Current Affairs January-III 2025

Explanation : São Tomé and Príncipe Prime Minister Ilza Amado Vaz resigned after her proposed cabinet list was publicly leaked before informing President Carlos Vila Nova. Amado Vaz, a former justice minister, was appointed prime minister following the dissolution of Patrice Trovoada’s government. São Tomé and Príncipe is a small archipelago in the Gulf of Guinea, covering just over 1,000 sq. km.

Explanation: Researchers at the Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, China, developed Electrokinetic Mining (EKM) for eco-friendly extraction of rare earth elements (REEs). EKM uses an electric field to concentrate REEs, simplifying their separation. REEs are 17 metallic elements with critical properties for modern technologies, including magnetic, electronic, and chemical applications. EKM relies on electrokinetics, which involves the movement of particles or fluids under an electric field to extract REEs from ore.

Explanation: The National Green Tribunal has directed a rejuvenation committee to set a new timeline for the action plan to reduce pollution in the Pavana River. The Pavana River flows in western Maharashtra, crossing Pune and dividing Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad. It originates from the Western Ghats. It flows through Dehu, Chinchwad, Pimpri, and Dapodi before joining the Mula River near Pune. It is about 60 km long and feeds into the Bhima River.

Explanation: The Sri Lankan Navy recently arrested 17 Indian fishermen near Neduntheevu Island. Neduntheevu, also called Delft Island, is the largest island in the Palk Strait, Sri Lanka. It covers 50 sq.km, with an 8 km length and 6 km width. The island is flat, oval-shaped, and often wind-swept, offering a soothing environment. It lacks streams; freshwater comes from surface water and artificial ponds. The island has dry shrubs, semi-arid tropical plants, and tall palm trees. A Dutch fort made of coral chunks is located on the island, which has a population of 4,800.

Explanation: India has successfully tested the Bhargavastra, its first micro-missile system to counter swarm drones. It is designed to counter the threat of swarm drones. It was developed by Economic Explosives Ltd. Bhargavastra detects small flying machines over 6 km and hits targets over 2.5 km. It uses guided micro-munitions and can fire more than 64 micro missiles simultaneously. The system operates in all terrains, including high-altitude areas. It fulfills Army Air Defence requirements, marking India’s first counter-drone system with micro missiles.

Explanation: A flagship river-link irrigation project in Rajasthan will submerge 37 sq. km of Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve (RTR), dividing it into two sections. It is situated at the junction of the Aravallis and Vindhyas ranges in Rajasthan. It was once a royal hunting ground for Jaipur’s Maharajas and is now one of northern India’s largest tiger reserves. The reserve is ideal for tiger monitoring due to its unique climate and vegetation. It is bordered by the Chambal River in the south and the Banas River in the north. The Ranthambhore Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, lies within the reserve.

Explanation: Zoran Milanovic was re-elected as President of Croatia for a five-year term, securing 74% of the run-off vote. The first round of the presidential election on 29 December 2024 saw Milanovic win 49.1% of votes, necessitating a second round on 12 January 2025. Milanovic, backed by the opposition Social Democratic Party, is a critic of the EU and NATO but condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine while criticizing Western military support for Ukraine. The Croatian Democratic Union, the ruling party since 1991, had its candidate, Dragan Primorac, secure 19.2% of votes. The President in Croatia is the Head of State with limited executive powers, while the Prime Minister holds real executive authority. Croatia is located on the Balkan Peninsula along the Adriatic Sea.

Explanation: Ukraine’s Security Service and Navy used a Neptune missile to strike an ammunition depot in Russia’s Rostov region. The R-360 Neptune is a Ukrainian-made subsonic cruise missile, originally designed for anti-ship use and later adapted for land attacks. It is based on the Russian Kh-35 missile, known as AS-20 Kayak by NATO. The missile entered service with the Ukrainian Navy in March 2021. It weighs 870 kg, is 5.05 meters long, and has a 400 km range. It travels at 900 km/h, with altitudes from 10 to 300 meters, dropping to 3 meters in the final phase.

Explanation:Larsen & Toubro launched the second multi-purpose vessel, INS Utkarsh, for the Indian Navy at Kattupalli Shipyard near Chennai. INS Utkarsh, meaning “Superior in Conduct,” is built by L&T Shipbuilding Limited. The vessel is 106m long, 18.6m wide, with a displacement over 3,750 tonnes, and a maximum speed of 15 knots. It will enhance maritime surveillance, patrolling, and disaster relief capabilities of the Navy. The launch follows the first MPV, INS Samarthak, within three months. This aligns with India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives, showcasing indigenous shipbuilding progress.

Explanation: Raksha Mantri congratulated DRDO on the successful Field Evaluation Trials of the Nag Mk 2 missile. The Nag Mk 2 is a third-generation, indigenously developed Anti-Tank Fire-and-Forget Guided Missile. It is developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). It features fire-and-forget technology for precision targeting with minimal operator intervention. The missile can neutralize modern armored vehicles with explosive reactive armor (ERA). The Nag Missile Carrier version-2 was also field evaluated, and the weapon system is now ready for induction into the Indian Army.