This is the current affairs of 2 & 3 January 2023. Here are questions and answers of daily current affairs for better preparation of competitive exams for government jobs.
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1. Which country experienced more than 90 earthquakes causing widespread damage on January 1, 2024, with a maximum magnitude of 7.6?
a. Taiwan
b. China
c. Japan
d. Indonesia
Answer: c. Japan
– In Japan, on January 1, more than 90 earthquakes of varying magnitudes occurred.
– The most destructive earthquake had a magnitude of 7.6 on the Richter scale.
– Earthquakes were also felt on January 2.
The western Ishikawa Prefecture in Japan suffered the most devastation from the earthquake.
– At least 48 people lost their lives, and buildings, vehicles, and ships suffered damage. Many buildings caught fire.
– Japanese authorities warned people in some areas on January 2 to stay away from their homes due to the risk of stronger earthquakes.
– Subsequently, a tsunami alert was issued, but it was later lifted.
– Major highways around the earthquake’s epicenter in Japan were closed, and bullet train services from Tokyo were suspended.
– Air travel and mobile phone coverage were also disrupted.
Evacuation of One Lakh People:
– On the night of January 1, 2024, the Japanese government issued orders to evacuate one lakh (100,000) people. They were sent to safe places. However, after the tsunami warning was lifted, many people are returning to their homes.
Why Does Japan Experience More Earthquakes?
– Japan is located in a seismically active region, and it is sensitive to earthquakes. Tokyo is situated at the intersection where the tectonic plates of the Pacific and Philippine Seas are subducted beneath the Eurasian plate.
Why Doesn’t Earthquakes Cause More Damage in Japan?
– Japan has a strong building code that requires all structures to be earthquake-resistant. As a result, the construction of the most earthquake-resistant buildings in the world has taken place.
Building Design in Japan:
– Many structures are designed to be more flexible and able to withstand shocks. Some buildings are made of Teflon, while others have flexible bases filled with foam, rubber, or liquid substances.
– Some buildings are designed to sway during an earthquake, while others are designed to absorb the earthquake’s energy and remain fixed to the ground.
– Thousands of buildings in Japan have installed shock-absorbing devices that can reduce damage and prevent collapse during an earthquake.
Why Do Earthquakes Occur?
– Beneath the Earth’s surface, there are several tectonic plates that float on molten lava. These plates are in constant motion.
The regions where these plates collide are called fault lines.
– When plates collide multiple times, the corners of the plates turn.
– Increased pressure on the plates causes them to break.
– Subsequently, the stored energy beneath seeks a way out, and after significant disturbance, an earthquake occurs.
– Earth experiences approximately five lakh earthquakes every year, but only about a hundred earthquakes cause significant damage.
– The most destructive earthquake occurred in Chile in 1960 with a magnitude of 9.6, resulting in the deaths of around 6000 people.
– On December 26, 2004, an earthquake in Indonesia triggered a tsunami in the Indian Ocean, causing the deaths of around 2.30 lakh people.
Impact of Earthquake at Different Speeds on the Richter Scale:
Richter Scale – Impact
0 to 1.9 – Detected only by seismograph.
2 to 2.9 – Light shaking.
3 to 3.9 – Felt like passing of a truck, minimal impact.
4 to 4.9 – Windows may break, and heavy objects can fall on walls.
5 to 5.9 – Heavy objects like sofas and cabinets may sway.
6 to 6.9 – Foundations of buildings may crack, causing damage to upper floors.
7 to 7.9 – Buildings collapse, and pipes underground may burst.
8 to 8.9 – Buildings and large bridges collapse.
9 or above – Catastrophic destruction, visible shaking of the Earth, and the risk of tsunamis.
Most Destructive Earthquake in India:
– The most destructive earthquake in India occurred on January 15, 1934, in Bihar, with a magnitude of 8.1.
– Approximately 30,000 people lost their lives.
Japan:
– Capital: Tokyo
– Emperor: Naruhito
– Prime Minister: Fumio Kishida
– Currency: Japanese Yen
– Population: 125 million
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2. Who was appointed as the Chairman of the 16th Finance Commission by the Central Government?
a. Anandpal Singh
b. Dr. Arvind Panagariya
c. Sanjeev Puri
d. Ritwik Ranjanam Pandey
Answer: b. Dr. Arvind Panagariya
– Dr. Arvind Panagariya is the former Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog and a professor at Columbia University.
– N.K. Singh is the Chairman of the 15th Finance Commission.
– Note: According to the PIB, other members of the 16th Finance Commission will be notified separately.
Under Which Law Was It Formed?
– According to the PIB, the 16th Finance Commission is constituted under the Disaster Management Act, 2005 (Act 53 of 2005) to review the current system of financing disaster management in reference to the funds formed under the Act and make appropriate recommendations.
Request from the Commission:
– The 16th Finance Commission has been requested to submit its report covering the period starting from April 1, 2026, to October 31, 2025.
About the Finance Commission:
– The ‘Finance Commission’ is a constitutional institution established under Article 280 of the Constitution.
– It determines how the money will be distributed between the Centre and the states, and oversees its allocation.
– It deals with issues related to public finance, advises the government on issues related to governance and development such as debt management, disaster relief, and education.
The Finance Commission is constituted for a period of five years.
– It consists of five members, including one chairman and four other members.
