Current Affairs Quiz - January 2022

Notes:
The Union Cabinet has approved the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Turkmenistan on Cooperation in the field of Disaster Management.
At present, India has signed agreements of Cooperation for cooperation in the field of Disaster Management with Switzerland, Russia, SAARC, Germany, Japan, Tajikistan, Mongolia, Bangladesh and Italy.  The Union Cabinet also approved the signing of Agreement between India and Spain on Cooperation and Mutual Assistance in Customs Matters.

Notes:
The Union Cabinet has approved the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Nepal for construction of bridge over Mahakali River at Dharchula (India)- Dharchula (Nepal).
The Mahakali River, also called as the Sharda River, originates at Kalapani in the Himalayas, in Uttarakhand, India. It flows along western border of Nepal with India.

Notes:
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved the second phase of the Green Energy Corridor scheme.
Under the scheme, over 20 GW of Renewable energy projects will be installed across seven states namely Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh in this phase. The estimated cost of the scheme is Rs 12,031 crore, and 33 per cent of the project cost will be provided as central financial assistance.

Notes:
Uttar Pradesh has been awarded the first prize in Third National Water Awards-2020 in the best state category.
It is followed by Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu.
Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti gives 57 awards to States, Organizations, Individuals etc. in 11 different categories. It encourages stakeholders to adopt holistic approach in water management and motivate people to adopt best water usage practices.

Notes:
India’s first multi-dimensional ‘adventure sports expedition’ was flagged off on October 27, 2021. It was conducted by National Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports (NIMAS) in France.
Recently, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh flagged-in India’s first multi-dimensional adventure sports expedition. The team, which included 8 Army personnel and 4 youths of Arunachal Pradesh, carried out over 250 kilometres of winter trekking in the Alps Mountain Ranges, paragliding, 975 kilometres of cycling and 12 deep scuba dives in the Mediterranean Sea.

Notes:
The Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) is an intergovernmental military alliance in Eurasia. It is headquartered at Moscow, Russia.
CSTO consists of many post-Soviet states. After Kazakhstan faced massive protests over the hike in fuel prices in the country, Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Zhomart Tokayev called in the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) to help tackle the protests.

Notes:
West African nations will close their borders with Mali, cut diplomatic ties and impose tough economic sanctions in response to delay in holding elections.
Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the 15-state regional bloc announced this stance, as Mali’s interim authorities have proposed holding elections in December 2025 instead of this February as originally agreed with the bloc.

Notes:
Every year on Makar Sankranti in the month of January, pilgrims visit Gangasagar village for a dip at the union of the Ganges and the Bay of Bengal.
Nearly one million devotees are expected to gather on the banks of the Ganges River on this year’s event for the holy bathe. West Bengal recorded second highest number of COVID cases in the country.

Notes:
‘The Power of a Dog’ was named the ‘Best picture (drama)’ at the Golden Globes 2022. The Benedict Cumberbatch-starring movie also won the best director for Jane Campion and best supporting actor for Kodi Smit-McPhee.
Steven Spielberg’s ‘West Side Story’ won the best picture (musical or comedy), best actress in a motion picture (musical or comedy) and best supporting actress in a motion picture awards. Will Smith, (King Richard) won the Best actor in a motion picture, drama award.

Notes:
The state government of Tamil Nadu notified the ‘Regional Plan Rules, 2021’. The rules are notified for preparing plans for 12 regions covering 1.36 lakh sq km in the State.
Under the new rules, the State will constitute a regional planning authority to prepare land and building use maps over the next 18 months. The regional plan is an inter-settlement plan, while master plans and detailed development plans are intra-settlement plans.