Current Affairs Quiz - November, 2024

Notes:
The Chennai-Vladivostok Eastern Maritime Corridor (EMC) is now operational, transporting oil, food, and machinery. The EMC links Russia’s east coast with South India, reducing cargo transit time by up to 16 days and distance by 40%. The current Mumbai-St. Petersburg route spans 8,675 nautical miles, taking about 40 days. The Chennai-Vladivostok route is only 5,647 nautical miles, saving 5,608 km and reducing logistical costs. The EMC passes through key seas and straits, including the Sea of Japan and Malacca Straits, with port options in major cities like Shanghai, Singapore, and Colombo.

Notes:
World Toilet Day is observed annually on 19 November. The day aims to raise awareness about the global sanitation crisis, affecting 3.5 billion people without safe sanitation. Founded by the World Toilet Organization in 2001, it became a UN observance in 2013. It aligns with SDG 6: Water and sanitation for all by 2030. The 2024 theme, “Toilets – A Place for Peace,” focuses on the importance of sanitation and sustainable solutions. Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs is hosting a two-day workshop on advancing safely managed sanitation in urban areas, with experts in sanitation and water management.

Notes:
The Indian Army conducted the ‘Sanyukt Vimochan 2024’ exercise on 18-19 November in Ahmedabad and Porbandar, Gujarat. It is an annual multilateral Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) exercise by the Konark Corps of Southern Command. The inaugural event in Ahmedabad included a Table Top Exercise on managing cyclones in Gujarat’s coastal region. The exercise focused on interagency coordination for efficient disaster response. A Multi-Agency Capability Demonstration at Porbandar’s Chowpatty Beach simulated logistics, rapid response, and disaster management in a cyclone scenario.

Notes:
Russia’s Defence Ministry reported that Ukraine fired six US-made Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) at Russia’s Bryansk region. ATACMS is a surface-to-surface artillery weapon system. It is manufactured by Lockheed Martin, US defence company. It is capable of striking targets beyond the range of standard artillery and was first used in the 1991 Gulf War. Other operators include Bahrain, Greece, South Korea, Taiwan, and the UAE. The missile has a range of 190 miles (305 km) and uses single-stage solid propellant. It is launched from HIMARS and MLRS platforms and can carry cluster munitions to target larger areas.

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SpaceX’s Starship, standing at nearly 400 feet, is the world’s most powerful rocket. It recently underwent its sixth test flight from SpaceX’s Starbase facility in Texas. The mission aimed to achieve a booster catch attempt, but automated health checks aborted it. Despite this, the Starship successfully ignited its Raptor engines in space, marking a significant milestone for future lunar and Martian missions as part of NASA’s Artemis initiative, which plans to utilize Starship as a lunar lander by 2026.

Notes:
The 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) opened with a star-studded ceremony in Panaji, Goa. International Film Festival of India (IFFI), founded in 1952, is among Asia’s most significant film festivals and is held annually in Goa. It provides a platform for global filmmakers to showcase excellence, promote cultural understanding, and foster international cooperation. The first edition was held in Mumbai and later moved to various cities like Kolkata, Delhi, Chennai, and Thiruvananthapuram. IFFI is South Asia’s only film festival accredited by the International Federation of Film Producers Associations (FIAPF) as a Competitive Feature Film Festival.

Notes:
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) published the State of the World’s Children 2024 (SOWC-2024) report. The report highlights that nearly 1 billion children face high risks from climate and environmental hazards. SOWC is UNICEF’s annual flagship report analyzing global issues affecting children, including conflict, child labour, and disabilities. The 2024 report, launched on World Children’s Day (November 20), focuses on “Listen to the Future,” amplifying children’s voices on their aspirations. By 2050, India, China, Nigeria, and Pakistan will account for over one-third of the global child population. India is projected to have 350 million children, the largest share globally, despite a 106 million decline.

Notes:
Six Viragallu (hero stones) were discovered near the Anjaneya Temple between Rukmapur and Kupagal villages in Shorapur, Karnataka. Viragallu are memorial stones honoring heroes who died in battle. The discovery was made by the Surapura Hitarakshana Samiti team, led by Shravanakumar Nayak and researcher Rajgopal Vibhuti, who are working to protect the inscriptions. Shorapur, also known as the Surpur Empire, was a princely state in present-day Yadgir district, Karnataka. The region was ruled by the Nayak Dynasty, with Raja Venkatappa Nayak as its last ruler.

Notes:
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:
A new NGO, the Association of Indian American Minorities (AIAM), was launched in Maryland, USA, to unite and support minority communities in the Indian American diaspora. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was honored with the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Global Peace Award for Minority Upliftment during the event. Jasdip Singh, a Sikh philanthropist, was appointed as AIAM’s Chairman. AIAM aims to advance PM Modi’s vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047, focusing on inclusivity and welfare for all.