Current Affairs Quiz - November, 2024

Notes:
Odisha won its first Hockey India Senior Men National Championship title with a 5-1 win over Haryana in the final at SDAT-Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium, Chennai. Shilanand Lakra scored a hat-trick in the 48th, 57th, and 60th minutes, sealing Odisha’s victory. Rajat Akash Tirkey gave Odisha an early lead in the 11th minute. Pratap Lakra doubled the lead in the third quarter with a penalty stroke in the 39th minute. Joginder Singh scored the only goal for Haryana in the 55th minute.

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:
Dhudmaras village in Bastar, Chhattisgarh, gained global recognition by being selected among United Nations World Tourism Organization’s (UNWTO’s) best tourism villages. It is one of 20 villages chosen from 60 nations for its sustainable tourism practices. Located in Kanger Valley National Park, it offers eco-tourism with dense forests and the Kanger River. UNWTO will assist in upgrading tourism facilities, preserving culture, and improving villagers’ lives. Dhudmaras and Chitrakot received India’s Best Tourism Village Award on September 27.

Notes:
FAO Director-General QU Dongyu urged all FAO Members and partners to join the newly launched Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty. The initiative was officially launched by Brazil at the G20 Leader’s Summit. It aims to accelerate progress toward eradicating poverty and hunger by 2030, in line with Sustainable Development Goals 1 and 2. The alliance also focuses on reducing inequalities as part of SDG 10. It is an ambitious platform, created under Brazil’s G20 presidency, to drive urgent action towards these global goals.

Notes:
The “Bhu-Neer” portal, launched on September 19, 2024, aims to improve groundwater management in India. Introduced by Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Paatil during India Water Week 2024, it replaces the older NOCAP system. Developed by the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) and the National Informatics Centre (NIC), it features a PAN-based single ID system and QR-coded No Objection Certificates (NOCs). This initiative enhances transparency and efficiency in groundwater usage, aligning with the Prime Minister’s vision of Ease of Doing Business. The portal serves as a vital resource for stakeholders in groundwater regulation.

Notes:
Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, will have India’s first night safari at Kukrail Night Safari Park and Wildlife Centre. The 900-acre park will offer both night and day safaris, promoting eco-tourism and wildlife conservation. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath targets project completion by June 2026 with a focus on sustainability and solar energy. The initiative aims to boost tourism and provide a unique wildlife experience for visitors. Kukrail will be the fifth night safari destination globally.

Notes:
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.

Notes:
Tripura Forest Department detained an autorickshaw driver near Trishna Wildlife Sanctuary for alleged deer poaching involvement. Trishna Wildlife Sanctuary, in South Tripura, spans 197.7 sq. km and was established in 1988. The sanctuary features Tropical Semi Evergreen, Moist Mixed Deciduous Forest, and Savanna woodland. It has perennial water rivulets, water bodies, and grasslands.

Notes:
Chikkamagaluru health officials are on alert to prevent Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD), also called Monkey Fever. KFD is a tick-borne viral haemorrhagic disease first reported in Karnataka’s Kyasanur Forest in 1957. The disease is caused by the Kyasanur Forest Disease Virus, part of the tick-borne encephalitis complex. It spreads through tick bites or contact with infected animals, especially monkeys, but not between humans. Symptoms include high fever, nausea, diarrhea, and sometimes neurological or haemorrhagic issues. With a 5–10% fatality rate, there is no cure; supportive care is vital. A vaccine is available in affected regions.

Notes:
The World Bank’s report ‘Choosing Our Future: Education for Climate Action’ highlights how climate change disrupts education and emphasizes its role in climate action. Climate change causes school closures, with affected schools losing an average of 11 instruction days yearly, particularly in low-income countries. Climate awareness is only about 65% in low- and middle-income countries, indicating a significant information gap. Global green transitions need skilled workers for 100 million new jobs, upskilling for existing jobs, and reskilling for 78 million disappearing jobs. In India, climate education boosts pro-climate behaviors among children and their parents by 13%.