Current Affairs One - Liner : 18th April 2025

National:

• L&T's indigenous 651 kW Waterjet Propulsion System successfully completed sea trials on April 15, 2025, aboard the Indian Navy's Fast Interceptor Craft. Developed under the DRDO's TDF scheme, it features over 70% indigenous content and supports speeds above 45 knots.

• On April 14, 2025, Baisakhi was celebrated for the first time at the Washington State Capitol in Olympia, hosted by the Consulate General of India in Seattle. Key dignitaries, including Governor Bob Ferguson, attended the event, issuing proclamations to honor the Sikh community's contributions.
• Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya inaugurated the world's 17th Athlete Passport Management Unit (APMU) on April 17, 2025, at the National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL) in New Delhi. It aims to promote clean sports and ethical practices globally, especially in the Global South.
• The Delhi Public School (DPS) wetland in Navi Mumbai was declared a Flamingo Conservation Reserve (FCR) by the Maharashtra State Board of Wildlife (MSBW) on April 17, 2025, chaired by Chief Minister (CM) Devendra Fadnavis. This 30-acre wetland is part of the Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary (TCFS)'s ecosystem, serving as a vital habitat for migratory flamingos.

International:

• The 2028 Los Angeles Olympics cricket competition will be held at the Fairgrounds in Pomona, California, approximately 50 km east of Los Angeles. This temporary venue, known as Fairplex, will host T20 matches with six men's and six women's teams.
• India and G4 nations (Brazil, Germany, Japan) opposed religion-based seat allocation in a reformed UN Security Council during discussions on April 16, 2025. India emphasized regional representation over religious affiliation, countering suggestions like the Islamic Ummah proposal by OIC and Turkey.

Banking:

• From April 2025, the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) will be released on the 28th of every month at 4:00 PM by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI). This reduces the timeline from 42 days to 28 days for quicker data dissemination. The IIP will first be released as Quick Estimates, followed by Final Estimates.

Economy:

• India's exports are projected to grow by 5.5%, reaching USD 820.93 billion in FY 2024–25, as announced on April 16, 2025, by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. This includes merchandise exports of USD 437.42 billion and services exports of USD 383.51 billion.

MoUs:

• The State Level Cooperative Conference was held on April 13, 2025, in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, aimed at revitalizing the cooperative sector. During the event, an MoU between the Madhya Pradesh State Cooperative Dairy Federation (MPCDF) and the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) highlighted plans to expand dairy societies from 6,000 to 9,000, boost milk production.

Science & Technology:

• China-based Betavolt unveiled the BV100 nuclear-powered battery, boasting a 50-year lifespan and powered by Nickel-63 radioactive isotope. Its compact 15x15x5 mm design delivers 100 microwatts at 3 volts for medical devices, sensors, and AI tools.
• The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) and Germany's Museum Koenig Bonn discovered six new Sericinae beetle species, with findings published in Zootaxa on April 12, 2025. Notable species include Maladera champhaiensis (Mizoram) and Maladera onam (Kerala).
• A new frog species, Leptobrachium aryatium, was discovered in Assam's Garbhanga Reserve Forest near Guwahati. Known for its orange-and-black eyes and unique reticulated throat pattern, it was identified through genetic and bioacoustic studies. The discovery, published on April 14, 2025, in Zootaxa, honors Arya Vidyapeeth College for its scientific contributions.

Sports:

• World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen triumphed at the Inaugural Freestyle Chess Grand Slam 2025, held in Paris, France, on April 14, 2025. He defeated Hikaru Nakamura in the final with a score of 1.5–0.5, winning the first game and drawing the second.

Apps & Portals:

• Union Jal Shakti Minister C. R. Paatil launched a digital platform on April 17, 2025, in New Delhi to promote freshwater biodiversity conservation. Developed under the NMCG and WII, the platform provides data on rivers like the Ganga and Godavari.

Appointments:

• Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai was recommended as the 52nd Chief Justice of India on April 16, 2025. He will assume office on May 14, 2025, following the retirement of Justice Sanjiv Khanna. Justice Gavai will serve until November 23, 2025. He will be the second Dalit CJI, after Justice K.G. Balakrishnan.

Obituaries:

• Former Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, affectionately known as "Pak Lah," passed away on April 14, 2025, at the age of 85. He died at the National Heart Institute in Kuala Lumpur due to heart disease.

Questions:

Q.1 Where will the cricket competition for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics be held?
a) SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles
b) Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles
c) Rose Bowl, Pasadena
d) Fairgrounds in Pomona, California

Answer: d) The 2028 Los Angeles Olympics cricket competition (T20 format) will be held at the Fairgrounds in Pomona, known as Fairplex, approximately 50 km east of Los Angeles.

Q.2 Where was Baisakhi celebrated for the first time at a state capitol in the United States on April 14, 2025?
a) California State Capitol
b) Washington State Capitol
c) New York State Capitol
d) Texas State Capitol

Answer: b) The first-ever Baisakhi celebration at a U.S. state capitol took place at the Washington State Capitol in Olympia, hosted by the Consulate General of India in Seattle.