Current Affairs Quiz - January, 2024

Notes:
Australian opener David Warner has retired from one-day international (ODI) and Test cricket to spend more time with his family. He plans to play his 112th and final Test against Pakistan but will not participate in ODIs. However, he has left the door open for a potential return for the 2025 Champions Trophy. Warner has had a successful ODI career, scoring 22 centuries and 6,932 runs at an average of 45.30 in 161 matches. He was a key part of the Australian team that won the ICC Cricket World Cup in India last year. While he is retiring from ODIs, he remains available for T20 cricket and hopes to play in the T20 World Cup in June. Warner has played 111 Tests for Australia, accumulating 8,695 runs at an average of 44.58, with 26 centuries and 36 half-centuries.

Notes:
The primary objectives of the recently launched XPoSat (X-ray Polarimeter Satellite) by ISRO are to investigate the polarization of intense X-Ray sources and study the enigmatic world of black holes. This satellite is India’s first dedicated scientific satellite for conducting research in space-based polarization measurements of X-ray emission from celestial sources. It carries two scientific payloads: POLIX (Polarimeter Instrument in X-rays) for measuring polarimetry parameters in the medium X-ray energy range of 8-30 keV photons and XSPECT (X-ray Spectroscopy and Timing) for providing spectroscopic information in the energy range of 0.8-15 keV. These instruments will help in gaining a deeper understanding of X-ray sources in space, including neutron stars and black holes.

Notes:
In 2023, Mumbai became the global leader in the total number of IPOs, according to a Nikkei report. This achievement was underscored by the rise of over 10% in India’s benchmark Sensex index, reflecting growing investor confidence bolstered by economic reforms. Mumbai’s ascendancy in the IPO market marked a significant shift, overtaking Hong Kong, which had previously dominated this area. This development was part of a broader divergence in Asian markets, with Japan’s Nikkei 225 index reaching a 33-year high, while Hong Kong experienced its fourth consecutive year of decline.

Notes:
A new species of see-through green frog named Gracixalus patkaiensis has been discovered in the biodiverse Namdapha National Park in Arunachal Pradesh. The tiny 2.2 cm frog inhabits dense undergrowth in evergreen forests at the foothills of the Patkai range, and has a distinct insect-like call. It has been named after the Patkai hills of the Eastern Himalayas.

Notes:
NATO announced signing of a $5.5 billion contract by member countries in Europe to purchase up to 1,000 Patriot air defense missiles to bolster security in view of the threat from Russia. The deal comes as Moscow has unleashed barrages of missile and drone strikes against Ukraine. Patriot systems supplied by nations like the US and Germany have been used by Kyiv to shoot down Russia’s attacks in the 11-month war.

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Guyana, a country in South America, has recently gained significant prominence in the oil and gas sector, becoming the world’s newest oil producer. This development is highlighted by its recent cooperation with India in the hydrocarbon sector. The discovery of substantial oil reserves and the subsequent increase in production have placed Guyana at the forefront of global energy discussions. The country’s strategic partnership with India, including the signing of a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in areas like crude oil sourcing and exploration, marks a significant step in its emerging role as a key player in the global oil and gas industry.

Notes:
The All India Conference of director generals and inspector generals of police in 2024 was held in Jaipur. This annual conference, a significant event in the Indian policing and internal security calendar, brought together top police officials from across the country. The conference focused on various critical issues such as artificial intelligence, cyber security, counter-terrorism, left-wing extremism, narcotics smuggling, and prison reforms. Hosting such a prominent event underscores Jaipur’s status as a key location for national-level conferences and discussions on important security and policing challenges in India.

Notes:
The elite unit of the Indian Navy involved in the successful rescue of 21 crew members, including 15 Indians, from the Liberian-flagged vessel MV Lila Norfolk was the MARCOS (Marine Commandos). This rapid response operation was initiated following an attempted hijacking in the North Arabian Sea. The operation showcased the Indian Navy’s capability and readiness to handle maritime security threats, employing various assets including a warship, maritime patrol aircraft, helicopters, P-8I aircraft, and Predator MQ9B drones. The sanitization operation carried out by the MARCOS commandos confirmed the absence of hijackers on the vessel, thereby ensuring the safety and security of the crew onboard. The MARCOS unit is known for its expertise in maritime operations and plays a crucial role in safeguarding India’s maritime interests.

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The US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the designation of several countries as “Countries of Particular Concern” for engaging in and tolerating particularly severe violations of religious freedom. This list includes Burma, China, Cuba, North Korea, Eritrea, Iran, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. This action reflects the US’s commitment to advancing the freedom of religion or belief, a core objective of its foreign policy since the enactment of the International Religious Freedom Act in 1998. The designation is aimed at highlighting and addressing significant violations of religious freedom in these countries, which include various forms of abuses against members of religious minority communities, attacks on places of worship, communal violence, and other forms of persecution and intolerance.

Notes:
Denmark has announced its Green Fuels Alliance India (GFAI) initiative to boost collaborative efforts between the two countries in the sustainable energy solutions sector. The new alliance is a strategic initiative led by the Danish Embassy and Consulate General of Denmark in India. It aims to advance the green fuels sector including green hydrogen and help both countries achieve their goal of carbon neutrality. Nine Danish organisations have already committed as founding members of GFAI. The announcement comes as India pushes towards carbon neutrality by 2070 while Denmark aims for 2050.