Current Affairs Quiz - November, 2024

Notes:
NTPC has created a catalyst to produce methanol from gases emitted by fossil-fired power plants. This development was achieved in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Petroleum. CO2 mitigation is a major challenge for fossil-fired power plants. The focus is on capturing CO2 from flue gas and converting it into valuable fuels and chemicals. The catalyst produces methanol with a purity of over 99%.

Notes:
PM Modi launched India’s first helicopter ambulance service at Rishikesh AIIMS to improve emergency healthcare access.
The service aims to transport critical patients quickly within the ‘golden hour’ for better trauma care. It is part of a larger healthcare upgrade project worth over Rs 12,850 crore. A toll-free number will link all district disaster management centers to facilitate this service. Drones will aid in delivering blood samples and medicines to remote regions. The initiative extends to Uttarakhand and some border areas of Uttar Pradesh, transforming healthcare access in tough terrains.

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Durgesh Aranya Zoological Park in Kangra’s Dehra constituency will be India’s first IGBC-certified zoo for sustainable infrastructure. It is located in the Bankhandi area of Kangra. The park will have 34 enclosures featuring 73 species, including Asiatic lions, crocodiles, gharials, and indigenous birds. With a budget of ₹619 crore, it focuses on eco-friendly design. The zoo aims to boost tourism, create jobs, and promote eco-tourism, enhancing Kangra’s status as Himachal Pradesh’s “Tourism Capital.”

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Researchers reported a 4% increase in the North Atlantic right whale population since 2020, following a 25% decline from 2010 to 2020. These migratory whales spend winters in warmer waters and migrate to the poles in late summer. They inhabit temperate and subpolar waters of the North Atlantic and North Pacific oceans. Right whales are often found near bays and peninsulas in shallow, coastal waters, mainly along the East Coast of the United States and Canada. They feed by skimming plankton at or just below the water’s surface. Conservation status: IUCN lists North Atlantic right whales as critically endangered.

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International Labour Organization (ILO) released the report titled ‘The impact of care responsibilities of women’s labour participation’. According to the report, 53% of women in India are outside the labor force due to care responsibilities, needing more investment in the care economy. Only 1.1% of men are out of work for similar reasons. The report emphasizes the need for early childhood care and education (ECCE) to boost women’s labor force participation and gender equality. In India, 97.8% of women and 91.4% of men are out of the workforce due to personal or family reasons. Globally, 708 million women and 40 million men are outside the labor force due to caregiving, highlighting a significant gender disparity.

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A Columbia University study found that long-term exposure to arsenic in water may increase cardiovascular disease risk. Arsenic is a natural element found in air, water, and soil, and can also be released by industries like mining. It exists in organic and highly toxic inorganic forms; contaminated water and food are common exposure sources. High arsenic levels cause poisoning, with symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, while long-term exposure can lead to skin changes. Arsenic is used in rat poisons, insecticides, semiconductors, glass-making, and wood preservation, though its use is heavily controlled due to toxicity.

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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.

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Annapurna Base Camp saw a record number of tourists after this year’s Dashain festival. Mount Annapurna is located in Gandaki Province, north-central Nepal, in the Annapurna Range. It is the world’s tenth-highest peak, with an elevation of 8,091 meters. The mountain lies within the Annapurna Conservation Area, covering 7,629 square kilometers. Known as the “Killer Mountain” due to its high fatality rate among climbers attempting the summit.

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India and France have been re-elected as President and Co-President of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) until 2026. ISA is an intergovernmental organization uniting solar-rich countries to promote solar energy as a clean and affordable resource. Launched by India and France in 2015 at the UN Paris Climate Conference, the ISA Framework Agreement came into force in 2017. ISA focuses on financing solar projects, technology collaboration, capacity building, and energy transition. The “Towards 1000” strategy aims to mobilize USD 1000 billion in solar investments by 2030. The ISA Secretariat is located in Gurugram, Haryana.

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Three Yanadi tribe children who went missing in Machilipatnam, Andhra Pradesh, were recently found. Yanadis are a major scheduled tribe in Andhra Pradesh, living in poverty and social exclusion. They are one of India’s most vulnerable tribal groups, mainly residing in Nellore and other plains areas. The Yanadi population in Andhra Pradesh was recorded as 4,62,167 in the 2001 census. They speak Telugu and traditionally work in hunting, gathering, and agriculture. Yanadis possess rich traditional health knowledge, using plants to treat various ailments. Their culture includes forest-linked religious beliefs and the Dhimsa dance, performed during festivals.