Home > Practice > Current Affairs > October - 2024 > October 13, 2024
1. Which company successfully caught its Starship booster using mechanical arms after a test flight?
SpaceX made headlines by successfully catching its Starship booster on its first-stage rocket after a recent test flight. This remarkable achievement highlights the company's advanced rapid reusability technology, which is vital for reducing costs associated with future Mars missions. The use of large mechanical arms, referred to as "Mechazilla," in this process underscores SpaceX's commitment to innovation in space travel. As SpaceX aims to establish a human presence on the Moon and Mars, this milestone significantly contributes to their long-term goal of making humanity a multi-planetary species.
2. For what contribution were Demis Hassabis and John M. Jumper jointly awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2024?
Demis Hassabis and John M. Jumper were recognized for their groundbreaking work in protein structure prediction, particularly with the development of AlphaFold2, an AI-driven system introduced in 2020. AlphaFold2 revolutionized the ability to predict how amino acid sequences fold into three-dimensional structures, solving a long-standing challenge in structural biology. This innovation has vast applications in drug discovery, biotechnology, and the understanding of diseases, as it provides insight into nearly every known protein structure.
3. Which country's space agency reported that the geomagnetic storm originated from a solar flare that erupted from sunspot 3842 on October 3?
The geomagnetic storm that lit up the night sky in parts of the US in early October originated from a solar flare that erupted from sunspot 3842 on October 3. South Africa's National Space Agency (SANSA) tracked this significant event, noting it was the strongest earth-facing solar flare recorded by SANSA in seven years. The agency also reported the brief disruption to high-frequency radio communications over the African region. SANSA's expertise and monitoring capabilities provide valuable insights into space weather events like geomagnetic storms, highlighting South Africa's role in space research and exploration.
4. In which year did the Malabar naval exercise, a bilateral naval exercise between India and the US Navy, first begin?
The Malabar naval exercise has evolved significantly since its inception. Starting as a bilateral exercise between India and the US in 1992, it expanded to include Japan in 2015 and Australia in 2020, becoming a quadrilateral naval exercise. The exercise aims to promote cooperation and coordination among participating navies for a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific. Held annually, the Malabar Exercise alternates between the Indian Ocean and Pacific Oceans, featuring diverse activities such as fighter combat and maritime interdiction operations. Its growth reflects the increasing importance of the Indian Ocean Region and Indo-Pacific Region in global security and economic stability.
5. Which country has been selected to host the 2025 Junior World Cup by the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF)?
The International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) has recognized India's growing influence and infrastructure in shooting sports by awarding the country the hosting rights for the 2025 Junior World Cup. This prestigious event underscores India's rising prominence in the international shooting community. With a strong team of 23 shooters, India is poised to make a significant impact in the Junior World Cup Final. Hosting the event will further boost India's reputation as a hub for shooting sports, providing opportunities for young talent to shine on the global stage.
6. Which country was targeted in a recent drone attack that resulted in 40 injuries?
A recent drone attack in central Israel led to 40 injuries, including three individuals in critical condition. The attack was claimed by the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah and represents a significant escalation in conflict tensions in the region. Israel's advanced defence systems typically mitigate such incidents, making the scale of injuries particularly alarming. This attack is one of the most serious in recent times, reflecting Israel's vulnerabilities amid ongoing hostilities and indicating a troubling increase in aggression from militant groups like Hezbollah.
7. In which year was the Assam Accord, aimed at stopping the influx of illegal migrants from Bangladesh, signed?
The Assam Accord was signed in 1985 between the Central Government, the Assam State Government, and leaders of the Assam Movement to address the issue of illegal migration from Bangladesh. It sought to protect the cultural, social, and linguistic identity of the Assamese people through various safeguards. Clause 6 of the accord specifically called for the protection and promotion of the indigenous identity of Assam, with legislative and constitutional provisions.
8. On which coastline in India are blue-blooded horseshoe crabs facing the threat of extinction?
Horseshoe crabs, ancient marine creatures known for their blue blood, are facing extinction due to habitat loss and human activities along the coastline of Odisha. Conservation efforts are underway to protect them, including tracking their movements and studying their nesting patterns. These crabs, dating back millions of years, are vital to biomedical science due to their blood's unique properties, and they play an important ecological role in their coastal habitat.
9. Which state has initiated the process of categorizing Scheduled Castes (SCs) into four sub-groups: A, B, C, and D?
Telangana has begun categorizing Scheduled Castes (SCs) into four sub-groups following a Supreme Court judgment that allows states to sub-classify SCs and STs for reservation purposes. The ruling upheld the application of the 'creamy layer' principle to SCs and STs, which was previously only applicable to Other Backward Classes (OBCs). It also clarified that reservation benefits are meant for the first generation, and subsequent generations become ineligible if a family member has already availed of the benefits. This initiative aims to ensure a more equitable distribution of resources among varying levels of backwardness within these communities.
10. What is the current repo rate, as decided by the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Reserve Bank of India?
The Reserve Bank of India's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has maintained the repo rate at 6.5% for the 10th consecutive time. This decision reflects the MPC's balanced approach to managing inflation and supporting economic growth. The repo rate remains a crucial tool for regulating money supply and influencing interest rates in the economy. By keeping the rate unchanged, the RBI aims to sustain India's growth momentum, projected at 7.2% for FY25, while maintaining inflation within the target range of 4%.
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