Answer: (A)

Explanation: Recently, the Climate Club has been launched during COP28 summit and co-led by Germany and Chile. The Climate Club is an intergovernmental forum that aims to mitigate climate change by reducing carbon emissions. The concept of a climate club was developed by Yale economist William Nordhaus in 2015. It was first proposed by Germany during a G7 summit meeting in 2022. The G7 is a group of developed nations (the US, the UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan) that gets together every year to discuss global challenges. So far, Climate Club is a group of 36 nations in which India is not included. Hence, only statement 1 is correct.

Answer: (C)

Explanation:Recently, Mount Marapi volcano in Indonesia has erupted furiously, leading to a tragic aftermath. Mount Merapi is a stratovolcano in Indonesia. It is located on the border of the Central Java and Yogyakarta provinces. The volcano is also known as the "Mountain of Fire" in the Javanese language. It is the most active volcano in Indonesia and has erupted regularly since 1548. Indonesia is located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, which is a path along the Pacific Ocean with frequent earthquakes and active volcanoes. The Ring of Fire is a horseshoe-shaped region around the Pacific Ocean that is known for its high seismic and volcanic activity. It is also called the Circum-Pacific Belt or Circum-Pacific Seismic Belt. The Ring of Fire is caused by the subduction of oceanic and continental plates. This subduction is a very slow process, moving just one or two inches per year. Some important places located in the Ring of Fire including Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, Peru, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico, United States, Canada and Russia. Hence, option (c) is correct.

Answer: (C)

Explanation: Recently, scientists found a huge stash of white hydrogen near the French-German border. White hydrogen is a naturally occurring gas found in the Earth's crust. It is also known as "natural," "gold," or "geologic" hydrogen. It is considered a potential clean energy source. It only produces water when it is burned. White hydrogen is 33% cheaper than the cheapest hydrogen from fossil fuels and 2 times cheaper than the cheapest green hydrogen. The deposit could contain between 6 million and 250 million metric tons of hydrogen. Scientists Jacques Pironon and Philippe De Donato initiated a mission in northeastern France to assess methane levels in the subsoils of the Lorraine mining basin. The discovery and potential utilization of white hydrogen have a significant role in addressing the climate crisis. Hence, all statements are correct.

Answer: (D)

Explanation: Cyclone Michaung is a tropical cyclone that is tracking northwest in the western Bay of Bengal. ‘Michaung’ is named after a suggestion provided by Myanmar. It means strength and resilience. The National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) recently convened to assess the readiness of State governments and Central Ministries for the approaching cyclone ‘Michaung’ in the Bay of Bengal. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported the storm’s current location and projected path, indicating potential landfall on coastal Andhra Pradesh. The NCMC is a committee set up to coordinate and implement relief measures and operations in the wake of a natural calamity. The NCMC coordinates and oversees the response to major crises, emergencies, and disasters that may affect India. NCMC is headed by the Cabinet Secretary. Hence, both statements are not correct.

Answer: (B)

Explanation: Recently, a respiratory illness named the White Lung Syndrome emerged in northern China and Ohio, USA, sparking concerns akin to those of a potential post-COVID-19 pandemic threat. White Lung Syndrome is identified through distinctive white patches observed on chest X-rays among affected children. This term encompasses various respiratory illnesses such as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis (PAM) and silica-related conditions. The syndrome is believed to arise from a combination of bacterial, viral and environmental factors. Patients typically exhibit symptoms like cough, fever, runny nose, sinus congestion, difficulty breathing and fatigue. Treatment primarily targets managing pneumonia symptoms and ensuring optimal respiratory health. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.