Current affairs 20 June 2024

China’s Nuclear Arsenal now three times larger than India’s: SIPRI.

• China's nuclear warheads have increased to 500, tripling India's 172, as per the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
• The nuclear stockpiles stand at: Russia (4,380 warheads), US (3,708), France (290), UK (225), Pakistan (170), Israel (90) and North Korea (50).
• Russia and the US remain dominant, holding 90% of the world's nuclear weapons.

India, China, U.K. develop cata­lyst to pro­duce cheaper biodiesel.

• Scientists from India, China, and the UK have developed a superhydrophobic activated carbon catalyst to lower biodiesel production costs.
• This new catalyst, derived from biomass, can reduce biodiesel costs from ₹100 to about 37 cents per liter, making sustainable energy more affordable.
• The authors of the study are Arpita Das, Kangkana Saikia, and Samuel Lalthazuala Rokhum.

Wärtsilä unveils first Large-Scale 100% Hydrogen-Ready Power Plant.

• Wärtsilä launched the world’s first large-scale 100% hydrogen-ready engine power plant, aiming to support net-zero power systems by 2050, aligning with IEA’s World Energy Outlook 2023.
• The new power plant, a leap from existing technology running on natural gas and 25% hydrogen blends, addresses the need for flexible power generation to balance renewable energy sources.

AIIMS Delhi performs India's First Foetal Blood Transfusion.

• AIIMS Delhi successfully performed India's first foetal blood transfusion, saving a baby with a rare blood disorder.
• This procedure marks only the eighth case globally.
• A woman from Haryana, who had seven failed pregnancies, delivered a healthy baby after receiving six foetal blood transfusions using O D phenotype red cell units sourced from Japan.

Mumbai tops India's Most Expensive Cities for Expats in 2024.

• According to Mercer's 2024 Cost of Living survey, Mumbai is the most expensive city in India for expats, with high costs in personal care, energy, utilities, transportation, and housing.
• Mumbai: 136th, Delhi: 164th, Chennai: 189th, Bengaluru: 195th, Hyderabad: 202nd, Pune: 205th, Kolkata: 207th
• Globally, Hong Kong topped, followed by Singapore, Zurich, Geneva & Basel among the top five.