Current Affairs Quiz - November, 2023

Notes:
The 25T Bollard Pull (BP) Tug, ‘Mahabali’ was launched recently at Shoft Shipyard Pvt Ltd, Bharuch, Gujarat, under the “Make in India” initiative of Ministry of Defence.
This aligns with the “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” initiative of the Government of India, promoting self-reliance and indigenous production.

Notes:
Rashtriya Gokul Mission, India’s flagship program aimed at enhancing indigenous cattle breeds, was launched in 2014.
Instead of enhancing the quality of all indigenous breeds as originally intended, the scheme has predominantly promoted one specific indigenous variety, the Gir cow, nationwide. This trend, if left unaddressed, could pose a risk to the genetic purity of indigenous cattle breeds throughout the country.

Notes:
The Uttarakhand Cabinet gives nod to set up Rajaji Tiger Reserve Conservation Foundation. The primary aim of this foundation is to expedite and facilitate ecological, economic, social, and cultural development within the regions encompassing the Rajaji Tiger Reserve.
t also aims to provide alternative livelihood opportunities to the local communities to reduce their dependence on forests.

Notes:
Launched in 2013, the Dutch golden visa initiative was designed to stimulate the economic growth of the Netherlands.  The program required foreign investors to contribute a minimum of €1,250,000 to Dutch businesses.
This program was in line with the goals of several other countries that offer similar investment schemes. However, as of January 2024, the Netherlands will be discontinuing its ‘Golden Visa’ program.

Notes:
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced that District Central Co-operative Banks now have the authority to close their unremunerative branches without the necessity for prior permission from the central bank.
However, approval from the Registrar of Cooperative Societies in the respective state will still be required. The cooperative banks were brought under the regulatory framework of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in 2020.

Notes:
The Central Railway has successfully implemented the Block Proving by Axle Counter (BPAC) system in the Vasind-Asangaon section of Mumbai Division.
This BPAC system plays a crucial role in ensuring the highest level of safety for train operations.

Notes:
Forty nations within a US-led alliance intend to commit to never paying ransoms to cybercriminals and to collaborate in eradicating the financial support for hackers, as part of the International Counter Ransomware Initiative.
Ransomware attacks involve hackers encrypting an organization’s systems and demanding ransom payments in return for decrypting them.

Notes:
Two Indian cities, Gwalior and Kozhikode, have recently become part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network.
Madhya Pradesh’s Gwalior made the cut in the ‘Music’ category, while Kerala’s Kozhikode has earned its place in the list in the ‘Literature’ category. Globally, 55 cities joined the UNESCO Creative Cities Network on World Cities Day, which was observed on October 31.

Notes:
Sweden’s Saab has become the first foreign company that has bagged 100% FDI in India’s defence projects.
According to a report, Sweden’s Saab will set up a new facility in the country that will manufacture shoulder-fired rockets. Currently, India allows only 74% FDI in the defence sector under the automatic route. Beyond that, clearance can be obtained on a case-by-case basis.

Notes:
Israel’s Arrow missile defense system has intercepted a ballistic missile launched by Iranian proxies in Yemen, marking a significant achievement in missile defense technology.
Developed in collaboration with the US and Israel, the system demonstrated its capability to defend against a range of ballistic missiles.