Current Affairs Quiz - January, 2024

Notes:
The investigation by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute uncovered an extensive YouTube propaganda network dubbed “Operation Shadow Play” comprising at least 30 channels promoting pro-Chinese viewpoints and criticism of the US. These channels had a combined subscribership of 730,000, with around 4,500 total videos that garnered 120 million views. The network coordinated to exploit YouTube’s algorithms to gain visibility and spread messaging across borders with plausible deniability about the controller. While unknown, analysts suggest a Mandarin-speaking commercial entity following some degree of Chinese state direction.

Notes:
The Inland Waterways Authority of India, operating under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways (MoPSW), made history by organizing the inaugural meeting of the Inland Waterways Development Council (IWDC) in Kolkata. Led by Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, the event convened representatives from waterway states, central government officials, and experts on the MV Ganga Queen. The gathering discussed crucial initiatives, including the “Harit Nauka – Guidelines for Green Transition of Inland Vessels” and the “River Cruise Tourism Roadmap 2047,” with a focus on advancing the development of inland waterways in India.

Notes:
Singapore’s Changi Airport has regained its title as the World’s Best Airport for the year 2023, according to the esteemed awards presented by Skytrax, an air transport research firm. After being surpassed by Qatar’s Hamad International Airport in the past two years, Changi Airport secured the top spot for the twelfth time, showcasing its enduring excellence. The Skytrax Awards, recognized as a significant benchmark in the aviation industry, acknowledge outstanding airport services and facilities.

Notes:
France’s President Emmanuel Macron made a significant move by appointing Gabriel Attal, 34, as the country’s new Prime Minister, making him the youngest person ever to hold this position. Attal’s appointment follows the resignation of Elisabeth Borne, the former Prime Minister, and a day earlier after a tumultuous term. Gabriel Attal previously held the education portfolio in Borne’s government and has been recognized as the most popular minister in the outgoing administration.

Notes:
Scientists have discovered a natural remedy to combat the eucalyptus snout beetle, a pest that inflicts severe damage on eucalyptus forest plantations. Also known as the eucalyptus weevil, this leaf-feeding beetle is a significant defoliator of eucalypts, causing stunted growth and substantial losses. Indigenous to Australia, it has spread to various countries worldwide where eucalypts are cultivated, often hitching rides on the transport of forest products due to its impressive flight capability.

Notes:
Wings India 2024, India’s largest civil aviation event, will take place at Hyderabad’s Begumpet Airport from January 18–21, 2024. The biennial event is organized by the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MOCA) and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Indian Industry (FICCI).  The event will feature new-generation aircraft displays, allied aviation services, auxiliary unit industries, and tourism sector advancements. It will also focus on innovation, partnerships, and the future of flying.

Notes:
Paleontologists in Argentina have recently uncovered fossil fragments of a new sauropod dinosaur species named Sidersaura marae. This dinosaur lived during the Cenomanian age of the Late Cretaceous epoch, approximately 96 to 93 million years ago, in the Patagonian region. Belonging to the Rebbachisauridae family, which is widespread across South America, Africa, North America, Europe, and Asia, Sidersaura marae is characterized by distinct teeth, some of which formed tooth batteries reminiscent of hadrosaurs and ceratopsian dinosaurs.

Notes:
Union Minister Bhupender Yadav, leading the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, launched the book “Modi: Energising A Green Future.” Published by Pentagon Press in collaboration with the Dr. Shyama Prasad Mookerjee Research Foundation, the book explores PM Narendra Modi’s vision for a sustainable future. Edited by notable figures like RK Pachnanda and Bibek Debroy, it offers a comprehensive analysis of India’s environmental policies, showcasing the nation’s leadership in the global environmental movement under PM Modi’s guidance.

Notes:
Rhythm Sangwan clinched a bronze medal in the women’s 25m pistol event at the Asian Shooting Championships 2024, held in Jakarta, Indonesia, securing a Paris 2024 Olympic quota for India. This marked India’s 16th shooting quota, surpassing the previous record of 15 for Tokyo 2020. Sangwan’s stellar performance in the final, scoring 28 out of 45, earned her the bronze, while South Korea’s Jiin Yang and Yeji Kim claimed gold and silver. The Olympic quotas were redistributed to India due to South Korea’s prior qualifications.

Notes:
The Indian government has appointed Senthil Pandian C, a 2002 IAS officer from the Uttar Pradesh cadre, as the ambassador to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva. This decision, approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), follows the conclusion of Brajendra Navnit’s term as India’s ambassador to the WTO on March 31, 2024. Pandian will assume the role for a three-year term from the date of taking office. Currently serving as the commissioner of excise in Uttar Pradesh, Senthil Pandian C brings a wealth of administrative experience, positioning him well to represent India’s interests on the global trade stage.