Current Affairs Today - Latest Current Affairs Questions 2024

World Thyroid Day, observed every year on 25 May, raises awareness about the thyroid gland and its associated conditions. The thyroid, a butterfly-shaped gland near the base of the neck, regulates vital functions by releasing thyroid hormones (T4 and T3). These hormones affect metabolism, body temperature, heart rate, and protein production.

Astronomers using NASA's TESS and other telescopes have discovered Gliese 12b, an Earth-sized temperate exoplanet orbiting the red dwarf Gliese 12 in the constellation Pisces, 40 light-years away. Gliese 12b is about the same size as Earth or Venus, has a mass 3.87 times that of Earth and orbits its star every 12.8 days.

More than 50 billion ballpoint pens are thrown away every year, of which 95% are made of plastic. Saurabh H. Mehta of New Delhi has created the world's first 100% biodegradable pen.

World Preeclampsia Day, on May 22, raises awareness about pregnancy complications that can pose a threat to life. Preeclampsia that occurs after the 20th week of pregnancy or after delivery involves dangerously high blood pressure and organ problems. It arises from placental health problems. Symptoms include high blood pressure, protein in the urine, and swelling. It poses risks to both the mother and the fetus, possibly leading to premature birth or death.

Thiruvananthapuram International Airport is the first airport in India to receive the Zero Waste to Landfill (ZWL) honour from the Confederation of Indian Industry. The airport diverted 99.50% of its waste from landfills, including 100% plastic and municipal solid waste.

Recently SAM pilot models were launched in Telangana under AMRUT scheme. SAM is a sustainable urban water management technique that involves shallow borewells to pump and recharge groundwater. It aims to increase the water level through rainfall recharge.

According to the Wildlife Institute of India, about 4,000 dolphins live in the Ganga and its tributaries, of which Uttar Pradesh has about 2,000. To protect these dolphins, the Uttar Pradesh government declared a dolphin sanctuary in Chambal, where 111 dolphins have been recorded.

Spain has joined the International Solar Alliance (ISA) as the 99th member. Ambassador Jose Maria Ridao Dominguez in New Delhi handed over the ratification to Joint Secretary Abhishek Singh. Co-founded by India and France during COP21 in 2015, ISA aims to promote solar energy deployment in member countries to combat climate change, enhance energy access, security and transition.

The number of public Wi-Fi hotspots in India is close to 200,000 under the Pradhan Mantri Wi-Fi Access Network Interface (PM-WANI) scheme. Launched by the Department of Telecommunications in December 2020, PM-WANI aims to provide affordable, high-speed internet in rural and remote areas. The scheme establishes a public Wi-Fi network using Wi-Fi access points installed by Public Data Offices (PDOs), which operate on an open-architecture system, enabling multiple service providers to provide internet services.

Biodiversity, essential for human well-being, was first coined by Walter G. Rosen in 1985. It faces threats such as habitat loss, pollution and climate change, leading to extinction of species and degradation of ecosystems. The theme of the 2024 International Day for Biodiversity on May 22 highlights “Be part of the plan”, urging collective action to halt biodiversity loss and support the Kunming-Montreal global biodiversity framework.