Current Affairs Quiz - November, 2024

Notes:
United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) released the Review of Maritime Transport 2024 report, highlighting trends in global maritime trade. Global maritime trade grew by 2.4% in 2023, rebounding from a contraction in 2022, but the recovery is still fragile. Key chokepoints like the Suez and Panama Canals experienced significant disruptions. Chokepoints are narrow geographical features that are strategically important for trade. They enhance connectivity, such as the Suez Canal connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea. Chokepoints also play a vital role in energy security, like the Strait of Hormuz for global petroleum transport.

Notes:
Four sandstone replicas of the Konark wheel were installed at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre and Amrit Udyan.
This installation promotes India’s rich cultural heritage to visitors. The Konark Sun Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, represents Odisha’s temple architecture and is designed as a giant chariot for the Sun god. The Konark wheel symbolizes India’s cultural legacy and architectural excellence.

Notes:
Researchers from India’s Physical Research Laboratory have discovered TOI-6651b, a dense, Saturn-sized exoplanet. This is the fourth exoplanet identified by PRL scientists, highlighting India’s role in space exploration. TOI-6651b weighs about 60 times that of Earth and has a radius five times larger. It resides in the “Neptunian desert,” a rare zone with few planets of this size, prompting questions about planetary formation. The planet orbits its star, TOI-6651, in 5.06 days, with an eccentric orbit that differs from typical gas giants. TOI-6651b’s density suggests it’s composed of 87% rocky and iron-rich materials, indicating unique evolutionary processes. This discovery challenges existing theories on planet formation, providing valuable insights into planetary system dynamics.

Notes:
The government plans to conduct the Census in 2025, widely welcomed for its policy-shaping role since 1872. Census 2025 will include key initiatives like potential caste enumeration, pending government approval. It will also assist in electoral delimitation and help create the National Population Register (NPR). The Census captures essential demographic, economic, and socio-political trends in India. The Ministry of Home Affairs is responsible for conducting the census in India. The Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India is responsible for planning, implementing, and conceiving the census.  The Directorate of Census Operations in each state and union territory (UT) is responsible for conducting the census in their respective jurisdictions.

Notes:
The AI Preparedness Index (AIPI) evaluates nations on digital infrastructure, human capital, technological innovation, and legal frameworks. As of 2023, Singapore leads with a score of 0.80, indicating its strong commitment to AI integration. In contrast, India ranks 72nd with a score of 0.49, despite having a significant number of AI startups and user engagement. This index highlights the disparities in AI readiness between advanced and emerging economies.

Notes:
India’s Ministry of Culture and the International Buddhist Confederation are hosting the first Asian Buddhist Summit on November 5-6, 2024, in New Delhi. The theme is “Role of Buddha Dhamma in Strengthening Asia,” with India’s President as Chief Guest. The summit gathers Sangha leaders, scholars, and practitioners from across Asia to discuss Buddhism’s role in addressing current challenges. Buddhism has deeply influenced Asia’s spiritual and cultural unity. Buddha Dhamma is integral to India’s national identity and plays a role in its foreign policy, strengthening ties across Asia through shared values and diplomacy.

Notes:
Alexander Zverev won the Rolex Paris Masters title 2024, defeating Ugo Humbert in the final. This victory marked Zverev’s seventh ATP Masters 1000 title and his first title in Paris, showcasing his comeback after a severe ankle injury. He dominated the match, winning 6-2, 6-2, and never faced a break point. The Paris Masters is an annual men’s tennis tournament held in Paris, France.

Notes:
Israel’s Iron Beam, also called Magen or Light Shield, will be operational within a year. It’s a laser-based missile defense system developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, first unveiled in 2014. The system uses a 100kW High Energy Laser Weapon System (HELWS) to destroy fast-moving projectiles with beams of light. Iron Beam’s effective range is up to 7 km (4.3 miles), making it the first of its kind to become operational.

Notes:
World Cities Day is celebrated on October 31 to highlight sustainable urban development. The United Nations General Assembly officially recognized it in 2013, with the first celebration in 2014. This observance addresses challenges posed by rapid urbanization, particularly in developing countries like India. World Cities Day is part of Urban October, which begins with World Habitat Day. More than half of the world’s population now lives in urban areas, making this conversation essential. The day encourages global discussions on making cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable for everyone. This year’s theme is ‘Youth Leading Climate and Local Action for Cities’.

Notes:
The Himachal Chief Minister recently launched water sports activities at Gobind Sagar Lake. Gobind Sagar Lake is a manmade reservoir in the Una and Bilaspur districts of Himachal Pradesh. Named after Guru Gobind Singh, it is fed by the Bhakra Dam on the Sutlej River. The Bhakra Dam is one of the highest gravity dams in the world, standing 225.5 m tall. The lake is 90 km long, covers about 170 sq. km, and has a maximum depth of 163.07 m, making it one of the deepest artificial lakes. It supplies irrigation water to Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan, benefiting regional agriculture.