Current Affairs Quiz - November, 2023

Notes:
The Indian junior men’s hockey team defeated New Zealand 6-2 to enter the semifinals of the Sultan of Johor Cup. Indian player Amandeep Lakra hit a hat-trick.
The Sultan of Johor Cup is an annual, international under-21 men’s field hockey tournament held in Malaysia.

Notes:
A record drought hitting the Amazon rainforest has revealed petroglyphs carved by humans up to 2,000 years ago that are now partly submerged in one of the largest rivers in the region.
The pre-Columbian engravings were found at a point in the Brazilian city of Manaus, where the Negro River’s dark waters meet the Amazon River. The images carved into the rocks depict humans, animals and geometric shapes, such as squares and circles.

Notes:
The Environmental Investigation Agency is an international NGO founded in 1984 in the United Kingdom.
‘Parts of tigers, leopards, pangolins & rhinos being used in 88 Chinese medicines’ A probe by the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) has found that body parts of leopards and pangolins, which are highly trafficked and endangered mammals, are used in at least 88 traditional Chinese medicines.

Notes:
The Indian Air Force has successfully operationalized three of its S-400 air defense missile squadrons along its borders with China and Pakistan.
In 2018-19, India agreed with Russia to procure S-400 missiles worth ₹35,000 crore. Out of five squadrons that were to be delivered, three were delivered. Whereas the delivery of the remaining two was hindered due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Notes:
Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project (KMTTP) aims to connect the seaport of Kolkata with Sittwe seaport in Rakhine State, Myanmar by sea. It also includes Inland Water Transport between Sittwe to River Kaladan.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari announced that a cross-border road, part of the ambitious Kaladan Project, which connects South Mizoram’s Lawngtlai district with Myanmar’s Sittwe port, is on track to be completed by November of this year.

Notes:
According to a report from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) titled ‘The Impact of Disaster on Agriculture and Food Security,’ there has been a significant increase in the frequency of extreme disaster events over the past five decades.
In the 1970s, the world experienced approximately 100 disaster events per year. However, in the last two decades, that number has risen to around 400 disasters annually on a global scale. This trend highlights the growing challenges and risks that disasters pose to agriculture and food security worldwide.

Notes:
The Prime Minister of India officially opened World Food India 2023 at Bharat Mandapam in the national capital, New Delhi.
During the event, the PM disbursed seed capital assistance to over one lakh self-help groups (SHGs) and inaugurated a “food street”. The first edition of the event was held in 2017.

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:
China, the world’s largest supplier of rare earths, has been promoting the development of the rare earths industry for over 60 years.
China has raised its rare-earth metal production quota for 2023 by 14% over last year to 240,000 tonnes. It aims to support its booming electric vehicle (EV) industry. China has the world’s largest reserves of rare earths.

Notes:
Intel announced collaboration with eight Indian electronics manufacturing services (EMS) companies and original design manufacturers (ODMs), sharing key technological and operational insights for their laptop manufacturing projects in India.
As part of the new collaboration, Intel has shared its expertise in the production of complete entry-level laptops in India.