Current Affairs Quiz - December, 2024

Notes:
French President praised over 1,000 craftspeople who rebuilt Notre-Dame Cathedral after a devastating fire in 2019. Notre-Dame is a famous Gothic cathedral in located in Paris, France. It is known for its size, age, and architectural features. Its construction began in 1163 and continued throughout the Gothic period, completed by 1250. It was the site of significant events, including Napoleon’s coronation and royal weddings. A fire on April 15, 2019, severely damaged the roof and spire. The cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, showcasing naturalistic sculptures and stained-glass windows.

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India and Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a $98 million loan to boost access to disease-free planting materials for horticulture farmers under the Atmanirbhar Clean Plant Programme. The Atmanirbhar Clean Plant Programme (CPP) is related to horticulture and aims to provide farmers with access to high-quality, virus-free planting material. It includes nine advanced Clean Plant Centers with diagnostic and tissue culture labs and a robust certification system for accountability and traceability. It ensures affordable access, engages women farmers, and develops region-specific plant varieties. It is implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture through National Horticulture Board (NHB) and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, it aims to strengthen India’s global fruit market position.

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Russia plans to deploy the RS-28 Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile, also called “Satan 2,” to replace older models. The RS-28 Sarmat is a three-stage, liquid-fueled missile with an 18,000 km range and a 208.1 metric ton launch weight. It measures 35.3 meters in length and 3 meters in diameter, carrying a 10-ton payload. The missile can carry up to 10 heavy nuclear warheads, 16 smaller ones, or hypersonic glide vehicles. It features a short initial boost phase, making it harder for enemy systems to track and intercept.

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Chronic Pulmonary Aspergillosis (CPA) is a fungal lung infection caused by the mold Aspergillus, commonly found in indoor and outdoor environments. CPA affects people with chronic lung diseases like emphysema, bronchitis, or tuberculosis. CPA is not contagious and cannot spread between individuals. Early symptoms may be absent; common signs include coughing up blood, weight loss, fatigue, shortness of breath, and wheezing. CPA is usually a lifelong condition requiring long-term antifungal treatment. Surgery may be needed to remove fungal masses causing lung bleeding. CPA claims over 340,000 lives annually, highlighting its severe impact.

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The 20th Asian Women’s Handball Championship held from 3 to 10 December 2024, in New Delhi, India. This is the first time the Handball Association India (HAI) is hosting the event. Initially planned for Almaty, Kazakhstan, the championship was moved to New Delhi. It serves as a qualifier for the 27th IHF Women’s Handball World Championship in 2025 in Germany and the Netherlands.

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The Union Minister of State for Forest, Environment, and Climate Change launched Nano Bubble Technology at Delhi’s National Zoological Park. Nano Bubble Technology uses ultra-small bubbles, 70-120 nanometers in size, to purify water. These bubbles stay suspended in water for months, enabling effective gas transfer and cleaning. They remove algae, digest biological waste, separate particles, and transfer oxygen efficiently. This technology is chemical-free, sustainable, and improves aquatic health. It benefits wastewater treatment, fermentation, and biological processes in various industries. Nano Bubble Technology ensures cleaner water and healthier ecosystems.

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Oxford University’s Saïd Business School, in collaboration with the Gates Foundation, highlighted PRAGATI’s role in transforming India’s infrastructure project delivery. PRAGATI (Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation) is a multi-purpose platform addressing public grievances and monitoring key projects. Launched on March 25, 2015, it was designed in-house by the PMO with support from the National Informatics Center (NIC). It integrates digital data management, video conferencing, and geospatial technology for real-time interactions. PRAGATI promotes cooperative federalism by bringing Central and State officials together for efficient decision-making and monitoring ground-level issues.

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The Union Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways introduced the Coastal Shipping Bill, 2024, to boost coastal trade and prioritize Indian-flagged vessels for national security and commercial needs. Coastal shipping, covering India’s 7,517 km coastline, is energy-efficient, cost-effective, and reduces pressure on road and rail networks. Outdated laws like the Coasting Vessel Act, 1838, and Merchant Shipping Act, 1958, lacked uniformity in regulating the sector. Key changes include removing the general trading license for Indian vessels, creating a National Coastal Shipping Database, and mandating a strategic growth plan. The Bill ensures compliance with environmental standards, encourages inland vessel participation, and emphasizes job creation and national security.

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Haryana Governor Bandaru Dattatreya inaugurated the International Gita Mahotsav on 5 December 2024 in Kurukshetra, Haryana. The festival celebrates the birth of the ‘Srimad Bhagwat Gita,’ where Lord Krishna advised Arjuna during the Mahabharata war. This year, Tanzania is the foreign partner country, and Odisha is the State partner.

Notes:
Researchers discovered a new ancient human species named Homo juluensis, meaning “big head,” based on a large skull found in China. The species lived 300,000 years ago, surviving in small groups across eastern Asia before vanishing 50,000 years ago. Homo juluensis includes links to mysterious groups like the Denisovans. Fossils show facial and jaw features similar to Neanderthals and braincases 30% larger than modern humans. They hunted wild horses, made stone tools, and possibly processed animal hides for survival.