Current Affairs Quiz - January, 2024

Notes:
Switzerland will host a global peace summit on Ukraine at the request of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The summit will be a meeting of world leaders to discuss ending Russia’s invasion. Zelenskyy has said that it’s important to show that the world is against Russia’s aggression and for a fair peace. He also wants countries from the Global South to be present. The Swiss government has said that it’s working out further details.

Notes:
The China National Space Administration (CNSA) confirmed that the Chang’e 6 sample return mission is scheduled to land on the Moon in the first half of 2024. This mission, aiming to collect lunar samples from the south pole, will contribute valuable data to understand the Moon’s geology. Marking the first attempt to retrieve samples from the far side of the Moon, Chang’e 6 plans to bring back up to two kilograms of lunar samples and involves collaboration with international partners like the European Space Agency (ESA) and the French space agency CNES. The mission includes a lander, rover, and contributions from various countries, emphasizing global scientific cooperation.

Notes:
Asia’s largest civil aviation event, Wings India 2024, is being held at Begumpet Airport in Hyderabad, India from January 18–21, 2024. The event includes exhibitions, static displays, demonstration flights, media conferences, and business meetings. The event’s theme is “Connecting India with the World in Amritkal”. It will feature aircraft of various sizes, and is expected to attract around 1500 delegates from over 100 countries, 5,000 business representatives, and more than 100,000 visitors.

Notes:
Nandini Krishnan translated the Tamil novel Naanthaan Aurangzeb in English as “Conversations with Aurangzeb” by Charu Nivedita into English. The book is a combination of historical novel and satire, and is a commentary on the current times. It tells the story of a writer who meets the spirit of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, who then tells his side of the story.

Notes:
Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren is set to deliver the first installment of the Abua Awas housing scheme.The scheme aims to provide housing to those excluded from the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. Approximately 8,000 beneficiaries in Khunti and Simdega will receive installments during the event. The government, having received 31 lakh applications, plans to provide houses to around eight lakh beneficiaries. The second distribution event is scheduled for January 29 in East Singhbhum district.

Notes:
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards achieved a milestone by launching the Soraya satellite into a record-high orbit of 750 km using the Ghaem-100 carrier. Despite U.S. warnings on the dual-use nature of such technology, Iran claims this as a success for its aerospace program. The satellite, weighing around 50 kg, marks Iran’s first placement in orbits higher than 500 km, raising concerns about potential dual-use capabilities for ballistic missiles, including those with nuclear warheads.

Notes:
Andhra Pradesh launched a 10-day comprehensive caste census, becoming the second state after Bihar to undertake this initiative. C Srinivasa Venugopala Krishna, the Information and Public Relations Minister, mentioned that the census may be extended by four or five days if necessary. Volunteers will visit every home to collect caste details, which will be transmitted to the village secretariat system, marking a significant step in understanding the state’s demographic composition.

Notes:
The Supreme Court has urged the Indian government to reveal its strategy for saving the critically endangered Great Indian Bustard (Ardeotis nigriceps), one of the heaviest flying birds. With a mere 100-150 individuals remaining in the Thar Desert of Rajasthan, this large bird faces extinction. Notable for its ostrich-like appearance, the Great Indian Bustard is distinguishable by a black crown, brownish body, and marked wings. Critically endangered on the IUCN Red List, it inhabits dry grasslands and scrublands, presenting a crucial conservation challenge in India.

Notes:
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar offered insights into the 19th Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit in Uganda, uniting 120 developing countries under the theme ‘Deepening Cooperation for Shared Global Affluence.’ As a key NAM member, India supports this theme, emphasizing its commitment to NAM’s principles.

Notes:
The first meeting of the Social Audit Advisory Body (SAAB) was held on January 18, 2024 at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi. The meeting was chaired by Saurabh Garg, the Secretary of the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment. A social audit is a formal evaluation of a company’s procedures and efforts related to corporate social responsibility and societal impact. It assesses how well a company is meeting its CSR objectives and provides an opportunity to identify areas for improvement.