Current Affairs Quiz - November, 2024

Notes:
World Toilet Day is observed annually on 19 November. The day aims to raise awareness about the global sanitation crisis, affecting 3.5 billion people without safe sanitation. Founded by the World Toilet Organization in 2001, it became a UN observance in 2013. It aligns with SDG 6: Water and sanitation for all by 2030. The 2024 theme, “Toilets – A Place for Peace,” focuses on the importance of sanitation and sustainable solutions. Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs is hosting a two-day workshop on advancing safely managed sanitation in urban areas, with experts in sanitation and water management.

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India will host the first-ever Kho Kho World Cup from January 13 to 19, 2025, at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and the Kho Kho Federation of India (KKFI) are collaborating to organize the event. IOA President PT Usha pledged full support, emphasizing the cultural heritage and sportsmanship promoted by Kho Kho. Teams from 24 countries, including India, Bangladesh, Ghana, and Brazil, will participate. The event aims to elevate Kho Kho’s global appeal and inspire athletes worldwide.

Notes:
The Assam cabinet has renamed Karimganj as Sribhumi District to reflect its cultural heritage, inspired by Rabindranath Tagore’s description of the area over a century ago. This change aims to restore the historical identity of the region and fulfill the aspirations of its residents. Additionally, the cabinet approved various initiatives to boost investment and infrastructure development in Assam, including the upcoming Assam Investment and Infrastructure Summit in 2025.

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IIT Bombay scientists developed AroTrack, a portable and economical device for detecting water pollutants like phenol and benzene. AroTrack addresses increasing water pollution from industrialization, urbanization, and unregulated effluent discharge. It uses bacterial proteins from polluted environments to identify aromatic pollutants through ATP hydrolysis. A chemical reaction in the protein solution causes a color change, which the device detects. The compact device is slightly smaller than a small projector and highly robust. AroTrack is considered a potential game-changer for sustainable water pollution monitoring and management.

Notes:
The African penguin is the first penguin species listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN. They are the only penguin species found in Africa and are among the smallest penguin species. Males are slightly larger than females and have a pink gland above their eyes to cope with heat. They communicate through vocalizations and body language, such as gaping, pointing bills, pecking, and bill-jabbing. Their diet primarily includes pelagic schooling fish like sardines and anchovies.

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The “Bhu-Neer” portal, launched on September 19, 2024, aims to improve groundwater management in India. Introduced by Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Paatil during India Water Week 2024, it replaces the older NOCAP system. Developed by the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) and the National Informatics Centre (NIC), it features a PAN-based single ID system and QR-coded No Objection Certificates (NOCs). This initiative enhances transparency and efficiency in groundwater usage, aligning with the Prime Minister’s vision of Ease of Doing Business. The portal serves as a vital resource for stakeholders in groundwater regulation.

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Karnataka is the first state in India to launch a dedicated GCC (Global Capability Centers) policy. The policy aims to establish 500 new GCCs by 2029, creating 3.5 lakh jobs and 50 billion in economic output. The ‘Beyond Bengaluru’ initiative promotes GCC growth in tier-2 and tier-3 cities like Mysuru, Mangaluru, and Hubballi-Dharwad. India’s GCC market is valued at 64.6 billion, with Bengaluru hosting over 875 GCCs contributing $22.2 billion.

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Authorities have denied claims made in a media report about wild animals disappearing from Tungareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary due to encroachments, calling them inaccurate and sensationalized. The sanctuary is located in Palghar district, Maharashtra, 75 km from Mumbai. It spans 85 sq. km., mostly hilly terrain, and serves as a corridor between Sanjay Gandhi National Park and Tansa Wildlife Sanctuary. The area features dense forests, small rivers, and a mix of Dry Deciduous, Moist Deciduous, and Semi-Evergreen forests, with species like teak, bamboo, and mango trees.

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An international team of astronomers used the MeerKAT radio telescope to study giant radio galaxies in the Cosmological Evolution Survey (COSMOS) field. MeerKAT is located in South Africa’s Northern Cape province and originally had 20 receptors, but with increased funding, it now has 64. It is part of South Africa’s contribution to the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project, which aims to build the largest radio telescope. MeerKAT is a powerful radio interferometer, consisting of 64 dishes, each 13.5 meters wide, studying the universe’s evolution using radio signals.

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China has increased the range of its supersonic cruise missile DF-100 (Dongfeng-100 or Changjian-100). It was introduced during China’s 70th National Day parade on October 1, 2019. DF-100 is designed for precision strikes on diverse targets, including land-based infrastructure, bunkers, and large warships. It is a land-based system with a range of 3,000–4,000 km and can also be launched from bombers. The missile is over 9 meters long, with a payload capacity of 500+ kg. Powered by a ramjet engine, it reaches Mach 5 speeds in its terminal phase.