Current Affairs Quiz - November, 2024

Notes:
The Ministry of Home Affairs approved the formation of the first all-woman CISF battalion, with over 1,000 personnel. This unit will be led by a senior commandant and includes 1,025 personnel from within CISF’s existing sanctioned strength. CISF currently has 12 reserve battalions, with women making up more than 7% of the force. This Mahila battalion aims to inspire more women to join CISF and boost female representation in the force. Established in 1969, CISF provides counter-terrorism security to nuclear, aerospace, and private sector facilities, including Infosys and Reliance refinery sites.

Notes:
The Cao Bang crocodile newt, or Tylototriton koliaensis, is a newly discovered species found in Vietnam. It inhabits mountainous forests at elevations over 3,300 feet, experiencing both dry and rainy seasons. These medium-sized newts are around 5 inches long, with stout, rough bodies and crocodile-like, knobby skin. They are entirely black, with bright orange markings on their fingertips, toes, and an orange stripe down the center of their gray belly and tail. They breed in slow-moving streams or pools in the rainy season and hide under rocks during winter. Known as “crocodile newts” for their textured skin, they belong to a genus of Asian salamanders.

Notes:
Telangana has introduced a 100% exemption on road tax and registration fees for electric vehicles (EVs) until December 31, 2026. This initiative aims to promote sustainable transport and reduce air pollution, especially in cities like Hyderabad. The exemption applies to various EVs, including two-wheelers, four-wheelers (both private and commercial), three-wheelers, electric buses, and light goods carriers. Electric buses run by the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) receive indefinite tax exemption. Private industry buses for employee transport are also exempted until December 2026. The policy aims to make EVs more affordable and support the state’s sustainability goals.

Notes:
Pathogen spillover from managed honey bees to wild pollinators poses a significant threat. Thai Sacbrood Virus (TSBV) affects honeybee larvae, killing them and hindering colony growth, particularly endangering Asiatic honeybees (Apis cerana indica). The virus spreads through the movement of bee colonies for pollination and honey production. TSBV caused a major outbreak in South India in 1991-1992, wiping out about 90% of Asiatic honey bee colonies. The virus resurfaced in Telangana in 2021 and has also been reported in countries like China and Vietnam.

Notes:
The G20 summit is being held in Rio de Janeiro at the Modern Art Museum, hosted by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Leaders, including PM Narendra Modi, US President Joe Biden, and China’s Xi Jinping, are discussing trade, climate change, and international security. PM Modi addressed the summit on “Social Inclusion and the Fight against Hunger and Poverty.” The G20, established in 1999, became a forum for Heads of State/Government in 2008. It includes 19 countries and the EU, with special invitees like the UN and the World Bank. G20’s decisions influence policies but are not legally binding.

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:
The 4th National Finswimming Championship 2024 took place in New Delhi with 1500 participants from 26 states and UTs. West Bengal won the team championship with 151 medals (67 gold, 43 silver, 41 bronze). Karnataka was the runner-up with 50 medals (17 gold, 18 silver, 15 bronze). Uttarakhand and Haryana both secured 21 medals, but Uttarakhand placed third due to more gold medals (8 gold, 6 silver, 7 bronze). The event, organized by Underwater Sports Federation of India (USFI) and the Physical Education Foundation of India, highlighted India’s growing finswimming talent.

Notes:
IIT Bombay scientists developed AroTrack, a portable and economical device for detecting water pollutants like phenol and benzene. AroTrack addresses increasing water pollution from industrialization, urbanization, and unregulated effluent discharge. It uses bacterial proteins from polluted environments to identify aromatic pollutants through ATP hydrolysis. A chemical reaction in the protein solution causes a color change, which the device detects. The compact device is slightly smaller than a small projector and highly robust. AroTrack is considered a potential game-changer for sustainable water pollution monitoring and management.

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:
November is celebrated as Adoption Awareness Month, led by Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) and the Ministry of Women and Child Development. The 2024 theme is “Rehabilitation of Older Children through Foster Care and Foster Adoption,” focusing on older and special-needs children. A key event is being held in Lucknow on 21st November 2024. Activities include offline events like interactive sessions, cultural programs, and Q&A with adoptive parents and stakeholders. Online initiatives with MyGov India involve storytelling, poster-making, slogans, and surveys. CARA uses social media to promote legal adoption and foster care, ensuring brighter futures for children in need.