Current Affairs - January 2, 2025 Current Affairs

Nepal has initiated the 'Child Marriage Free Nepal' campaign, led by Minister Kishor Sah Sudi and supported by child rights activists and organizations like Just Right for Children and BASE Nepal. The campaign, backed by over 100 participants, including Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli, aims to eradicate child marriage and promote children's rights. This collaborative effort underscores Nepal's commitment to addressing this critical social issue.

Manish Singhal, with over 35 years of experience in the industry, has been appointed as the new Secretary General of the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM). He takes over from Deepak Sood, who led the chamber for five years and strengthened its operations. Singhal’s extensive leadership background includes roles at Tata Motors, Eicher (Volvo), and FICCI, where he was Deputy Secretary General. He is expected to further elevate ASSOCHAM’s role in advocating for economic growth and policy reforms in India.

Magnus Carlsen and Ian Nepomniachtchi shared the title of the 2024 World Blitz Chess Championship after a thrilling match in New York. The championship ended in a tie with a 2-2 score, followed by three sudden-death draws. This intense competition highlighted the exceptional skills of both players, showcasing their mastery of fast-paced chess. Additionally, China's Ju Wenjun won the Women's title, and India’s R. Vaishali reached the semifinals but was defeated by Ju Wenjun.

Global Family Day is celebrated annually on January 1, marking the beginning of the new year with a message of peace, unity, and appreciation for families. The day highlights the connection between world peace and strong family bonds, promoting global harmony. It encourages action-oriented efforts to resolve conflicts and fosters a sense of community engagement. The celebration serves as a reminder to value the importance of family in building peace and understanding across the world.

The Defence Ministry has declared 2025 as the ‘Year of Reforms’ to prioritize modernization and enhance the combat readiness of India’s Armed Forces. The reforms focus on advancing defence manufacturing, infrastructure, and procurement processes, and incorporating emerging technologies such as AI, drones, and cyber warfare. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh highlighted that these initiatives aim to ensure integrated multi-domain operations and strengthen India's global military standing.

The glass sea bridge, a 77-meter-long and 10-meter-wide structure, connects the Tiruvalluvar Statue and Vivekananda Rock Memorial in Kanniyakumari, Tamil Nadu. It was inaugurated by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin during the 25th-anniversary celebrations of the Tiruvalluvar Statue. This innovative bridge provides safe access between the two landmarks, addressing previous transportation challenges caused by rough seas. The project, worth ₹37 crore, showcases Tamil Nadu's commitment to innovative infrastructure development and tourism growth.

Russia implemented a 1% tourist tax on lodging costs beginning January 1, 2025, as part of efforts to enhance tourism infrastructure. This measure replaces the earlier resort fee and was introduced through amendments to the Tax Code in July 2024. The tax is regionally applied, with plans to increase it to 3% by 2027 in areas with robust or emerging tourism industries, demonstrating a strategic approach to boosting regional development.

West Bengal emerged victorious in the Santosh Trophy final, defeating Kerala 1-0. This prestigious football tournament showcases the best state teams in India, and West Bengal's win adds to its storied history in the competition. The event highlights the state's continued excellence in football and its commitment to fostering sports at the grassroots level.

Shri Bhuvnesh Kumar, a distinguished IAS officer of the 1995 batch from the Uttar Pradesh cadre, has taken charge as the CEO of UIDAI. Alongside this role, he continues as the Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). A gold medalist from NIT Kurukshetra, his illustrious career includes significant positions in various sectors like finance, MSME, and sports, reflecting his versatile expertise and commitment to public service.

K2-18 b, located 124 light-years from Earth, is classified as a "Hycean" planet. This type of planet is characterized by a hydrogen-rich atmosphere and the potential presence of oceans, making it a candidate for supporting life. With a radius 2.6 times and a mass 8.6 times that of Earth, its atmosphere contains intriguing elements like methane, carbon dioxide, and dimethyl sulfide, which are associated with biological processes on Earth.

Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra, a decorated fighter pilot with over 3000 flying hours and 38 years of distinguished service, has taken command of the Indian Air Force’s Western Air Command. His illustrious career includes roles as Chief Test Pilot and Deputy Chief of Integrated Defence Staff. He is a recipient of the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and Vishisht Seva Medal, showcasing his exemplary contributions to the nation’s defence. He succeeds Air Marshal Pankaj Mohan Sinha in this prestigious role.

Starting January 1, 2025, Switzerland will introduce significant changes in legal, economic, and social sectors. Among these, the country will enforce a ban on facial coverings in public places, impacting items like burqas and niqabs. Additionally, pension increases will be implemented, raising state pensions by 2.9% to match inflation and salary trends. Other reforms include adjustments to inheritance laws and stronger banking regulations, aligning Switzerland more closely with European standards. These measures are designed to modernize the country’s policies and improve overall social welfare.

India's renewable energy capacity surpassed 200 GW in 2024, marking a significant milestone in the country's journey towards sustainable energy. This achievement represents a 14% year-on-year increase, indicating substantial growth in the sector. The growth can be attributed to various initiatives and policies aimed at promoting renewable energy sources, such as solar and green hydrogen, and reducing dependence on fossil fuels. This progress aligns with India's Panchamrit goals, which emphasize the importance of sustainable energy in the country's development.