Current Affairs Quiz - December, 2024

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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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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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Chhattisgarh launched the ‘Bus Sangwari App’ to simplify bus travel, especially for remote areas. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai introduced the app, highlighting its role in improving governance and public convenience. The app offers access to bus schedules and route information without visiting bus stands. Currently, it provides data on over 5,000 buses operating across the state. GPS integration allows real-time bus tracking, with plans to include interstate bus details soon.

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India will host the inaugural Women’s T20 World Cup for Blind Cricket in 2025. The decision was confirmed at the World Blind Cricket Council’s AGM in Multan, attended by representatives from 11 countries. Hosting rights were granted to India last year, but the event gains significance after India withdrew from the Men’s T20 Blind Cricket World Cup in Pakistan due to security concerns. This event highlights India’s commitment to promoting inclusivity in sports, especially for visually impaired athletes.

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The International Advisory Body for Submarine Cable Resilience was launched by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC) to ensure the resilience of submarine cables, vital for the global digital economy. The body consists of 40 members, including ministers, regulators, and telecom experts, representing diverse global perspectives. It will meet bi-annually to discuss international policies, infrastructure, and best practices. The body aims to promote best practices, reduce risks of cable damage, and ensure swift repairs and deployment. It addresses challenges like increasing traffic, aging infrastructure, and environmental threats, benefiting livelihoods and industries reliant on submarine cables.

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India has been honored with the International Social Security Association (ISSA) Good Practice Award for Asia and Pacific 2024 at the Regional Social Security Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) was recognized for its innovative communication strategies, digital initiatives, and outreach programs like Nidhi Aapke Nikat 2.0, which enhance service delivery and stakeholder engagement in social security. This award underscores EPFO’s commitment to improving social security systems in line with contemporary needs.

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The Rajya Sabha passed the Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak 2024, replacing the Aircraft Act, 1934, with the Lok Sabha’s prior approval. The Bill regulates aircraft design, manufacture, operation, sale, and related matters while retaining the core structure of the Aircraft Act. Certification for the Radiotelephone Operator’s Restricted certificate shifts from the Department of Telecom to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), streamlining aviation processes. DGCA gains expanded powers to regulate aircraft design and related facilities. A second level of appeal for penalty adjudications ensures better grievance redressal.

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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.

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December 7 is celebrated as Armed Forces Flag Day in India to honor soldiers who lost their lives in duty. It has been observed since 1949, dedicated to raising funds for the welfare of Indian Armed Forces. The day commemorates the bravery of soldiers, sailors, and airmen and supports the rehabilitation of war victims and ex-servicemen. In 1993, various welfare funds were merged into the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund (AFFDF). The day emphasizes the importance of citizen donations to aid soldiers’ welfare and their families.