Current Affairs Quiz - November, 2023

Notes:
InterGlobe Enterprises, a major stakeholder in IndiGo, has unveiled a collaboration with Archer Aviation Inc, a major US-based company specializing in electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.
This strategic partnership aims to pioneer and operate an innovative all-electric air taxi service across India by 2026.

Notes:
The United Kingdom announced a prohibition on the recreational usage and possession of nitrous oxide, commonly referred to as ‘laughing gas.’
This decision is part of efforts to tackle anti-social behavior and mitigate health risks associated with the substance. Nitrous oxide has been reclassified as a class C drug, and possession is now deemed a criminal offense in Britain.

Notes:
The song ‘Abundance in Millets’, featuring Prime Minister Narendra Modi, sung by Indian-American singer Falguni Shah and her husband Gaurav Shah, has been nominated in the best global music performance category at the 2024 Grammy Awards.
The song was created to raise awareness of the super-grain as another potential key to minimizing world hunger.

Notes:
The International Cricket Council suspended its full-member Sri Lanka after observing government interference in the national board.
The Sri Lankan parliament unanimously passed a resolution, calling for the sacking of the country’s cricket governing body, with both the ruling and opposition parties supporting it. In 2021, Zimbabwe Cricket was suspended due to government interference.

Notes:
The Government of India signed a $400 million policy-based loan with Asian Development Bank (ADB) to support its urban reform agenda for creating high quality urban infrastructure, improving service delivery, and promoting efficient governance systems.
While Sub-programme 1 approved in 2021 with a financing of $350 million established national-level policies and guidelines to improve urban services, Sub-programme 2 is supporting investment planning and reform actions at the state and urban local body (ULB) levels.

Notes:
The Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) of the United Nations General Assembly passed six draft resolutions through recorded votes.
These resolutions were related to the Middle East situation, including the Palestinian issue. India supported a resolution denouncing Israeli settlement activities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory by voting in favour of it.

Notes:
Britain’s former Prime Minister David Cameron has recently been appointed as the Foreign Secretary. This marks his return to politics. Rishi Sunak reshuffled his Cabinet, sacking Home Secretary Suella Braverman and resurrecting the political career of former U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron, whom he appointed Foreign Secretary.
Ms. Braverman has a history of provocative statements including her latest allegations of bias in the Metropolitan Police over their handling of pro-Palestinian protests, which she referred to as “hate marches”.

Notes:
Quacquarelli Symonds released QS Asia University Rankings 2024. IIT Bombay has secured the top position in India and 40th position in overall Asia. Similarly, IIT Delhi stood second among Indian institutes and secured 46th rank overall.
Peking University of China topped the Asia ranking list by securing Rank 1 followed by the University of Hong Kong in the second position and the National University of Singapore in the third place. A record 148 Indian universities found their place in the QS Asia University Rankings 2024.

Notes:
PVTG Development Mission will be launched by PM Modi on the occasion of ‘Janjatiya Gaurav Divas’. The Rs 24,000 crore scheme aims to promote the holistic development of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG).
The launch of Pradhan Mantri PVTG Development Mission was announced in the budget to improve socio-economic conditions of the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups. The Mission will be implemented through convergence of 11 interventions of nine Ministries. There are 75 PVTGs in 18 States and UTs with a population of around 28 lakhs.

Notes:
Former captain Diana Edulji became the first Indian woman cricketer to be inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame.
Another Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag and Sri Lankan World Cup winner Aravinda de Silva were also made members of ICC Hall of Fame for their achievements during their playing career.