Current Affairs One - Liner : 23rd January 2025

On January 21, 2025, UNESCO and the WMO declared 2025 as the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation. This initiative aims to raise awareness about the critical role of glaciers in the climate system. It also seeks to address the urgent challenges posed by accelerated glacier melting.

On January 17, 2025, Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel inaugurated the GIFT International Fintech Institute (GIFT-IFI) and the GIFT International Fintech Innovation Hub (GIFT-IFIH) in Gandhinagar. These initiatives aim to foster a specific startup ecosystem in Gujarat.
On January 22, 2025, the Telangana Government signed a ₹10,000 crore investment deal with CtrlS Datacenters Pvt Ltd to establish an advanced AI data center cluster. The project will have a capacity of 400 megawatts and is expected to generate 3,600 jobs.
By January 20, 2025, India's non-fossil fuel-based energy capacity reached 217 gigawatts. Significant additions in solar and wind energy drove this growth. India aims for 500 gigawatts of non-fossil fuel-based capacity by 2030.

On January 22, 2025, US President Donald Trump issued an executive order withdrawing the US from the OECD's global tax deal. This agreement aimed to establish a global minimum corporate tax rate of 15%. Trump's decision was driven by concerns over US sovereignty and economic competitiveness.
On January 21, 2025, World Bank-appointed Neutral Expert Michel Lino confirmed his competence to resolve the Indus Water Treaty dispute between India and Pakistan. The decision supports India's stance on the jurisdiction of all seven technical disputes.

On January 20, 2025, Bajaj Finance and Bharti Airtel announced a partnership to create a major digital financial services platform. This platform will offer Bajaj Finance's products to Airtel's 370 million customers via the Airtel Thanks App and stores. The collaboration aims to enhance financial inclusion and access to services across India.
On January 22, 2025, Reliance Industries announced a ₹100 crore investment in an ICAR project to develop biogas feedstock. The collaboration with ICAR’s Indian Grassland & Fodder Research Institute aims to benefit farmers with potential earnings exceeding ₹12 lakh per hectare annually.
On January 17, 2025, Tata AIA Life Insurance introduced Shubh Muhurat, a life insurance plan to help parents save for their child's wedding. The plan offers capital guarantee, equity exposure, and life cover for financial protection and continuity.

On January 22, 2025, ZSI scientists discovered 23 species of blood-sucking flies in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. This finding, published in Parasites and Vectors, includes 13 species reported for the first time in India. These flies, known as "Bhusi flies," primarily feed on the blood of livestock and wild animals.

India will host the FIDE Chess World Cup 2025 from October 31 to November 27, 2025. This marks India's first hosting of the event since 2002. Over 200 players will compete. The tournament serves as a qualifier for the 2026 Candidates Tournament.

On January 18, 2025, India's Rubber Board launched iSNR (Indian Sustainable Natural Rubber) and INR Konnect in Kottayam, Kerala. iSNR aligns with EUDR standards and ensures traceability certification for market access. INR Konnect is a platform that connects untapped rubber plantation owners with adopters to enhance productivity.
On January 20, 2025, the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) launched a scheme and portal for the PM’s Awards for Excellence in Public Administration 2024. This initiative aims to recognize and reward the extraordinary and innovative work of government officers at both Central and State levels.

On January 21, 2025, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella topped the HSBC Hurun Global Indians List 2024. The list ranks 226 leaders of Indian origin heading the world's most valuable companies, with Nadella's company valued at $3.146 trillion. Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai and YouTube CEO Neal Mohan secured the second and third spots, respectively.

On January 20, 2025, Neeraj Parakh was appointed as CEO and Executive Director of Reliance Power. Parakh joined the Reliance Group in 2004 and has over 29 years of experience. His three-year term is subject to member approval.
On January 19, 2025, Dhananjay Shukla was elected as the president of the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) for 2025. Shukla, a fellow of ICSI, has over 20 years of experience and served as the vice president of ICSI in 2024.

The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) in Hyderabad received the Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar-2025 for its excellence in disaster management. The award recognizes INCOIS's contributions to early warnings for ocean-related hazards and risk reduction during natural calamities.

Wing Commander (Retd) Dr. K. Ramchand, founder and director of the Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS), passed away on January 17, 2025, at 82. He was instrumental in developing the Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft.

Questions:

1 Which country is hosting the FIDE Chess World Cup 2025?

2 Which two organizations declared 2025 as the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation?