Current Affairs Quiz - November, 2024

Notes:
The 40th All India Governor’s Gold Cup International Football Tournament 2024 was held at Paljor Stadium in Gangtok, Sikkim. Organized by the Sikkim Football Association, the tournament featured 16 teams, including four international clubs from Nepal, Bhutan, Dubai, and Malaysia. North East United FC won the championship, emphasizing the tournament’s role in promoting football in the region and strengthening international sports relations.

Notes:
United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the Climate Club recently launched the Global Matchmaking Platform (GMP) to accelerate decarbonization in heavy-emitting industries in emerging and developing economies. The platform connects countries with global technical and financial support to reduce emissions in energy-intensive sectors. Launched in December 2023 at COP28, GMP connects nations with delivery partners for policy development, technology transfer, and investments. It helps countries tailor decarbonization efforts and access resources for achieving zero and low-emission industrial practices. The GMP is part of the Climate Club, with support from OECD, IEA, and UNIDO.

Notes:
Recent research has shown that minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) can hear high-frequency sounds up to 90 kilohertz (kHz), significantly higher than previously thought. This discovery raises concerns about the effects of anthropogenic ocean noise on marine mammals, as it suggests they may be more vulnerable to disturbances than recognized. The study utilized a novel catch-and-release method to measure the whales’ auditory sensitivity, emphasizing the need for better understanding and regulatory consideration of noise impacts on baleen whales.

Notes:
India ranks 49th in the Network Readiness Index (NRI) 2024, up 11 spots from 2023. NRI evaluates 133 economies based on Technology, People, Governance, and Impact, using 54 variables. Published by the Portulans Institute, the report highlights India’s score improvement from 49.93 in 2023 to 53.63 in 2024. India leads globally in AI scientific publications, AI talent concentration, and ICT services exports. It ranks 2nd in FTTH subscriptions, mobile broadband traffic, and international internet bandwidth, and 3rd in domestic market scale. Among lower-middle-income countries, India is 2nd, reflecting strong digital progress and innovation.

Notes:
The Ministry of Home Affairs established a permanent NSG hub in Jammu city, J&K, to respond quickly to terror attacks. The hub ensures faster deployment of NSG commandos without relying on airlifting from Delhi or other locations. NSG commandos participated in an anti-terror operation in Akhnoor, marking their first operation in Jammu. The hub addresses the rise in terror incidents in districts like Kathua, Doda, Kishtwar, Udhampur, Rajouri, Poonch, and Reasi. The NSG hub in Jammu is equipped with enough personnel to handle any emergency situation effectively.

Notes:
The 10th India International Science Festival (IISF) held at IIT Guwahati, Assam, from November 30 to December 3, 2024. The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is the nodal department, with National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (CSIR-NIIST, Thiruvananthapuram) coordinating the event. IISF, initiated in 2015 by Vijnana Bharati, engages society in celebrating science, inspiring young minds, and fostering scientific collaboration. This is the first IISF hosted in Northeast India, with thousands participating annually. The 2024 theme is “Transforming India into an S&T driven Global Manufacturing Hub,” reflecting the government’s vision of merging science with industrial growth.

Notes:
India hosts 75% of the global tiger population, with at least 3,167 tigers in 2022, up from 2,967 in 2018. Nearly 40% of tigers are concentrated in just 11% of reserves. Only six reserves have over 100 tigers, while 22 have fewer than 10 or none. Corbett National Park has the highest tiger population at 231, followed by Nagarhole (127), Bandipur (126), Kaziranga (104), Bandhavgarh (104), and Mudumalai (103). The data was reported by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) covering 53 reserves across 18 states.

Notes:
Global Wage Report (2024-25) is released by International labour organization (ILO). It highlights wage trends, inequality, and real wage growth worldwide. Global real wage growth recovered in 2023 after a decline in 2022. Wage growth is faster in Asia-Pacific, Central/Western Asia, and Eastern Europe. 9.5% of Indian workers are low-paid wage earners. Wage inequality has generally declined but remains highest in low-income countries. Women and workers dominate low-wage jobs, with rising informal employment due to lack of formal jobs. Labour productivity has grown faster in high-income countries than real wages.

Notes:
The first Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav will be held in Delhi from December 6 to 8 at Bharat Mandapam, showcasing Northeast India’s crafts, art, and culture. It is organized by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER), it will feature eight state pavilions and a rural haat bazaar with 320 artisans and farmers. The event is expected to generate ₹20 million from pavilions and ₹10 million from a buyer-seller meet involving 40 buyers and 50 artisans.

Notes:
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has classified packaged drinking water and mineral water as “high-risk foods,” enhancing safety measures. This follows the removal of mandatory BIS certification, with a focus on regular inspections and audits by FSSAI. High-risk foods require strict safety protocols to prevent public health issues. The classification aims to ensure consumer safety through rigorous testing and monitoring. The regulation falls under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, simplifying the certification process.