This is the current affairs of 5 & 6 December 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 word was chosen by Oxford University Press as the “Word of the Year 2023”?
a. Prompt
b. RIZZ
c. Goblin Mode
d. Swift
Answer: b. RIZZ
– ‘RIZZ’ is a viral word on social media.
– Oxford University Press announced it as the Word of the Year for 2023.
Meaning of the word ‘RIZZ’:
– According to Oxford University Press, the word “RIZZ” is derived from the word “charisma.”
– “RIZZ” refers to the ability to attract a romantic partner through one’s style, allure, charm, and charisma.
– Its meaning also includes attracting or conversing with someone.
How did this word come into discussion?
– The popularity of the word “RIZZ” has been on the rise since the beginning of 2023.
– When asked about the secret of his “RIZZ,” actor Tom Holland of Spider-Man replied, “I have no pain whatsoever. I have limited RIZZ.” Since then, the word went viral.
8 words shortlisted for ‘RIZZ’:
– The publishers of the Oxford English Dictionary had shortlisted 8 words for the Word of the Year this year.
– Voting was conducted thereafter.
– With a majority of 32,000 votes, “RIZZ” was selected as the winner.
– Other words in contention were – “prompt,” “situationship,” “swifty.”
What was the Word of the Year for 2022?
– “Goblin Mode”
– This word is used for individuals who are self-indulgent and lazy without any remorse and who reject social norms or expectations.
– This word gained attention during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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2. Rajya Sabha passed the ‘Post Office Bill, 2023’, if made law, this bill will replace the ‘Indian Post Office Act’ enacted in which year?
a. 1798
b. 1878
c. 1898
d. 1998
Answer: c. 1898
– On the first day of the winter session of Parliament, the Postal Bill, 2023, was passed in the Rajya Sabha on November 4, 2023.
– This bill includes provisions to repeal the 125-year-old Indian Postal Act.
– Additionally, through this bill, the government will make several significant amendments to the laws related to post offices in the country.
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3. Due to which provision in ‘Post Office Bill, 2023’ it remained in discussion?
a. Privatization of the post office
b. Adoption of private courier services
c. Halt on opening new post offices
d. In the interest of state security, an official has the right to stop, open, or detain any object
Answer: d. In the interest of state security, an official has the right to stop, open, or detain any object
Provisions in the ‘Postal Bill, 2023’:
– The Central Government can issue a notification granting any official the authority to intercept or open items/parcels sent through the postal service in the interest of the state’s security, foreign relations, public order, emergency, or public safety.
– This official will have the right to intercept, open, or detain any object sent from the postal department. They can also take action in the event of a breach of any law. (Note: Opposition expressed concerns about officials having such unrestricted rights to privacy infringement, but Communications Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw dismissed it.)
– The Director-General of the country’s postal services will have expanded powers.
Indian Postal Service Directors-General will now have the authority not only to create regulations but also to set charges for services.
– According to the proposed law, the Central Government can issue notifications for changes in rules and laws.
Government’s stance:
– This new law reflects how postal offices and postal workers have been transformed from mere mail delivery systems into service distribution institutions, practically turned into banks.
– They mentioned that while 660 post offices were closed earlier, between 2014 and 2023, approximately 5,000 offices were opened, and the process is underway to open about 5,746 new offices.
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4. Which fund was approved at the COP-28 summit to help vulnerable countries deal with the effects of climate change?
a. Climate Change Fund
b. Cop and Top Fund
c. Loss and Damage Fund
d. None of these
Answer: c. Loss and Damage Fund
– The announcement of this fund was made during the COP27 summit held in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, last year.
– However, it has now been approved at the COP-28 summit held in Dubai (November-December 2023).
What is the Loss and Damage Fund?
– It is a global financial package to ensure the resilience of countries facing the extensive impacts (cascading effects) of climate change.
Who pledged how much to the fund?
– The European Union pledged 145 million dollars.
– The United Arab Emirates pledged 100 million dollars.
– Germany pledged 100 million dollars.
– The United Kingdom pledged 50.6 million dollars.
– The United States pledged 17 million dollars.
Japan pledged 10 million dollars.
– This is a positive start.
– According to The Hindu newspaper, the World Bank will host the fund for a period of 4 years.
Note: Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav thanked the United Nations Presidency for initiating the fund.
Why do vulnerable countries need the fund?
– The Loss and Damage Fund addresses the compensation needed due to global warming caused by industrial development of affluent countries, which has pushed the planet into a climate crisis.
– They need to compensate poorer countries, which have a lower carbon footprint but are bearing the brunt of rising sea levels, floods, devastating droughts, and severe cyclones, among others.
– Hence, vulnerable countries require the fund.
Losses due to climate change in 2022:
– According to a recent study published by Delaware University, the cost of loss and damage due to climate change in the year 2022 was approximately 1.5 trillion dollars/1500 billion dollars.
– Many developed countries and some poorer nations faced an average loss of about 8.3 percent of GDP due to this climate change.
