1. Who among the following has cancelled his scheduled trip to India later this month?
a) Joe Biden
b) Boris Johnson
c) Justin Trudeau
d) Emmanuelle Macron
Answer (b) Boris Johnson
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson on January 4, 2021 cancelled his planned trip to India to be the chief guest at the Republic Day Parade 2021. Johnson has cancelled his visit saying that it is important for him to remain in the United Kingdom to focus on the domestic response to the virus.
- Which nation is working to develop first wooden satellites to reduce space junk?
a) Russia
b) US
c) Japan
d) India
Answer (d) India
A Japanese Company and Kyoto University have decided to collaborate to develop the world’s first wooden satellites by 2023. The research has already started on tree growth and the use of wooden materials in space.
- Hundreds of winter migratory birds have been found dead in which among the following Ramsar sites in India?
a) Bhoj Wetland
b) Chilika Lake
c) Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary
d) Pong Dam Lake
Answer (d) Pong Dam Lake
Hundreds of winter migratory birds have been found dead in Himachal Pradesh’s Pong Dam Lake sanctuary. No specific cause has been identified for the unfortunate incident.
- The potential first case of a new and deadly ‘Disease X’ has been discovered in which nation?
a) Uganda
b) Angola
c) Zambia
d) Democratic Republic of Congo
Answer (d) Democratic Republic of Congo
The scientist who discovered the Ebola virus in 1976 has warned against an unknown number of new and potentially fatal viruses faced by humanity, among which is a deadly disease called ‘Disease X’. This came after a woman from a remote town in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, was found suffering from symptoms of a hemorrhagic fever similar to Ebola, which could have been caused by an unidentified deadly pathogen.
- India has launched its 40th scientific expedition to which among the following regions?
a) Arctic Region
b) Mount Everest
c) Alaska
d) Antarctica
Answer (d) Antarctica
India launched the 40th Scientific Expedition to Antarctica on January 4, 2021. The journey marks the fourth decade of the nation’s scientific endeavour to the Southern White Continent.
