CURRENT AFFAIRS
17 February, 2025
1. DRC CONFLICT AND M23 MILITIA –
• The ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has escalated with the M23 militia, backed by Rwanda, capturing the mineral-rich city of Goma.
• The conflict has resulted in 2,900 deaths, displaced nearly 700,000 people, and spread to South Kivu province, a region rich in resources.
• M23 Formed in 2012 after the failure of a 2009 peace agreement between the DRC government and Tutsi-led National Congress for the Defence of the People (CNDP).
• M23 claims to protect Tutsis in DRC, while Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) fights for Hutus.
• Hutu-Tutsi conflicts have existed since Belgian and German colonial rule, with Tutsis favored in governance.
• Rwandan Genocide (1994) was a mass killing of the Tutsi ethnic group by Hutu extremists in Rwanda.
• The DRC supplies 40% of the world’s Coltan, used to make Tantalum capacitors for electronics due to its high charge retention.
2. INDIA AS A BRIDGE BETWEEN THE GLOBAL NORTH AND SOUTH –
• Bridging the Global North-South Divide: Many developing nations face economic distress due to debt crises and restrictive International Monetary Fund (IMF) conditions.
• India offers a collaborative development model, unlike Western or Chinese approaches, with its proposed “Global Development Compact” providing an alternative, non-conditional development cooperation framework.
• Unlike Cold War-era diplomacy, India is deepening ties with the West (US, Europe) while expanding engagement with Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia.
• India advocates for a fairer global economic system, aligning with the Global South’s interests.
• India advocates for UN Security Council (UNSC) reform, arguing that developing countries deserve greater representation in global decision-making.
• India supports IMF and World Bank reforms to make financing more accessible for Global South nations.
3. PM-AASHA SCHEME EXTENDED TO SUPPORT FARMERS UNTIL 2025-26 –
• The Government of India has extended the Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA) scheme until 2025-26.
• This move is aimed at providing better income support to farmers by ensuring that they receive remunerative prices for their produce. PM-AASHA also helps stabilize the prices of essential food commodities, benefiting both farmers and consumers alike.
4. ISRO CHAIRMAN V NARAYANAN REVEALS INDIA’S SPACE ROADMAP FOR THE NEXT 10 YEARS –
• V Narayanan, the newly appointed Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), unveiled the future roadmap of India’s space missions. Narayanan, who is also the Secretary of the Department of Space, rocket scientist, and aerospace engineer, spoke about India’s growing space capabilities and ambitious missions set for the coming years.
• His insights cover launch vehicle technology, human spaceflight, interplanetary missions, space station developments, and much more. Here’s a detailed account of what lies ahead for ISRO, as shared by Narayanan.
5. SAUDI ARABIA TO HOST INAUGURAL OLYMPIC ESPORTS GAMES 2027 –
• In July 2023, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) made a groundbreaking decision to introduce the Olympic Esports Games, marking a significant step in bridging the gap between esports and traditional sports. In this historic move, Saudi Arabia has been selected to host the first-ever Olympic Esports Games in 2027.
• The IOC has partnered with the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee (SOPC) to bring this vision to life, and the Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) has been named as the Founding Partner of the event. This collaboration aims to innovate esports, expand opportunities for global players, and create a lasting impact on the gaming industry.
MCQ QUIZ
Q1. Which two countries launched the TRUST initiative to boost cooperation in critical minerals in February 2025 ?
a) India and Russia
b) India and United States
c) Russia and China
d) India and Japan
Q2. BrahMos NG missile is jointly developed by India and which country ?
a) Russia
b) China
c) Australia
d) Japan
Q3. What is the rank of India in the World Bank Logistics Performance Index (LPI) ?
a) 25th
b) 29th
c) 36th
d) 38th
Q4. Assertion (A): The M23 rebel group, which captured Goma in January 2025, is reportedly supported by Rwanda.
Reason (R): The DRC holds about 40% of the world’s Coltan supply.
Which of the following is the correct explanation ?
a) Both assertion and reason are correct, and the reason is the correct explanation of the assertion.
b) Both assertion and reason are correct, but the reason is not the correct explanation of the assertion.
c) The assertion is correct, but the reason is incorrect.
d) The assertion is incorrect, but the reason is correct.
Explanation-
Assertion (A) is correct: The M23 rebel group, supported by Rwanda, has captured Goma, and competition for Coltan in Goma is a significant factor driving the conflict in eastern DRC.
Reason (R) is correct: The DRC holds around 40% of the world’s Coltan supply, which makes it a valuable resource for armed groups like M23. Thus Both assertion and reason are correct, but the reason is not the correct explanation of the assertion.
Q5. Consider the following statements regarding Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to France:
1. The visit focused on deepening collaboration between India and France in nuclear energy, especially the development of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).
2. The defense cooperation discussions included India’s offer to sell its Pinaka Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher (MBRL) system to France.
3. The two nations launched the “India-France Year of Innovation,” which will be celebrated starting in March 2026.
How many of the above statements are correct ?
a) Only 1
b) Only 2
c) All three
d) None
Explanation-
• Statement 1 is correct: The visit focused on nuclear energy collaboration, particularly the development of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and the Jaitapur nuclear power plant project.
• Statement 2 is correct: The defense discussions included India’s offer to France regarding the Pinaka Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher (MBRL) system.
• Statement 3 is correct: The “India-France Year of Innovation” will indeed be celebrated starting in March 2026.
Answer Key
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
B | A | D | B | C |