Current Affairs Quiz - January, 2025

Notes:
China unveiled the CR450, the world’s fastest high-speed train, with test speeds of 450 km/h and a commercial speed of 400 km/h. It surpasses the CR400 Fuxing trains (350 km/h) and reflects breakthroughs in speed, energy efficiency, safety, and comfort. Developed through 200,000 km of tests, 3,000 simulations, and 2,000 platform tests. Features include water-cooled traction, high-stability bogies, and a 20% reduction in energy use. Enhances passenger comfort with noise reduction, spacious cabins, and storage for bicycles and wheelchairs. Aligns with China’s plan to expand its rail network to 70,000 km by 2035.

Notes:
Global Family Day, also called World Peace Day, is observed annually on January 1 to promote peace and unity worldwide. It emphasizes the idea that all people are interconnected regardless of nationality, borders, or ethnicity. The concept originated in 1997 when the UN General Assembly declared the International Decade for the Culture of Peace and Nonviolence for Children of the World. The UN officially recognized Global Family Day in 2001 after its initial success in 1999.

Notes:
Researchers at IIT Bombay have developed an affordable device to diagnose and manage tinnitus. Tinnitus is the perception of sound with no external source, often caused by age-related hearing loss, ear injury, or circulatory issues. Symptoms include sleep disturbances, depression, anxiety, and other phantom noises like buzzing or roaring. The new device offers a comprehensive approach with precise tinnitus matching, customizable treatment, and tracking tools to monitor disease progression. It aims to provide personalized care for patients based on their unique conditions.

Notes:
A delegation from Andhra Pradesh, including Ministers and officials, will visit Karnataka to study the Shakti scheme, which offers free bus travel for women on non-premium State-run buses. Andhra Pradesh is considering launching a similar scheme. The 15-member delegation will engage with KSRTC officials to understand the operational aspects, benefits, and challenges of the scheme. Shakti Yojana, implemented by Karnataka’s Congress government, has been running successfully for more than a year. The Shakti scheme has significantly increased ridership, adding 23.17 lakh passengers daily.

Notes:
Eminent physicist Rajagopala Chidambaram, key figure in India’s nuclear tests of 1974 and 1998, passed away at 88. Born in 1936, Chidambaram studied at Presidency College, Chennai, and Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru.. He served as Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India (2001-2018) and director of BARC (1990-1993). Chidambaram was chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission and Secretary, DAE (1993-2000). He also chaired the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in 1994-1995.

Notes:
The Ministry of Home Affairs introduced two special visas: ‘e-student visa’ and ‘e-student-x visa’ for international students. The ‘e-student visa’ is for foreign nationals admitted to full-time programs in India, while the ‘e-student-x visa’ is for their dependents. Both visas are available for students registered on the Study in India (SII) portal and are valid for up to five years. The SII portal offers access to over 600 institutions and 8,000 courses across various disciplines, supporting higher education in India.

Notes:
Researchers introduced Twigstats, a tool for time-stratified ancestry analysis, in a Nature study. Twigstats significantly enhances statistical power and reduces errors in ancestry studies. It provides high-resolution, precise individual-level ancestry analysis. The tool is coded in C++ and uses the statistical language R. Twigstats enables fine-grained analysis of specific historical periods.

Notes:
The Flamingo Festival 2025 returns to Andhra Pradesh after a four-year break, celebrating migratory birds, especially flamingos, at Pulicat Lake and Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary. The event covers five key locations: Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary, Atakanithippa, BV Palem (Pulicat Lake), Sullurpet’s Government Junior College, and Sri City. More than 200 bird species, including flamingos, grey pelicans, and open-bill storks, are expected to migrate to the region. Activities include birdwatching, eco-friendly biodiversity sessions, boating, cultural programs, and stalls at Sullurpeta.

Notes:
The artesian condition was recently observed in Taranagar village, Jaisalmer district, Rajasthan. The term “artesian” refers to water confined under pressure below layers of impermeable rock. This water is located deeper beneath the earth’s surface, surrounded by poorly permeable rocks, creating high underground pressure. Artesian conditions occur when groundwater moves from a recharge area to a discharge point at a lower elevation. Unlike normal tube wells, artesian water can naturally sprout from underground without any external assistance.

Notes:
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) highlighted that Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopters (ALHs) have better flying safety records than global standards. Dhruv ALH is an indigenously developed twin-engine utility aircraft by HAL. It has multi-role, multi-mission capabilities for both military and civil operations.