Current Affairs Quiz - November, 2024

Notes:
The Nepal government has announced provide free cancer treatment to children under 14 in designated public hospitals.This initiative is effective from November 16 and aims to ease the financial burden on parents. Treatment can be accessed at Kanti Children Hospital, Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital, and BP Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital. If government funds are insufficient, the Ministry will arrange additional funding from internal sources. In 2022, Nepal reported 22,000 new cancer patients, with cancer causing 11% of deaths, and around 1,500 children are diagnosed with cancer each year.

Notes:
Bibek Debroy, the chairman of the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council (EAC-PM), recently passed away. EAC-PM is an independent body that advises the Prime Minister on economic issues. It analyzes economic matters referred by the Prime Minister and addresses macroeconomic concerns. The council’s role is advisory and non-binding on the government. It promotes economic understanding through reports and public engagement. EAC-PM is led by a chairperson and includes eminent economists, with no fixed number of members. The NITI Aayog acts as the nodal agency for administrative support to the council.

Notes:
Harmeet Desai of India won both men’s singles and mixed doubles titles at the 2024 World Table Tennis (WTT) Feeder Caracas tournament in Venezuela. The event took place from 31 October to 3 November 2024. Ranked 90th globally, Harmeet defeated France’s Joe Seyfried (world no. 149) 11-7, 11-8, 11-6 in the men’s singles final. In mixed doubles, Harmeet and Krittwika Roy defeated Cuba’s Jorge Campos and Daniela Fonseca Carrazana 3-2 in a tight match.

Notes:
The Madras High Court has mandated the complete removal of Senna spectabilis from Tamil Nadu’s forests by October 1, 2025. Currently, 28,000 tonnes remain, with efforts underway to eradicate this invasive species. The court emphasized that the removal process should not be delayed by negotiations with paper companies for the timber. Additionally, the court is focused on eradicating other invasive species like Lantana camara and Prosopis juliflora to protect the forest ecosystem.

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The Asia–Pacific Climate Report is a new initiative by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to help the region address climate change through policy reforms. It highlights India’s transition from fossil fuels to clean energy, showcasing key reforms and subsidy reallocations. India has achieved an 85% reduction in fossil fuel subsidies, dropping from $25 billion in 2013 to $3.5 billion in 2023. A cess on coal production funded clean energy projects like the Green Energy Corridor and National Solar Mission. Tax hikes on petrol and diesel have redirected funds to renewable initiatives, improving LPG access in rural areas. National programs support clean energy investments and progress toward India’s 2070 net-zero target.

Notes:
Scientists at Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST), Guwahati, discovered a protein IL-35 that can help treat type 1 and autoimmune diabetes mellitus. IL-35 is made of IL-12α and IL-27β chains. It protects against type 1 and autoimmune diabetes by regulating immune cells. IL-35 inhibits immune cells attacking pancreatic beta cells and reduces inflammation. Autoimmune diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is an autoimmune disease where the body attacks insulin-producing beta cells, causing insulin deficiency and lifelong dependence on external insulin.

Notes:
Renowned folk singer Sharda Sinha, known as ‘Bihar Kokila,’ passed away at 72 on 5 November 2024. She was suffering from multiple myeloma and died at AIIMS, New Delhi, on the first day of Chhath Puja. Sinha was celebrated for her Bhojpuri, Maithili, and Magadhi songs, especially for Chhath Puja and Vivah Geet, which resonated widely in Bihar. She received the Padma Bhushan (2018), Padma Shri (1991), and Sangeet Natak Akademi Award.

Notes:
Saudi Arabia’s Al-Jawf region experienced snowfall for the first time in recorded history. Al-Jawf, one of Saudi Arabia’s most fertile areas, has a human history dating back to the Stone Age. Known for olive cultivation, it hosts the world’s largest modern olive farm, as recognized by Guinness World Records. Al-Jawf is also one of the coldest regions in Saudi Arabia during winter.

Notes:
The Karnataka Board of Waqfs claims 17 monuments inside the historic Bidar Fort as its property. The Archaeological Survey of India, the official custodian of the fort, is reportedly unaware of this claim. Bidar Fort is located in Bidar city on Karnataka’s northern plateau. The fort’s history spans over 500 years, beginning with the Western Chalukya dynasty. Sultan Ahmed Shah Wali of the Bahmani dynasty chose Bidar as his capital in 1430 and transformed the fort into a grand citadel. The fort is constructed from trap rock, with stone and mortar fort walls. Its entrance gate features a high dome, originally painted with vibrant colors inside.

Notes:
An expert committee recommends habitat and prey improvements before designating Kumbhalgarh-Todgarh Raoli as a tiger reserve. In 2023, the Union government and National Tiger Conservation Authority gave initial approval for this tiger reserve. The proposed reserve will cover about 1,397 sq km across Rajasthan’s Rajsamand, Udaipur, Pali, Ajmer, and Sirohi districts. Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary, spanning 578 sq km, includes the historic Kumbhalgarh Fort and was once royal hunting grounds. Todgarh Raoli Sanctuary, covering 495 sq km, was established in 1983 and named after British officer Colonel James Tod; it includes the ancient Raoli forest and indigenous tribes.