Current Affairs Quiz - December, 2024

Notes:
The Phlegraean Fields, near Naples, Italy, are a massive supervolcano starting to show signs of activity, raising concerns among scientists. Unlike Mount Vesuvius, it’s a volcanic system with multiple centers within a caldera, a large depression formed by a past eruption 39,000 years ago. The caldera spans 12-15 km and extends under the Tyrrhenian Sea. Phlegraean Fields is Europe’s largest active caldera and more active than Vesuvius. It has been restless since 1950 due to bradyseism and last erupted in 1538, forming Monte Nuovo. It is among the top carbon dioxide emitters worldwide.

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Vadhavan greenfield port near Dahanu, Maharashtra, will double India’s container trade upon completion. It is an all-weather deep draft major port located in Palghar district, Maharashtra. It is developed by Vadhavan Port Project Limited (VPPL). VPPL is a joint venture between Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (74% share) and Maharashtra Maritime Board (26%). The project cost is ₹76,220 crore, with completion targeted by 2034. It will feature nine container terminals, multipurpose, liquid cargo, Ro-Ro, and Coast Guard berths.

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The International Day for the Abolition of Slavery is observed on December 2 to raise awareness about modern slavery, human trafficking, and promote human rights. It marks the adoption of the UN Convention to suppress trafficking and exploitation in 1949. Slavery today includes forced labor, sexual exploitation, child labor, and forced marriage. The UN reports one in ten children work globally, mostly for economic exploitation. India has the highest number of modern slaves, with over 11 million affected.

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Chief Minister of Telangana announced the extension of the Rythu Bharosa Scheme after Sankranti. The scheme will continue providing Rs. 500 bonuses for high-quality rice varieties in the next season. The Rythu Bharosa Scheme, also known as the Farmer’s Investment Support Scheme (FISS), was launched in 2018-19 to support farmers with their initial investment needs. The announcement aims to address concerns within the farming community and prepare for upcoming local body elections.

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The mass die-off of nearly 400 elephants in Botswana’s Okavango Delta in 2020 was linked to climate change-induced toxic algal blooms. Researchers found that elephants drank from contaminated waterholes where cyanobacteria thrived due to a shift from a very dry year to an extremely wet one. This environmental change led to the proliferation of harmful toxins in stagnant water, resulting in the deaths of elephants across the region. The study emphasizes the need for monitoring water quality to prevent similar ecological disasters. Okavango Delta is located in Botswana. It is both UNESCO World Heritage Site and Ramsar Wetland.

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Oxford University Press named ‘brain rot’ as the Oxford Word of the Year 2024. It describes cognitive decline caused by consuming trivial social media content. The term gained popularity amid trends like digital detoxes to counter mental fatigue. It reflects concerns about technology’s impact on human thought and habits. Public voting chose ‘brain rot’ over contenders like ‘heat domes’ and ‘neurospicy.’ Over 37,000 people participated in the voting, highlighting its cultural relevance. The term’s casual tone appeals to younger audiences and raises awareness about mental health. Past winners include ‘goblin mode’ (2022) and ‘climate emergency’ (2019).

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The Ayush Oushadhi Gunvatta evam Uttpadan Samvardhan Yojana was recently discussed in the Rajya Sabha by the Union Minister of State for Ayush. The Ayush Oushadhi Gunvatta evam Uttpadan Samvardhan Yojana is a Central Sector Scheme by the Ministry of Ayush. It regulates Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, and Homeopathy (ASU&H) medicines under the Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940. The scheme enhances India’s manufacturing and export capabilities for traditional medicines under Atmanirbhar Bharat. It supports infrastructure, technology upgrades, and institutional activities for Ayush drug standardization and testing. It strengthens regulatory frameworks for quality control, safety, and monitoring misleading Ayush advertisements. The scheme fosters collaborations to promote standards and quality of Ayush drugs and materials.

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A Marburg virus disease (MVD) outbreak in Rwanda caused 15 deaths and 66 infections. MVD is a rare and severe hemorrhagic fever affecting humans and primates, caused by the Marburg virus (MARV) and Ravn virus (RAVV). It belongs to the filovirus family, like Ebola, and is among the deadliest human pathogens. Rousettus aegyptiacus fruit bats are the natural hosts of the Marburg virus. Transmission occurs through contact with infected bats, primates, or body fluids. The first outbreak was in Marburg, Germany (1967); recent cases occurred in Tanzania, Ghana, and Rwanda. No effective drugs or vaccines exist for MVD.

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Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), under the NITI Aayog and the Swedish Embassy’s Office of Science & Innovation concluded SheSTEM 2024. SheSTEM celebrates women in STEM and inspires students to explore careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The event invited students from grades 6-12 across India to submit ideas on Battery Technology and Energy Storage (BEST) systems. It was part of the India-Nordic BEST project, aiming to advance sustainable energy solutions. Over 1000 submissions were received, showcasing India’s youth creativity and problem-solving skills. Participants presented their prototypes or concepts in a two-minute video, contributing to global sustainability efforts.

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The Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) received a certificate of merit for its mobile app (Ask An Appointment – AAA+) at the Resilience at the Regional Social Security Forum for Asia and the Pacific (RSSF Asia-Pacific), organized by the International Social Security Association (ISSA) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The International Social Security Association (ISSA) was founded in 1927 under the International Labour Organization (ILO) and promotes excellence in social security systems. ISSA helps governments and social security organizations through professional guidelines and support. It has a General Assembly, Council, Bureau, and Control Commission for governance. ISSA’s headquarters are in Geneva, Switzerland, and India is a member country.