{"id":3254,"date":"2024-12-17T09:40:52","date_gmt":"2024-12-17T09:40:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lawentranceindia.com\/blogs\/?p=3254"},"modified":"2024-12-17T09:40:52","modified_gmt":"2024-12-17T09:40:52","slug":"mlc-daily-current-affairs-17-december-2024","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lawentranceindia.com\/blogs\/mlc-daily-current-affairs-17-december-2024\/","title":{"rendered":"MLC Daily Current Affairs – 17 December 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"

Today in History (December 17th<\/sup>,1982)<\/h1>\n

December 17th is celebrated as Pensioners Day in India to honor the landmark judgment delivered by the Supreme Court in 1982. The judgment guaranteed dignity and decency to retired officials.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s Revise<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

1) When was the Schengen Area established?<\/strong>
\na) 1985
\nb) 1990
\nc) 1995
\nd) 2000
\nAnswer: c)<\/strong>
\nExplanation:<\/strong> The Schengen Area was established on March 26, 1995, to abolish border controls at mutual borders of member countries.<\/p>\n

2) How many European countries comprise the Schengen Area?<\/strong>
\na) 25
\nb) 27
\nc) 29
\nd) 31
\nAnswer: c)<\/strong>
\nExplanation:<\/strong> The Schengen Area is a zone comprising 29 European countries that have officially abolished border controls at their mutual borders.<\/p>\n

3) Which of the following is NOT a member country of the Schengen Area?<\/strong>
\na) Iceland
\nb) Liechtenstein
\nc) Norway
\nd) United Kingdom
\nAnswer: d)<\/strong>
\nExplanation:<\/strong> The United Kingdom is not a member country of the Schengen Area. The Schengen Area includes 25 EU member states and 4 non-EU countries: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.<\/p>\n

4) What is a key feature of the Schengen Area?<\/strong>
\na) Unified currency
\nb) Free movement without passport checks
\nc) Common language
\nd) Single government
\nAnswer: b)<\/strong>
\nExplanation:<\/strong> One of the key features of the Schengen Area is that citizens of Schengen countries can travel freely within the area without needing to show a passport or go through border checks.<\/p>\n

5. Which countries are set to become full members of the Schengen Area from next month?<\/strong>
\na) Croatia and Slovenia
\nb) Greece and Cyprus
\nc) Romania and Bulgaria
\nd) Portugal and Spain
\nAnswer: c)<\/strong>
\nExplanation:<\/strong> Romania and Bulgaria are set to become full members of Europe\u2019s Schengen free-travel area from next month.<\/p>\n

Summary of Today’s News<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Modi Takes Up Regional Security with Dissanayake<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Modi
\nContext<\/strong>
\nSri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Monday.
\nKey Discussions<\/strong>
\n\u2022 Security Assurance: President Dissanayake assured that Sri Lanka would not allow its territory to be used against India.
\n\u2022 Economic Assistance: India promised to continue grants assistance to Sri Lanka to help it overcome economic challenges.
\nMajor Announcements<\/strong>
\n\u2022 Conversion of Loans to Grants: India announced the conversion of project loans to grants for railway signalling systems and Kankesanthurai Port.
\n\u2022 Energy and Digital Cooperation: Both leaders agreed to expedite cooperation in energy and digital infrastructure projects.
\nSpecific Projects<\/strong>
\n\u2022 Energy Projects: Continued partnership on energy projects, including connecting to a common grid, an India-Sri Lanka multi-product pipeline, LNG supplies, and the Sampur coal power project.
\n\u2022 Grant Extension: India extended a $20.66 million grant to settle payments for completed projects initially signed under a ‘Letter of Credit’ or loan.
\nRegional Security<\/strong>
\n\u2022 Maritime Security: India highlighted its role in maritime security and research, indicating potential research offers for Sri Lanka.
\n\u2022 Chinese Ships: Concerns over Chinese ships berthing in Sri Lankan ports were discussed, with Sri Lanka completing a one-year moratorium on foreign research vessels docking in January.
\nOther Issues<\/strong>
\n\u2022 Adani Group Projects: No progress on Adani Group projects under review in Sri Lanka, with potential holds on a 500 MW wind power project.
\n\u2022 Fishermen’s Rights: Discussions on dealing with Indian fishermen accused of trespassing into Sri Lankan waters in a humanitarian manner. President Dissanayake called for curtailing the use of bottom trawlers.
\nTamil Reconciliation<\/strong>
\n\u2022 Tamil Aspirations: Modi discussed Tamil reconciliation, expressing hope that the new Sri Lankan government would fulfil the aspirations of the Tamil people.<\/p>\n

