Current Affairs Quiz - February 2025

Notes:
Pankaj Advani won his 36th national title and 10th men’s snooker crown at the Yashwant Club. He defeated Brijesh Damani, who won only the first frame before Advani dominated the match. The tournament is the sole selection event for the Asian and World Championships.

Notes:
The International Energy Agency (IEA) released the “India Gas Market Report: Outlook to 2030.” India aims to increase natural gas share in its energy mix from 6% to 15% by 2030. Gas consumption will grow by 60%, with the City Gas Distribution (CGD) sector driving demand. CGD supplies natural gas to households, industries, and other sectors through pipelines. India produced 35 billion cubic meters (bcm) of gas in 2023, with the Krishna-Godavari deepwater fields contributing 25%. India is the world’s fourth-largest Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) importer, with imports set to more than double by 2030. Compressed Biogas (CBG) potential remains largely untapped, with current capacity below 1%.

Notes:
Himachal Pradesh will host the 17th National River Rafting Championship from March 20 to 25 at the Piridi Rafting Center, Kullu. The event is being organized by The Indian Rafting Foundation with the Himachal Pradesh Rafting Association, under the World Rafting Federation. A preparatory meeting was held in Bilaspur. Around 18 teams from different states will compete in Rafting Sprint, Slalom, RX, and Down River Race across Men’s, Women’s, and Mixed categories.

Notes:
Jotham Napat was elected as Vanuatu’s Prime Minister unopposed. His nomination was proposed by Charlot Salwai, a former Prime Minister. Vanuatu is an island nation in the South Pacific, located east of Australia and west of Fiji.

Notes:
The first-ever Regional Dialogue on Social Justice will be held on February 24-25 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. It is organized by the Ministry of Labour & Employment, in collaboration with Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Employers’ Federation of India (EFI). It supports the Global Coalition for Social Justice, launched by the ILO in 2023. India is leading the Asia Pacific Group in promoting responsible businesses for inclusive societies.

Notes:
The UN launched the Early Warnings for All (EW4All) initiative in 2022 to protect people from hazardous weather, water, and climate events through early warning systems by 2027. The initiative aims to safeguard vulnerable populations as climate-related disasters become more frequent and intense. In 2023, early warning systems received record-high funding, but its distribution remains uneven. 54% of national EWS investments are concentrated in five countries—China, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and Indonesia. Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Least Developed Countries (LDCs) face significant funding gaps. The Global Observatory for Early Warning System Investments was launched in December 2024 by the WMO and UNDRR to track and optimize investments. As of February 12, 2025, the observatory tracks 329 projects across 127 countries, funded by institutions like the World Bank and Green Climate Fund.

Notes:
Mount Etna, Europe’s tallest and most active volcano, has erupted again, releasing lava and thick ash clouds. It is located in Sicily, Italy. It is Europe’s tallest active volcano and Italy’s highest peak south of the Alps. It is recognized as a Decade Volcano due to frequent eruptions near populated areas. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Notes:
The Ministry of Ayush has opened nominations for the Prime Minister’s Yoga Awards for International Day of Yoga (IDY2025). The awards recognize individuals and organizations for their significant contributions to promoting Yoga nationally and internationally. It was established to honor Yoga’s impact on society, the awards celebrate its role in disease prevention and health promotion. Winners in four categories (National/International Individual and Organization) will receive a trophy, certificate, and Rs. 25 lakh cash. Nominees must be at least 40 years old with 20 years of service in Yoga promotion. A screening committee will review applications, and an evaluation jury will make final decisions.

Notes:
Meta introduced Project Waterworth, the world’s longest undersea cable system. It spans 50,000 km, connecting the U.S., India, Brazil, South Africa, and other regions. The cable reaches depths of up to 7,000 meters in deep waters. Advanced burial methods will protect it in high-risk coastal areas. It strengthens global digital connectivity by opening three new oceanic corridors. The project enhances economic cooperation, digital inclusion, and internet reliability worldwide.

Notes:
Kerala Government, in collaboration with Remidio, launched Nayanamritham 2.0, the world’s first AI-assisted chronic eye disease screening program. It builds on Nayanamritham 1.0, which focused on diabetic retinopathy screening. Optometrists use AI-enabled fundus cameras to classify cases as referable or non-referable for faster diagnoses. Now includes screening for glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Covers community health centers, taluk hospitals, and district hospitals. Aims to reduce preventable blindness, improve early detection, and enhance patient care. Kerala is the first government public health system globally to adopt AI for eye screening.