Current Affairs Quiz - January 2022

Notes:
‘I4F- India-Israel Industrial R&D and Technological Innovation Fund’ is collaboration between the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, and the Israel Innovation Authority. It aims to promote joint Industrial R&D between India & Israel.
The two countries have recently approved three joint R&D projects worth $5.5 million including ‘Centrally monitored IoT nano-sensors for diagnostics in healthcare; ‘NoMoreMos’ – a mosquito control biological solution; and ‘IoT enabled satellite communication for real-time collection of agriculture and environment data across India’.

Notes:
Ministry of Panchayati Raj released the revised ‘Rural Area Development Plan Formulation and Implementation (RADPFI) Guidelines’.
The newly introduced Rural guidelines aim to transform rural India and to promote rural prosperity. It would supplement the efforts of the Centre such as the SVAMITVA scheme of Ministry of Panchayati Raj and RURBAN Mission of Ministry of Rural Development.

Notes:
Spain’s Saturnino de la Fuente García, the world’s oldest man, passed away recently at the age of 112, as per the statement of the Guinness World Records.
Guinness World Records named De la Fuente García as the world’s oldest man in September, when he was 112 years and 211 days. He was born on Feb. 11, 1909. Japan’s Kane Tanaka is the oldest living woman in the world, having recently celebrated her 119th birthday.

Notes:
The Delhi government launched a “dedicated one-stop website for promotion and adoption of electric vehicles (EVs).
The website ev.delhi.gov.in aims to help both the buyers and manufacturers. It includes a ‘charging stations explorer’, ‘EV calculator’, ‘EV search’ and ‘EV dashboard’ among others.

Notes:
Ramisyllis kingghidorahi, is a new ringed worm, which was discovered in waters off Sado Island, Japan. Marine biologists have discovered this third species of branching syllid worm.
Among over 20,000 species of annelids (ringed worms), only 2 branching species with a modified body-pattern were known until now namely Syllis ramosa and Ramisyllis multicaudata.

Notes:
The World Bank has approved a loan of around Rs 1,000 crore (USA 125 million) for the West Bengal government.
The loan has been approved under the ‘West Bengal Building State Capability for Inclusive Social Protection’ operation. The loan is being given for several development projects related to social security.

Notes:
The Australian government has bought the copyright of the Aboriginal flag, to free the symbol of identity from fights over who can use it.
Indigenous artist Harold Thomas created the flag in 1971 as a protest image. It is used as the dominant Aboriginal emblem and an official national flag. Now, the flag can be reproduced by anyone without fear of legal threats.

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:
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:
Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar announced that 150 villages around the Centers of Excellence will be converted into Villages of Excellence with technical assistance from Israel.
75 villages are being taken up in the first year to commemorate the 75th year of India’s independence. Both countries commemorated the completion of 30 years of diplomatic relations between India and Israel.