Current Affairs 2024

NTPC launches world’s first CO2-to-Methanol Plant [08 Nov 2024]

NTPC, India’s largest power producer, inaugurated the world’s first CO2-to-methanol conversion plant at its Vindhyachal facility on Friday, coinciding with its 50th Raising Day celebration. The company has also developed and tested the ‘first Indigenous catalyst’ for Methanol Synthesis and made substantial progress with hydrogen, carbon capture, and other innovative technologies.

India, France elected president, co-president of International Solar Alliance for two years [08 Nov 2024]

India and France have been elected President and Co-President of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) for the two-year term from 2024 to 2026. India ran unopposed for the presidency, while France emerged victorious in the contest with Grenada for the Co-Presidency. The ISA Assembly also elected eight vice presidents for the standing committee, with two representatives from each of ISA’s four regional categories. Ghana and Seychelles were selected as Vice Presidents for the Africa region, Australia and Sri Lanka for Asia and the Pacific, Germany, and Italy for Europe and Others, and Grenada and Suriname for Latin America and the Caribbean. The election of the president and co-president follows a process aimed at ensuring equitable geographic representation, with ISA members divided into four regional groups: Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Europe and Others, and Latin America and the Caribbean.

Israeli researchers develop software enabling in-memory processing, bypassing CPU [07 Nov 2024]

Israeli researchers have developed software that enables computers to process data directly in memory, bypassing the need for the central processing unit (CPU), according to a statement from the Israel Institute of Technology. This innovation addresses the energy- and time-intensive data transfers between memory and the CPU, which have increasingly become bottlenecks in modern computing. By performing some computations in memory, this approach reduces dependence on the CPU, leading to significant time and energy savings. The researchers aim to tackle the “memory wall” problem, where increases in processor speeds and memory capacity outpace data transfer rates.

Gujarat becomes India’s first state to implement a dedicated semiconductor policy [07 Nov 2024]

The Gujarat government has introduced India’s first ‘Gujarat Semiconductor Policy 2022-2027.’ Led by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, this ambitious policy aims to solidify Gujarat’s position as a leader in semiconductor self-reliance, supported by the newly created ‘Gujarat State Electronics Mission.’ Marking a milestone under this policy, CM Patel recently laid the foundation stone for Micron’s advanced semiconductor assembly, test, mark, and pack (ATMP) plant in Sanand, a project valued at over Rs 22,500 crore. In Dholera’s emerging ‘Semicon City,’ Tata Electronics Private Limited (TEPL) and Taiwan’s Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation (PSMC) are establishing India’s first AI-enabled semiconductor fabrication facility with an investment exceeding Rs 91,000 crore. In further expansion, CG Power and Renesas will set up a state-of-the-art Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test (OSAT) facility in Sanand, a project totaling more than Rs 7,500 crore. The government has also approved Kaynes Semicon’s facility in Sanand, anticipated to produce around 6 million chips daily with an investment of Rs 3,300 crore. These projects, supported by the Gujarat Semiconductor Policy, are set to generate thousands of high-skilled jobs across the state.

Australia proposes ban on social media for children under 16 [07 Nov 2024]

The Australian government will legislate for a ban on social media for children under 16, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Thursday, in what it calls a world-leading package of measures that could become law late next year. Australia is trialing an age-verification system to assist in blocking children from accessing social media platforms, as part of a range of measures that include some of the toughest controls imposed by any country to date.

India makes formal bid to host 2036 Olympics [05 Nov 2024]

India has officially submitted its bid to host the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games, as reported by ANI, citing a source from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. A formal ‘Letter of Intent’ was sent by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) Future Host Commission on 1 October, expressing India’s interest in hosting the event, the report said. India recently concluded its campaign at the Paris Olympics, bringing home a total of six medals - five bronze and one silver.

Kannada short film ‘Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know’ qualifies for Oscars 2025 [05 Nov 2024]

Kannada's short film ‘Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know’, directed by Chidananda S. Naik, has qualified for the 2025 Oscars in the Live Action Short Film category. Produced by the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), this film has already garnered international acclaim, winning the first prize at the Cannes Film Festival’s La Cinef Selection earlier this year. Filmed entirely at night, the 16-minute short film invites viewers into the rich tapestry of the Indian landscape, connecting them with its unique culture and atmosphere. The film presents a poignant narrative centered on an elderly woman who steals the village rooster, leading to an unexpected cessation of sunlight and resulting in turmoil within the community. In a desperate attempt to restore harmony, a prophecy is invoked, leading to the exile of the woman’s family as they embark on a mission to reclaim the rooster.

Justice Sanjeev Khanna appointed as Chief Justice of India, effective November 11 [25 Oct 2024]

The central government has officially notified the appointment of Justice Sanjeev Khanna as the next Chief Justice of India, set to take effect on November 11. This appointment comes in the wake of the retirement of the current Chief Justice, DY Chandrachud, on November 10. Justice Khanna will become the 51st Chief Justice of India. The Ministry of Law and Justice issued a notification confirming that, under clause (2) of Article 124 of the Constitution, the President has appointed Justice Sanjeev Khanna, currently serving as a Supreme Court judge, as the new Chief Justice.

New Zealand crowned Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 champions after beating South Africa in final [21 Oct 2024]

The White Ferns clinched their maiden Women’s T20 World Cup title, overcoming South Africa by 32 runs in a thrilling final. Star allrounder Amelia Kerr led from the front, top-scoring with 43 runs and taking 3/23, steering her team to a historic victory at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Put in to bat first, New Zealand’s innings began steadily, with veteran opener Suzie Bates contributing 32 runs at the top of the order. In doing so, Bates also set a new record, becoming the most-capped player in Women’s Internationals.

Deepika Kumari bags sixth Archery World Cup medal with silver in Mexico [20 Oct 2024]

Indian archer Deepika Kumari captured her sixth World Cup medal, winning silver after a 0-6 defeat to China’s Li Jiaman in the championship round. The 2010 Commonwealth Games champion delivered an outstanding performance in the quarter-finals and semi-finals, defeating Li’s teammate Yang Xiaolei 6-0 and then overcoming eventual bronze medallist Alejandra Valencia 6-4 in a close contest on her home turf.