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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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.

Notes:
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 Ustad Bismilliah Khan Yuva Puraskar for 2022 and 2023 recently conferred to 82 young artists in a ceremony in New Delhi. It was instituted by Sangeet Natak Akademi in 2006, it honors artists under 40 in music, dance, drama, folk arts, and puppetry. The award includes Rs 25,000, a plaque, and an angavastram. The award aims to encourage young artists in India. Ustad Bismillah Khan was a renowned Shehnai musician who performed at India’s first Republic Day in 1950 and was the first Indian at the Lincoln Centre in the USA.

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Ecuador declared a national emergency for 60 days due to forest fires, water shortages, and severe drought. The country is experiencing its worst drought in 60 years. The drought has caused losses of 40,000 hectares of crops and over 44,000 farm animals. The emergency aims to address the crisis and provide relief to affected areas.

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The Arkavathy River in Karnataka has been found to contain heavy metals and toxic substances like mercury, DDT, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), and fluoride. It is a major tributary of the Kaveri River, originating at Nandi Hills in Chikkaballapura district. The river flows 190 km and meets the Kaveri River near Kanakapura in Ramanagara district. One-third of Bengaluru is within its 4,150 sq. km basin. The river has three tributaries: Kumudavathi, Suvarnamukhi, and Vrishabhavathi. It feeds two key reservoirs: Hesaraghatta and Thippagondanahalli, both supplying water to Bengaluru.

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The WTO released a report titled “Trading with Intelligence,” exploring AI’s impact on global trade. AI regulation fragmentation may affect trade opportunities for MSMEs. The concentration of AI development in large economies creates a trade divide. Data governance challenges, like cross-border data flow restrictions, may raise trade costs. AI offers opportunities to reduce trade costs by automating customs and border processes. Universal AI adoption could boost global trade growth by 14% by 2040. AI could transform service trade, especially digitally delivered and manual service sectors.

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The ‘Gyan Kumbh’ national educational conference was held in Puducherry from 21-23 November, 2024. It was a three-day event organized by Shiksha Sanskriti Utthan Nyasa, Pondicherry University, and All-India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) . Students from various South Indian states were participated in this conference. It focused on the role of education in promoting sustainable development and cultural integration.

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The National Gopal Ratna Awards 2024 winners were announced by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying. It is one of the highest national honors in the livestock and dairy sector. The awards are presented to winners of the Best Dairy Farmer rearing indigenous cattle/buffalo breeds, Best Artificial Insemination Technician and Best Dairy Cooperative Society (DCS)/ Milk Producer Company/ Dairy Farmer Producer Organisation in the country.