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5. According to WHO’s World Malaria Report 2023, how many cases of malaria were found in India in the year 2022?
a. 50,00,000
b. 33,89,000
c. 25,00,000
d. 30,00,000
Answer: b. 33,89,000 (Thirty-Three Lakh Eighty-Nine Thousand)
In the Southeast Asia region of WHO, there are 11 member countries:
– Bangladesh, Bhutan, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor-Leste
– In the World Malaria Report, India ranks 21st in the highest number of cases.
– WHO released this report in November 2023.
– In the report, India is part of WHO’s Southeast Asian region. It includes seven countries:
Countries and their cases:
– India: 3,389,000 (Thirty-three lakh eighty-nine thousand)
– Indonesia: 1,156,000 (Eleven lakh fifty-six thousand)
– Myanmar: 584,000 (Five lakh eighty-four thousand)
– Thailand: 2,100 (Two thousand one hundred)
– Democratic People’s Republic of Korea: 6,300 (Six thousand three hundred)
– Bangladesh: 22,000 (Twenty-two thousand)
– Nepal: 36
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6. According to the World Malaria Report 2023, what percentage of cases in WHO South-East Asia region were in India in the year 2022?
a. 50%
b. 60%
c. 66%
d. 77%
Answer: c. 66%
In the Southeast Asia region of WHO, there are 11 member countries:
– Bangladesh, Bhutan, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor-Leste
Percentage of malaria cases in 2022:
– In the WHO Southeast Asia region, there was approximately a 2% incidence of malaria at the global level, with a 76% decrease in malaria cases.
– The number of cases decreased from 23 million in the year 2000 to approximately five million (50 lakhs) in 2022.
– The report stated that in 2000, there were 18 cases per 1,000 population at risk.
– And in 2022, there were approximately three cases per 1,000 population at risk.
Estimated malaria deaths from 2000 to 2022:
– In the Southeast Asia region, there was a 77% reduction in malaria-related deaths.
– In 2000, there were approximately 35,000 deaths.
– In 2022, there were approximately 8,000 deaths.
– About 94% of total malaria deaths occur in India and Indonesia.
Total cases in 2022:
– Globally, an estimated 249 million malaria cases were reported in 2022.
– Among these, the highest number of cases (66,722,000) was reported in Nigeria.
Countries with the highest number of patients according to the report:
– Nigeria (66,722,000)
– Democratic Republic of the Congo (30,654,000)
– Uganda (12,651,000)
– Mozambique (10,443,000)
– Angola (8,396,000)
Note: In the highest number of cases, India ranks 21st.
– Malaria patients in India: 33,890,000 (Thirty-three million eight hundred ninety thousand)
Country with the most malaria-related deaths:
– Nigeria (26.8%)
– Democratic Republic of the Congo (12.3%)
– Uganda (5.1%)
– Mozambique (4.2%)
– Angola (3.4%)
Global estimated deaths in the past 5 years:
In 2022: 608,000 deaths
In 2021: 610,000 deaths
In 2020: 631,000 deaths
In 2019: 576,000 deaths
In 2018: 581,000 deaths
WHO’s global targets:
– By 2030, to reduce malaria cases by at least 90%.
– By 2030, to reduce malaria-related mortality rates by at least 90%.
– By 2030, to eliminate malaria in at least 35 countries.
According to WHO, malaria symptoms:
– The most common initial symptoms of malaria are fever, headache, and chills.
– Symptoms appear within 10-15 days after being bitten by mosquitoes.
Severe symptoms:
– Extreme fatigue
– Impaired consciousness
– Difficulty breathing
– Deep or bloody urine
– Jaundice (yellowing of eyes and skin)
– Unusual bleeding
– Immediate medical attention is required for such patients.
Statement by the WHO Director-General:
– Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of WHO, stated in his note,
– Changing climate poses a significant risk to progress against malaria, particularly in vulnerable areas.
– Therefore, the fight against malaria requires increased resources, strong political commitment, data-driven strategies, and the development of new tools.
– It is crucial to focus on more skilled, effective, and affordable innovations.
Malaria Vaccines:
– WHO approved the first malaria vaccine in the world in October 2021.
– Name: RTS, S/AS01 (brand name Mosquirix)
In October 2023, WHO recommended a second malaria vaccine.
– Name: R21/Matrix-M (developed by Oxford University)
– The supply of both malaria vaccines involves the role of Indian vaccine manufacturers – Serum Institute of India (SII) and Bharat Biotech. (An agreement to produce 100 million vaccines annually)
Countries declared Malaria-free (Declared by WHO):
– Belize (2023)
– Azerbaijan (2023)
– Tajikistan (2023)
– China (2021)
– El Salvador (2021)
– Algeria (2019)
– Argentina (2019)
– Paraguay (2018)
– Uzbekistan (2018)
How to obtain a Malaria-Free Certificate:
– A country with no reported cases of malaria for three consecutive years can apply to WHO.
– China has become the 40th country in the world to receive this certificate from WHO.
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7. When is World Soil Day celebrated?
a. 4 December
b. 5 December
c. 6 December
d. 7 December
Answer: b. 5 December
– World Soil Day is observed annually on December 5th.
– Its aim is to increase awareness about the importance of soil quality.
– The day is celebrated to raise awareness about how crucial soil is for humanity, food security, and environmental systems.
