Current Affairs Quiz - January, 2025

Notes:
A sudden flood on January 15 in Bihar’s Darbhanga district devastated Rabi crops like wheat, maize, lentils, and vegetables in Kiratpur block. The flood was triggered by rising water levels in the Genhua River, caused by the unintended opening of a small floodgate on NH-56 in Madhubani. The Genhua River is located in Bihar.

Notes:
Union Minister of Commerce and Industry launched the Bharat Startup Grand Challenge and PRABHAAV Factbook to boost innovation and mentorship in India. The initiatives highlight India’s thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem and focus on fostering growth in startups. The government aims to position India as a global leader in technology and entrepreneurship. These efforts reflect India’s commitment to empowering entrepreneurs and driving economic growth through a robust startup ecosystem.

Notes:
India’s economic growth is projected at 6.7% annually for fiscal years starting April 2025, as per the World Bank. The services sector is expected to continue expanding steadily. Manufacturing is set to strengthen due to government efforts to improve the business environment. Investment growth will remain stable, with private investment rising and public investment moderating. For 2024-25, growth is expected to ease to 6.5% due to slower investment and weak manufacturing performance.

Notes:
International Labour Organisation (ILO) has released the World Employment and Social Outlook Report for 2025. The report highlights ongoing global labor market struggles due to geopolitical tensions, climate change costs, and unresolved debt issues. The global jobs gap in 2024 was 402 million, including 186 million unemployed, 137 million temporarily unavailable, and 79 million discouraged workers. The global unemployment rate stood at 5%, with youth unemployment at 12.6%. Low-income countries face challenges creating decent jobs, with informal work returning to pre-pandemic levels. Labour force participation declined in low-income nations but increased among older workers and women in high-income countries, though gender gaps persist.

Notes:
India becomes the fourth country to successfully achieve Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX), after the US, Russia, and China. The technology allows two satellites to dock in space, enabling the assembly of larger modules and overcoming rocket payload limits. This technology is crucial for long-duration missions, Mars exploration, lunar sample return, and the planned Bharatiya Antariksh Station for resupply and crewed missions.

Notes:
The Trajan 155 mm towed artillery gun system, developed by India and France, has secured an export order from Armenia. It is a 155 mm, 52-calibre towed gun system, jointly developed by Larsen & Toubro (L&T) and KNDS France, and manufactured in India. The gun has a range exceeding 40 km, depending on the ammunition, and is designed for modern combat. It features advanced targeting, fire-control systems, modular design for easy transport, rapid firing rates, and terrain adaptability.

Notes:
A United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) study revealed that the 2022 Nord Stream pipeline explosions caused the largest human-induced methane release ever recorded. Nord Stream is a key natural gas pipeline under the Baltic Sea, connecting Vyborg, Russia, to Lubmin near Greifswald, Germany. It is a twin pipeline system designed to ensure energy security for Europe, especially Germany. The pipeline provides a direct and reliable gas supply from Russia, bypassing transit countries.

Notes:
Nigeria has been admitted as a “partner country” of the BRICS bloc. BRICS was formed in 2009 to counterbalance the G-7 industrialized nations. Nigeria is the ninth partner, joining countries Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda, and Uzbekistan. With Africa’s largest population and a major economy, Nigeria aligns with BRICS on South-South cooperation and global governance reform. The bloc is exploring alternatives to the US dollar for international payments.

Notes:
Kokborok Day is celebrated on January 19 annually. It holds great importance for the indigenous Tripuri people, especially in Tripura, India. The day honors the cultural heritage, history, and linguistic contributions of the Kokborok language. Kokborok is the mother tongue of the Tripuri community. The celebration promotes the language, traditions, and unity of the Tripuri people. It also raises awareness about preserving and promoting Kokborok.

Notes:
The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has approved Qartemi, a second “living drug,” which is a Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy designed to treat blood cancer. “Living drugs” involve modifying a patient’s cells and reintroducing them into the body. CAR T-cell therapy is an innovative immunotherapy where T-cells are genetically engineered to target cancer cells. T-cells are extracted from the patient’s blood, modified in the lab by adding a gene for a man-made receptor (CAR), which helps T-cells recognize cancer cells. Modified CAR-T cells are then reintroduced to kill cancer cells.