Current Affairs One - Liner : 4th February 2025

• National:
• On February 1, 2025, it was announced that 100 Amrit Bharat, 50 Namo Bharat, and 200 Vande Bharat trains will be manufactured over the next 2-3 years. This initiative is part of the Union Budget 2025-26 and aims to enhance rail connectivity and improve travel experiences across India.

• Narmada Jayanti in 2025 is observed on Tuesday, February 4th. This Hindu festival celebrates the birth of the sacred Narmada River. Devotees take holy dips, offer prayers, and perform special pujas, believing that bathing in the Narmada River purifies the soul and brings blessings of prosperity, health, and spiritual well-being.
• Economy:
• India's manufacturing PMI reached a six-month high in January 2025, hitting 57.7. This indicates a robust expansion in factory activity, driven by strong domestic and export demand. The rise in PMI also led to record hiring in the manufacturing sector.
• Science & Technology:
• The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) successfully launched the Michibiki 6 navigation satellite on February 2, 2025. The launch took place at the Tanegashima Space Center using the H3 rocket. Michibiki 6 will enhance GPS accuracy for smartphones and other services as part of Japan's Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS).
• Sports:
• Simona Halep, the two-time Grand Slam champion, announced her retirement from professional tennis on February 4, 2025, at the age of 33. Halep, who won the French Open in 2018 and Wimbledon in 2019, cited ongoing injuries and the physical demands of the sport as reasons for her decision.
• Defence:
• The DRDO successfully conducted three flight trials of the Very Short-Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) on February 1, 2025, from Chandipur, off the coast of Odisha. The system effectively intercepted and destroyed high-speed targets at very low altitudes, demonstrating its capability against aerial threats like low-flying drones.
• Awards & Honours:
• On February 3, 2025, Travis Head won his maiden Allan Border Medal at the 2025 Australian Cricket Awards. Head received 208 votes for his outstanding performance across all three formats. He also won the Men's ODI Player of the Year award.
• Obituaries:
• Horst Koehler, former President of Germany and former Managing Director of the IMF, passed away on February 1, 2025, at the age of 81. He died in Berlin after a brief illness, surrounded by his family.

Questions:

1. When was the Michibiki 6 navigation satellite launched by JAXA?

• A) January 1, 2025
• B) February 2, 2025
• C) March 3, 2025
• D) April 4, 2025

Answer: B) JAXA launched the Michibiki 6 navigation satellite on February 2, 2025, to enhance GPS accuracy as part of Japan's Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS).

2. Who won the Allan Border Medal at the 2025 Australian Cricket Awards?

• A) Steve Smith
• B) Pat Cummins
• C) David Warner
• D) Travis Head

Answer: D) Travis Head won his maiden Allan Border Medal at the 2025 Australian Cricket Awards for his exceptional performances across all three formats of the game.