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** Which two cities of India have recently been added to the ‘Wetland Cities of the World’ list by UNESCO?
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Udaipur and Indore
- Indore and Udaipur became the first cities in India to be recognised under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.
- China tops the global list with 22 recognised cities, while France is second with 9 cities.
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** Who has recently been declared the mascot of Kho Kho World Cup 2025?
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Tara and Tejas
- On January 3, 2025, Kho Kho Federation of India (KKFI) unveiled the trophy and mascot for the Kho-Kho World Cup 2025.
- India is set to host the inaugural edition of the Kho Kho World Cup at the IGI Stadium in Delhi from January 13 to 19.
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What is the name of India’s first indigenous micro-missile system designed to counter swarm drones?
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Bhargavastra
- Bhargavastra is India’s first micro-missile system developed in India to counter drone swarm threats.
- Bhargavastra has been developed by Economic Explosives Limited (EEL), a subsidiary of Nagpur-based Solar Group.
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Flamingo Festival 2025 is celebrated in which state?
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Andhra Pradesh
- 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.
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** Which player did Jannik Sinner defeat in the final of the 2025 Australian Open?
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Alexander zverev
- Jannik Sinner raised his eyes and arms to the heavens after retaining his Australian Open title on 26 January.
- Jannik Sinner of Italy and Madison Keys of the United States won the men’s and women’s singles titles of the 2025 Australian Open Grand Slam tennis event respectively.
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** In which state India’s first ‘Generation Beta’ child is born?
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Aizawl (Mizoram)
- At a hospital in the northeastern state’s capital Aizawl, the first baby in the country from the so-called ‘Generation Beta’ was born.
- The Generation Beta, which followed Gen Z and Millennials before them, will be a term applicable to those born between 2025 and 2039.
- The term was reportedly coined by futurist Mark McCrindle.
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** Which Indian female cricketer has been selected as the ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year?
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Smriti Mandhana
- Indian women’s team vice-captain Smriti Mandhana has been named the ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year for her outstanding performance in the ODI format in 2024.
- She has become the second cricketer to win the ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year award twice. Apart from her, New Zealand’s Suzie Bates has achieved this feat.
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** Who has recently won the women’s singles title in India Open Badminton, 2025?
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An Se-young
- Paris 2024 Olympic champions Viktor Axelsen of Denmark and An Se-young of Republic of Korea registered stunning victories to win the men’s and women’s singles titles respectively at the India Open 2025 badminton tournament in New Delhi.
- An Se-young of South Korea defeated Ponnpawee Chochuwong of Thailand 21-12, 21-9 in just 39 minutes in the women’s singles final.
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