Current Affairs Quiz – August 2025

Notes:
The Lithuanian Parliament approved Social Democrat Inga Ruginiene as Lithuania’s new Prime Minister. Ruginiene is the current Minister of Social Security and Labour. Ruginiene was first elected to Parliament in 2024. Before politics, she served as Chair of the Lithuanian Trade Union Confederation. This marks a significant political development in Lithuania with a new leadership under a Social Democrat Prime Minister.

Notes:
The Uttar Pradesh Transport Department recently launched the Sadak Suraksha Mitra (SSM) programme. It is initiated under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) to engage youth in road safety. It aims to reduce traffic accidents, improve emergency response, and enhance citizen safety. The policy follows a ‘zero risk, zero friction’ approach. The programme will cover 28 districts including Kanpur Nagar, Lucknow, Agra, Prayagraj, Gorakhpur, Saharanpur, Mathura, Aligarh, and others.

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The third International Conference of Young Buddhist Scholars was held in New Delhi. The theme is “Wisdom Transmission in Buddha Dhamma in the 21st Century.” It was hosted at Dr Ambedkar International Centre by the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC). Young scholars emphasised establishing a powerful ethical framework for Artificial Intelligence (AI). They suggested building machines with a digital mind and a heart, blending intelligence with ethical values. The conference aimed to connect Buddhist wisdom with modern technological and ethical challenges.

Notes:
More than 700 personnel from the Armed Forces and Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff joined Multilateral Exercise Bright Star 2025 in Egypt from August 28 to September 10, 2025. Exercise Bright Star is hosted by Egypt with the United States since 1980 and is among the largest Tri-Service multilateral exercises in the region. It is held biennially, with the last edition in 2023 also featuring India. India’s participation highlights its commitment to regional peace, stability, security, interoperability, and cooperation with friendly nations.

Notes:
Indian researchers have recently discovered fossilised remains of a rare crocodile-like creature in Jaisalmer district, Rajasthan. The fossil belongs to a phytosaur, a semi-aquatic reptile and ancestor of modern crocodiles, measuring 1.5–2 metres and over 200 million years old. It was found in Megha village within the Lathi Formation, a geological structure from the late Triassic–early Jurassic period. The discovery was led by a senior hydrogeologist and confirmed by palaeontologists, who also identified a possible fossilised egg. The area could become a hub for fossil tourism due to its rich palaeontological potential.

Notes:
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) conducted searches at five locations in Cachar District, Assam under Operation Chakra to combat cyber crimes. Three persons were arrested, including the Territorial Sales Manager of a telecom company. The case involves unauthorized sale of SIM cards used in digital arrest frauds, impersonation, fraudulent advertisements, investment scams, and UPI-related frauds. Operation Chakra is a multi-agency initiative led by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to combat cybercrime in India. It targets online financial frauds, data breaches, digital impersonation, and other cyber offenses.

Notes:
India’s Exclusive Economic Zone covers 2 million sq km with an estimated fisheries potential of 5.31 million tonnes annually, as per the Ministry of Fisheries. Actual marine catch is around 4.5 million tonnes yearly; LOA is required for fishing in the High Seas. Major potential also exists in Andaman & Lakshadweep.

Notes:
Recent studies show that rainfall changes expected by 2040 are already visible in India, with a sharp rise in extreme rainfall events. The CMIP6 (Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6) climate models had projected such changes mainly for the latter half of the 21st century, but the trends (e.g., very heavy rainfall days >115 mm) are already happening. For instance, IMD recorded 502 very heavy rainfall events in June 2025, the highest so far. Scientists, including James Hansen, warn that accelerated global warming (+0.4°C spike in just two years) is outpacing models, raising risks of “point of no return” scenarios such as an AMOC shutdown.

Notes:
Pulitzer Prize-winning author Caroline Fraser’s new book explores the potential link between lead pollution from the ASARCO copper smelter in Tacoma, Washington and the rise of notorious serial killers like Ted Bundy and Gary Ridgway. The hypothesis suggests that high exposure to lead in soils may have contributed to increased crime rates. Children growing up in polluted areas were especially vulnerable due to lead’s impact on brain development. The idea echoes economist Jessica Wolpaw Reyes’ research showing a correlation between lead exposure and higher adult crime rates.

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On 27 August 2025, TRAI registered eight Digital Connectivity Rating Agencies (DCRAs) under the Rating of Properties for Digital Connectivity Regulations, 2024. These agencies, including Ardom Towergen, Crest Digitel, CTL Infocom, ESTEX Telecom, Frog Cellsat, Phistream Consulting, Shaurrya Teleservices, and TUV SUD South Asia, will assess and rate buildings for their digital connectivity. Ratings will be given based on parameters such as fibre readiness, in-building 4G/5G coverage, Wi-Fi, broadband speeds, and user experience. This aims to improve in-building digital infrastructure, as more than 80% of mobile data in India is consumed indoors. The registration is valid for five years.