Current Affairs Quiz - November, 2023

Notes:
Astronomers, following thorough examination of Venus’s atmosphere, have successfully identified distinct indications of atomic oxygen within the planet’s daylight region, located above its noxious cloud cover.
This discovery of oxygen on the dayside provides valuable insights into the intricate dynamics and circulation patterns within Venus’s atmosphere.

Notes:
APAAR, an acronym for Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry, is a specialized identification system designed for all students in India, beginning from an early age.
Under this program, every student will receive a lifelong APAAR ID, streamlining the process of tracking academic progress from pre-primary education to higher education for students, schools, and government authorities. This initiative is part of the ‘One Nation, One Student ID’ program, which is derived from the 2020 National Education Policy.

Notes:
The United States approved the first-ever vaccine for chikungunya called Ixchiq. Chikungunya is a disease caused by a virus transmitted through the bites of infected mosquitoes.
The vaccine, produced by Valneva Austria GmbH, is given in a single dose to people over 18 who are at increased risk of exposure to the virus.

Notes:
Arignar Anna Zoological Park (AAZP), Vandalur received a pair of Himalayan black bears from the Jambu Zoo, Jammu and Kashmir.
In the exchange, AAZP will provide a pair of Bengal tigers. Also known as the Vandalur Zoo, it is a zoological garden located in the southwestern part of Chennai.

Notes:
The Ministry of Coal is initiating a project to establish Pump Storage Projects (PSP) in reclaimed coal mines, capitalizing on the economic benefits of extensive land holdings and financial feasibility.
The objective of this plan is to diversify into alternative energy sources, utilizing solar energy to generate hydroelectric power, thereby supporting sustainable development in the coal industry. This initiative seeks to harness solar energy during the day and generate hydroelectricity during the night.

Notes:
South Africa is set to become the first African country to implement shared parental leave, as a high court ruling grants both parents the right to take time off following the birth or adoption of a child.
This decision enables parents to decide how to divide four months of parental leave between them. Previously, mothers were entitled to four months’ leave while fathers or partners were allowed a maximum of 10 days.

Notes:
China and Pakistan are conducting the third edition of the Sea Guardian-3 bilateral naval exercise in the northern Arabian Sea.
This is their largest-ever naval exercise in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) to enhance interoperability between their navies. The two sides will also hold their maiden joint maritime patrol. The exercise is scheduled from November 11 to 17.

Notes:
The 9th India International Science Festival (IISF) for 2023 is scheduled to take place in Faridabad, Haryana, from January 17th to January 20th, 2024.
This edition’s theme is centered around “Science and Technology Public Outreach in Amrit Kaal.” IISF 2023 will have a total of 17 themes to showcase scientific achievements offering benefits to participants and the general public.

Notes:
The “Rwanda plan,” initiated in April 2022 by former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, aimed to discourage asylum seekers from undertaking the perilous 20-mile (32 km) journey across the Channel from Europe to England’s southern shores in small boats or inflatable dinghies.
However, the UK Supreme Court ruled that the government’s scheme to send asylum seekers to Rwanda was illegal, dealing a significant setback to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s efforts to deter arrivals via small boats.

Notes:
The Odisha government has roped in Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to serve as a consultant for the development of the first phase of the metro rail project in Bhubaneswar.
The estimated investment for this project is approximately Rs 5,929 crore. In exchange for their consultancy services, DMRC will receive a fee of Rs 326 crore.