Current Affairs Quiz - November, 2024

Notes:
The first Climate and Health Africa Conference (CHAC 2024) is taking place in Harare, Zimbabwe, from October 29-31. This conference brings African nations into the global discussion on climate change and its health impacts, where Africa faces high burdens of climate-sensitive diseases. More than 400 participants, including government officials, health and climate experts, and researchers, attended the conference. It focuses on sharing innovations, best practices, and solutions to build climate resilience in health.

Notes:
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal attended the 8th Future Investment Initiative in Riyadh. India and Saudi Arabia share strong economic, cultural, and strategic ties reinforced by high-level visits and the 2019 Strategic Partnership Council.
The council oversees cooperation, structured in Political-Security-Socio-Cultural and Economic-Investment pillars.
Saudi Arabia is India’s fifth-largest trade partner, with bilateral trade at USD 43 billion in 2023-24, mainly oil imports and Indian exports in goods. Both nations are exploring renewable energy, with shared interests in solar, wind, and hydrogen. Saudi’s Vision 2030 aligns with India’s development goals, fostering collaborations in food security, pharma, ICT, and defense.

Notes:
Bangladesh won the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Women’s Championship 2024, defending their title by beating Nepal 2-1. The final match took place at Dasharath Stadium in Kathmandu. Nepal became the first runner-up in the tournament. Nepal’s Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli announced a cash prize for the Nepali women’s football team as an incentive for their achievement.

Notes:
The Seventh Session of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Assembly starts today at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. It focuses on enhancing energy access, security, and promoting solar energy among member countries. The session is led by India with France as co-president, featuring delegates from 120 countries. Key discussions will revolve around accelerating solar deployment, especially in areas with limited energy access. Updates on flagship initiatives for entrepreneurs, skill development, and mobilizing finance for solar energy will also be shared during the three-day assembly.

Notes:
Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) launched the Digital India Common Service Centre (DICSC) project to reduce the digital divide in rural India. The project begins in Pilibhit and Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, providing access to e-governance, financial, and commercial services. A total of 4,740 model DICSC centers will be set up in gram panchayats across 10 districts nationwide. Pilibhit will have 720 centers, Gorakhpur 1,273, and other districts include Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (870), Chamba (309), Khammam (589), Gandhinagar (288), Mamit (100), Jodhpur (415), Leh (95), and Puducherry (81).

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:
Saudi Arabia’s Al-Jawf region experienced snowfall for the first time in recorded history. Al-Jawf, one of Saudi Arabia’s most fertile areas, has a human history dating back to the Stone Age. Known for olive cultivation, it hosts the world’s largest modern olive farm, as recognized by Guinness World Records. Al-Jawf is also one of the coldest regions in Saudi Arabia during winter.

Notes:
The Karnataka Board of Waqfs claims 17 monuments inside the historic Bidar Fort as its property. The Archaeological Survey of India, the official custodian of the fort, is reportedly unaware of this claim. Bidar Fort is located in Bidar city on Karnataka’s northern plateau. The fort’s history spans over 500 years, beginning with the Western Chalukya dynasty. Sultan Ahmed Shah Wali of the Bahmani dynasty chose Bidar as his capital in 1430 and transformed the fort into a grand citadel. The fort is constructed from trap rock, with stone and mortar fort walls. Its entrance gate features a high dome, originally painted with vibrant colors inside.

Notes:
World Radiography Day was observed on November 8 to commemorate Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen’s 1895 discovery of x-rays. Roentgen accidentally discovered x-rays while experimenting with fluorescence in vacuum tubes. He captured an image of his wife’s hand bones as the first x-ray evidence, earning him the Nobel Prize in 1901. The 2024 theme, “Radiographers: Seeing the Unseen,” highlighted radiography’s role in revealing the body’s interior and the responsibility of healthcare professionals. This day honored radiographers’ contributions, raised awareness of radiographic therapy, and promoted radiography as a career in modern healthcare.

Notes:
National Legal Services Day is observed annually on November 9 in India to promote legal awareness and ensure justice for all, especially marginalized communities. It was started in 1995 by the Supreme Court to provide free legal assistance to the weaker sections of society. The day emphasizes empowering people with knowledge about their legal rights and promoting conflict resolution. Legal Services Authorities across India celebrate this day with programs and initiatives, including workshops and camps. NALSA releases information on legal rights, aid schemes, and Lok Adalats to raise awareness and bridge the gap between the law and the public.