Current Affairs Quiz - January 2022

Notes:
India and Israel launched a commemorative logo to mark the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.
The logo has the Star of David and the Ashoka Chakra- the two symbols that feature in the national flags of both countries and forms the numeral 30 depicting the 30th anniversary of bilateral relations. Israel and India established diplomatic relations on 29th of January 1992.

Notes:
China-Russia-Iran Navies participate in the ‘CHIRU-2Q22’ is a Joint Drill. China announced that it has sent its naval missile destroyer Urumqi to the Gulf of Oman to participate in the drill.
The Chinese regime also sent helicopters and marines for the exercise. Russia sent its Pacific Fleet’s task force which included Nakhimov missile cruiser Varyag and anti-submarine warfare ship Admiral Tributs. The exercises are held in the waters of the Mediterranean and Okhotsk seas.

Notes:
Saudi Arabia and Thailand have ended a 30-year dispute over a scandal involving stolen jewels and a series of murders. Saudi Arabian Airlines has announced to restart direct flights to Thailand.
The resumption of full diplomatic ties came during a visit to Riyadh by Thailand Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha. Gems stolen from Saudi had a rare 50 carat blue diamond, which was never recovered. The dispute has cost a huge dip in trade and led to job losses for Thai Migrant workers.

Notes:
Pakistan has raised USD 1 billion loan with Sukuk (Islamic Bond), at highest ever interest rate of 7.95%.
In return for the loan, Pakistan has also agreed to pledge a portion of the Lahore-Islamabad motorway, which is a national sset built in the 1990s. The last Islamic Bond issued by Pakistan was in 2017, which was a 5-year Sukuk at a rate of 5.6%.

Notes:
The Kerala Bird Atlas released recently is said to be Asia’s largest bird atlas in terms of geographical extent, sampling efforts, and species coverage.
It is also the first-of-its-kind state-level bird atlas in India, and was conducted as a citizen-driven exercise with the participation of over 1000 volunteers. The Atlas has provided data about the distribution of various bird species across major habitats.

Notes:
The 2022 Winter Olympics, officially the XXIV Olympic Winter Games is scheduled to take place from 4 to 20 February 2022 in Beijing and its neighbouring town in China.
A report released by Sport Ecology Group and Save Our Winters has stated the dangers of artificial snow to be produced in the Olympics on athletes’ bodies. It also warned on water wastage that happens for the snow at these games.

Notes:
Ministry of Culture released the pictorial book titled ‘India’s Women Unsung Heroes of Freedom Struggle’. This is launched as a part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations.
The Ministry will release three pictorial books on 75 unsung heroes of the freedom struggle in partnership with Amar Chitra Katha. The first among them which was released, depicts 20 women leaders whose contributions remain unknown.

Notes:
Pandit Jasraj (1930–2020) was an Indian classical vocalist, belonging to the Mewati Gharana. Recently the Pandit Jasraj Cultural Foundation was launched, presided over by the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
It is a not-for-profit organisation set up with the objective of protecting and promoting national heritage, art and culture. The foundation aims to take forward the legacy of Pandit Jasraj.

Notes:
The United Kingdom Police began a formal probe on the ‘partygate’ controversy which was seen in the news for weeks.
It is said that a birthday party of Prime Minister Borris Johnson was conducted amidst the coronavirus restrictions in 2020. The scandal is being investigated by senior civil servant Sue Gray, and her report is seen as the future of the Prime Minister.

Notes:
French Polynesia is an overseas collectivity of France, comprising more than 100 islands in the South Pacific in Oceania.
Scuba divers with the UNESCO have discovered a massive reef of giant rose-shaped corals off the coast of Tahiti, the largest island in French Polynesia. The structure is in pristine condition and has remained healthy despite recent coral bleaching events.