Current Affairs Quiz - March 2025

Notes:
The Israel-Hamas conflict has escalated, leading to a fragile ceasefire brokered by the US, Egypt, and Qatar. A key issue is Israel’s withdrawal from the Philadelphi Corridor, a strategic area along Gaza’s border with Egypt. The corridor is a 14 km long, 100-meter-wide strip, including the Rafah crossing and Kerem Shalom crossing. It was designated a demilitarized zone under the 1979 Camp David treaty. After Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005, Egypt and the Palestinian Authority took control, but Hamas seized it in 2007.

Notes:
The Make the World Wear Khadi campaign was launched by the Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. It aims to blend India’s textile heritage with global fashion trends and make Khadi a global brand. The campaign targets advertising professionals and freelancers from both domestic and international markets. It is part of the World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES). WAVES serves as a key platform for discussions, collaboration, and innovation in the media and entertainment (M&E) industry.

Notes:
The Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) and the Satyarthi Movement for Global Compassion held a discussion on Diyaslai. Diyaslai is the autobiography of Nobel laureate Kailash Satyarthi, detailing his journey from Vidisha to his fight for child rights. Kailash Satyarthi, born in 1954 in Madhya Pradesh, has led global efforts against child slavery and exploitation in 140 countries. His organization has rescued over 1,38,000 children from child labour and trafficking. He highlighted that compassion is the key to solving global issues.

Notes:
World Seagrass Day is observed on March 1 to raise awareness about seagrass conservation. Seagrass is crucial for marine biodiversity, coastline stability, and carbon absorption. The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) declared this observance on May 22, 2022, based on Sri Lanka’s proposal. Seagrass is a flowering marine plant found in shallow coastal waters worldwide, except Antarctica. Unlike seaweed, seagrass has roots, stems, and leaves, making it similar to land plants. It provides food and shelter to many marine species and plays a key role in ecosystem health.

Notes:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Vantara Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre in Jamnagar, Gujarat, on March 4, 2025. Vantara is a unique conservation, rescue, and rehabilitation initiative for animals. The centre spans 3,000 acres within the Jamnagar Refinery Complex. It serves as a sanctuary for abused, injured, and endangered animals. Vantara is India’s first initiative of its kind, conceptualized under Anant Ambani’s leadership. PM Modi highlighted India’s commitment to protecting wildlife and ecological sustainability.

Notes:
CM Mohan Yadav inaugurated the 42nd National Senior Rowing Championship in Bhopal’s Upper Lake. More than 500 competitors from across India are participating in the event, which runs until March 7, 2025. 14 events are featured, including Para Single Scull categories for men and women. Sports complexes will be developed in every assembly constituency to boost sports infrastructure.

Notes:
Ruellia elegans, also known as the Brazilian petunia, Christmas pride, or wild petunia, is native to Brazil and thrives in tropical wet biomes. Its elegant appearance gives it its name. It is one of the invasive plant species from the Acanthoideae sub-family in India, alongside Ruellia ciliatiflora, Ruellia simplex, and Ruellia tuberosa. It was introduced to the Andaman Islands and has spread to Odisha in India over the past decade. The study highlights the threat this plant poses to native biodiversity.

Notes:
The Wallace Line is an invisible boundary separating Asian and Australian animal species. It was first identified by English naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace in the 19th century. The line runs through the Malay Archipelago, between Bali and Lombok, and between Borneo and Sulawesi. Asian side species (Borneo, Bali) resemble mainland Asian animals like tigers and monkeys. Australian side species (Sulawesi, Lombok) resemble Australian wildlife like kangaroos and cuscuses. Scientists now view it as a transition zone rather than a strict boundary. Climate change and habitat destruction threaten these ecosystems and species adaptation.

Notes:
International Monetary Fund (IMF) has released the report titled “India Financial System Stability Assessment”. IMF warns that stress in Non Banking Finance Companies (NBFCs) may risk the financial system due to overexposure to power and infrastructure sectors. 63% of power sector loans in fiscal 2024 came from three major Infrastructure Financing Companies, up from 55% in 2019-20. 56% of NBFC lending was financed by market instruments, with the rest from bank borrowings. State-owned NBFCs like IREDA face higher risks. In a stagflation scenario, public sector banks (PSBs) may struggle to maintain a 9% capital adequacy ratio (CAR). IMF recommends equal regulation for state-owned and private NBFCs and better data sharing.

Notes:
Multiple sclerosis (MS) occurs when the immune system attacks the brain and spinal cord. It affects nearly 1 million people in the U.S. and over 2.8 million worldwide. Genetics influence MS risk, but environmental factors like diet, infections, and gut health play a major role. Studies show gut bacteria imbalance can predict MS severity. MS patients have more Blautia and Akkermansia but lower Bifidobacterium and Prevotella. A lower Bifidobacterium-to-Akkermansia ratio is linked to worse disability. Findings may help improve MS diagnosis and treatment by focusing on gut microbiome health.