This is the current affairs of 12 & 13 January 2023. Here are questions and answers of daily current affairs for better preparation of competitive exams for government jobs.
PDF Download: Click here
1. What is the name of the country’s longest sea bridge and where is it located, which was inaugurated by PM Modi?
a. Namo Sewri-Nhava Sheva Setu, Ahmedabad
b. Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewri-Nhava Sheva Atal Setu, Mumbai
c. Bharat Mata Setu, Mumbai
d. Harbor Bridge, Kolkata
Answer: b. Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewri-Nhava Sheva Atal Setu, Mumbai
– Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Atal Setu on January 12, 2024.
– The bridge is named Atal Setu in honor of India’s former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
About Atal Bridge:
– Atal Bridge is the longest sea bridge in the country.
– Cost: ₹17,840 crores
– It spans a length of 21.8 kilometers.
– This is a 6-lane road bridge.
– The bridge has a 16.5-kilometer stretch over the sea and a 5.5-kilometer stretch over land.
– Atal Setu connects Mumbai to Navi Mumbai.
– The journey of about two hours can now be completed in approximately 15 minutes.
– The bridge can accommodate traffic of over – 70,000 vehicles daily. The maximum speed on the bridge is 100 kilometers per hour.
– It is the world’s 12th longest sea bridge.
– According to media reports, Atal Setu is so strong that it will not be affected by earthquakes, high waves, and strong winds.
– The construction was carried out by the Border Roads Organization, Ircon, Infinity, and SP Singla Construction Private Limited.
– PM Modi laid the foundation stone for this bridge in December 2016.
—————
2. During the first visit of the President of Timor Leste to India (January 2024), PM Modi invited him to join which alliance?
a. International Solar Alliance
b. Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure
c. BRICS
d. both a and b
Answer: d. Both a and b (International Solar Alliance and Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure)
– Timor-Leste’s President José Ramos-Horta participated in the Vibrant Gujarat Summit in January 2024.
– This marked the first visit by any head of state from the country.
– During this visit, a bilateral discussion took place between PM Narendra Modi and the President of Timor-Leste in Gandhinagar.
– PM Modi invited Timor-Leste to join the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI).
– The bilateral meeting discussed cooperation in various sectors, including health, traditional medicine, energy, information technology, fintech, and capacity building.
What is the International Solar Alliance (ISA)?
– The International Solar Alliance (ISA) is a treaty-based international intergovernmental organization. Its objective is to bring about a change in the solar energy sector. The headquarters of ISA is in Gurugram, Haryana.
– ISA was formed on November 30, 2015, in Paris, France, by India and France.
Objectives of ISA:
– Work towards efficient consumption of solar energy.
– Reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
– Make energy access convenient.
– Ensure energy security.
– Promote energy transition.
– Increase the use of solar energy for an environmentally sustainable future.
CDRI (Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure):
– The Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) is an international alliance.
– It is the first climate-adaptive infrastructure initiative led by India.
– This alliance includes several countries, United Nations (UN) agencies, multilateral development banks, private sectors, and educational institutions.
– Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the formation of this alliance during his speech at the United Nations Climate Action Summit in 2019.
– On June 29, 2022, the Central Cabinet officially recognized CDRI as an international organization.
Timor-Leste:
– Continent: Asia (Timor-Leste is located on the southern coast of the Indonesian archipelago).
– Capital: Dili
– President: José Ramos-Horta
– Prime Minister: Taur Matan Ruak
– Currency: US Dollar, East Timor Centavo Coins (only coins)
– Population: 1.3 million
– Official Languages: Portuguese and Tetum
– Working Languages: English and Indonesian
– Timor-Leste is one of the youngest countries in the world, gaining full independence in 2002.
– India was one of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with Timor-Leste in 2002.
————–
3. Which country’s army conducted air strikes in the area of Houthi rebels in Yemen to avenge the attack on ships in the Red Sea?
a. Russia and Iran
b. Israel and USA
c. India and Israel
d. USA and UK
Answer: d. USA and UK
– On January 11, 2024, the armies of the United States and Britain launched attacks on rebel-controlled areas in Yemen.
– This has once again plunged Yemen into the clutches of war since 2014.
– In opposition to this, Russia and Iran have requested an immediate United Nations Security Council (UNSC) meeting for discussions on the attack.
– According to the BBC, the airstrikes were carried out on 60 targets across 16 locations, as reported by the US Air Force.
– The orders for the attacks were given by the US President, Joe Biden. Subsequently, actions have been taken against the Houthi rebels.
– Biden stated that these actions against the Houthi rebels in Yemen are in retaliation for recent attacks on ships in the Red Sea.
