Current Affairs Quiz - January, 2025

Notes:
Manchester United Football player Denis Law passed away at the age of 84 on January 18. He began his football career with Huddersfield Town before gaining fame at Manchester United. He spent 11 years at the club, winning league titles in 1965 and 1967 and the European Cup in 1968. He scored 237 goals in 404 appearances, making him the club’s third-highest goalscorer after Wayne Rooney and Sir Bobby Charlton. He formed the iconic ‘holy trinity’ with Charlton and George Best, revered by Manchester United fans. He is the only Scottish player to win the Ballon d’Or, earning it in 1964.

Notes:
Tropical Cyclone Sean, currently Category 3, is affecting Western Australia, expected to weaken further by January 22, 2025. It peaked as a Category 4 cyclone, forming on January 20, 2025, due to warm sea temperatures and favourable atmospheric conditions. Karratha recorded its heaviest daily rainfall at 274 mm, causing flooding and infrastructure disruptions. Floodwaters impacted roads and homes; emergency services are managing rescues and power outages. The cyclone, now offshore about 400 km, poses no direct threat to the mainland. Authorities urge vigilance, though no additional cyclones are forecasted in the region.

Notes:
The United States announced its exit from the World Health Organization (WHO), with President Donald Trump citing mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic and political influence from member states. Trump criticized the WHO for “unfair payments” and claimed it failed to act independently from countries like China. The U.S. contributes around 18% of WHO’s funding, with its 2024-2025 budget at $6.8 billion. Trump accused the WHO of aiding China’s efforts to mislead about COVID-19 origins, a claim the WHO denies. The withdrawal will take 12 months, ending U.S. financial contributions to the agency.

Notes:
The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying hosted a two-day conclave in Shillong from January 23-24 to boost investment in North East India’s livestock sector. The conclave aimed to discuss strategies for the sector’s development, assess challenges, and explore growth opportunities through technological interventions and policy support. It focused on value chain strengthening, knowledge sharing, and promoting sustainable farming practices.

Notes:
Around 59 people in Pune have been affected by Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS), a rare neurological disorder. GBS occurs when the immune system attacks the peripheral nervous system, affecting muscle movement, pain, temperature, and touch sensations. It is also called acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (AIDP) and usually affects people aged 30-50. The exact cause is unclear but often follows infections, vaccinations, or major surgery. Symptoms include fever, weakness, and potential paralysis, with severity varying widely. There is no cure, but intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) treatment helps suppress the immune system’s attack on the nerves.

Notes:
The M23 (March 23 Movement) is an armed rebel group operating in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), particularly in North Kivu province. It originated in 2012 from a faction of the Congolese army, citing grievances over a 2009 peace agreement. The group is involved in territorial seizures, driven by local ethnic tensions and international backing, with UN reports linking Rwanda’s support, including military involvement. M23 recently captured key areas like Minova and poses a threat to Goma, the provincial capital. DRC’s capital is Kinshasa, and it is traversed by the Congo River, Africa’s second-longest river.

Notes:
The Forest Department plans to revise the boundaries of Nahargarh Wildlife Sanctuary to address legal issues. Nahargarh Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Aravalli Hills, 20 km from Jaipur, Rajasthan. It spans an area of 720 hectares and is named after the historic Nahargarh Fort, built in the 18th century by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. The sanctuary includes Nahargarh Biological Park, known for its popular lion safaris.

Notes:
The 2nd edition of ‘Lok Samvardhan Parv’ is organized from January 27 to February 2, 2025, by the Ministry of Minority Affairs in New Delhi. 90 artisans from across India showcases diverse crafts, such as Ajrak Print, Banaras Brocade, Cane & Bamboo, Channapatna Toys, Kantha Stitch, and more. The event demonstrates the Ministry’s inclusive development program benefiting minority communities.

Notes:
Recently, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that Dibrugarh would be upgraded to a full-fledged city and serve as the second capital of Assam. This decision aims to enhance the Ease of Living and improve connectivity within the region. The announcement coincided with the Republic Day celebrations, marking transformation for a city once associated with militancy.

Notes:
The nuclear-powered icebreaker “50 Let Pobedy” collided with a cargo vessel in the Kara Sea, causing damage. The Kara Sea is a marginal sea of the Arctic Ocean, located north of Siberia, Russia, covering 880,000 sq.km. It is named after the Kara River and is bordered by Franz Josef Land, Novaya Zemlya islands, and the Severnaya Zemlya archipelago. It is connected to the Arctic Basin and is separated from the Barents Sea and Laptev Sea. The sea is one of the coldest in the world and remains covered with ice from September to May.