Daily Current Affairs Quiz: November 17-18, 2024

Notes:
Japan has agreed to provide its integrated antenna system, UNICORN, to the Indian Naval Ships. UNICORN stands for Unified Complex Radio Antenna, and it’s a conical structure that houses antennas on warships. The system is designed to increase the stealth characteristics of naval platforms. On November 15, 2024, India and Japan signed a Memorandum of Implementation (MoI) to co-develop and co-produce the UNICORN mast for Indian Navy ships. The agreement was signed at the Embassy of India in Tokyo by the Ambassador of India to Japan, H.E. Shri Sibi George, and Mr. Ishikawa Takeshi, Commissioner of Acquisition Technology and Logistics Agency (ATLA) under Japan MoD. This is India’s first military technology transfer pact with Japan. It’s also the first case of co-development and co-production of defense equipment between the two countries.

Notes:
The 2024 Asia Pacific Economic Summit was hosted in Lima, Peru. US and Chinese leaders recently warned of challenging times ahead at an Asia-Pacific economic summit in Lima. Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), formed in 1989, promotes free trade, investment, and economic cooperation for sustainable growth. APEC streamlines cross-border movement of goods, services, investments, and people by improving customs and aligning regulations. It has reduced trade barriers, boosting regional growth and trade. APEC has 21 “economies,” including the US, China, Japan, and others, covering 40% of the world’s population and 60% of global GDP. Annual meetings are held with decisions made by consensus and commitments taken voluntarily. APEC Secretariat is based in Singapore.

Notes:
The rare Scarlet Tanager was recently seen in the UK for the first time in 40 years. It is native to North America. Its scientific name is Piranga olivacea. It breeds in deciduous forests and migrates to tropical forests in Central and South America for winter. The bird is medium-sized, about seven inches long, with a large head, short tail, and thick bill for catching insects and fruit. Males are bright red with black wings and tails in summer; females and young are olive-yellow. Its song resembles a “robin with a cold,” and its call is a distinctive “chip-burr.”

Notes:
BSNL launched India’s first direct-to-device satellite internet service, aiming to bridge the digital divide in remote areas. The service provides high-speed internet without the need for traditional infrastructure, using advanced satellite technology. The launch allows users to make emergency calls, send SOS messages, and make UPI payments when there’s no cellular or Wi-Fi network. The satellite service offers wide coverage, reliable connectivity, and is designed to function in all weather conditions.

Notes:
The Ministry of Defence recently launched the AI-enabled e-Tarang System. Developed with Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geo-informatics (BISAG-N), it improves the planning and operation of defence equipment in both wartime and peacetime. The system enables automated, efficient management of Defence Spectrum and supports the development of new technologies in higher frequency bands. It aids rapid decision-making and facilitates the integration of modern technologies for defence applications. BISAG-N is an autonomous body under MeitY, focused on research, technology development, and cooperation in geo-spatial technology, supporting capacity building and entrepreneurship.