Current Affairs Quiz - November, 2024

Notes:
The State of the Climate 2024 report, released by World Meteorological Organization (WMO) at COP29 in Baku. It issues a Red Alert on climate change. 2024 is set to be the warmest year on record, with temperatures 1.54°C above pre-industrial levels. The past decade (2015-2024) is the warmest on record, with ocean temperatures rising rapidly. Greenhouse gas emissions reached their highest levels in 2023 and continue to rise in 2024. Glaciers are melting faster than ever, losing five times the water volume of the Dead Sea in 2023. Rising sea levels are accelerating, with a significant increase in the past two decades.

Notes:
World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has published the World Intellectual Property Indicators (WIPI) 2024 report. It shows global trends in IP filings, highlighting growth in patents, trademarks, and industrial designs. India ranks in the global top 10 for patents, trademarks, and industrial designs. India had a 15.7% growth in patent applications in 2023, with 64,480 filings, marking a record in resident filings (55.2%). Industrial design applications grew by 36.4%, with textiles, tools, and health sectors leading. India ranks fourth globally in trademark filings, with a 6.1% increase, and holds the second-largest number of active trademark registrations globally.

Notes:
Australia launched the Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-professionals Scheme (MATES) scheme, offering Indian university graduates and early professionals the chance to work in Australia for up to two years. The scheme is part of the Migration and Mobility Partnership Arrangement (MMPA) between India and Australia. MATES opens in December for applicants aged 30 or younger with an eligible degree in fields like renewable energy, AI, FinTech, and AgriTech. Applicants must have proficient English (IELTS 6 overall, 5 in each module) and have graduated within two years from top Indian universities. The program starts with 3,000 places annually, and participants can bring dependents with work rights.

Notes:
The Marbled Map butterfly is an endemic species found only in the Eastern Ghats and Odisha. A recent study documented 190 butterfly species in the region, showcasing its unique biodiversity. The research underscores the need for conservation efforts, as butterfly populations are threatened by human encroachment and climate change. The Eastern Ghats, a biodiversity hotspot, serves as a crucial habitat for these species, making their protection vital for maintaining ecological balance and health in the region.

Notes:
Chinese astronauts recently reared four zebrafish in space as part of the Shenzhou-18 mission. Zebrafish are small freshwater fish (2-3 cm) with horizontal blue stripes, native to South Asia’s Indo-Gangetic plains. They are important in developmental biology due to their ability to regenerate organs like the brain, heart, and spinal cord. Zebrafish have transparent embryos, making them ideal for live imaging studies. With 70% of their genes similar to humans, they are valuable in studying vertebrate development and diseases. The species is listed as “Least Concern” by the IUCN.

Notes:
External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar inaugurated Symbiosis International University’s first overseas campus at Dubai Knowledge Park. UAE’s Minister of Tolerance, Sheikh Nahyan, attended the event, highlighting the strong Indo-UAE ties. The campus, fully accredited by UAE’s Ministry of Education, offers programs in management, technology, and media, focusing on 21st-century skills. This initiative aligns with India’s National Education Policy 2020, encouraging global expansion of Indian institutions. The campus supports UAE’s goal of a knowledge-based economy and Dubai’s Economic Agenda 33. This development enhances educational cooperation and supports Dubai’s diverse expatriate community, which forms 85% of its population.

Notes:
India is projected to lead the G20 in 2024 with a 7% GDP growth rate, reflecting its robust and fast-growing economy. Indonesia ranks second with 5%, followed by China at 4.8%. Russia (3.6%) and Brazil (3%) rank fourth and fifth, with the African region also at 3%. The US is at 2.8%, while Canada (1.3%) and Australia (1.2%) show slower growth. France, the EU, and the UK are at 1.1%, Italy at 0.7%, and Japan at 0.3%. Germany has zero growth, the lowest among advanced countries. The G20 Summit in Brazil focuses on hunger, poverty, inequality, sustainable development, and governance reforms.

Notes:
The 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) opened with a star-studded ceremony in Panaji, Goa. International Film Festival of India (IFFI), founded in 1952, is among Asia’s most significant film festivals and is held annually in Goa. It provides a platform for global filmmakers to showcase excellence, promote cultural understanding, and foster international cooperation. The first edition was held in Mumbai and later moved to various cities like Kolkata, Delhi, Chennai, and Thiruvananthapuram. IFFI is South Asia’s only film festival accredited by the International Federation of Film Producers Associations (FIAPF) as a Competitive Feature Film Festival.

Notes:
The 9th Amur Falcon Festival was celebrated in Tamenglong, Manipur, to raise awareness about Amur falcons, the world’s longest-traveling birds. These falcons roost in Tamenglong during October-November, migrating to southern and eastern Africa. Amur Falcons (Falco amurensis) are small raptors named after the Amur River, bordering Russia and China. They breed in southeastern Siberia and northern China and migrate across India to Africa, returning to Mongolia and Siberia.

Notes:
India hosts the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) conference from November 25-30, 2024, marking the first time this event occurs in its 130-year history. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the ‘United Nations International Year of Cooperatives 2025’ at this conference, which expects around 3,000 delegates, including 1,000 from abroad. The event aims to showcase India’s cooperative movement, which comprises 25% of global cooperatives, with 800,000 cooperatives operating in the country. The theme is ‘Cooperatives Build Prosperity for All’, promoting sustainable and inclusive growth.