Current Affairs Quiz - November, 2023

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:
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin launched ‘Meendum Manjappai’ scheme to reduce the use of plastic bags, replacing them with cloth bags in 2021.
Recently, the Tamil Nadu state environment department has opened a ‘Meendum Manjappai’ kiosk worth 25 lakh at Besant Nagar beach, Chennai, to create awareness on plastic pollution and to enforce the ban on single-use plastic. It has a cloth bag vending slot and a plastic bottle-crushing machine.

Notes:
The National Institute of Technology (NIT) Mizoram has received a 5G Laboratory from the Government of India. The primary objectives of this 5G Lab at NIT Mizoram will be to develop competencies and advance 5G and beyond technologies.
The focus will be on benefiting students and startup communities across the country, with a particular emphasis on the State of Mizoram.

Notes:
China has dispatched a new scientific expedition team to build its fifth research station in Antarctica. The expedition includes two Chinese icebreaker research ships and a cargo ship carrying more than 460 personnel.
The team will conduct climate change studies and help complete construction of the station. The station will provide communications for China’s scientific polar observation satellites.

Notes:
Bhutan proudly announces its status as the world’s first nation to successfully sterilize and vaccinate its entire stray dog population.
This achievement comes after a 14-year-long dog population control initiative known as the National Dog Population Management and Rabies Control Project, which has effectively sterilized and vaccinated more than 150,000 stray dogs since its inception.

Notes:
The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, flagged off the maiden domestic voyage of the first international cruise liner, ‘COSTA SERENA,’ in India, from Mumbai.
This initiative aligns with the ‘Dekho Apna Desh’ campaign, which encourages individuals to prioritize domestic tourism over international travel. The Italian vessel which covers international voyages is the first foreign cruise liner to enter India’s domestic cruise market.

Notes:
The report, titled ‘Hunger Hotspots’ for the period between November 2023 and April 2024, was published recently.
The new report by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) indicates that acute food insecurity is expected to deteriorate in 18 hunger hotspots until April 2024. These hotspots encompass 22 countries or territories, including two regional clusters.

Notes:
Russian President Vladimir Putin signs a Bill, revoking Russia’s ratification of global nuclear test ban. Putin said that rescinding the ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, also known as the CTBT, would mirror the stand taken by the U.S., which has signed but not ratified the nuclear test ban.
The CTBT, adopted in 1996, bans all nuclear explosions anywhere in the world, but the treaty was never fully implemented. It is yet to be ratified by China, India, Pakistan, North Korea, Israel, Iran and Egypt.

Notes:
The Philippines has announced to exit from China’s Belt and Road Initiatives.
The full termination of major infrastructure projects under the Belt and Road Initiative has been announced in favour of competitors from the West and Japan. Up to six significant Chinese projects are now under “reconsideration” due to Chinese delays, concerns over lending terms, and broader geopolitical tensions”.

Notes:
Germany lifted their second Sultan of Johar Cup trophy after 11 years by beating Australia 3-1 in a shootout.
Goalkeeper HS Mohith made a crucial save in the penalty shootout as the Indian junior hockey team edged arch-rival Pakistan 6-5 to bag the bronze medal at the Sultan of Johar Cup.