Current Affairs Quiz - January, 2025

Notes:
LingoSat, a joint project of Japan’s Kyoto University and Sumitomo Forestry, is the first wooden satellite launched into orbit. It uses wood from honoki, a magnolia tree native to Japan, and is assembled using traditional Japanese crafts without screws or glue. The satellite’s name comes from the Latin word “Ligno,” meaning wood. LignoSat 1 is a CubeSat measuring 10 cm on each side and weighing 900 grams. LignoSat 2, a 2U CubeSat, is planned for launch in 2026.

Notes:
HIMKAVACH is a multi-layer clothing system developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). It is designed for extreme cold conditions ranging from +20°C to -60°C. It has successfully passed user trials and is specifically tailored for use in the Himalayan region. The system ensures optimal protection and functionality for soldiers facing harsh weather. Its effectiveness emphasizes India’s commitment to improving military preparedness in challenging environments, especially in border areas with extreme cold conditions.

Notes:
Germany recently faced its first foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak in nearly 40 years, affecting water buffalo near Berlin. Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) is a highly contagious viral disease impacting livestock like cattle, swine, sheep, and goats but not horses, dogs, or cats. The disease severely affects livestock production and disrupts trade in animals and animal products. It circulates in 77% of global livestock, mainly in Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and parts of South America. FMD is not a human health risk and is transmitted through excretions, secretions, and aerosolized virus from infected animals.

Notes:
The Indian High Commission launched Sri Lanka’s first Hindi Certificate Course through open and distance learning on World Hindi Day 2025. The launch occurred during the Bharat-Sri Lanka Hindi Sammelan, organized by the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre (SVCC). The initiative marks the 50th anniversary of World Hindi Day celebrations. A collaboration between the Open University of Sri Lanka and SVCC, the course aims to make Hindi learning accessible across the country. This programme highlights the growing demand for Hindi as a global language and strengthens academic ties between India and Sri Lanka.

Notes:
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.

Notes:
The industry has urged the government to extend the Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) scheme for Export-Oriented Units (EOUs) and Special Economic Zones (SEZs) until September-end amid global economic uncertainties. RoDTEP was introduced under the Foreign Trade Policy 2015-20, effective from January 1, 2021. The scheme offsets taxes and duties on exported goods that are not otherwise refunded. It aims to boost exports by reducing taxes on exported products. RoDTEP replaced the Merchandise Export Incentive Scheme (MEIS) to ensure WTO compliance. The Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance administers RoDTEP, which follows global trade principles.

Notes:
The Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife approved oil and gas exploration in Assam’s Hollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary. It is located in Jorhat district, Assam. It is the only sanctuary in India named after gibbons and has the densest gibbon population in Assam. The sanctuary’s terrain slopes from southeast to northwest, with the Bhogdoi River creating a waterlogged region.

Notes:
A new study highlights gaps in understanding the Clouded Leopard’s habitat, fragmentation, and connectivity, offering a conservation roadmap. The Clouded Leopard is a wild cat found in dense forests of the Himalayas, Southeast Asia, and South China. There are two species: the mainland Clouded Leopard (Neofelis nebulosa) and the Sunda Clouded Leopard (Neofelis diardi). They are ancient cats but neither true great nor small cats, as they cannot roar or purr. Clouded Leopards prefer tropical rainforests but can also be found in woodlands and mangrove swamps. They are found in India’s northeastern states and are the state animal of Meghalaya. Both species are classified as ‘Vulnerable’ by the IUCN Red List.

Notes:
Pune hosts the Army Day Parade for the first time on 15 January 2025. The parade commemorates Field Marshal K M Cariappa’s appointment as the first Indian Commander-in-Chief in 1949. Traditionally held in Delhi, the parade started rotating to other cities in 2023, with Bengaluru and Lucknow hosting it before Pune. Pune, the headquarters of the Indian Army’s Southern Command, was chosen for its historical ties to the Armed Forces. Indian Army Day, celebrated annually on January 15, marks a significant moment of pride for every Indian.

Notes:
Hyderabad is seeing an increase in scarlet fever cases among children aged 5 to 15, along with other viral fevers during winter. Scarlet fever, also known as scarlatina, is a bacterial infection that causes a red rash, sore throat, and fever. It’s caused by group A streptococcus bacteria, also known as strep throat bacteria. Symptoms include a bright red, sunburn-like rash, sore throat, high fever, and peeling skin on hands and feet. Antibiotics can fully treat scarlet fever, but patients must complete the entire course. If untreated, scarlet fever can cause serious complications like kidney damage, heart issues, and pneumonia.