– However, the Houthis have declared that they will continue their attacks in the Red Sea after the American strike.
– This marks the first attack by the United States against the Houthi rebels in Yemen since 2016.
– According to Reuters news agency, Australia, Bahrain, Canada, and the Netherlands are also involved in the attacks in Yemen, alongside the armies of the United States and Britain.
– The airstrikes targeted not only the capital Sana’a but also the cities of Sadah and Dhamar, along with the Hodeidah province.
Who are the Houthi rebels in Yemen?
– In 2014, a civil war erupted in Yemen.
– The root cause of the conflict is the Shia-Sunni dispute.
– There has always been tension between the two communities in Yemen. However, it turned into a full-fledged civil war since the beginning of the Arab Spring in 2011.
– In 2014, Shia rebels opened a front against the Sunni government.
– Around the same time, the army split, and separatist Houthi forces gained control in the south.
– A significant part of the country is now under Houthi control.
– In the power struggle in Arab countries, Iran and Saudi Arabia also got involved in this civil war.
– On one side, the Houthi rebels received support from Shia-majority Iran.
– On the other side, the government was backed by Sunni-majority Saudi Arabia.
——————
4. South Africa filed a case in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) accusing which country of genocide in Gaza?
a. Palestine
b. Israel
c. Iran
d. lebanon
Answer: b. Israel
– On January 11, 2024, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) began hearings on the appeal filed by South Africa.
– South Africa has accused Israel of genocide in Gaza and demanded that the International Court of Justice issue an urgent order to immediately suspend Israel’s destructive military campaign in the Palestinian territories.
– A team of 15 judges is conducting the hearing.
Demand for Orders from the Court:
– On the first day, the South African legal team appealed to the ICJ to order Israel, in the first part of the hearing, to cease attacks on Gaza immediately and to ensure that the ceasefire is not just a ceasefire but an end to the war. It is crucial to save the innocent lives being lost there.
– Subsequently, the Israeli Foreign Ministry stated – this is a double standard. If we kill Hamas members, is that not considered a massacre? They raped women. On October 7, 2023, a massacre took place. Why is South Africa silent about it?
America Says – Find the Path to Peace:
– U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that we want a solution to this issue to be found permanently.
– The best way is for us to consider a separate Palestinian state, and for this, the world will have to find a solution together.
ICJ:
– Headquarters: The Hague, Netherlands
– Establishment: June 26, 1945
According to the Founding Charter, the UN has six principal organs:
1. General Assembly
2. Security Council
3. Economic and Social Council
4. Trusteeship Council
5. International Court of Justice (ICJ)
6. Secretariat
(Note – These are the main organs. Other specialized agencies like WHO, IMF, UNESCO, ILO are part of the UN.)
Is the decision of the ICJ binding?
– Although the court does not have mechanisms to enforce its orders.
– There have been several instances where countries have violated ICJ rulings.
– In case of non-compliance with the decision, the ICJ exerts pressure on the relevant country in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
– However, countries with veto power, such as China, often do not comply with ICJ decisions.
– President of South Africa: Cyril Ramaphosa
– Prime Minister of Israel: Benjamin Netanyahu
————–
5. Who inaugurated the 10th edition of Vibrant Gujarat Global Investor Summit in Gandhinagar?
a. Prime Minister (Narendra Modi)
b. President (Draupadi Murmu)
c. Home Minister (Amit Shah)
d. Transport Minister (Nitin Gadkari)
Answer: a. Prime Minister (Narendra Modi)
– Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated it on January 10, 2024.
– The first ‘Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit’ was initiated in the year 2003.
What is the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit?
– Vibrant Gujarat, also known as the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit, is a biennial global business event for investors.
– It is hosted in the state of Gujarat, India.
Event Duration:
– The summit took place from January 10 to January 12, 2024.
– It witnessed the presence of officials, businessmen, and other participants from more than 100 countries.
– The event was hosted in the capital city of Gujarat, Gandhinagar.
– The 20th edition of Vibrant Gujarat marked the celebration of its 20-year anniversary with the participation of 34 partner countries and 16 partner organizations.
Special Announcements for Gujarat:
– Mukesh Ambani, Chairman of Reliance Industries, stated that they will continue to invest in the state for the next 10 years.
– By the year 2030, half of Gujarat’s total green energy consumption will be produced by his company.
– Gautam Adani, Chairman of the Adani Group, announced an investment of ₹2 lakh crore in the next five years.
– This investment is expected to create around 1 lakh direct and indirect jobs in the state.
– Additionally, N Chandrasekaran, Chairman of Tata Sons, announced plans to establish a large semiconductor fabrication facility (fab) in Dholera, Gujarat. Construction is expected to commence in 2024.