– It was first observed in the year 2014.
– This day is jointly celebrated by the Food and Agriculture Organization and the International Union of Soil Sciences.
– Theme – “Halt soil salinization, boost soil productivity.”
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
– Establishment – October 16, 1945
– Headquarters – Rome, Italy
– Director-General – Qu Dongyu
International Union of Soil Sciences
– Establishment – 1924
– Headquarters – Vienna, Austria
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8. When is Armed Forces Flag Day celebrated?
a. 4 December
b. 5 December
c. 6 December
d. 7 December
Answer: d. 7 December
– The purpose of this is to honor the martyrs and men in uniform.
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9. Which system was introduced by the Railway Ministry to save elephants?
a. Gajraj Suraksha Kavach
b. Save Elephants Alarm
c. Elephant Mode
d. Save Gajraj Alarm
Answer: a. Gajraj Suraksha Kavach
– Indian Railways has introduced this system to prevent train accidents caused by elephants.
– This is an indigenous system that utilizes Artificial Intelligence (AI).
– a. Gajraj Suraksha Kavach is an ‘Intrusion Detection System’ (IDS) that detects the vibrations caused by pressure waves from the elephants’ feet.
– This information is sent to the station master through OFC cables. Based on this information, the station master can stop the train.
– The Railway claims that the identification rate of a. Gajraj Suraksha Kavach is 99.5% and it can provide information about the elephants’ arrival 200 meters in advance.
– The implementation of this system will commence in some parts of West Bengal, Odisha, Jharkhand, Assam, Kerala, Chhattisgarh, and Tamil Nadu.
200 Elephants Died in 10 Years
– According to the Railway, nearly 200 elephants have lost their lives in train accidents in the last 10 years.
– To prevent this, the Railway had initiated a pilot project in the Buxa Tiger Reserve in West Bengal. It was successful, and now it will be implemented in several states across the country.
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10. Lok Sabha passed the ‘Advocates Amendment Bill, 2023’, what is the new provision in it?
a. Restriction on the role of middlemen in the court
b. Monitoring the activities of lawyers in the court
c. Acknowledging the role of middlemen in the court
d. None of these
Answer: a. Restriction on the role of middlemen in the court
– This bill has been passed to amend the Advocates Act, 1961.
– The Lok Sabha passed the bill on December 4, 2023.
– Earlier, during the Monsoon session (August 2023), the bill was approved in the Rajya Sabha.
Provisions of the Advocates Amendment Act, 2023
– Now, every High Court and District Judge can prepare and publish a list of brokers who purchase clients for legal practitioners in exchange for any payment.
– According to The Hindu newspaper, Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal stated that such individuals should not have any role in the courts.
– Violation of this provision may lead to imprisonment for up to three months and a fine.
Note:
– Lok Sabha Speaker: Om Birla
– Chairman of the Rajya Sabha: Jagdeep Dhankhar
– Rajya Sabha is the Upper House of Parliament.
– Lok Sabha is the Lower House of Parliament.
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11. Cyclone ‘Michong’ formed from which sea caused devastation in South India?
a. Arabian Sea
b. Bay of Bengal
c. Gulf of Aden
d. Red Sea
Answer: b. Bay of Bengal
Which country named the Cyclone Michaung – Myanmar
– Cyclone Michaung arose on 2nd December from the Bay of Bengal and hit the coast of Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday afternoon.
– According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), the cyclone made landfall between Nellore and Machilipatnam around 1 PM.
– During landfall, winds blew at a speed of 100 kilometers per hour along with heavy rain. The cyclone weakened as it progressed.
– The most significant impact of the cyclone was in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. More than 100 trains and over 50 flights have been canceled in both states.
– 29 teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) evacuated around 9,500 people from the coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh.
– Chennai city was submerged due to rainfall, resulting in the death of 17 people.
Impact of the cyclone in more than 10 states
– The cyclone affected 10 states including Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Puducherry, Telangana, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and others.
How are cyclones in the Indian Ocean determined?
– Thirteen countries in the Indian Ocean region name cyclones.
– These countries include India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Maldives, Myanmar, Oman, Thailand, Iran, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Yemen.
– These 13 countries maintain a pre-determined list of names.
As soon as a cyclone enters any part of these countries, a name from the list is assigned to the cyclone.
– This not only aids in easy identification of cyclones but also helps in disaster management efforts. Names are not repeated.
– The naming system for cyclones is under the direction of the United Nations.
How do cyclones form?
– When an area of low pressure forms over the sea, a cyclone develops.
– The responsibility for global warming lies here.
– As the temperature of the sea rises or when the sea begins to warm up, the warm air rises, creating a vacuum to be filled by the surrounding air rushing in. This area is called a low-pressure zone.
– Since the seas are vast, this process becomes extensive.
– As the warm air rises and air from larger areas rushes in, the upper air also cools down because as we ascend, the temperature drops.
– In this process, the upper cool air also wants to come down, transforming into a cyclone.
– The air spins rapidly.
– The sea, the Earth, and global warming contribute significantly to absorbing the heat.
-In a way, we can say that through cyclones, the sea attempts to keep itself cool.”
