Current Affairs Quiz - November, 2024

Notes:
Iraq has launched its first national population census since 1987. The census aims to modernize data collection and support decision-making processes. 120,000 workers will gather household data using advanced technologies. It will guide resource distribution, budget allocation, and development planning. This initiative is a key step in improving Iraq’s governance and resource management.

Notes:
Harsha Vardhan Agarwal, Managing Director and Vice Chairman of Emami Group, became the President of FICCI for 2024-25, succeeding Anish Shah. FICCI’s new office bearers include Senior Vice President Anant Goenka (Vice Chairman of RPG Group) and Vice President Vijay Sankar (Chairman of Sanmar Group). FICCI is a major business lobby group in India, representing business interests and lobbying for favorable policies. Founded in 1927, FICCI claims to be the largest business organization in India.

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Indian Institute of Science (IISc) introduced STRONG (STring Representation Of Nanopore Geometry), a new language for encoding nanopore shapes as character sequences. STRONG helps machine learning models predict nanopore properties accurately. It assigns letters to atomic configurations, improving understanding of nanopore geometries. This tool supports applications like gas separation and enhances data analysis. STRONG’s integration with neural networks boosts prediction accuracy. This breakthrough marks a significant advancement in materials science and computational research.

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The Rejang Dewa is a sacred Balinese dance central to the Ngusaba Goreng festival. This two-week thanksgiving festival celebrates a bountiful harvest in Bali, Indonesia. “Rejang” means offering or devotion, while “Dewa” refers to divine entities in Hinduism. The festival features traditional dances performed by young girls and women. It emphasizes the spiritual connection between humans, nature, and the divine. The festival also promotes social cohesion, fostering community harmony and collective identity.

Notes:
The 2025 UN Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC COP 30) will take place in Belém, Brazil, in November 2025. It will include the 30th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 30), the 20th meeting of the COP for the Kyoto Protocol (CMP 20), and the seventh meeting for the Paris Agreement (CMA 7). Additionally, the 63rd sessions of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA 63) and the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI 63) will also be held.

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Recent research has shown that minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) can hear high-frequency sounds up to 90 kilohertz (kHz), significantly higher than previously thought. This discovery raises concerns about the effects of anthropogenic ocean noise on marine mammals, as it suggests they may be more vulnerable to disturbances than recognized. The study utilized a novel catch-and-release method to measure the whales’ auditory sensitivity, emphasizing the need for better understanding and regulatory consideration of noise impacts on baleen whales.

Notes:
The Sabal 20 is a logistics drone designed by EndureAir Systems, incubated at IIT Kanpur. It features advanced Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) technology, allowing it to operate in rugged terrains with a low noise signature. The drone can carry payloads of up to 20 kg and supports various missions, including long-range deliveries and high-altitude operations. Its development involved significant contributions from professors and students at IIT Kanpur, showcasing India’s advancements in drone technology.

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TakeMe2Space, a Hyderabad-based firm, will launch India’s first AI lab in space, MOI-TD (My Orbital Infrastructure – Technology Demonstrator), in mid-December 2024 using ISRO’s PSLV C60. The mission will demonstrate real-time data processing in orbit, reducing data transmission costs and latency. MOI-TD addresses the challenge of processing petabytes of data from satellites, bypassing delays caused by cloud cover. The platform will allow users to upload AI models for Earth observation tasks like environmental monitoring. MOI-TD marks a step toward space-based data centers, paving the way for affordable, sustainable space computing solutions.

Notes:
The bilateral military exercise “Agni Warrior 2024” between India and Singapore conducted at Devlali Field Firing Ranges, Maharashtra, from November 28 to 30. It focuses on strengthening interactions between the artillery units of both nations. The exercise includes joint firepower planning and execution using New Generation Equipment. The goal is to enhance interoperability and mutual understanding of drills and procedures between the two armies.

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Five bar-tailed godwits were recently spotted at Pulicat Lake by a naturalist. Bar-tailed godwits are known for their extraordinary endurance during migration. Their scientific name is Limosa lapponica. They are found in Europe, Asia, Alaska, Africa, the Persian Gulf, India, Southeast Asia, China, and Australia, breeding in the Arctic. In India, they winter in states like Gujarat, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. They hold the record for the longest non-stop flight, traveling 13,500 km from Alaska to Tasmania in 11 days. They are large waders with mottled brown plumage and a barred white tail. They are listed as “Near Threatened” by the IUCN.