Current Affairs Quiz - January, 2024

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The European Union designated Russia’s state-run diamond producer Alrosa under sanctions by adding the world’s largest diamond mining firm and its CEO to a blacklist banning trade and freezing EU-based assets. This tightened restrictions over Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.

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ArcelorMittal has partnered with IIT-Madras to construct Asia’s first testing facility for Hyperloop pods and systems which enable magnetic levitation of pods through vacuum tubes for high-speed transportation of goods and people.

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The Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) along with National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM) launched ‘SMART 2.0’ to promote clinical studies in priority areas of Ayurveda through mutual collaboration with Ayurveda institutions across India. The objective is to generate evidence on efficacy and safety of Ayurveda interventions using interdisciplinary research methods.

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The West Bengal government plans to develop a tea park spread over 10-12 acres along the banks of the Hooghly River near Kolkata. It aims to establish an export-oriented tea processing and packaging facility inspired by Dubai’s models that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee observed during her Middle East visit. The initiative seeks to boost Darjeeling tea exports by value-addition leveraging Kolkata port’s connectivity. The tea industry stakeholders have welcomed the proposal to enable large scale investment in upgrading technology for the terrace tea gardens.

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‘Bharat Park,’ a project announced by India’s Commerce and Textiles Minister Piyush Goyal, is intended to facilitate the trade of Indian goods in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This initiative, involving the establishment of a goods showroom and warehouses in the UAE, aims to create a dedicated platform for showcasing and selling Indian products to other countries. Announced during an event organized by the Synthetic and Rayon Textiles Export Promotion Council (SRTEPC), the creation of Bharat Park is a strategic move to enhance the visibility and accessibility of Indian goods in international markets.

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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.

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The humanoid robot ALOHA was developed through a collaborative effort by researchers at Google DeepMind and Stanford University. This innovative robot is designed for bimanual teleoperation and is capable of performing a range of tasks autonomously and through user-controlled operations. ALOHA’s development represents a significant advancement in the field of robotics, showcasing the capabilities of combining machine learning algorithms with practical robotic applications. The open-source nature of ALOHA’s hardware and software further emphasizes the commitment of Google DeepMind and Stanford University to contribute to the broader field of robotics research and development.

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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.

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The defence ministry signed a contract with Jupiter Wagons Ltd for the procurement of 697 ‘bogie open military (BOM)’ railway wagons for the Indian Army. The deal, worth Rs 473 crore, is aimed at enhancing the Army’s logistical capabilities, particularly for the transportation of infantry combat vehicles. These wagons are essential for the speedy and simultaneous induction of Army units and equipment into operational areas during conflict situations, as well as facilitating their peacetime movement for military exercises and inter-station transfers. Jupiter Wagons Ltd’s involvement in providing this critical rolling stock underscores the company’s role in supporting the Indian defence sector’s logistical needs.

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The primary objective of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between India and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)/India for the Indian Railways is to achieve net-zero carbon emission by 2030. This MoU is focused on enabling the Indian Railways to adopt advanced energy solutions and systems, utility modernization, and regional energy and market integration. It also includes provisions for private sector participation, training, and workshops on renewable energy and energy efficiency.