Daily Current Affairs Quiz January 27 2026

1. Middle East – Gaza: Israeli forces shelled Gaza City on Jan 27, killing at least 6 Palestinians (children and women among them) according to Palestinian sources.

2. Russia–Ukraine: A Russian attack drone struck a civilian passenger train near Kharkiv on Jan 27, killing at least 5 people and wounding dozens.

3. West Africa – Nigeria: Suspected armed gang members ambushed police officers in Katsina State, Nigeria, on Jan 27, killing at least 3 officers and stealing weapons.

4. US–Venezuela: The US Treasury began releasing about $3.3 billion in oil-export revenues that had been frozen in US accounts, easing a key sanction and indicating warmer diplomatic ties with Venezuela.

5. Saudi–Iran: Saudi Arabia announced on Jan 27 that its territory and airspace will no longer be used for hostile actions against Iran – a bid to reduce regional tensions over Yemen and other conflicts.

6. Counterterrorism: Azerbaijan said security services foiled an Islamic State Khorasan attempted bombing of a foreign embassy in Baku on Jan 27, indicating enhanced counter-terror vigilance.

7. Honduras: Nasry Asfura was sworn in on Jan 27 as the new President of Honduras, following the Jan 27, 2026 runoff election earlier in January.

8. Europe – France: France’s National Assembly approved a bill on Jan 27 banning under-15s from social media platforms, a first-in-the-world move to protect children’s mental health.

1. India–EU Free Trade Agreement: India and the EU concluded a landmark trade deal on Jan 27, 2026. The agreement (slated to slash tariffs on 97% of goods) was hailed by leaders as the “mother of all deals,” expected to double bilateral trade by 2035.

2. Foreign Investment: A UNCTAD report (Jan 27) showed foreign direct investment inflows to India jumped 73% in 2025 (to about $47 billion), the largest annual gain for any country, reflecting strong investor interest.

1. Doomsday Clock: The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists announced on Jan 27 that the Doomsday Clock remains at 85 seconds to midnight – reflecting continuing threats from nuclear arms and emerging technologies.

2. Space – Artemis II: NASA teams completed preparations for an upcoming “wet dress rehearsal” fueling test of the Artemis II Moon rocket. On Jan 27, they fueled the Space Launch System (SLS) with over 700,000 gallons of cryogenic propellant in simulation of a launch campaign.

Mountain warming study: A major international review (published Jan 21, 2026) found mountain regions are warming significantly faster than nearby lowlands – on average 0.21 °C per century more. This elevation-dependent warming is turning snow to rain and melting glaciers, threatening water supplies for over a billion people.

1. US Hypersonic missile: The U.S. Army announced on Jan 27 it has begun fielding its new Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (“Dark Eagle”) after years of delays. The final delivery to combat units is expected by early 2026, making it the U.S. military’s first operational hypersonic boost-glide missile system.

2. US new missile test: On Jan 21 (reported Jan 27), the U.S. Air Force test-fired a newly developed Extended Range Attack Munition (ERAM) standoff cruise missile in Florida. The full-scale live warhead test (completed in under 16 months from contract award) was successful, advancing a missile intended for US and allied use.

Dr. Chandrakant Lahariya: Public health expert Dr. Lahariya made headlines as the first Indian named a “Wiley Research Hero” for his contributions to public health and development. Wiley’s Research Heroes program honors scientists advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

1. Tennis – Australian Open: Poland’s Iga Swiatek (world #2) defeated Australia’s qualifier Maddison Inglis 6-0, 6-3 in the 4th round at Melbourne Park (Jan 26), ending Australian hopes and reaching the women’s singles quarter-finals.

2. Cricket – England vs Sri Lanka: In the final ODI of the Sri Lanka tour, England beat Sri Lanka by 53 runs on Jan 27 in Colombo. Harry Brook smashed an unbeaten 136 off 66 balls, helping England take the 3-match series 2–1.

1. Padma Awards (India): The Jan 26 Padma Awards honours included posthumous Padma Vibhushan (India’s second-highest civilian award) to former Kerala CM V. S. Achuthanandan and actor Dharmendra. Actor Mammootty received a Padma Bhushan, and cricketer Rohit Sharma, actor R. Madhavan and others were awarded Padma Shri.

2. Public Health Prize: Dr. Chandrakant Lahariya (India) was named by Wiley as a 2026 “Research Hero,” a global honor recognizing scientists with outstanding research on poverty and health, in line with UN development goals.

Holocaust Remembrance Day (Jan 27): Jan 27, 2026 is the International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust (marking 81 years since Auschwitz liberation). The UN theme for 2026 is “Holocaust Remembrance and Education for Dignity and Human Rights,” stressing education to prevent genocide.

No major appointments or resignations on Jan 27, 2026 were reported in the consulted sources.

1. Davos WEF 2026: The World Economic Forum’s 56th annual meeting (Jan 19–23, Davos) concluded under the theme “Rebuilding Trust.” It drew ~3,500 participants (including government and business leaders) to discuss topics from AI and economic growth to climate resilience.

2. EU–India Summit: The 16th EU-India Summit took place on Jan 27 in New Delhi. EU Council President Costa and Commission President von der Leyen co-chaired with PM Modi, issuing a joint statement. The summit preceded the signing of the historic India–EU free trade deal.

3. India Energy Week (IEW) 2026: India launched its global energy conclave Jan 27–30 in Goa. PM Modi inaugurated the event virtually on Jan 27, hosting energy ministers and executives from the UAE, Canada, and other countries. IEW 2026 focuses on energy security, investment and decarbonization in developing economies.

1. Odisha accident: A tourist boat (MV Trishna Kerstin) capsized on Jan 27 in the Baitarani River near Dhamra (Odisha). Rescue operations found at least 69 people dead, making it one of India’s worst recent boat disasters.

2. Rajasthan seizure: Rajasthan police announced on Jan 27 that they had arrested one man and seized about 10,000 kg of ammonium nitrate fertilizer from a Nagaur district farmhouse, thwarting a suspected illegal stockpiling of explosive materials.

Avtar Singh Bhasin (India): Former Indian diplomat and author Avtar Singh Bhasin died on Jan 25 in Delhi at the age of 90. He was known for his books on foreign policy and served as a diplomat in China and Japan.

1. Press Freedom Index: Reporters Without Borders released its 2025 World Press Freedom Index around Jan 27, finding the global press freedom situation “difficult” for the first time. The report blamed unprecedented economic pressures on media (e.g. ad losses and funding cuts) for this record-low ranking.

2. Doomsday Clock: The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists on Jan 27 maintained the Doomsday Clock at 85 seconds to midnight for 2026, citing ongoing nuclear tensions and emerging dangers in artificial intelligence as reasons for the near-highest threat level ever recorded.

V. S. Achuthanandan: Former Kerala Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan (also a noted autobiographical author) was posthumously awarded the Padma Vibhushan for his lifetime service in public affairs. (Achuthanandan, who passed away in mid-2025, was celebrated in literary circles for his political memoirs.)

No additional miscellaneous events were noted for January 27, 2026 in the available sources.