Current Affairs Quiz - January, 2025

Notes:
Researchers from the Zoological Survey of India discovered two goby fish species, Hemigobius hoevenii and Mugilogobius tigrinus, in the Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary, Andhra Pradesh. Goby fish are typically found in estuarine and mangrove areas, playing a vital role in the ecosystem by occupying multiple levels in the food chain and serving as environmental health indicators.

Notes:
Venus, Saturn, Jupiter, and Mars formed a rare arc in the night sky, called a ‘planet parade.’ A planet parade occurs when multiple planets are visible in the night sky simultaneously. This phenomenon, also known as a conjunction, makes planets appear close together or even touching, though it is a perspective illusion. Planets have unique motions and move at different rates, making simultaneous visibility uncommon. Such alignments involving four or more planets are rare and do not happen annually, as highlighted by NASA.

Notes:
Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) from Andaman and Nicobar recently received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag, boosting its recognition. Women are receiving specialized training in marketing and branding to enhance the product’s reach. VCO is made traditionally, unrefined, unbleached, and free of chemicals or preservatives.

Notes:
Lake Naivasha in Kenya is severely affected by the invasive water hyacinth, covering large areas. It is a shallow freshwater lake in Kenya’s southern Rift Valley, fed by the Malewa and Gilgil Rivers from the Aberdare Mountains. The lake is surrounded by extinct or dormant volcanoes and features vegetation like Cyperus papyrus and submerged plants. It supports waterbirds, large mammals, fishing, flower farming, and geothermal power, making it economically vital. Lake Naivasha is a Ramsar site, recognized for its ecological importance. Water hyacinth, an invasive species from South America, blocks sunlight, reduces airflow, and harms aquatic life.

Notes:
The 3rd National Mines Ministers’ Conference is held in Konark, Odisha, on January 20-21, 2025, under the “Vikasit Bharat 2047” vision. Union Coal and Mines Minister Shri G. Kishan Reddy presides over the event, with Odisha CM Shri Mohan Charan Majhi as Chief Guest. A report on states’ best mining practices will be released to improve transparency and efficiency. The Mining Tenement System (MTS) Module will be launched for digital governance in mining. Sanction letters will be handed to startups promoting sustainable mining innovation. Geological data and critical mineral block reports will be transferred to boost exploration and self-reliance.

Notes:
Karnataka men’s senior cricket team won its 5th Vijay Hazare Trophy by defeating Vidarbha by 36 runs in the 2024-25 final. The final was held on 18 January 2025 at Kotambi Stadium, Vadodara, Gujarat. This victory ended Karnataka’s five-year title drought in domestic cricket. Vijay Hazare Trophy, organized by BCCI, is a premier 50-over one-day tournament featuring 38 Ranji teams.

Notes:
The Pralay missile, India’s first tactical quasi-ballistic missile, will be showcased in the Republic Day parade. It is a short-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile with a range of 150-500 km, developed to meet the Army’s tactical needs. Pralay can carry a 350-700 kg conventional warhead and strike enemy positions with high accuracy. It was developed by DRDO.

Notes:
The 67th National Conference on Mission Viksit Bharat 1947-2047 was held on January 16 at the Indian Habitat Centre, New Delhi. The event aimed to promote the growth and recognition of small businesses, start-ups, individuals, and corporations across India. It featured a panel discussion on ‘Fostering Collective Action: Multi-Sector Collaboration for Promoting Ethics and Responsible Business Practices.’ The summit recognized various professionals and business leaders for their contributions, presenting them with the Business and Community Award.

Notes:
The United States announced its exit from the World Health Organization (WHO), with President Donald Trump citing mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic and political influence from member states. Trump criticized the WHO for “unfair payments” and claimed it failed to act independently from countries like China. The U.S. contributes around 18% of WHO’s funding, with its 2024-2025 budget at $6.8 billion. Trump accused the WHO of aiding China’s efforts to mislead about COVID-19 origins, a claim the WHO denies. The withdrawal will take 12 months, ending U.S. financial contributions to the agency.

Notes:
The World Economic Forum (WEF) and McKinsey Health Institute released the “Blueprint to Close the Women’s Health Gap” report. A WEF report highlights that addressing women-specific health issues could boost global GDP by $400 billion annually by 2040. Women spend 25% more of their lives in poor health compared to men. Nine key health conditions affect women’s lifespan and health span, including maternal disorders, heart disease, cancer, menopause, and migraines. The Women’s Health Impact Tracking (WHIT) platform measures health disparities and promotes solutions. The report urges better data collection, increased research, tailored healthcare guidelines, and investment in women’s health to reduce disparities and improve outcomes, especially in low-income regions.