Daily Current Affairs 14th Jan, 2025

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Daily Current Affairs 14th Jan, 2025: Your guide for daily General Knowledge Preparation

Dear Readers,

This post contains important current affairs of 14th Jan, 2025. It includes all Major National, International, Business and Sports related current affairs of 14th Jan, 2025. A brief explanation of every current affair is provided to further enhance your general knowledge. Once you have gone through these current affairs we would recommend to you to try 14th Jan, 2025 Current affairs test.

 

International News

  • Earthquake of Magnitude 6.9 Hits Southwestern Japan
  • At 9:19 PM local time on January 13, 2025, a 6.9 magnitude earthquake struck in the Hyuga-Nada Sea, located off the coast of Miyazaki Prefecture in southwestern Japan.
  • In response, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) announced a tsunami advisory for Miyazaki and nearby Kochi Prefectures, cautioning residents about the possibility of waves reaching a height of up to one meter.
  • The advisory was lifted later, and there have been no major reports of damage or casualties.

Nicolas Maduro Begins Third Term Amid Disputed Election

  • Nicolas Maduro, who serves as the 46th President of Venezuela, was sworn in for his third consecutive six-year term following an election that his challenger, Edmundo Gonzalez, claims was marred by fraud.
  • Despite international sanctions and criticism, most prominently from the United States, Maduro proceeded with his inauguration in the face of widespread discontent and public demonstrations.

Defence News

India-U.S. Collaborative Sonobuoy Production Planned for 2027

  • India and the United States are gearing up to jointly produce sonobuoys—vital equipment for undersea surveillance—enhancing the Indian Navy’s capabilities in tracking submarines.
  • This cooperative effort entails the final assembly of U.S.-grade sonobuoys in India, with the operational production facility expected to be established by 2027.
  • The partnership brings together Ultra Maritime, a prominent U.S. defense firm, and Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), a public sector undertaking in India.

National News



SECL Launches New Cell for Post-Retirement Benefits

  • South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL), based in Chhattisgarh and operating under Coal India Limited (CIL), has taken a notable step to support its retired workforce by introducing a Post-Retirement Benefit (PRB) Cell.
  • This specialized unit is designed to offer a one-stop service for retirees, reducing the need to deal with multiple departments.
  • The initiative also aligns with ‘Mission Sambandh,’ a continuing SECL program focused on strengthening communication and engagement with various stakeholders.

    Uttar Pradesh Mulls Privatizing Two Power Distribution Firms

  • The Uttar Pradesh government is exploring the possibility of privatizing Dakshinanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam and Purvanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam, two of its four electricity distribution companies.
  • This strategy, indicated by a state government tender seeks to address issues like high power losses and insufficient transmission infrastructure.

    Odisha Implements Ayushman Bharat

  • Odisha has become the 34th state in India to roll out the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), marking a major stride in improving healthcare services within the state.
  • This development was solidified through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the National Health Authority (NHA) under the Union Ministry of Health and Odisha’s Department of Health and Family Welfare.

    Avaniyapuram Jallikattu 2025 Commences

  • The annual Jallikattu festival at Avaniyapuram in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, kicked off on January 14, 2025.
  • Celebrated during the Pongal festivities, this bull-taming sport is a showcase of participants’ bravery and skill, reflecting the region’s deep-rooted traditions and cultural heritage.

    Agreements News

    C-DOT and IIT Mandi Collaborate on Wideband Spectrum Sensor Chip

    • The Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), in partnership with IIT Mandi and IIT Jammu, has signed an agreement to develop an advanced Wideband Spectrum-Sensor ASIC-Chip.
    • The project, falling under the Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF) scheme, seeks to optimize spectrum usage, thus delivering efficient broadband services, especially in rural areas.
    • This collaborative endeavor aligns with India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make-in-India missions.

Business News

Rise in India’s Direct Tax Collection in FY25

  • India’s net direct tax revenue climbed to roughly ₹16.90 lakh crore by January 12, 2025, representing a 15.88% hike compared to the same timeframe last fiscal year.
  • The government’s direct tax target for this fiscal is ₹22.07 lakh crore.

    Retail Inflation Eases to 5.22% in December

  • The nation’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation rate dipped to 5.22% in December 2024 from 5.48% the month prior, marking a four-month low.
  • The primary factor for this decline was a slowdown in price increases for basic food items like vegetables, grains, and pulses.

    Approval of 56 New Watershed Projects Worth ₹700 Crore

  • The Ministry of Rural Development sanctioned 56 fresh Watershed Development Projects under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) at a total cost of ₹700 crore.
  • Spanning ten high-performing states—Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Nagaland, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Sikkim—these initiatives are directed at boosting agricultural output, curbing land degradation, and strengthening climate resilience.

Awards News

Kappad and Chal Beaches Granted Blue Flag Status

  • The internationally recognized Blue Flag certification has been conferred upon the famous Kappad beach in Kozhikode and Chal beach in Kannur, both located in Kerala.
  • Endorsed by the Denmark-based Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), the Blue Flag label acknowledges beaches that fulfill stringent criteria in terms of environmental conservation, safety, and sustainable practices.
  • This achievement underlines Kerala’s commitment to eco-friendly tourism and enhances the state’s reputation as a responsible travel destination.

Sports News

Anju Bobby George Appointed as AFI Athletes Commission Chairperson

  • Renowned long-jumper and 2003 World Championships bronze medalist Anju Bobby George has been named Chairperson of the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) Athletes Commission.
  • The newly formed commission features several high-profile retired athletes, including two-time Olympic medalist Neeraj Chopra as a leading male member.
  • With six women out of nine members, this commission marks an important step towards gender balance in the AFI structure.

Historic Start to the Kho Kho World Cup

  • The first-ever Kho Kho World Cup commenced on January 13, 2025, at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi.
  • Welcoming 23 participating nations, this landmark event celebrates a traditional Indian sport on a global platform.
  • An elaborate opening ceremony included cultural showcases and the grand unveiling of the World Cup trophy, highlighting the game’s growing prominence around the world.

Science & Technology News

Pink Fire Retardant Used to Combat California Wildfires

  • As wildfires continue to threaten Southern California, firefighting teams are employing aerial drops of pink fire retardant to prevent flames from spreading.
  • Although this method has been utilized for many years, concerns about its ecological impact are increasingly coming under scrutiny.
  • Discussions are ongoing regarding its overall effectiveness and the potential harm it poses to the environment.

ISRO’s SpaDeX Mission Reaches Satellite Docking Breakthrough

  • In a major advancement in space docking technology, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully executed crucial maneuvers in its SpaDeX (Space Docking Experiment) program.
  • Featuring two satellites, SDX01 (Chaser) and SDX02 (Target), the mission aims to test spacecraft rendezvous, docking, and undocking procedures.
  • ISRO moved the satellites to within three meters of each other and then repositioned them to a safe distance for further assessments.
  • India is poised to become the fourth nation—after the USA, Russia, and China—to accomplish such a sophisticated space operation.

Important Days 

Makar Sankranti 2025

  • Makar Sankranti is a long-standing Hindu festival that celebrates the Sun’s transition from Sagittarius to Capricorn.
  • This shift signals the conclusion of lengthy winter nights and the advent of extended daylight hours, symbolizing the ascendancy of light over darkness.
  • In 2025, Makar Sankranti will fall on Tuesday, January 14.

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