Daily Current Affairs Quiz14 January, 2025 International Affairs 1. China-Russia Relations Context: Trade between China and Russia reached a record high last year, reflecting strong economic ties between the countries despite Western sanctions on Moscow. Combined imports and exports with Russia totalled $244.8 billion in 2024, according to China’s General Administration of Customs, up from $240.1 billion in 2023 History of China-Russia Relations Current Developments in China-Russia Relations Interest Differences between Russia & China Consequence of the Ukrainian War Dual Hegemony Fears SWIFT System Problem Under Dual Dominance Policy India should Follow? Mains PYQ: Q The USA is facing an existential threat in the form of China, that is much more challenging than the erstwhile Soviet Union.” Explain. (UPSC IAS/2021) 2. AI Chips Context: The U.S. unveiled new export rules on advanced computing chips used for artificial intelligence, aiming to facilitate sales to allied nations and further curb access to countries like China. The new rules update controls on chips, requiring authorisations for exports, re-exports and in-country transfers.  What are AI chips? Importance of AI Chips compared to General Purpose Hardware? UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions Q. With the present state of development, Artificial Intelligence can effectively do which of the following? (2020) Select the correct answer using the code given below: (a) 1, 2, 3 and 5 only(b) 1, 3 and 4 only(c) 2, 4 and 5 only(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 Ans: (b) 3. Greenland Context: Greenland Prime Minister Mute Egede said, the country is looking to strengthen its defence and mining ties with the United States, albeit on its own terms, following renewed interest from U.S. President-elect Donald Trump. National Affairs 1. Z-Morh tunnel Context: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, inaugurated the strategic Z-Morh tunnel in Sonamarg area of Ganderbal on 13 January 2025. Key Highlights: 2. Comptroller and Auditor-General (CAG) Context: The Delhi High Court questioned the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government for “dragging its feet” on the tabling of the reports of the Comptroller and Auditor-General (CAG) over the city administration before the Assembly. Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India Constitutional Mandate Appointment and Term Duties and Powers Role in Governance Constitutional Provisions Provision Description Article 148 Deals with the appointment, oath, and conditions of service of the CAG of India. Article 149 Specifies the duties and powers of the CAG of India. Article 150 States that the accounts of the Union and States must be kept in a form prescribed by the President on the advice of the CAG. Article 151 Demands that the CAG’s reports on Union accounts are submitted to the President and laid before Parliament; state reports are submitted to the Governor and laid before the State Legislature. Article 279 Says that the CAG certifies the calculation of “net proceeds,” and its certificate is final. Third Schedule Section IV provides the oath or affirmation that is to be administered by the Judges of the Supreme Court and the CAG at the time of assuming office. Sixth Schedule Deals with the maintenance of accounts by District or Regional Councils, as per a prescribed form, in accordance with auditing procedure. Such reports shall be submitted to the Governor, who will present the same before the Council. Previous years UPSC Mains Questions 3. Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana Context: Odisha became the latest State to implement the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) after the National Health Authority (NHA), under the Union Health Ministry, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Odisha.  Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) is a landmark initiative launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 23rd September 2018 in Ranchi, Jharkhand. It’s primary aim is to provide accessible, affordable, and equitable healthcare to all citizens, particularly focusing on the vulnerable sections of society. As the world’s largest government-funded healthcare program, AB-PMJAY aspires to cover over 50 crore beneficiaries, making quality healthcare a reality for millions of Indian families. Read more>> 4. Line of Actual Control (LAC) Context: Stating that a “degree” of stand-off prevails along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi said that he had authorised all Corps Commanders to handle issues at the ground level with respect to patrolling and grazing so that these trivial issues can be resolved at the military-level itself.  The Line of Actual Control (LAC) The Line of Actual Control, or LAC, is an imaginary line dividing Indian-controlled territory from Chinese-controlled territory. It has become the de facto border between India and China but is not a formally recognized international border. Read more>> 5. Nag Mk-2 Missile Context: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) announced that the indigenously developed third-generation fire-and-forget anti-tank guided missile, Nag Mk-2, and the entire system was ready for induction into the Army following successful field firing trials. The Nag Missile The Nag missile is an Indian third-generation, all-weather, fire-and-forget, anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) with an operational range of 500m to 20km. It has a single-shot hit probability of 90% and a ten-year maintenance-free shelf life. It has five variants under development: land, helicopter-launched Nag (HELINA), man-portable Nag (MPATGM), air-launched Nag (NAMICA), and Nag Missile Carrier (NAMICA) “tank buster”. 6. Rat-Hole Mining Context: An oral question from the Supreme Court to the Union government remains unanswered even as rescue workers recovered bodies of four workers from a flooded rat-hole coal mine in Dima Hasao district of Assam. Rat-Hole Mining DefinitionRat-hole mining, a method of manually digging narrow holes in North East India for coal extraction, is banned by the National Green Tribunal but still used by artisanal mining operations in Meghalaya. Legal Status Techniques Employed Coal and Coal Mining in India 7. Indian Diaspora and Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Context: PM Narendra Modi hailed the Indian diaspora as “ambassadors to the world,” acknowledging their role in India’s growth and integration into the global community. Key Highlights: Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Pravasi