16th February, 2024 Current Affairs

NATIONAL
India Leads the Charge at the 62nd Session of the Commission for Social Development

• India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ruchira Kamboj, recently chaired the 62nd Session of the Commission for Social Development, marking a notable moment in international cooperation on social development issues.
•  Held from February 5-15, the session concentrated on reinforcing global collaboration to tackle pressing social challenges, a priority that aligns with the broader objectives of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
• India’s chairmanship of the 62nd Session of the Commission for Social Development marks a significant achievement, being the first time since 1975 that the country has held this esteemed position.

India’s First Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) To Start from Uttarakhand

• India is set to launch its first Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) from Uttarakhand, marking a significant milestone in the country’s healthcare and aviation sectors. Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia recently announced this groundbreaking initiative, highlighting its importance in providing rapid medical assistance to those in need.
• The HEMS will be based at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Rishikesh, strategically located to cover a radius of 150 kilometers.
• This positioning enables the swift airlifting of individuals who have encountered accidents or medical emergencies, ensuring prompt access to critical healthcare facilities.
• The launch of India’s first Helicopter Emergency Medical Service in Uttarakhand heralds a new era in emergency healthcare delivery.

Also Read: Science & Technology: Weekly Current Affairs Bitbank (January 15 to 21, 2024): Which missile system was flagged off for delivery to the Indian Air Force?

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INTERNATIONAL
Germany Overtakes Japan as Third-Largest Economy

• Official data reveals that Germany has surpassed Japan as the world’s third-largest economy, primarily due to a significant depreciation in the yen compared to the stability of the euro. Japan’s economy, despite growing 1.9% last year, contracted in the fourth quarter, leading to its relegation to the fourth position.
• The yen depreciated by over 18% against the dollar in 2022 and 2023, facilitating Germany’s ascendancy due to the stability of the euro against the dollar.
• Japan’s technical recession, marked by two consecutive quarters of economic contraction, contributed to its fall behind Germany in GDP rankings.

ECONOMY
National Coal Index Shows Decline of 4.75% in December, 2023

• The National Coal Index (Provisional) has shown a significant decline of 4.75 % in December 2023 at 155.44 points compared to December 2022, where it was at 163.19 points. This notable decrease indicates sufficient availability of coal in market to meet the growing demands.
• The National Coal Index (NCI) is a price index that combines coal prices from all sales channels, viz. Notified Prices, Auction Prices, and Import Prices. It considers prices of coking and non-coking coal of various grades transacted in the regulated (power and fertilizer) and non-regulated sectors.
• Established with the base year as FY 2017-18, NCI serves as a reliable indicator of market dynamics, providing valuable insights of price fluctuations.
• The peak of NCI was observed in June 2022 when the index reached 238.83 points, but subsequent months have experienced a decline, indicative of abundant availability of coal in the Indian market.
• Additionally, the premium on coal auctions indicates the pulse of the industry, and the sharp decline in coal auction premium confirms the sufficient coal availability in the market. The impressive growth of 10.74 % in the country’s coal production during Dec’23 as compared to the corresponding period of last year ensures a stable supply for various sectors reliant on coal, significantly contributing to the overall energy security of the nation.
• The downward trajectory of the NCI signifies a more equitable market, harmonizing supply and demand dynamics. With sufficient coal availability, the nation can not only address burgeoning demands but also underpin its long-term energy requisites, thereby fortifying a more resilient and sustainable coal industry and fostering a prosperous future for the nation.

SPORTS
100-Year-Old Diver Performs At The 2024 World Championships In Doha

• Taghi Askar, a 100-year-old diver from the Islamic Republic of Iran, made waves at the Diving World Championships in Doha as he wiped away tears of gratitude and emotion for the overwhelming support he received.
• Despite his age, Askar took the plunge from the 1m platform, showcasing his passion for diving and promoting the upcoming World Aquatics Masters Championships at the Hamad Aquatics Centre.
• Having claimed silver and bronze medals at the inaugural Asian Games in New Delhi in 1951, it has been an astonishing 73 years since Askar first tasted success in the world of diving. His career, spanning nearly six decades, came to an end 59 years ago, leaving the sport on a triumphant note with a gold medal at the national level.

Published date : 16 Feb 2024 05:27PM