Current Affairs Quiz - November, 2023

Notes:
Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), a joint venture involving Public Sector Undertakings under the Ministry of Power, has introduced two pioneering programs: the National Efficient Cooking Programme (NECP) and the Energy Efficient Fans Programme (EEFP).
These initiatives seek to transform cooking methods in India and underscore the significance of energy-efficient fans. As part of these programs, EESL aims to promote and implement energy-efficient technologies and practices across the country.

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:
In the year 2022 at the 41st Session of UNESCO’s general Conference, it was decided that November 3 would be celebrated worldwide as the International Day for Biosphere Reserves.
Biosphere Reserves are protected areas, meant for the conservation of plants and animals. Human beings also depend on these protected areas for their livelihood activities. There are 738 biosphere reserves in 134 countries and there are 18 notified biosphere reserves in India.

Notes:
The Finance Ministry released ₹10,000 crore in urgent assistance for the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS).
The funds were released to meet unexpected increased expenditure under the rural job guarantee scheme. The funds will be available until the first batch of supplementary demands for grants is approved by parliament at its next session. The unusual move came after 95% of the FY24 budgetary outlay of ₹60,000 crore for the MGNREGS was exhausted well before the commencement of the winter session of parliament.

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.

Notes:
Recently, India conducted a successful test of the Pralay tactical ballistic missile off the coast of Odisha.
During the test, the missile demonstrated its capability by covering its entire range of approximately 500 kilometers. The test was deemed highly successful, with the missile meeting all expected parameters and performing as intended.

Notes:
The Solvent Extractors’ Association of India (SEA) and the Brazilian Association of Vegetable Oil Industries (ABIOVE) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for close cooperation in soyabean oil supply to India.
The agreement aims at cooperating with the supply, use, and trade of soyabean, soyameal and soyabean oil.

Notes:
India accounted for the highest number of tuberculosis (TB) cases in the world in 2022, representing a staggering 27 percent of the global burden, as revealed by the new World Health Organization (WHO) 2023 Global TB report released.
According to the report, India recorded 2.8 million (28.2 lakh) TB cases in 2022, with a case fatality ratio of 12 per cent.  Featuring data from 192 countries and areas, the report reveals that 7.5 million people were diagnosed with TB in 2022.

Notes:
Recently, the Nagaland Legislative Assembly unanimously approved legislation maintaining a 33 percent reservation for women in urban local bodies.
This has been a divisive issue, halting municipal elections in the state for nearly twenty years. However, the Nagaland Municipal Bill 2023 has removed the reservation for women in the position of chairperson in municipal bodies.

Notes:
A baler is a device used for the off-site handling of agricultural crop residue.
In Punjab, there are currently approximately 2,000 baler machines in operation, with 1,268 of them benefiting from significant subsidies ranging from 50% to 80% through the Central Government’s Crop Residue Management (CRM) initiative.