Current Affairs 7 January 2024
NATIONAL AFFAIRS
IEC Vans Reached Various Parts of New Delhi
- IEC vans disseminating the message of the government's flagship welfare schemes reached various parts of New Delhi on January 7, 2024.
- IEC refers to Information, Education and Communication.
- On this occasion, the people present at these sites took oath to make India a developed nation by 2047.
- The Information, Education and Communication vans are displaying Prime Minister Narendra Modi's message through screens.
- Besides, brochures and calendars are also being distributed to the people.
SPORTS PANORAMA
ICC Test Ranking Released
- India have slipped to second spot in the ICC Test Ranking despite securing a 7-wicket epic win against South Africa in Cape Town on January 7, 2024.
- On the other hand, Australia's impressive run at home against Pakistan has helped them to take the crown of No. 1 test team once again.
- Australia have taken a 2-0 lead against Pakistan in the ongoing three-match series.
- The third match of the series is currently underway in Sydney.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
'Prithvi' Scheme Approved by the Government
- The Central Government has approved the 'Prithvi' scheme on January 7, 2024.
- This is a scheme of the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
- The detailed name of the Prithvi (PRITHVI) scheme is 'Prithvi Vigyan' scheme.
- This scheme will be implemented till the year 2026.
- The objective of the 'Prithvi' scheme is to develop modeling systems to understand the science of climate change.
Science and Tech (Ecology)
African Raptors Facing Rapid Population Decline
- A new study has revealed on January 7, 2024 that 37 out of 42 African raptor species analysed have experienced population declines of around 88% in the past 40 years.
- Out of these, 29 species constituting 69% have seen drops over 3 generation lengths that qualify them as globally threatened under IUCN criteria of endangerment.
- The analysis found 6 raptor species endemic or near-endemic to Africa already signals heightened extinction risk.
- Study notes annually around 5 million hectares forest cover was lost continent-wide to agriculture.