Current Affairs Quiz - February 2025

Notes:
International Asperger’s Day is celebrated on 18 February every year, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2007. On this day, the National Institute for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (NIEPID) holds programs to raise awareness and promote inclusivity. Asperger’s Syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder under the autism spectrum, marked by social communication challenges and no significant language delay. Individuals with Asperger’s often have average or superior intelligence.

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The XR (Extended Reality) Creator Hackathon is hosted by Wavelaps in collaboration with WAVES 2025, an initiative by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. WAVES 2025 aims to be a key platform for ideas, collaboration, and innovation in the media and entertainment industry. The event is designed to help India emerge as a global leader in content creation, technology integration, and creative industry development.

Notes:
Renowned Odissi maestro Mayadhar Raut, known as the “Father of Odissi dance,” passed away on February 22, 2025, at age 92 in Delhi. He was awarded the Padma Shri for his contributions to Indian classical dance. Raut played a key role in the revival and codification of Odissi dance in the 1950s. His work on Sanchari Bhava, Mudra Viniyoga, and Rasa Theory helped structure Odissi as a classical dance form.

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Nagaland launched its first ‘Adolescent Girls Club’ under Mission Shakti. These clubs are set up in both government and private schools for girls aged 10-19 years. The initiative aims to empower girls through education, health awareness, and life skills. The club in Wokha follows the motto “Live the promise.” It focuses on building confidence, knowledge, and leadership skills in adolescent girls.

Notes:
A new study shows climate change is increasing algal blooms in the River Thames despite a 40-year decline in phosphorus levels. The Thames is a 346-km river in southern England, the longest in England and second in the UK. It starts at Thames Head in Gloucestershire and flows into the North Sea through the Thames Estuary. The river’s basin covers 16,130 sq.km and passes through cities like London, Oxford, and Windsor. It supplies two-thirds of London’s drinking water and has been an important trade route. The Thames has 16 bridges in Greater London, including the Golden Jubilee and Millennium Bridges.

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Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan inaugurated the SARAS Aajeevika Mela 2025 at Noida Haat. The fair runs from February 21 to March 10, showcasing rural arts, crafts, and SHG products. It is organised by the Ministry of Rural Development and National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (NIRDPR). It promotes self-help group (SHG) women as ‘lakhpatis’. More than 450 SHG members from 30 states/UTs are participating, with 200 stalls displaying handloom, handicrafts, and natural food products.

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US President Donald Trump announced the Gold Card, a new immigration initiative offering a direct path to US citizenship for $5 million. It is described as a “premium version” of the Green Card, granting long-term residency and naturalization. The Gold Card will replace the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa Program, which required job creation. The program aims to attract wealthy investors and generate government revenue.

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Maharashtra’s state minister is suffering from Bell’s Palsy, a condition causing temporary facial paralysis. It results from inflammation or irritation of the facial nerve (seventh cranial nerve) controlling facial muscles. It is often linked to viral infections, but the cause is usually unknown (idiopathic). It can affect anyone, but is more common in adults. Symptoms include facial drooping, difficulty with facial expressions, drooling, and issues with closing the eyelid or smiling.

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World Protein Day is celebrated annually on February 27 to highlight the importance of protein in our diet. It raises awareness about protein deficiency and promotes nutritional security through protein-rich foods. The US Soybean Export Council (USSEC) initiated this day to educate people on sufficient protein intake for better health. Over time, it has become a global campaign involving organizations and experts. The day emphasizes preventing malnutrition and deficiency-related diseases by promoting adequate protein consumption.

Notes:
Institute of Nuclear Medicine & Allied Sciences (INMAS), the Delhi based laboratory of Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) is hosting the International Radio Biology Conference in Delhi from 27th Feb to 1st March 2025. Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser, inaugurated the event. Dr. Samir V. Kamat, DRDO Chairman, was the Guest of Honour. The conference focuses on space radiation risks for astronauts during long missions. Experts from various fields are discussing biomedical countermeasures to protect astronauts. Topics include radiation effects, stress factors, carcinogenesis, muscle & bone loss, and medical countermeasures. The goal is to develop innovative technologies for future deep-space missions.