Current Affairs One - Liner :15th February 2025

National:

• On February 11, 2025, Coca-Cola announced that Maaza, the popular mango-based drink, joined the billion-dollar club in 2024. This milestone makes Maaza the third Indian brand under Coca-Cola to achieve this, following Thums Up and Sprite.

                                  

• Karnataka launched a revamped Single Window System on February 11, 2025, in Bengaluru to accelerate investments and improve ease of doing business. This system integrates over 150 business services across 30 state departments, featuring simplified approvals, real-time status updates, and AI-powered assistance.
• On February 12, 2025, Ajmer's Foy Sagar Lake was renamed Varun Sagar, and King Edward Memorial was renamed Maharshi Dayanand Vishrant Grih. These changes aim to honor local cultural heritage and remove colonial-era names.
• IIT Kanpur's Ranjit Singh Rozi Shiksha Kendra introduced the innovative solar dehydration technique on February 12, 2025. This initiative was demonstrated to farmers, providing hands-on training in solar dehydration methods.
• On February 13, 2025, India and the US announced fresh Quad initiatives during a meeting in Washington, DC. These initiatives aim to enhance cooperation in the Western Indian Ocean, Middle East, and Indo-Pacific regions. They also launched the Indian Ocean Strategic Venture for coordinated investments.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the SAMVAD programme in Thailand on February 14, 2025. He emphasized India-Thailand cultural ties, the importance of Bhagwan Buddha's teachings, and the theme of the Asian Century. PM Modi highlighted India's promotion of Pali and the Gyan Bharatam mission to digitize ancient manuscripts.
• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the 15th edition of Aero India, Asia's largest aerospace and defence exhibition, on February 10, 2025, at Yelahanka Air Force Station in Bengaluru. The event, themed "The Runway to a Billion Opportunities," showcases India's aerial prowess and indigenous innovations, with participation from over 900 exhibitors, including 150 foreign companies.

Banking:

• On February 11, 2025, Easebuzz received final authorization from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to operate as an online payment aggregator (PA). This approval enables Easebuzz to facilitate digital transactions across various sectors, processing an annualized GTV of $30 billion and serving over 200,000 businesses.
• On February 11, 2025, Rural Electrification Corporation (REC) and Chenab Valley Power Projects Limited (CVPPL) signed a Rs 2,147.51 crore term loan agreement to develop the 1000MW Pakal Dul Hydro Electric Project in Jammu & Kashmir's Kishtwar district. This greenfield project aims to enhance renewable energy production and contribute to the region's energy security.

MoUs:

• The MoU between Kalyani Strategic Systems Limited (KSSL) and L3Harris Technologies was signed on February 11, 2025, in New Delhi, India. The aim is to strengthen tactical communication networks for the Indian Armed Forces by developing C4ISR technologies, leveraging L3Harris' experience, and enhancing national security. This collaboration aligns with the U.S.-India Defense Industrial Cooperation framework.

Sports:

• The Chennai Open 2025 was held from February 3 to February 9, 2025, in Chennai, India. This professional tennis tournament, part of the ATP Challenger Tour, featured matches on hard courts.
• Singles Champion: Kyrian Jacquet (France)
• Doubles Champions: Shintaro Mochizuki and Kaito Uesugi (Japan)

Defence:

• On February 14, 2025, Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL) delivered 40,000 AK-203 assault rifles to the Indian Army. Produced at the Korwa Ordnance Factory in Amethi, Uttar Pradesh, the project aligns with India's "Make in India" and "Atmanirbhar Bharat" initiatives, achieving 100% localization in defense manufacturing.

Index & Ranking:

• The Climate Risk Index 2025 was released on February 12, 2025, by Germanwatch, an independent environmental, development, and human rights organization based in Germany. India is ranked 6th among the most affected countries by extreme weather events. The country at the 1st place is Dominica.

Appointments & Resignations:

• On February 12, 2025, Konstantinos Tasoulas was elected as Greece's new president in the fourth round of parliamentary voting, securing 160 votes. He will be sworn in on March 13, 2025, succeeding outgoing President Katerina Sakellaropoulou.

Awards & Honours:

• NTPC Ltd. received the Forward Faster Sustainability Award 2025 for Water Resilience on February 13, 2025, from the UN Global Compact Network India (UN GCNI) in Chennai. This award acknowledges NTPC's efforts in water conservation and sustainable water management.

Obituaries:

• Renowned folk artist and Padma Shri awardee Sukri Bommagowda passed away on February 13, 2025, at the age of 84. Known as the "Nightingale of Halakki," she preserved Karnataka's folk traditions with a repertoire of nearly 5,000 songs.

 Questions:

1.Which Indian beverage brand joined the billion-dollar club in 2024, as announced by Coca-Cola on February 11, 2025?

a) Frooti

b) Maaza 

c) Limca

d) Slice

Answer: b) On February 11, 2025, Coca-Cola announced that Maaza, the popular mango-based drink, achieved the billion-dollar revenue milestone in 2024. 

2.Which company received RBI’s final approval to operate as an online payment aggregator on February 11, 2025?

a) Paytm

b) Easebuzz 

c) Razorpay

d) CCAvenue

Answer: b) On February 11, 2025, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) granted final authorization to Easebuzz to function as an online payment aggregator (PA).