- India to Invest ₹50,000 Crore in National Waterways 🚢🇮🇳
- What’s Happening? The Indian government announced an investment of ₹50,000 crore over the next five years to enhance the country’s inland water transport infrastructure.
- Why It Matters: This initiative aims to develop and improve national waterways, promoting sustainable and efficient transportation.
- PM to Inaugurate Z-Morh Tunnel 🚧🇮🇳
- What’s Happening? Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the Z-Morh tunnel on January 13, 2025, boosting connectivity between Kashmir and Ladakh.
- Why It Matters: The tunnel ensures continuous access to Sonamarg, a popular tourist destination, and supports military logistics to Ladakh.
- Global Water Cycle Disruption in 2024 🌍💧
- What’s Happening? The 2024 Global Water Monitor Report highlights significant disruptions in the global water cycle due to climate change, leading to devastating water-related disasters worldwide.
- Why It Matters: These events caused over 8,700 deaths, displaced 40 million people, and resulted in economic losses exceeding $550 billion.
- Earth Breaches 1.5°C Limit for the First Time in 2024 🌡️🌍
- What’s Happening? 2024 became the first year in recorded history when the mean global temperature exceeded the critical 1.5°C threshold above pre-industrial levels.
- Why It Matters: This breach marks a dangerous trajectory for global warming, bringing humanity closer to a point of no return.
- Japan Tightens Sanctions on Russia Over Ukraine War 🇯🇵🇷🇺
- What’s Happening? Japan announced a new series of sanctions targeting Russian entities and individuals, as well as organizations in other countries accused of aiding Russia in evading existing sanctions.
- Why It Matters: This move reinforces international pressure on Russia over its continued military actions in Ukraine.
- President Murmu’s Invite for Republic Day Reception 🇮🇳🎉
- What’s Happening? President Murmu’s invite for this year’s Republic Day reception is set to honor crafts from South India, highlighting the craft traditions of five southern states.
- Why It Matters: This initiative promotes local artisans and sustainable crafts, contributing to economic empowerment and cultural preservation.
- Centre Calls for Comprehensive Approach to Climate Change Impact on Agriculture 🌾🌍
- What’s Happening? The Union Agriculture Secretary emphasized a two-pronged approach of adaptation and mitigation to tackle the impact of climate change on agriculture.
- Why It Matters: This approach aims to develop drought- and flood-resistant crops to ensure food security and sustainable agricultural practices.
- Three Million Sudan Children Facing Acute Malnutrition 🇸🇩🚨
- What’s Happening? The UN reported that three million children in Sudan are facing acute malnutrition due to ongoing conflicts and economic instability.
- Why It Matters: Addressing this crisis is crucial for the survival and well-being of these vulnerable children.
- Iran’s Fast-Ageing Population Fuels Economic Fears 🇮🇷📉
- What’s Happening? Iran is experiencing a fast-ageing population, raising concerns about economic stability and the effectiveness of government efforts to address this demographic challenge.
- Why It Matters: This trend could have significant implications for Iran’s economy and social services.
- Anti-War Russian Theatre in Latvia Fights Language Ban 🎭🇱🇻
- What’s Happening? Amid Ukraine tensions, an anti-war Russian theatre in Latvia is fighting a language ban that restricts performances in Russian.
- Why It Matters: This cultural conflict highlights the broader geopolitical tensions and the impact on artistic expression.
Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs) 📝
1. How much investment did the Indian government announce for enhancing inland water transport infrastructure? 🚢🇮🇳
- a) ₹25,000 crore
- b) ₹30,000 crore
- c) ₹40,000 crore
- d) ₹50,000 crore
- Answer: d) ₹50,000 crore ✅
2. Which tunnel is Prime Minister Narendra Modi set to inaugurate on January 13, 2025? 🚧🇮🇳
- a) Atal Tunnel
- b) Rohtang Tunnel
- c) Zojila Tunnel
- d) Z-Morh Tunnel
- Answer: d) Z-Morh Tunnel ✅
3. What significant global event related to climate change was highlighted in the 2024 Global Water Monitor Report? 🌍💧
- a) Increased rainfall
- b) Improved water quality
- c) Global water cycle disruption
- d) Reduction in water-related disasters
- Answer: c) Global water cycle disruption ✅
4. What was the mean global temperature threshold breached for the first time in 2024? 🌡️🌍
- a) 1.2°C
- b) 1.3°C
- c) 1.4°C
- d) 1.5°C
- Answer: d) 1.5°C ✅
5. Which country announced new sanctions targeting Russian entities over the Ukraine war? 🇯🇵🇷🇺
- a) United States
- b) United Kingdom
- c) Japan
- d) Germany
- Answer: c) Japan ✅
6. Whose craft traditions will be honored at President Murmu’s Republic Day reception? 🇮🇳🎉
- a) North Indian states
- b) South Indian states
- c) Western Indian states
- d) Eastern Indian states
- Answer: b) South Indian states ✅
7. What approach did the Union Agriculture Secretary emphasize to tackle climate change impacts on agriculture? 🌾🌍
- a) Mitigation only
- b) Adaptation only
- c) Technological innovation
- d) Adaptation and mitigation
- Answer: d) Adaptation and mitigation ✅
8. How many children in Sudan are facing acute malnutrition according to the UN? 🇸🇩🚨
- a) One million
- b) Two million
- c) Three million
- d) Four million
- Answer: c) Three million ✅
9. What demographic challenge is Iran facing? 🇮🇷📉
- a) Rapid population growth
- b) Fast-ageing population
- c) High unemployment rates
- d) Declining birth rates
- Answer: b) Fast-ageing population ✅
10. What is the anti-war Russian theatre in Latvia fighting against? 🎭🇱🇻 – a) Censorship – b) Violence – c) Language ban – d) Funding cuts – Answer: c) Language ban ✅