Daily Current Affairs Quiz 22 & 23 December, 2024 International Affairs 1. Trump threatens to retake control of Panama Canal Context: Donald Trump said Saturday that the Panama Canal is charging “exorbitant prices and rates of passage” on US naval and merchant ships, and he demanded that fees be lowered or else Panama should return the canal to the US. Panama Canal 2. India and Sweden on Green Technology Context: Swedish Officials Advocated for Increased Cooperation in Innovation and Green Technology with India. Key Highlights: Green Energy 3. H5N1 Context: H5N1 Cases in U.S. Rises Key Highlights: Avian influenza A(H5N1), also known as bird flu, is a highly infectious respiratory disease that can affect birds, mammals, and humans as well. National Affairs 1. GST Review on Life, Health Insurance Context: The GST Council defered reviewing life and health insurance premium in view of a Group of Ministers discussion on it. Key Highlights: Gene Therapy Gene therapy is a medical technique that treats or prevents disease by altering a person’s genes. It is an alternative to drugs or surgery. It’s often used to treat rare genetic diseases, but is also being studied for common diseases like cancer and degenerative diseases.  Long Range Surface-to-Air Missiles (LRSAMs) Long Range Surface-to-Air Missiles (LRSAMs) are advanced missiles that are launched from the ground in order to destroy enemy aircraft and missiles at long distances. They are basically used to protect important targets like cities, military bases, and naval vessels. Also Read: Goods and Services Tax (GST) and Council Formation 2. Conduct of Election Rules, 1961 Context: Recently, the Government of India had amended Rule 93(2)(a) of the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961, which denied access to public some electronic records of elections, like footage of CCTV cameras and recordings of webcasting. Key Highlights: About Conduct of Election Rules, 1961: 3. Pashminas Context: J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday said his government would ensure that famed Pashmina shawls were not considered in the higher slabs of Goods and Services Tax (GST) . Pashmina 4. National Quantum Mission (NQM) Context: India to Launch Quantum Satellite for Quantum Communications: NQM is a Department of Science & Technology program aimed at accelerating the use of quantum physics for advanced communications and sensing systems. Highlights: Quantum Satellite Security of Messages 5. Moon was Formed 4.51 billion Years Ago: Study Context: New analyses indicate a ‘remelting’ surface of the Moon around 4.35 billion years ago, hiding a very older history. Key Highlights: 6. Green Ammonia Reactor Development Highlights: What is Green Ammonia? Green ammonia reactor development is the process of creating reactors that produce ammonia using renewable energy sources and carbon-free hydrogen and nitrogen. 7. HP invokes Kyoto Protocol Context: The Himachal Pradesh government urged the Centre to make some arrangement for hilly states in lieu of the revenue loss due to GST implementation and sought compensation on the pattern of the Kyoto protocol. Kyoto Protocol Goods and Services Tax (GST) and Council Formation 8. India – Kuwait ‘Strategic Partnership’ Context: India signed a defence cooperation memorandum of understanding with Kuwait for sharing defence personnel, joint exercises, and supply of military equipment between the two countries. Key Highlights: About Kuwait 9. MGNREGS Funds on Hold by Centre Context: The MGNREGS funds were put on hold by the Centre in West Bengal. Key Highlights: Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act ( MGNREGA ) 10. Mumps Vaccine in Universal Immunisation Programme Context: The Directorate of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Tamil Nadu has made an appeal to the Union Government to include the Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) vaccine as part of the Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP). Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) 11. Biomedical Waste Context: A team of 70 officials from Kerala on Sunday began operations to remove truckloads of hazardous waste, which was brought from Kerala and dumped in various locations across Tirunelveli district. What is Biomedical Waste Management? 12. Urban Homes a Major Air Pollution Source: Studies Context: Major emitters of the urban air pollution include Indian houses, transportation and power generation sectors. Key Highlights: Air Quality Index India In brief, the AQI is a number, according to which pollutants are present along with their concentration and health responses. The level is multiplied by the emissions of these eight key air pollutants – Particulate Matter (PM2.5, PM10), Ozone (O3), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), Sulphur Dioxide (SO2), Lead (Pb), and Ammonia (NH3) – and then summed up for creating the cumulative pollution. Air Quality Index India 13. Sambhal Tunnel with 1857 Rebellion ‘links’ Context: A 150-year-old stepwell and a tunnel were unearthed during an anti-encroachment drive at Sambhal, Chandausi U.P. Indian Rebellion of 1857 14. Zeenat: The Tigress Why in News? A three-year-old tigress, Zeenat, who was shifted from Maharashtra to Odisha’s Similipal Tiger Reserve, leaving forest officials worried. The tigress had strayed into Jharkhand and was likely moving towards West Bengal in defiance of conservation plans. Highlights: Source: TOI 15. Dark Matter Dark matter is a mysterious and invisible stuff that constitutes about 85% of the matter existing in the universe, yet is not detectable directly using current instruments. It doesn’t emit, absorb, nor reflect light (or any form of electromagnetic radiation); hence it is “dark” and cannot be viewed. Some Key Points about Dark Matter 16. Telecommunications (Procedures and Safeguards for Lawful Interception of Messages) Rules, 2024 The Union Government has notified the Telecommunications (Procedures and Safeguards for Lawful Interception of Messages) Rules, 2024 that allow certain law enforcement and security agencies to invoke specific circumstances to intercept telephone calls. These rules are to the replaced Rule 419A in the Indian Telegraph Rules made in 1951. Key Points: Breach of Right to Privacy? Indian Telegraph Rules, 1951: Taping Telephone Phone Taping: According to Rule 419A, this specifies the procedure for tapping a telephone, which requires an order from the Secretary to the Government of India or from the Secretary to the State Government. Rule 419A of Indian Telegraph Rules, 1951 17. Green Deposit Context: RBI, in April 2021, released a framework for accepting green deposits