Current Affairs Quiz - November, 2024

Notes:
Pathogen spillover from managed honey bees to wild pollinators poses a significant threat. Thai Sacbrood Virus (TSBV) affects honeybee larvae, killing them and hindering colony growth, particularly endangering Asiatic honeybees (Apis cerana indica). The virus spreads through the movement of bee colonies for pollination and honey production. TSBV caused a major outbreak in South India in 1991-1992, wiping out about 90% of Asiatic honey bee colonies. The virus resurfaced in Telangana in 2021 and has also been reported in countries like China and Vietnam.

Notes:
A new genus of freshwater fish, Koima, has been described from the Western Ghats. Two species, Mesonoemacheilus remadevii and Nemacheilus monilis, are reclassified as Koima remadevii and Koima monilis. This is a rare event, as adding a new genus is uncommon. The fish are small, elongated, and used for dietary and ornamental purposes. Both species are endemic to the Western Ghats, particularly in tributaries of the Cauvery River. Koima remadevii is found in fast-flowing streams in Silent Valley National Park. Koima monilis lives in various tributaries of the Cauvery River at elevations of 350-800 meters.

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:
Department of Investment and Capital Asset Management (DIPAM) has issued revised capital restructuring norms for Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs). Financial sector CPSEs like NBFCs must pay a minimum annual dividend of 30% of net profit or 4% of net worth, whichever is higher. These guidelines do not apply to public sector banks, insurance companies, or body corporates. DIPAM operates under the Ministry of Finance and manages Central Government investments in CPSEs. Its key functions include strategic disinvestment, privatisation, minority stake sales, and matters related to capital restructuring, bonuses, and dividends.

Notes:
The Bihar Cabinet has allocated Rs 225 crore for ‘Mahila Samwad’, an initiative aimed at empowering women by informing them about government policies. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and officials will engage with women at district and block levels, gathering their expectations from the government. This initiative highlights the government’s focus on women’s issues, as women constitute nearly 48% of Bihar’s voters, emphasizing their significant role in governance and policy-making.

Notes:
The Global Soils Conference 2024 was inaugurated in New Delhi on 19 November and runs until 22 November. It serves as a key global platform for soil scientists, government, industry leaders, and farmers. The conference focuses on the importance of soils, addressing soil degradation, and promoting sustainable soil management. It is organized by the Indian Society of Soil Science, New Delhi, under the International Union of Soil Sciences, Italy. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research and the National Academy of Agricultural Science are collaborating in the event.

Notes:
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.

Notes:
Armenia became the 104th full member of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) on November 15, 2024. ISA is a treaty-based intergovernmental organization founded by India and France to promote solar energy globally. The alliance aims to mobilize over USD 1000 billion by 2030 for large-scale solar energy deployment. Armenia’s membership was formalized with the exchange of the ratified Framework Agreement between Armenian Ambassador Vahagn Afyan and India’s Ministry of External Affairs.

Notes:
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.

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.