– Toshihiro Suzuki, Chairman of Japanese automaker Maruti Suzuki, announced a ₹35,000 crore investment for the construction of a second car plant in Gujarat. The plant is expected to produce ten lakh units annually, with operations anticipated to begin in the financial year 2028-29.
– Other businesses have also emphasized their commitment to investing in the state.
Gujarat Emerges as the ‘Petroleum Capital’:
– According to The Economic Times newspaper in December 2023, officials stated that Gujarat is now recognized as India’s ‘Petroleum Capital,’ with the world’s largest oil refinery in Jamnagar and the OPAL Petrochemical Complex in Dahej district.
– The refinery has a processing capacity of 1.4 million (14 lakh) barrels per day (bpd) of crude oil.
– With this, it stands as the world’s largest and most complex single-site refinery.
—————
6. Which state has set a target of becoming a $500 billion economy by 2026-27?
a. Bihar
b. Gujarat
c. Rajasthan
d. Madhya Pradesh
Answer: b. Gujarat
– Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has stated that his government aims to contribute 10% to India’s GDP and achieve an economy of ₹500 billion by 2026-27.
– According to The Hindu newspaper, Gujarat currently contributes 8.3% to the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
– He mentioned that Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT) in Gandhinagar is progressing towards becoming one of the world’s leading international financial centers in the coming years.
Gujarat:
– CM: Bhupendra Bhai Patel
– Governor: Acharya Devvrat
– Capital: Gandhinagar
—————
7. Ustad Rashid Khan passed away on 9 January 2024. Who among the following was he?
a. Author and Journalist
b. Singer and Musician
c. Politician
d. Cricketer
Answer: b. Singer and Musician
– The demise of the music maestro Ustad Rashid Khan occurred in Kolkata due to prostate cancer.
– He was 55 years old.
– Ustad Rashid Khan had numerous popular songs, one of which is “Aaoge Tum Kab Saajna…”
Career of Rashid Khan:
– Born in Badayun, Uttar Pradesh, Rashid Khan received his early training from his maternal grandfather, Ustad Nisar Hussain Khan (1909-1993).
– He gave his first music performance at the age of eleven.
– At the age of 14, he also joined the ITC Sangeet Research Academy.
– From 2004 to 2019, Rashid Khan lent his voice to several songs in Hindi and Bengali films.
————–
8. Which Indian singer made the Guinness World Record for singing in 140 languages at the Climate Concert?
a. Shreya Ghoshal
b. Sucheta Satish
c. Sukhwinder Singh
d. Sunidhi Chauhan
Answer: b. Sucheta Satish
– She set this record during the Concert for Climate held on November 24, 2023, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
– She hails from Kerala. She established a new record by singing in 140 languages within 9 hours.
– She sang in 39 Indian languages and 101 foreign languages.
– Note: The number 140 was symbolic and did not correspond to the number of languages. It represented the participation of 140 countries in the C40 Summit held in Dubai.
Objective of singing in 140 languages:
– Sucheta’s unprecedented performance was part of the Concert for Climate, which was a unique initiative.
– The goal was to raise awareness about the critical issue of climate change.
– The exceptionally talented artist presented songs in an astounding 140 languages, captivating the audience with her musical skills and a powerful message.
————–
9. Who became the world’s most valuable company in January 2024 by defeating Apple?
a. Alphabet
b. Tesla
c. Microsoft
d. TCS
Answer: c. Microsoft
– Microsoft’s shares have seen a 1.6% increase, resulting in a market valuation of $2.875 trillion.
– Microsoft is actively engaged in developing Generative Artificial Intelligence, contributing to its appeal among investors.
1. Microsoft: $2.875 trillion
2. Apple: $2.871 trillion
—————
10. Who was appointed by the Central Government as Additional Secretary and Director General (Acquisition) in the Defense Ministry?
a. Sameer Kumar Sinha
b. Akash Kumar Sharma
c. Priyanshu Parashar
d. Alok Srivastava
Answer: a. Sameer Kumar Sinha
– The appointment committee of the Union Cabinet has approved their appointment.
– She belongs to the 1994 batch of Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers.
– Currently, she is serving in the Assam-Meghalaya cadre.
Note:
– Additionally, Bharat Harbanslal Khedaa, a 1995 batch IAS officer from the Himachal Pradesh cadre, has been appointed as Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.
– IAS officer Chandra Bhushan Kumar has been appointed as Additional Secretary and Mission Director of the Jal Jeevan Mission in the Ministry of Jal Shakti, along with being Secretary of the Drinking Water and Sanitation Department.
– Pooja Singh Mandol has been appointed as Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.
– Trupti Gurha has been appointed as Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
