Current Affairs Quiz - December, 2024

Notes:
French President praised over 1,000 craftspeople who rebuilt Notre-Dame Cathedral after a devastating fire in 2019. Notre-Dame is a famous Gothic cathedral in located in Paris, France. It is known for its size, age, and architectural features. Its construction began in 1163 and continued throughout the Gothic period, completed by 1250. It was the site of significant events, including Napoleon’s coronation and royal weddings. A fire on April 15, 2019, severely damaged the roof and spire. The cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, showcasing naturalistic sculptures and stained-glass windows.

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Scientists at the High Energy Stereoscopic System (HESS) observatory in Namibia detected cosmic rays with record energy levels of 40 teraelectronvolts. HESS is an array of Cherenkov Telescopes in Namibia’s Khomas Highlands, operational since 2003. It observes gamma rays, the most energetic light, produced by violent cosmic events. Located in the southern hemisphere, it focuses on sources in the Milky Way and distant galaxies. HESS indirectly detects gamma rays via air molecule interactions as they cannot penetrate Earth’s atmosphere. Its research includes dark matter and fundamental physics, involving 260 scientists from 40 institutions across 13 countries.

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The 4th India-Malaysia Joint Military Exercise HARIMAU SHAKTI conducted at Bentong camp, Pahang, Malaysia. It is scheduled from December 2 to 15, 2024. It involves 78 Indian personnel from the MAHAR Regiment and 123 Malaysian personnel from the Royal Malaysian Regiment. The exercise focuses on counter-insurgency operations in jungle terrain under the UN Mandate’s Chapter VII. It includes cross-training, simulated drills like Anti-MT Ambush, Recce Patrol, and terrorist area attacks. This annual event alternates between the two countries, enhancing interoperability, defence cooperation, and bilateral ties.

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Ningol Chakouba, a festival of the Meitei community in Manipur, was celebrated near Moodbidri. The event was organized by Alva’s Education Foundation with participation from Northeast students. It highlights and preserves the Meitei community’s rich cultural heritage. The festival symbolizes the bond between mothers, daughters, brothers, and sisters, emphasizing women’s importance in Manipuri society and strengthening family ties.

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The Union Minister of State for Forest, Environment, and Climate Change launched Nano Bubble Technology at Delhi’s National Zoological Park. Nano Bubble Technology uses ultra-small bubbles, 70-120 nanometers in size, to purify water. These bubbles stay suspended in water for months, enabling effective gas transfer and cleaning. They remove algae, digest biological waste, separate particles, and transfer oxygen efficiently. This technology is chemical-free, sustainable, and improves aquatic health. It benefits wastewater treatment, fermentation, and biological processes in various industries. Nano Bubble Technology ensures cleaner water and healthier ecosystems.

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A Marburg virus disease (MVD) outbreak in Rwanda caused 15 deaths and 66 infections. MVD is a rare and severe hemorrhagic fever affecting humans and primates, caused by the Marburg virus (MARV) and Ravn virus (RAVV). It belongs to the filovirus family, like Ebola, and is among the deadliest human pathogens. Rousettus aegyptiacus fruit bats are the natural hosts of the Marburg virus. Transmission occurs through contact with infected bats, primates, or body fluids. The first outbreak was in Marburg, Germany (1967); recent cases occurred in Tanzania, Ghana, and Rwanda. No effective drugs or vaccines exist for MVD.

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The number of women in the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) has nearly tripled from 2014 to 2024. CAPFs include seven paramilitary forces under the Union Home Ministry. Women now make up 4.4% of the 9.48 lakh-strong CAPFs, including the Assam Rifles. The CISF has the highest female representation at 7.02%, followed by other forces with lower percentages (SSB 4.43%, BSF 4.41%, ITBP 4.05%, Assam Rifles 4.01%, CRPF 3.38%).

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The National Pension Scheme (NPS) Vatsalya, launched in September 2024, allows parents or guardians to invest on behalf of children. It is designed for Indian minors (under 18) and regulated by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA). The scheme offers an interest rate between 9.5% and 10%, making it a valuable financial tool for children’s future. It promotes early saving habits and financial planning for minors. The account is in the child’s name, managed by a guardian, with the child as the sole beneficiary.

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The Department of Consumer Affairs is developing the National Legal Metrology Portal (eMaap) to unify State Legal Metrology systems. eMaap will streamline licensing, verification, and compliance processes, eliminating the need for multiple State portal registrations. Currently, enforcement activities and compounding are not online, but eMaap will integrate all functions, including enforcement, into one system. Hybrid meetings have involved industry associations and state representatives to refine the portal. eMaap simplifies procedures, reduces compliance burdens, ensures accuracy in market transactions, and supports data-driven government decisions.

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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.