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3. Who was appointed by the Central Government as the Secretary of the 16th Finance Commission?
a. Dr. Anandpal Singh
b. Dr. Arvind Panagariya
c. Sanjeev Puri
d. Ritwik Ranjanam Pandey
Answer: d. Ritwik Ranjanam Pandey
– Indian Administrative Service officer Ritwik Ranjanam Pandey will be the Secretary of the Commission.
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4. Who received the Sangeeta Kalanidhi Award 2023?
a. Rukmani Devi
b. Bombay Jayshree
c. Padmini
d. Uday Shankar
Answer: b. Bombay Jayshree
– He has been given this award for his special contribution to Carnatic music.
This award is considered the highest award in the field of Carnatic music.
– This award is presented by the Madras Music Academy.
– Bombay Jayashree has also received the Padmashree award.
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5. Which country launched the mysterious spacecraft X-37B (code name USSF-52)?
a. India
b. USA
c. China
d. Japan
Answer: b. USA
– The mysterious spacecraft known as X-37B was launched on December 28, 2023, by the United States.
– Its code name is USSF-52.
– This mission marks its 6th journey into space.
– While information about the launch of X-37B is known to the world, the true purpose of this mission has never been explicitly stated by the United States.
China Also Launches a Secret Spacecraft:
– In December 2023, China also launched its spacecraft, terming it a secret mission. China only revealed that its test aircraft is reusable, meaning it can be used more than once.
Description of the American Spacecraft X-37B:
– The spacecraft X-37B resembles the retired NASA space shuttle but is only 29 feet long.
– In contrast, the space shuttle was 122 feet long and had a pilot on board.
– X-37B operates with lithium-ion batteries and solar energy.
– Its first mission in 2010 lasted for approximately 224 days, while its second mission in 2011 extended to 468 days.
What is America’s spacecraft X-37B doing?
– Despite being launched 7 times, the exact purpose of this spacecraft, X-37B, has not been disclosed.
– The Pentagon keeps its payloads and other information classified.
– If all the missions of this spacecraft are considered together, it has covered more than 209 million kilometers and spent approximately 3,774 days, equivalent to 10 years, in space.
– X-37B spacecraft is manufactured by Boeing. – It has been used to deploy several small satellites into space, although the specific purpose of these satellites remains undisclosed.
– It is said that the American spacecraft will investigate the effects of radiation on plants and their seeds through long-distance flights.
– For the first time, the SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket is being used for this launch.
– In previous missions, the Atlas V rocket was used, and once the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket was utilized.
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6. Which Oscar-winning film’s actor Lee Sun-kyun passed away on 27 December 2023?
a. Parasite
b. Rajdar
c. Bacteria
d. Chinese Spy
Answer: a. Parasite
– The Oscar-winning actor Lee Sun-kyun, known for his role in the film “Parasite,” passed away on December 27, 2023, at the age of 48.
– He was residing in South Korea, and his lifeless body was found in a car in Central Seoul Park.
– His family revealed that he left a suicide note at home on December 27.
About Lee Sun-kyun:
– Lee Sun-kyun was recognized for his role in the movie “Parasite,” where he portrayed the head of an affluent family.
– He gained fame for his remarkable performance in the film.
Involved in a Drug Case:
– In October 2023, Lee Sun-kyun was accused of using drugs illegally.
– On October 28, officers conducted extensive questioning regarding the allegations.
– Due to this incident, his image was tarnished, and he had declined several acting offers, – including a thriller film titled ‘No Way Out,’ and many others, at his own discretion.
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7. Which player won the World Rapid Chess Championship (Men) for a record fifth time?
a. Roger Binney
b. Magnus Carlsen
c. R Praggnanandhaa
d. George Frederick
Answer: b. Magnus Carlsen
– Grandmaster and World No. 1 chess player Magnus Carlsen clinched the record fifth title (Gold Medal) in the FIDE World Rapid Chess Championship held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan in December 2023.
– The second position (Silver Medal) was secured by Slovenia’s Vladislav Fedoseev, while the third position (Bronze Medal) was claimed by China’s Yu Yangyi.
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8. Which player won the World Rapid Chess Championship (Women) gold medal?
a. Anastasia Bodnaruk
b. Koneru Humpy
c. Lei Tingjie
d. Rajni Prabha
Answer: a. Anastasia Bodnaruk
– She is a Russian player.
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9. Which medal did Indian player Koneru Humpy win in the World Rapid Chess Championship (Women)?
a. Gold
b. Silver
c. Bronze
d. None of These
Answer: b. Silver
– In the women’s category of this championship, Russia’s Anastasia Bodnaruk secured the Gold Medal.
– India’s Koneru Humpy secured the second position, earning the Silver Medal.
– The third position and the Bronze Medal went to China’s Lei Tingjie.
FIDE
– President: Arkady Dvorkovich
– Headquarters: Lausanne, Switzerland
Uzbekistan
– President: Shavkat Mirziyoyev
– Capital: Tashkent
– Currency: Uzbekistani som
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10. In which country did two planes collide at Haneda Airport and one caught fire?
a. China
b. Japan
c. Australia
d. India
Answer: b. Japan
– A fire broke out on a plane at Haneda Airport in Tokyo, the capital of Japan. According to Japan Times, the Coast Guard reported that the aircraft collided with their plane before landing.
– The passenger plane had departed from Hokkaido’s Shin-Chitose Airport, carrying approximately 367 passengers and 12 crew members. All individuals have been safely evacuated from the plane.
