Current Affairs Quiz - January, 2020

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The United Nations called the Santiago river as Mexico’s most polluted waterway. According to the 2017 figures, less than a third of the country’s industrial wastewater is treated. Recently, Mexico has signed an expansive trade deal with the US and Canada in which it made an explicit promise to conserve its environment.

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Government of National Accord and Turkey had recently inked military and maritime agreement. It is feared by many that it may escalate the war in Libya. The conflict was initiated in 2011 when the NATO-backed uprising had toppled and killed the Libyan dictator.

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On 1^st January each year, India and Pakistan exchange a list of their nuclear installations in accordance with the Agreement on the Prohibition of attack against Nuclear Installations and Facilities. This agreement prohibits both the countries from attacking each other’s atomic facilities.

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The Kerala government became the first in India to pass a resolution opposing the Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019. According to the state government, the Act is against the basic principles of the Indian constitution. This contentious law has caused widespread protests across the country.

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The Swarna Jayanti Fellowships have been recently awarded to 14 Scientists, who are associated with innovative research projects. The Swarna Jayanti Fellowships scheme was instituted by the Indian Government to commemorate our 50th year of independence. In this scheme, certain young scientists selected would be provided assistance by the Department of Science & Technology for pursuing their projects in Science and Technology.

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The birth anniversary of the social reformer and the first female teacher of India, Savitribai Phule was observed across the country on January 3. The Prime Minister of India and various other leaders paid tributes to her on her birth anniversary. Savitribai Phule along with her husband Jyotirao Phule founded the country’s first girls’ school in Pune in 1848. Born in Maharashtra, Phule worked hard to abolish discrimination against women and suppressed classes of people.

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The 14th edition of the famous Global Healthcare summit is proposed to be held in Vishakhapatnam in January 2021. An association called the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin organises this three-day-event. The 13th summit was conducted in Hyderabad, in the month of July, 2019. The event is proposed to be jointly organised by the Andhra Pradesh state Government. More than 500 doctors and health care professionals are expected to participate in the summit.

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The ace Indian all-rounder and bowler famous for his swings, Irfan Pathan announced his retirement from all forms of cricket recently. Irfan made his debut in 2003 when he was only 19 years old. In his professional cricket career spanning 16 years, he made several records including the hat-trick wicket in the first over of the test match. Irfan was also a part of the winning team of the 2007 T20 World cup.

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The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has proposed to set up its Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC) in the Challakere town of Karnataka. It is located on the National Highway connecting Bengaluru and Pune. The 400-acre Training centre will entail a project cost of nearly 2700 Crores. Recently, four Indian astronauts selected for the Gaganyaan mission are sent to an Russian agency for space related training. This indigenous HSFC of ISRO will be have world class infrastructure and training facilities.

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Former Governor of Karnataka and Padma Vibushan awardee T.N. Chaturvedi passed away recently. He served the State from 2002 to 2007 as its14th Governor. Chaturvedi was an Indian Administrative Service Officer and a Member of the Rajya Sabha. He also served as the Comptroller and Auditor General of India. The Chief Minister of Karnataka, Yediyurappa paid condolences to the former Governor.