Current Affairs Quiz - November, 2024

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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Japan will be the official ‘Partner Country’ for the 25th Hornbill Festival in Nagaland. The festival is held annually from December 1–10, showcasing Nagaland’s culture through music, dance, art, and indigenous games. Started in 2000, its goal is to promote the state’s culture, encourage inter-tribal interaction, and preserve Naga heritage. Organized by the state’s Tourism and Art & Culture Departments, with support from the Union Government. It is named after the Indian Hornbill, a colorful bird central to the folklore of many Naga tribes.

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Gabon held a referendum to approve a new constitution with major reforms. The constitution introduces a 2-term presidential limit, each term lasting 7 years. It abolishes the position of prime minister and bans family succession to the presidency. Ousted leader Ali Bongo is disqualified from running due to nationality and spouse-related rules. The reforms received overwhelming support, with 91.8% of voters in favor.

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The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024-25 started from November 23, 2024. A total of 38 teams participated for the domestic T20 cricket title. It is a Twenty20 championship organized by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The tournament is named after former Indian Test cricketer Syed Mushtaq Ali.

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The 4th edition of Creative Minds of Tomorrow (CMOT) was inaugurated at the 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa. CMOT is a flagship initiative by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting under Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. It aims to identify, nurture, and promote young filmmakers, fostering collaboration, skill-building, and mentorship. Recognized as India’s largest fully supported platform for emerging media talent. The 2024 edition runs from November 20 to 28, with support from Netflix and Pearl Academy. CMOT envisions a thriving future for Indian cinema on the global stage.

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Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Ministry of Science and Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh inaugurated the VISION (“Viksit Bharat Initiative for Student Innovation and Outreach Network”) Portal in New Delhi on November 21, 2024. The portal aims to empower underprivileged youth through education, skill development, and sustainable livelihoods. India has the third-largest startup ecosystem, growing from 350 startups in 2014 to 1.67 lakh in 2024. The Startup India programme, launched in 2016, nurtures innovation and supports startups, particularly for disadvantaged groups like SCs, STs, and women. The VISION Portal was developed by the Utsav Foundation, a Gurugram-based non-profit focusing on youth empowerment and skill development.

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India’s first Constitution Museum was inaugurated on November 23, 2024, at O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU) in Sonipat, Haryana. The museum was launched by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla during the National Convention on the Constitution of India. It celebrates the 75-year journey of the Indian Constitution and pays tribute to its architects. The museum features sections dedicated to the Constitution’s parts, their significance, and the historical debates behind its creation. The initiative aims to enhance public understanding of the Constitution and serve as a key educational destination.

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The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a former Defence Minister, and Hamas officials for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity. The ICC is the only permanent international criminal tribunal, established by the Rome Statute on 17 July 1998. The Rome Statute defines the ICC’s jurisdiction, structures, and functions, coming into force on 1 July 2002. The ICC investigates and tries individuals accused of grave crimes like genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and aggression.

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Indian Institute of Science (IISc) introduced STRONG (STring Representation Of Nanopore Geometry), a new language for encoding nanopore shapes as character sequences. STRONG helps machine learning models predict nanopore properties accurately. It assigns letters to atomic configurations, improving understanding of nanopore geometries. This tool supports applications like gas separation and enhances data analysis. STRONG’s integration with neural networks boosts prediction accuracy. This breakthrough marks a significant advancement in materials science and computational research.

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Narasapuram lace craft from Andhra Pradesh has received the prestigious Geographical Indication (GI) tag. The craft originated around 150 years ago, created by women from the farming community. It survived the Indian famine of 1899 and the Great Depression of 1929. By the early 1900s, over 2,000 women were involved in this craft. The lace is made with thin threads and crochet needles to create items like doilies, pillow covers, and bedspreads. Narasapur’s lace products are exported to the US, UK, and France.