Daily Current Affairs Quiz: December 19 2023

Ans (A)
Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka were honoured as the International Tennis Federation’s 2023 ITF World Champions after being the only singles players to reach at least the semifinals at all four Grand Slam tournaments this season.
This time was Djokovic’s eighth ITF World Champion award.
Sabalenka received the honour for the first time after winning her first Grand Slam title.

Ans (E)
Indian Navy & IIT Kanpur have signed a MoU for joint R&D, technology development & innovative solutions.
They aim to enhance field solutions, training, capacity building & academic exchange in Engineering related to defence technologies.
The collaboration fosters a symbiotic relationship between academia & armed forces, promoting innovation & knowledge exchange.
In June 2023, The IIT Kanpur undertaken a significant test flight with the aim of cloud seeding.
In February 2023, IIT Kanpur developed a compressed air-based mineral transport system.

Ans (B)
Uma Sekhar, the first Indian woman candidate, was historically elected to the Governing Council of the International Institute for the Unification of Private Law.
Earning 45 out of 59 votes, Sekhar secured her seat for 2024-2028.
UNIDROIT, an intergovernmental organization based in Rome, focuses on modernizing and coordinating private, particularly commercial, law between states.

Ans (C)
Norovirus cases rise in UK, more than 1,500 infected.
Norovirus is a very contagious virus that causes nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.
According to Cleveland Clinic, the symptoms may be similar to the stomach flu, but they have a different cause.
Norovirus spreads easily if a person comes in contact with someone who is has already been diagnosed with the virus.
There isn’t a vaccine for norovirus.
About:
It is a group of viruses that leads to gastrointestinal illness.
It causes inflammation of the lining of the stomach and intestines, in addition to severe vomiting and diarrhoea.
Norovirus is resistant to many disinfectants and can heat up to 60°C. Therefore, merely steaming food or chlorinating water does not kill the virus. The virus can also survive many common hand sanitisers.

Ans (C)
Every 16 December in Bangladesh and India, Vijay Diwas is commemorated to observe the victory of Bangladesh over Pakistan in the 1971 War of Liberation from Pakistan.
The War’s end led to the Pakistan Army’s unilateral and unconditional defeat and subsequent division into Bangladesh from eastern Pakistan.
The 26th March 1971 is celebrated as Bangladeshi Independence Day.

Ans (A)
Decks cleared for the Sammakka Sarakka Central Tribal University at Mulugu in Telangana following both houses of parliament passing the Central Universities (Amendment), Bill, 2023.
The bills to amend the Central Universities Act, 2009 for the establishment of Sammakka Sarakka Central Tribal University at Mulugu in the State of Telangana was passed by the Lok Sabha on December 7, and Rajya Sabha on December 13.
The University has been named “SammakkaSarakka Central Tribal University” after the mother and daughter, Sammakka and Saralamma (commonly known as Sarakka), who are believed to be manifestations of Adi Parashakti sent to protect the tribal communities of Telangana.

Ans (D)
India has successfully conducted a flight trial of the Autonomous Flying Wing Technology Demonstrator — a high-speed UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle), from Aeronautical Test Range based in the Karnataka city of Chitradurga.
The vehicle, whose trial was conducted by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), comes with a tailless configuration.
It will help India to join an elite group of countries to have mastered the controls for the flying wing technology.
According to the release, the UAV has been designed and developed by DRDO’s Aeronautical Development Establishment.

Ans (A)
LEADS 2023 Report published by Commerce and Industry Ministry.
Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Chandigarh and Gujarat are among the 13 states and Union Territories that have again been categorised as “achievers” in the logistics index chart 2023.
The index is an indicator of the efficiency of logistical services necessary for promoting exports and economic growth.
As against 15 states and UTs, this year the number has reduced to 13 as Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand have slipped into “aspirers” and “fast movers” categories, respectively, this year.

Ans (B)
The Kerala government approached the Supreme Court against the Centre’s decision to cap its net borrowing limit, saying it obstructs the state’s financial autonomy protected under the Constitution.
Kerala has said linking debt ceiling to central government schemes and withholding due state funds severely affects its economy and population welfare.
Article 293 in the Constitution of India deals with the ‘Borrowing by States’.
Under Article 293, States cannot borrow from outside India, as the States’ borrowing power is specifically limited to “within the territory of India”.
Article 293(3) of the Constitution requires states to obtain the Centre’s consent in order to borrow in case the state is indebted to the Centre over a previous loan.

Ans (C)
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak-led UK government has decided the social media use for teenagers under the age of 16, including potential bans.
Despite bringing new regulations with the Online Safety Act earlier this year, ministers are considering taking additional steps to limit children’s exposure to harmful content.
Recently, the United Kingdom (UK) passed the Online Safety Act to increase the responsibilities of the companies providing user-to-user services to safeguard individuals, especially children on the internet, including age verification obligations.