Current Affairs One - Liner : 9th January 2025

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw inaugurated the NIELIT Deemed to be University in Guwahati, Assam, on January 3, 2025. The university aims to enhance education and research in electronics and information technology, focusing on semiconductor manufacturing and digital technologies.

Titagarh Rail Systems Ltd delivered India's first driverless, Made-in-India trainset to Bengaluru Metro on January 6, 2025. The trainset will operate on the 18-km Yellow Line, linking Electronics City to Bengaluru.
The Karnataka Forest Department launched the Garudakshi online FIR system on January 7, 2025. It aims to curb forest crimes by enabling digital FIR registration. Initially rolled out in five divisions, it will expand statewide based on feedback.
IIT Madras launched Asia's largest Shallow Wave Basin Research Facility on January 6, 2025, at its Thaiyur campus. This facility aids research in coastal and marine engineering by simulating complex wave-current interactions.

The Microfinance Institutions Network (MFIN) deferred the implementation of its new rule limiting lenders to three per borrower to April 1, 2025. This extension provides additional time for compliance and system updates. The rule aims to reduce borrower indebtedness and improve asset quality.
The Export-Import Bank of India (Exim Bank) raised $1 billion through a 10-year USD-denominated bond on January 7, 2025. This bond issuance achieved the lowest-ever spread for a BBB-rated issuer in Asia, showcasing strong global investor confidence in India's economic prospects.
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) invested ₹6,300 crore in the GMR Group on January 7, 2025. This strategic move aims to reduce GMR's debt and strengthen its financial position, boosting its infrastructure projects.
On January 7, 2025, during the Microsoft AI Tour in Bengaluru, CEO Satya Nadella announced a $3 billion investment in India to enhance cloud and AI infrastructure. This includes setting up new data centers and training 10 million people in AI skills by 2030.

The HSBC final India Services Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) rose from 58.4 in November to 59.3 in December 2024, indicating growth in the services sector. This increase reflects sustained demand and robust hiring in the industry.

Tata Elxsi and CSIR-NAL signed an MoU in Bengaluru on January 7, 2025, to collaborate on Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) solutions. This partnership focuses on UAVs, UAM, and eVTOL aircraft, aiming to drive innovation and accelerate product development in these emerging technologies.
The Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) and NALSAR University of Law signed an MoU on January 9, 2025, in Hyderabad to provide legal training to animal welfare representatives. This partnership aims to enhance knowledge in animal welfare laws and investigative techniques.

The Banded Royal butterfly (Rachana jalindra indra) was discovered in the Sepahijala Wildlife Sanctuary in Tripura and was documented in the peer-reviewed journal Munis Entomology & Zoology on January 1, 2025.

Martin Guptill announced his retirement from international cricket on January 8, 2025. Over his career, he played 367 matches for New Zealand, amassing 13,463 runs. Despite disappointment with his career's end, he will now focus on T20 franchise leagues.

On January 6, 2025, India and the U.S. announced a collaboration to jointly produce sonobuoys for the Indian Navy. This project involves Ultra Maritime from the U.S. and Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) from India. The sonobuoys will enhance the Indian Navy's anti-submarine warfare capabilities.

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant launched the Bima Sakhi Yojana on January 7, 2025. This initiative empowers women aged 18-70 with specialized training and a stipend for three years to enhance financial literacy and insurance coverage at the grassroots level.
Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah launched the KSRTC Arogya scheme on January 6, 2025. It provides cashless medical treatment to over 34,000 KSRTC employees and their dependents. Nearly 1.5 lakh individuals will benefit from treatments in 275 hospitals across Karnataka.

Earth's Rotation Day 2025, celebrated on January 8, recognizes the groundbreaking experiment by Léon Foucault in 1851, which proved Earth's rotation using a pendulum. The theme, "The Dynamics of Motion: Celebrating Earth's Constant Spin," underscores the vital role of Earth's rotation in daily life and science.

Shri Ashish Naithani was appointed as a judge of the Uttarakhand High Court on January 6, 2025. The Union Ministry of Law and Justice notified the appointment, and the oath ceremony took place on January 9, 2025, in Nainital.
Tuhin Kanta Pandey was appointed as Revenue Secretary in the Ministry of Finance on January 8, 2025. This reshuffle aims to strengthen the Ministry as it prepares for the upcoming Union Budget. Pandey continues to hold the designation of Finance Secretary.
On January 7, 2025, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs appointed 24 new members to the NCLT's Principal Bench in New Delhi. This includes 11 Judicial Members like Justice Jyotsna Sharma and Sunil Kumar Aggarwal, and 13 Technical Members like Reena Sinha Puri and Siddharth Mishra.
John Mahama was sworn in as Ghana's president for the third time on January 7, 2025. He previously served as president from 2012 to 2017 and returns to address economic issues and corruption.

Veteran journalist, filmmaker, poet, and former Rajya Sabha member Pritish Nandy passed away on January 8, 2025, at the age of 73 due to cardiac arrest. He was a multifaceted personality known for his contributions to literature, journalism, film production, and politics.

Questions:

1 What is the primary objective of the MoU signed between Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) and NALSAR University of Law?

2 Where is Asia's largest Shallow Wave Basin Research Facility located?