Current Affairs Quiz - December, 2024

Notes:
The Phlegraean Fields, near Naples, Italy, are a massive supervolcano starting to show signs of activity, raising concerns among scientists. Unlike Mount Vesuvius, it’s a volcanic system with multiple centers within a caldera, a large depression formed by a past eruption 39,000 years ago. The caldera spans 12-15 km and extends under the Tyrrhenian Sea. Phlegraean Fields is Europe’s largest active caldera and more active than Vesuvius. It has been restless since 1950 due to bradyseism and last erupted in 1538, forming Monte Nuovo. It is among the top carbon dioxide emitters worldwide.

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Siddharth Kaul, a 34-year-old pacer from Punjab, announced his retirement from Indian cricket. He represented India in 3 ODIs and 3 T20Is during 2018-19 and was part of the 2008 U-19 World Cup-winning team with Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja. Kaul played for IPL teams like Delhi Daredevils, Kolkata Knight Riders, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Royal Challengers Bangalore. He has 297 wickets in First-Class, 199 in List A, and 182 in T20s. Kaul is the highest wicket-taker in the Vijay Hazare and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophies.

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The 14th Asia-Oceania Meteorological Satellite Users’ Conference (AOMSUC-14) will be held from December 4-6, 2024, in New Delhi, India, hosted by the India Meteorological Department. This conference aims to promote satellite observations, enhance remote sensing science, and facilitate collaboration among satellite operators and users. It will feature presentations, discussions, and a training workshop with around 150 participants from various countries, highlighting the importance of satellite data in meteorology and climatology.

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The International Day for the Abolition of Slavery is observed on December 2 to raise awareness about modern slavery, human trafficking, and promote human rights. It marks the adoption of the UN Convention to suppress trafficking and exploitation in 1949. Slavery today includes forced labor, sexual exploitation, child labor, and forced marriage. The UN reports one in ten children work globally, mostly for economic exploitation. India has the highest number of modern slaves, with over 11 million affected.

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The Nazca Lines, ancient geoglyphs in Peru, have seen a surge in discoveries thanks to AI technology. A recent study utilized drones and AI to analyze over 600 sq km of the Nazca Pampa, leading to the identification of 303 new geoglyphs in just six months. This advancement marks a significant increase in archaeological discoveries, highlighting AI’s potential to revolutionize the field, similar to the impact of aerial imaging in the past. Nazca Lines (Pampa de Nazca) is located in the South American country Peru.

Notes:
Chronic Pulmonary Aspergillosis (CPA) is a fungal lung infection caused by the mold Aspergillus, commonly found in indoor and outdoor environments. CPA affects people with chronic lung diseases like emphysema, bronchitis, or tuberculosis. CPA is not contagious and cannot spread between individuals. Early symptoms may be absent; common signs include coughing up blood, weight loss, fatigue, shortness of breath, and wheezing. CPA is usually a lifelong condition requiring long-term antifungal treatment. Surgery may be needed to remove fungal masses causing lung bleeding. CPA claims over 340,000 lives annually, highlighting its severe impact.

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The Ayush Oushadhi Gunvatta evam Uttpadan Samvardhan Yojana was recently discussed in the Rajya Sabha by the Union Minister of State for Ayush. The Ayush Oushadhi Gunvatta evam Uttpadan Samvardhan Yojana is a Central Sector Scheme by the Ministry of Ayush. It regulates Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, and Homeopathy (ASU&H) medicines under the Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940. The scheme enhances India’s manufacturing and export capabilities for traditional medicines under Atmanirbhar Bharat. It supports infrastructure, technology upgrades, and institutional activities for Ayush drug standardization and testing. It strengthens regulatory frameworks for quality control, safety, and monitoring misleading Ayush advertisements. The scheme fosters collaborations to promote standards and quality of Ayush drugs and materials.

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The World Drought Atlas predicts that 75% of the global population will face drought impacts by 2050. It was launched by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and European Commission Joint Research Centre. The Atlas links worsening drought risks to human activities and highlights five impact areas: water supply, agriculture, hydropower, inland navigation, and ecosystems. Featuring 21 global case studies, it emphasizes that no country is immune to drought but all can prepare better. It suggests measures under governance (e.g., early warning systems), land-use management (e.g., agroforestry), and water management (e.g., wastewater reuse).

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A study in Tanzania’s Ngorongoro Conservation Area explored the human-Cape buffalo conflict in sub-Saharan Africa. Cape buffalo (Syncerus caffer) is an aggressive species and one of the four subspecies of African buffalo. They are stocky with short, thick legs and have distinctive horns with fused bases, forming a “boss.” Cape buffalo live in swamps, floodplains, grasslands, and forests across southern and eastern Africa, preferring dense cover. They are herbivores, feeding on grasses, leaves, and plants, and are excellent swimmers. The species is classified as Near Threatened by the IUCN.

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China launched the world’s first self-driving satellites, Siwei Gaojing-2 03 and Gaojing-2 04, marking a milestone in its commercial space program. Developed by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology (SAST), these satellites can autonomously adjust their flight paths without ground control. They feature synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and high-precision radar, allowing them to return to orbit with 100-meter accuracy and perform formation-flying at sub-meter precision. The satellites will provide all-weather radar imagery for industries like natural resource management, disaster response, agriculture monitoring, and urban safety.