Current Affairs Quiz - November, 2024

Notes:
Researchers recently discovered the world’s largest coral colony in the Solomon Islands. The Solomon Islands are a Pacific archipelago of nearly 1,000 islands, with six main islands and over 900 smaller ones, covering 461,000 sq.km. It is located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It borders Vanuatu to the southeast and Papua New Guinea to the west. The terrain is mostly mountainous with forests, and the capital, Honiara, is on the largest island, Guadalcanal.

Notes:
The Sumi Naga tribe recently celebrated Ahuna, a post-harvest festival, with unity and gratitude. The Sumi, or Sema Naga, is a major tribe in Nagaland, mainly residing in central and southern regions. Sumis are known for their extensive village settlements, a unique feature among Naga tribes. They practiced headhunting before converting to Christianity through missionaries. The Sumi language is Tibeto-Burman, and their main festivals are Tuluni and Ahuna. Ahuna celebrates the harvest season, giving thanks and praying for good fortune. Tuluni marks the arrival of new crops, with prayers for last year’s bountiful harvest.

Notes:
National Press Day is celebrated every year on November 16 in India, highlighting the press’s crucial role in democracy. The press is called the “Fourth Pillar of Democracy” for its role in informing the public and holding power accountable. The day commemorates the press’s duty to report truthfully and ethically, promoting transparency and democracy. Established by the Press Council of India in 1966, National Press Day emphasizes press freedom and responsibility. The 2024 theme is “changing nature of the press,” with the official event in Delhi, inaugurated by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.

Notes:
Botanists from the Botanical Survey of India (BSI) identified a new flowering plant species, Dicliptera srisailamica, in the Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The plant, named after the temple town of Srisailam, belongs to the Acanthaceae family. It was found in rare patches along stream banks and rocky edges near waterfalls. The plant grows up to 90 cm with four-angled stems, ovate leaves, and pink bi-lipped flowers blooming from October to January. This discovery adds to India’s plant diversity, with Dicliptera representing 27 species, eight of which are endemic.

Notes:
The UAE launched the “Global Energy Efficiency Alliance” at COP29 in Azerbaijan to double global energy efficiency by 2030. This initiative, following the ‘UAE Consensus’ from COP28, unites countries, organizations, and corporations to cut emissions and manage resources sustainably. The UAE will lead by sharing energy efficiency expertise, promoting partnerships with the private sector, and standardizing best practices. The alliance aims to foster public-private collaborations and attract investments in energy efficiency. It will help African countries by providing financing options and technology solutions crucial for sustainable energy development.

Notes:
The Global Freight Summit 2024 started in Dubai on November 18, hosted by DP World. More than 5,000 leaders from 155 countries are attending the three-day event. The theme is “Acting today to reach the opportunities of tomorrow.” Discussions focus on AI, blockchain, sustainable shipping, and resilient trade routes. Indian firms like Wipro, Tech Mahindra, and SRM Tech are participating.

Notes:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi received Guyana’s highest national award, “The Order of Excellence,” on November 19, 2024, in Georgetown, conferred by President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali. Modi became the fourth foreign dignitary to receive this prestigious award. He was also honored with Dominica’s highest national award, the “Dominica Award of Honour,” by President Sylvanie Burton on November 20, 2024. The Dominica award was presented during the 2nd India-CARICOM Summit in Georgetown. Modi is the second foreign leader after Queen Elizabeth (1969) to receive Dominica’s highest national award.

Notes:
World Television Day is observed on November 21, 2024. The first electronic television was invented in 1927 by 21-year-old Philo Taylor Farnsworth. Television became a global symbol for communication and spreading information. The United Nations held the first World Television Forum on November 21-22, 1996. Television highlights conflicts, raises awareness of peace and security threats, and focuses on social and economic issues. The UN General Assembly established World Television Day to honor television’s role in communication and globalization, not the object itself.

Notes:
Iraq has launched its first national population census since 1987. The census aims to modernize data collection and support decision-making processes. 120,000 workers will gather household data using advanced technologies. It will guide resource distribution, budget allocation, and development planning. This initiative is a key step in improving Iraq’s governance and resource management.

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.