Current Affairs Quiz - November, 2024

Notes:
Neft Daslari, also known as “Oil Rocks,” is the world’s oldest offshore oil platform situated about 100 kilometers from Baku, Azerbaijan. Established in the late 1940s, it evolved from a single drilling rig to a vast network of oil wells and bridges, once housing over 5,000 workers. Recently, environmental concerns over pollution and declining production highlight its significance in Azerbaijan’s oil industry as discussions around climate initiatives intensify globally. There are proposals to transform it into a tourist site or museum.

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NTPC, India’s largest power producer, inaugurated the world’s first Carbon Dioxide-to-methanol conversion plant at its Vindhyachal facility on its 50th Raising Day. NTPC Chairman Gurdeep Singh called it a historic milestone in carbon management and sustainable fuel production. The company is working on green technologies like Gen-4 ethanol, green urea, and sustainable aviation fuel. NTPC developed and tested India’s first indigenous catalyst for methanol synthesis. The company has also made progress in hydrogen, carbon capture, and other innovative technologies. During the event, NTPC launched hydrogen-fueled buses in Leh and new IT applications.

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World Pneumonia Day is observed on November 12 to raise awareness about pneumonia, a serious but preventable respiratory disease. It focuses on protecting vulnerable groups, especially children under five and the elderly. The day promotes prevention methods, improved treatment options, and efforts to lower pneumonia-related deaths. Health organizations, governments, and communities hold events and campaigns to spread awareness and promote vaccination. The 2024 theme, “Every Breath Counts: Stop Pneumonia in Its Track,” stresses the urgency of timely detection, treatment, and preventive care.

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World Diabetes Day (WDD) is observed on November 14 each year to raise awareness about diabetes. The event is organized by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the World Health Organization (WHO). This year’s theme, “Breaking Barriers, Bridging Gaps,” focuses on accessible, affordable diabetes care. WDD was created in 1991 in response to global diabetes concerns and officially recognized by the UN in 2006. November 14 marks the birthday of Sir Frederick Banting, co-discoverer of insulin. WDD highlights the importance of early diagnosis, proper care, and lifestyle changes in managing diabetes.

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Indian researchers at the Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics developed a cell-based biocomputer using genetically modified bacteria. Living cells, like brain neurons and immune cells, naturally compute to perform biological functions. Synthetic biology enables engineering cells for human-designed computations, creating cell-based biocomputers. Genetic circuits were introduced in E. coli bacteria, acting as “bactoneurons” to perform complex computations like artificial neural networks. Potential applications include enhanced drug design, personalized medicine, and optimized biomanufacturing.

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Union Minister Piyush Goyal inaugurated the 43rd India International Trade Fair at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The fair, organized by India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO), runs from November 14-27, 2024, with the theme “Viksit Bharat @2047,” aiming for a self-reliant, prosperous India by 2047. Union Minister announced plans to expand ITPO as a world-class MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions) agency, promoting India as a top destination for meetings, incentives, conventions, and exhibitions. MICE facilities will be expanded to cities like Bangalore, Mumbai, and Chennai.

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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:
The State of the Climate 2024 report, released by World Meteorological Organization (WMO) at COP29 in Baku. It issues a Red Alert on climate change. 2024 is set to be the warmest year on record, with temperatures 1.54°C above pre-industrial levels. The past decade (2015-2024) is the warmest on record, with ocean temperatures rising rapidly. Greenhouse gas emissions reached their highest levels in 2023 and continue to rise in 2024. Glaciers are melting faster than ever, losing five times the water volume of the Dead Sea in 2023. Rising sea levels are accelerating, with a significant increase in the past two decades.

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Bali Jatra is the largest open-air trade fair in Asia, held annually on the banks of the Mahanadi River in Cuttack. It commemorates the maritime heritage of Odisha, where ancient traders ventured to Southeast Asia. This year, it features around 2,500 stalls and cultural performances from various countries. The fair, which begins on Kartika Purnima, has been recognized as a state festival, highlighting Odisha’s rich history and culture.

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The Ministry of Defence recently launched the AI-enabled e-Tarang System. Developed with Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geo-informatics (BISAG-N), it improves the planning and operation of defence equipment in both wartime and peacetime. The system enables automated, efficient management of Defence Spectrum and supports the development of new technologies in higher frequency bands. It aids rapid decision-making and facilitates the integration of modern technologies for defence applications. BISAG-N is an autonomous body under MeitY, focused on research, technology development, and cooperation in geo-spatial technology, supporting capacity building and entrepreneurship.