Ustad Zakir Hussain Passes Away at 73<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Ustad
\nUstad Zakir Hussain, a renowned tabla virtuoso and one of India\u2019s greatest cultural ambassadors, passed away at 73 in a San Francisco hospital after a brief illness. His untimely demise sent shock waves worldwide.
\nContributions and Legacy<\/strong>
\n\u2022 Transformation of the Tabla: Hussain elevated the modest instrument to a powerful voice for universal peace and humanity, known for his speed, dexterity, and creativity.
\n\u2022 Syncretic Soul: Growing up in a syncretic cultural environment in Mumbai, Hussain embodied India\u2019s composite culture, singing devotional hymns, reciting verses of the Koran, and hymns of the Bible.
\nFamily Statement<\/strong>
\n\u2022 Cause of Death: Hussain passed away from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a lung disease. He had been hospitalized for over two weeks.
\n\u2022 Legacy: His work as a teacher, mentor, and educator left an indelible mark on countless musicians. He inspired the next generation to go further, leaving an unparalleled legacy as a cultural ambassador and one of the greatest musicians.
\nTributes<\/strong>
\n\u2022 Prime Minister\u2019s Tribute: Prime Minister Narendra Modi described Hussain as a \u201ctrue genius\u201d who revolutionized Indian classical music and brought the tabla to the global stage.
\n\u2022 Awards and Recognition: Hussain was a four-time Grammy Award winner and received the Padma Vibhushan.<\/p>\n

La Ni\u00f1a and Its Impact on India\u2019s Climate<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

The Story So Far<\/strong>
\n\u2022 Expected Arrival: While the La Ni\u00f1a was anticipated to emerge by July this year, it has not yet materialized. The India Meteorological Department now predicts its onset by late 2024 or early 2025, resulting in a milder winter due to this delay.
\nWhat is La Ni\u00f1a?<\/strong>
\n\u2022 La Ni\u00f1a is a phase of the El Ni\u00f1o Southern Oscillation (ENSO) characterized by cooler-than-usual Pacific Ocean temperatures between Indonesia and South America.
\n\u2022 Its counterpart, El Ni\u00f1o, represents warmer temperatures in the same region.
\n\u2022 Influence: These phases significantly affect global atmospheric circulation and weather patterns.
\n\u2022 La Ni\u00f1a: Brings normal or above-normal rainfall in India during the monsoon season but causes droughts in Africa and intensifies hurricanes over the Atlantic.
\n\u2022 El Ni\u00f1o: Causes extreme summers and droughts in India, with increased rainfall in the southern U.S.
\nTriple Dip La Ni\u00f1a and Climate Change<\/strong>
\n\u2022 Triple Dip La Ni\u00f1a: The decade began with three consecutive La Ni\u00f1a events (2020-2022), followed by an El Ni\u00f1o in 2023.
\n\u2022 Climate Change Impact: Rising sea and land temperatures may increase the frequency and intensity of La Ni\u00f1a and El Ni\u00f1o events, leading to more extreme weather patterns.
\nCurrent Winter and Meteorology<\/strong>
\n\u2022 Current Status: La Ni\u00f1a has not emerged as expected, with only a 57% chance of forming in December 2024. It will likely be weak if it does form.
\n\u2022 Meteorological Parameters: Cities in southern India like Bengaluru and Hyderabad are experiencing a colder winter, while north India experiencing above-normal temperatures.
\n\u2022 Air Quality Impact: Higher wind speeds during La Ni\u00f1a winters help reduce air pollution, but lower temperatures in north India may lead to more biomass burning for heating, worsening air pollution.
\nLa Ni\u00f1a and Monsoons<\/strong>
\n\u2022 El Ni\u00f1o Impact: El Ni\u00f1o summers are harsher, as seen in April this year with intense heat waves in India. El Ni\u00f1o often disrupts monsoons, leading to below-average rainfall in India.
\n\u2022 La Ni\u00f1a Impact: La Ni\u00f1a promotes robust monsoons, bringing normal or above-normal rainfall, as seen in the La Ni\u00f1a years of 2020, 2021, and 2022.
\n\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"
\nConclusion<\/strong>
\n\u2022 Future Outlook: A La Ni\u00f1a forming now or early next year and continuing until the monsoon season would be a welcome development, providing relief from high heat and promoting robust monsoons.<\/p>\n