Current Affairs Quiz - January, 2024

Notes:
Kyrgyzstan has declared the snow leopard as its new national symbol. Snow leopards inhabit the Tian Shan mountain range in the country. They feature in Kyrgyz folklore and are seen as a symbol of greatness, nobility and resilience. Conservation of the endangered species will be promoted under the new status.

Notes:
NATO announced signing of a $5.5 billion contract by member countries in Europe to purchase up to 1,000 Patriot air defense missiles to bolster security in view of the threat from Russia. The deal comes as Moscow has unleashed barrages of missile and drone strikes against Ukraine. Patriot systems supplied by nations like the US and Germany have been used by Kyiv to shoot down Russia’s attacks in the 11-month war.

Notes:
The Hattee community, which has been at the center of recent legal discussions regarding its inclusion in the Scheduled Tribes (ST) list, is primarily found in Himachal Pradesh. This issue gained prominence following the Himachal Pradesh High Court’s decision to stay the inclusion of the Hattee community in the state’s ST list. The High Court intervened after the state government issued directions for this inclusion, which was contested by other communities through legal petitions. The Hattees are specifically from the Trans-Giri Area of Sirmour district in Himachal Pradesh, and their potential inclusion in the ST list has been a subject of debate and legal scrutiny.

Notes:
Sheikh Hasina, who recently secured a record fourth consecutive term as Prime Minister of Bangladesh, belongs to the Awami League. Under her leadership, the Awami League won 200 seats in the 300-seat parliament in the Bangladesh general elections. This significant victory not only solidified Sheikh Hasina’s position as the Prime Minister but also reaffirmed the Awami League’s strong presence and influence in Bangladeshi politics. The party’s success in these elections continues its long-standing dominance in the country’s political landscape.

Notes:
The brand name of the environmental label provided under the Indian Forest & Wood Certification Scheme, recently launched by the environment ministry, is PRAMAAN. This label is designed to inform both domestic and international consumers about the origin and source of forest and tree-based products. The certification scheme, which includes forest management certification, tree outside forest management certification, and chain of custody certification, aims to encourage sustainable forest management and agro-forestry practices. The PRAMAAN label plays a crucial role in addressing concerns regarding deforestation and illicit timber trade, thereby enhancing the marketability and export potential of India’s wood-based products.

Notes:
Smruti Mandir and Deekshabhoomi, both of which were recently in the news, are located in the city of Nagpur. Smruti Mandir is known for housing the memorial of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s (RSS) founder Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, while Deekshabhoomi is a significant landmark where Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar embraced Buddhism along with lakhs of his followers. These sites hold historical and cultural importance and recently attracted attention due to the visit of a Chinese delegation of Hindi scholars. Their visit to these landmarks in Nagpur was part of a cultural and educational exchange initiative, highlighting the city’s rich heritage and its significance in India’s historical and socio-political landscape.

Notes:
The elite unit of the Indian Navy involved in the successful rescue of 21 crew members, including 15 Indians, from the Liberian-flagged vessel MV Lila Norfolk was the MARCOS (Marine Commandos). This rapid response operation was initiated following an attempted hijacking in the North Arabian Sea. The operation showcased the Indian Navy’s capability and readiness to handle maritime security threats, employing various assets including a warship, maritime patrol aircraft, helicopters, P-8I aircraft, and Predator MQ9B drones. The sanitization operation carried out by the MARCOS commandos confirmed the absence of hijackers on the vessel, thereby ensuring the safety and security of the crew onboard. The MARCOS unit is known for its expertise in maritime operations and plays a crucial role in safeguarding India’s maritime interests.

Notes:
The NAMASTE (National Ayush Morbidity and Standardised Terminologies Electronic) Portal, which was recently in the news, is associated with the field of Traditional Medicine. This portal plays a significant role in the documentation and standardization of terminologies in the traditional medicine systems such as Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy. Its development and launch were integral to the inclusion of traditional medicine terminologies in the World Health Organization’s International Classification of Diseases (ICD) list. The NAMASTE Portal reflects the growing recognition and systematization of traditional medicine in global healthcare frameworks, aiming to facilitate research, integration, and understanding of these ancient health practices.

Notes:
Mario Zagallo, who recently passed away at the age of 92, was associated with the sport of football. He was a legendary figure in the world of football and made significant contributions to the sport, particularly in Brazil. Zagallo is renowned for his achievements both as a player and as a coach, notably being the first person to win the FIFA World Cup in both capacities. His role was instrumental in Brazil’s rise to prominence as a global football power, and his legacy in the sport is long-lasting and influential.

Notes:
Microsoft has announced an initiative named AI Odyssey to skill 100,000 developers in India in artificial intelligence technologies and tools. This will enable developers to solve complex real-world problems and create value by building AI solutions aligned to business outcomes. The program aims to promote AI fluency and adoption in the country by imparting comprehensive AI training to the developers over a month.