Category: Current Affairs January 2024

Correct Answer: A. Guatemala

The inauguration of Bernardo Arévalo as the 52nd president of Guatemala on Monday, 15 January 2024 marked the commencement of the four-year term of Bernardo Arévalo as president and Karin Herrera as vice president.

Correct Answer: A. Berbera

Landlocked Ethiopia has signed an initial agreement with Somalia’s breakaway region of Somaliland to use its Red Sea port of Berbera, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s office says. The Horn of Africa country currently relies on neighboring Djibouti for most of its maritime trade.

Correct Answer: C. Rohan Bopanna and Matthew Ebden

In January 2024, Rohan Bopanna and Matthew Ebden won the Australian Open men’s doubles title. The Indian and Australian tennis players defeated the Italian pair Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori 7(7)-6(0), 7-5 in the finals at the Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Park.

Correct Answer: D. Steadfast Defender 2024

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s (NATO) largest military exercise since the Cold War, named “Steadfast Defender 2024,” began on January 28, 2024. The exercise is designed to demonstrate the alliance’s ability to quickly deploy forces from North America and other parts of the alliance to defend Europe. It also simulates the 31-nation alliance’s response to an attack from a rival like Russia.

Correct Answer: C. 20 January 2024

Japan landed its Smart Lander for Investigating the Moon, or SLIM, craft on the surface of the Moon on Jan. 20, 2024. Despite a power issue with the lander, the event holds both political and technical importance. It’s Japan’s first lunar landing – making it only the fifth country in the world to successfully land on the Moon. This is a significant achievement and solidifies Japan’s position as a leader in space technology. While the craft landed successfully on the lunar surface and deployed its rovers, SLIM’s solar cells were not functioning properly – meaning that the craft could likely only operate for a few hours.

Correct Answer: B. Japan

Japan has marked a significant achievement in space exploration by becoming the fifth country to successfully soft-land a spacecraft on the Moon. The Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) touched down near the Shioli crater, south of the lunar equator, utilizing precision technology that allowed it to land closer to its target site than any previous mission.

Correct Answer: B. Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is preparing to open its first alcohol store in the capital Riyadh which will serve exclusively non-Muslim diplomats, according to a source familiar with the plans and a document.

Customers will have to register via a mobile app, get a clearance code from the foreign ministry, and respect monthly quotas with their purchases, said the document, which was seen by Reuters.

The move is a milestone in the kingdom’s efforts, led by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, to open the ultra-conservative Muslim country for tourism and business as drinking alcohol is forbidden in Islam.

Correct Answer: C. France

On January 21, 2024, the French LHD Dixmude military ship will dock at the Egyptian port of Al-Arish and treat around 1,000 injured Gazans. The Dixmude is a floating hospital equipped with wards, operating theaters, and 70 medical staff. The Dixmude has been docked in Al-Arish since November 2023, which is 30 miles west of the Gaza Strip.

Correct Answer: B. Mitsuko Tottori

Mitsuko Tottori will become Japan Airlines (JAL) first female president on April 1, 2024. Tottori is a former flight attendant who joined JAL in 1985 and has since worked her way up to senior managing executive officer. Tottori’s appointment is a rare appointment for a major Japanese firm and global airline. In a news conference, Tottori said she hopes her appointment can encourage female employees who are struggling with their careers or going through big life events.

Correct Answer: B. Japan

On January 18, 2024, Japan’s Ministry of Defense (MoD) signed a contract with the U.S. to buy up to 400 Tomahawk missiles. The deal is worth about $1.7 billion and is part of Japan’s military buildup. The Tomahawk is a long-range, US-made cruise missile that can be launched from a ship or submarine. It can strike fixed targets at low altitudes. The contract also includes 14 Tactical Tomahawk Weapon Control Systems, support, training, maintenance, spares, and other items.