Current Affairs Quiz - November, 2024

Notes:
Indian Council of Agricultural Research-National Research Centre on Equines (ICAR-NRC Equine) in Hisar has been granted WOAH Reference Laboratory status for Equine Piroplasmosis, a significant achievement for India’s animal health sector. The disease is tick-borne protozoal disease and affects horses, mules, donkeys, and zebras. Infected animals can remain carriers, spreading the disease through ticks or contaminated instruments. It is common in tropical and temperate areas. Symptoms include fever, loss of appetite, elevated pulse, and abnormal feces. The disease can be peracute, acute, or chronic, with acute cases being more common. No vaccine is available for equine piroplasmosis.

Notes:
A study linked the COVID-19 vaccine CoronaVac from Sinovac Biotech to immune thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). TTP is a rare, life-threatening blood disorder with excessive clotting and low platelet count. In TTP, clots form in small blood vessels, blocking blood flow to organs like the brain, kidneys, and heart, potentially causing organ damage. “Thrombotic” refers to blood clots; “Thrombocytopenic” to low platelets; and “Purpura” to bruises from bleeding under the skin. Low platelets in TTP hinder proper blood clotting, causing bleeding issues, including internal and skin bleeding.

Notes:
Israel’s Defence Ministry is working with Germany to deploy the Arrow-3 missile interception system in 2025. Arrow-3 is an exo-atmospheric anti-ballistic missile defense system developed by Israel Aerospace Industries and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency. It targets ballistic missiles outside the atmosphere, using two-stage solid-fueled interceptors. The system has a range of 2,400 km and can intercept threats at altitudes of 100 km. It is hypersonic, traveling five times the speed of sound, and uses hit-to-kill technology for missile destruction. It also features advanced radar and tracking systems.

Notes:
The INSV Tarini successfully completed the Navika Sagar Parikrama II expedition, a 39-day non-stop voyage from Goa to Fremantle, Australia, covering 4900 nautical miles. Flagged off by Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi on October 2, 2024, this expedition aimed to promote gender equality and global maritime cooperation. The crew, consisting of Lt Cdr Dilna K and Lt Cdr Roopa A, faced challenging weather conditions but showcased resilience and determination throughout the journey, marking a significant achievement for the Indian Navy and its commitment to maritime heritage.

Notes:
The Indore Municipal Corporation, following a National Green Tribunal order, recently cleared 30 encroaching stalls from Sirpur Lake’s catchment area. Sirpur Lake, a 670-acre human-made wetland in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, was created over 130 years ago by Maharaja Shivajirao Holkar for the city’s water supply. The lake is shallow, alkaline, nutrient-rich, and floods during the monsoon. It has a diverse ecosystem with wetlands, shrub forests, grasslands, tall trees, and both shallow and deep-water zones. The lake is historically noted in the 1908 Indore City Gazette for its role in water supply and recreation.

Notes:
The Indian Navy will conduct the fourth ‘Pan-India’ Coastal Defence Exercise ‘Sea Vigil-24’ on November 20-21, 2024. This large-scale exercise involves six ministries, 21 organizations, and covers all coastal states, UTs, Lakshadweep, and Andaman & Nicobar Islands. The Coastal Defence & Security Readiness Evaluation (CDSRE) phase began in October to audit coastal defence infrastructure. For the first time, officials from the National Security Council Secretariat will join CDSRE teams, along with State Marine Police, Coast Guard, and Fisheries. The exercise aims to protect coastal assets and involve local communities, with participants from the Indian Army, Air Force, and the fishing community.

Notes:
NITI Aayog, in partnership with the Ministry of Power and Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, launched the ASSET platform (Accelerating Sustainable Solutions for Energy Transition). The platform aims to help states accelerate their green transition by creating energy transition blueprints and supporting their implementation. It will focus on projects in areas like green hydrogen, energy efficiency, e-mobility, offshore wind, and more. ASSET will showcase best practices and upcoming technologies to aid states in achieving sustainability goals. NITI Aayog emphasizes the importance of states in meeting India’s 2047 development and 2070 net-zero emissions targets.

Notes:
India’s Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) signed an MoU with Russia’s Rosoboronexport (ROE) to collaborate on variants of the Pantsir air defense missile-gun system. The MoU was signed at the 5th India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission Subgroup meeting in Goa. This partnership strengthens India-Russia defense ties and aims to enhance India’s air defense capabilities. The Pantsir system protects against aerial threats, including aircraft, drones, and precision-guided munitions. It combines short- to medium-range missiles with dual 30mm cannons, has advanced radar, and engages targets up to 36 km away and 15 km high with rapid response.

Notes:
The Union Ministry of Environment has notified a 1 km to 2.035 km eco-sensitive zone around Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary on the Haryana side. Sukhna Lake, an artificial lake in Chandigarh, was created in 1958 by damming the Sukhna Choe stream from the Shivalik Hills. The lake covers around 3 sq. km, is 1.52 km long and 1.49 km wide, and is recognized as a National Wetland. The catchment area has rugged terrain and is prone to soil erosion, with silt-heavy water. Adjacent to Sukhna Lake, Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary spans 26 sq. km and attracts migratory birds like Siberian ducks, storks, and cranes in winter.

Notes:
Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) and Aditya Mehta Foundation (AMF) are setting up the world’s first high-altitude para sports centre in Leh. The centre aims to train Indian para-athletes for the 2028 Paralympics. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by LAHDC, Leh, and AMF, marking a milestone in Indian sports. Advocate Tashi Gyalson, Chief Executive Councillor of LAHDC, expressed pride in Leh’s role in this project. AMF will initially support 15 Children with Special Needs (CwSN) from Leh-Ladakh, training them at the AMF’s Parasports Academy in Hyderabad.