket World Cup in Pakistan due to security concerns. This event highlights India’s commitment to promoting inclusivity in sports, especially for visually impaired athletes.

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India and Bhutan discussed hydropower projects, including the nearing completion of the 1020 MW Punatsangchhu-II project. Punatsangchhu-II is a 1 GW run-of-the-river hydropower project in Bhutan’s Wangdue Phodrang district. Developed under an Inter-Government Agreement between Bhutan and India, it is funded by India with 30% grant and 70% loan. The project includes a 91m-high concrete gravity dam, a diversion tunnel, and two cofferdams. It will generate 4,357 million units of electricity annually, and ownership will transfer to Bhutan two years after commissioning.

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The Union Minister launched ‘Anna Chakra’ and SCAN portal to optimize the Public Distribution System (PDS) supply chain. Developed with the World Food Programme and IIT-Delhi, it uses advanced algorithms for route optimization and efficient food grain movement. It integrates with PM Gati Shakti and Railways’ FOIS portal, covering 4.37 lakh Fair Price Shops and 6700 warehouses. Optimization for 30 states shows potential cost savings of ₹250 crore annually. Benefits include faster food distribution, reduced logistics costs, lower fuel consumption, and reduced carbon emissions, supporting 81 crore beneficiaries under the world’s largest food security program.

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The Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) launched its 2030 Global Strategy for Resilient Drylands (GSRD). The initiative is led by CGIAR centers International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) and International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT). The initiative focuses on food security, biodiversity conservation, and resilient livelihoods. It targets 2.7 billion people living in drylands, especially in Asia and Africa. The strategy was launched at COP16 in Riyadh, after consultations with national research organizations, governments, private sector, and civil society. It aims to address the specific needs of different dryland regions and enhance sustainability and resilience in these areas.