Current Affairs Quiz - January, 2025

Notes:
The UK announced the world’s first sanctions regime to combat people smuggling and block illicit finance supporting such crimes. The sanctions focus on irregular migration and organized immigration crime. Authorities can now target individuals and entities enabling dangerous journeys, such as smuggling vulnerable people via sea crossings in Europe. The regime is expected to be implemented within the year.

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Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) delivered the sixth Scorpene-class submarine, INS Vaghsheer, to the Indian Navy on Jan 9, 2025. This marks the completion of Project P-75, enhancing India’s submarine fleet. INS Vaghsheer underwent rigorous trials and features advanced stealth technology, precision-guided weapons, and indigenous systems. The submarine strengthens India’s self-reliance in defence technology. MDL is poised for Project 75(I), building nuclear-powered submarines. The shipyard now has the capacity to build up to 10 capital warships and 11 submarines simultaneously, advancing India’s naval capabilities.

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The overestimation of gold import figures from April to November was due to a data migration error. The error occurred during the shift from the SEZ Online system to ICEGATE, causing double counting of imports into Special Economic Zones and domestic zones. As a result, the gold import figures for November were revised down by 5 billion, from 14.8 billion to $9.9 billion. ICEGATE (Indian Customs Electronic Gateway) is an online portal that offers electronic services for customs-related activities. It is a part of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC). It facilitates the electronic filing of import and export documents.

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Zoological Survey of India scientists recently discovered a new pangolin species, the Indo-Burmese pangolin (Manis indoburmanica), in Arunachal Pradesh. This species is genetically distinct from the Chinese (Manis pentadactyla) and Indian (Manis crassicaudata) pangolins. Genetic analysis shows an 8% difference from the Chinese pangolin, with divergence around 3.4 million years ago. The species is found in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, and possibly Nepal, Bhutan, and Myanmar, at altitudes between 180-1830 meters. It has dark brown and olive-brown scales with a pinkish face, typical of Asian pangolins.

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Ukraine’s Security Service and Navy used a Neptune missile to strike an ammunition depot in Russia’s Rostov region. The R-360 Neptune is a Ukrainian-made subsonic cruise missile, originally designed for anti-ship use and later adapted for land attacks. It is based on the Russian Kh-35 missile, known as AS-20 Kayak by NATO. The missile entered service with the Ukrainian Navy in March 2021. It weighs 870 kg, is 5.05 meters long, and has a 400 km range. It travels at 900 km/h, with altitudes from 10 to 300 meters, dropping to 3 meters in the final phase.

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China launched the world’s largest Compressed Air Energy Storage (CAES) project, “Nengchu-1”. It has begun full operation in Yingcheng, Hubei Province, China. It marks a milestone in China’s energy storage technologies and is the largest CAES facility globally. CAES stores electrical energy as potential energy by compressing air into sealed spaces like underground mines or salt rock caverns. Energy is stored during off-peak hours and released to the grid during peak demand.

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Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) conducted the engine ground run of the Combat Air Teaming System (CATS) Warrior on January 11, 2025, ahead of Aero India 2025. Combat Air Teaming System (CATS) is an Indian unmanned and manned combat aircraft teaming system. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) developed this system. The system enhances surveillance, strike capabilities, and reduces human error.

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Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurated the International Overseas Uttarakhandi Conference in Dehradun, fostering ties with global migrants. The state seeks investment in tourism, agriculture, power, wellness, and manufacturing, emphasizing policy reforms and improved infrastructure. A migrant cell and venture fund were announced to support collaboration with migrants. CM Dhami urged migrants to adopt villages or children to address migration issues and preserve heritage.

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The INROAD (Indian Natural Rubber Operations for Assisted Development) project, backed by ₹100 crore, enhances natural rubber quality in Northeast India and parts of West Bengal. It aims to develop skills among rubber growers and establish model infrastructure. Supported by major tyre companies – Apollo, Ceat, JK, and MRF – it showcases agriculture-industry collaboration. The project is overseen by the Rubber Board of India, it involves direct engagement from tyre manufacturers. In four years, 1,25,272 hectares of rubber plantations have been established across 94 districts. The project uses digital platforms to train farmers in effective rubber tapping and processing for quality improvement.

Notes:
Scientists are concerned about the potential for ‘zombie deer’ disease, or Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), to affect humans. CWD is a fatal neurological disease that primarily affects deer, elk, moose, and reindeer. Caused by prions, misfolded proteins that damage the brain, leading to severe dysfunction and spongy tissue. It spreads through body fluids like saliva, feces, blood, and urine, and can remain infectious in the environment for years. Symptoms include weight loss, behavioral changes, and increased drinking and salivation. There is no cure or vaccine, and although there’s no confirmed human transmission, experts remain cautious.