Brief Summary
This session covers important current affairs, focusing on global urbanization trends, space missions, military technology, social media restrictions, and sports. Key points include Jakarta becoming the most populous city, the US-Russia Soyuz mission to the International Space Station, Russia's new military satellite, and India's development of the Hammer missile.
- Jakarta is now the most populous city worldwide.
- The US and Russia collaborate on the Soyuz MS-28 mission to the ISS.
- Russia launched a military satellite using the Angara 1.2 rocket.
- India is developing the Hammer missile in collaboration with France.
- Malaysia is set to ban social media for children under 16 by 2026.
Urbanization and Population: Jakarta Becomes the Most Populous City
A recent UN study, "World Urbanization Prospects," reveals that Jakarta, Indonesia, has surpassed Tokyo to become the world's most populous city with approximately 42 million residents. Previously, Tokyo held the top spot. Dhaka, Bangladesh, is the second most populous, followed by Tokyo in third place. The study also highlights that India has surpassed China as the world's most populous country, with 1.42 billion people. London is considered the most desirable city to live in, while Vienna is the most livable.
Space Exploration: US-Russia Joint Mission to the International Space Station
The US and Russia have launched the Soyuz MS-28 mission to the International Space Station (ISS). This eight-month mission involves astronauts from both NASA and Roscosmos. The launch occurred from Kazakhstan. The ISS, launched in 1998, is expected to end its life span by 2031, according to NASA. The mission includes one US astronaut, Chris Williams, and two Russian astronauts, Sergei Makeev and Sergei Kud-Sverchkov.
Military Technology: Russia Launches Military Satellite with Angara 1.2 Rocket
Russia has launched a military satellite using the Angara 1.2 rocket amidst its ongoing conflict with Ukraine since 2022. The Angara 1.2 rocket is designed for launching lightweight satellites and was launched from Moscow. It is a two-stage rocket. India also has launch vehicles like PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle) and LVM (Launch Vehicle Mark-III), also known as Baahubali, which was used for the Chandrayaan-3 mission.
Defense Collaboration: India and France to Develop Hammer Missile
Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) has partnered with Safran, a French company, to manufacture the Hammer missile in India. Safran is setting up a new unit in Hyderabad. The Hammer is an air-to-surface weapon with a range of 70 kilometers, equipped with a GPS system. It will be integrated with the Tejas and Rafale aircraft. India also possesses Akash missiles with a range of 40 km and Agni missiles with a maximum range of 12,000 km.
Social Media Regulations: Malaysia to Ban Social Media for Under 16s
Malaysia is set to implement a ban on social media platforms for children under the age of 16, starting in January 2026. The country, known as "Truly Asia," aims to protect its youth from the potential negative impacts of excessive social media use. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced the measure. Other countries like Australia and South Korea have also considered similar restrictions.
Disaster in Hong Kong: Fire Engulfs Buildings in Old Society
A fire in Hong Kong has affected seven buildings, each with 31 to 32 stories, resulting in injuries, missing persons, and fatalities. The incident occurred in the Wangfuk society, an old community undergoing renovation. The fire is believed to have started in the bamboo scaffolding used for construction. The cause is attributed to dry climate conditions due to increased urbanization. The Wangfuk society was established in 1983.
Space Technology: Skyroot Aerospace Develops Vikram-1 Rocket
Skyroot Aerospace, a private Indian company, has developed the Vikram-1 rocket, a commercial orbital rocket. This follows their previous creation, Vikram-S, in 2022. The company, headquartered in Hyderabad, focuses on space technology. Vikram-1 is designed for orbital launches and missions to low Earth orbit (approximately 400 km). The rocket was virtually launched by Narendra Modi at the INKTY campus in Hyderabad. India has also developed a semiconductor chip named Vikram.
Awards and Recognition: Loknayak Foundation Literary Award
Veelamala Simannama has been awarded the Loknayak Foundation Literary Award for 2025, which recognizes contributions to literature. The award includes a prize money of ₹2 lakh and will be presented on January 18, 2026. Simannama is associated with the Telugu language and has authored over 100 books.
Appointments: Sunil Paliwal Appointed as Chairman of Inland Waterways Authority of India
Sunil Paliwal has been appointed as the Chairperson of the Inland Waterways Authority of India, which operates under the Ministry of Ports. He succeeds Vijay Kumar. The authority, established in 1986, promotes inland waterway transportation. India has 111 national waterways, with the longest being National Waterway 1 on the Ganga River, stretching from Varanasi to Haldia in West Bengal.
Sports: Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025
The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025, a domestic T20 cricket tournament organized by the BCCI, commenced in Pune with the first match between Mizoram and Nagaland. The tournament, dedicated to Syed Mushtaq Ali, is in its 18th edition and features 38 teams. Mumbai won the latest edition in 2024. Other cricket-related trophies include the Vijay Hazare Trophy, Ranji Trophy, Duleep Trophy, and Irani Trophy.
One-Line News: International Jaguar Day, Mangshir Festival, and Amur Falcons
International Jaguar Day is observed on November 29. The first summit of the International Big Cat Alliance will be held in India in 2026. The Mangshir Bangwal festival, a winter harvest festival, is celebrated in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand post-Diwali, honoring soldiers returning from battle. The Amur Falcon, a bird that travels 5000-6000 km from Africa, has been tracked by the Wildlife Institute of India. Pangati village in Nagaland is famous for these birds. The trio of birds being tracked are Alang, Aho and Amur Falcon. The Wildlife Institute of India is located in Dehradun.
