Current Affairs Quiz - November, 2024

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:
Around 6.5 lakh youth applied for internships under the PM Internship Scheme pilot project. Announced in the Union Budget 2024-25, the scheme aims to provide 12-month internships for 1 crore candidates aged 21 to 24 over five years. The goal is to offer real-life work experience in top companies. The Ministry of Corporate Affairs is implementing the scheme. For FY 2024-25, there are 1,25,000 vacancies across 500 top companies. Companies are selected based on their average CSR expenditure, and participation is voluntary.

Notes:
Three Australian satellites from Curtin University’s Binar Space Program recently burned up in Earth’s atmosphere due to increased solar activity. The program, based in Australia, focuses on Solar System research and reducing barriers to space operations. Binar-1, the first satellite launched in September 2021, lasted 364 days in orbit during low solar activity. The follow-up mission included three CubeSats (Binar-2, 3, and 4) designed with deployable solar arrays but expected to last about six months. Intense solar activity caused the satellites to deorbit much earlier than anticipated.

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 third regional event of the ‘Hamara Samvidhan Hamara Samman’ campaign was held at IIT Guwahati under the DISHA scheme by the Department of Justice, Ministry of Law and Justice. The campaign marks the 75th anniversary of the Indian Constitution’s adoption and India becoming a Republic. It was launched on January 24, 2024, by the Vice President at Dr. B.R. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi. The initiative aims to raise awareness about the Indian Constitution, promote understanding of legal rights, and emphasize its role as the supreme authority defining governance and safeguarding rights.

Notes:
Nafithromycin, developed by Wockhardt with support from BIRAC, is India’s first indigenously produced antibiotic targeting antimicrobial resistance (AMR). It is designed to treat Community-Acquired Bacterial Pneumonia (CABP) and is ten times more effective than azithromycin. This significant breakthrough follows 14 years of research and aims to address the global health crisis of AMR, which is responsible for millions of deaths annually. The drug awaits final approval from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) for public use.

Notes:
The Ministry of Science and Technology launched India’s first Artificial Intelligence (AI) Data Bank to drive innovation and strengthen national security. It provides researchers, startups, and developers access to diverse, high-quality datasets for scalable AI solutions. The launch was by Minister Jitendra Singh at the 7th ASSOCHAM AI Leadership Meet 2024, themed “AI for India: Advancing AI Development – Innovation, Ethics, and Governance.” The AI Data Bank supports real-time analytics for satellite, drone, and IoT data to enhance national security. It also aids predictive analytics in disaster management and cyber security, aligning with India’s AI roadmap.

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 Australian government has introduced a bill that aims to ban social media access for children under 16 years of age. This legislation requires platforms like TikTok and Facebook to implement age verification measures. Communications Minister Michelle Rowland emphasized the need for social media companies to take responsibility for user safety, citing concerns about the mental health impacts on children. This reform is seen as one of the strictest globally regarding social media access for minors.

Notes:
Kurram district in Pakistan is experiencing sectarian violence between Shia and Sunni Muslims. Located in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Kurram borders Afghanistan’s Logar and Nangarhar provinces. Its strategic position includes important border crossings along the Durand Line, such as the Peiwar Kotal Pass, a key route to Kabul. The Durand Line is the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan, established by Sir Henry Mortimer Durand to protect British Empire interests from Tsarist Russia.