Skip to main content

21st January, 2025 Current Affairs

21st January, 2025 Current Affairs

NATIONAL
Uttarakhand Cabinet approves Uniform Civil Code manual

  • The Uttarakhand State Cabinet has given its nod to the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) manual, paving the way for its implementation in the state.
  • After the Cabinet meeting in Dehradun, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed his optimism about the UCC’s impact. He stated that Uttarakhand’s adoption of the UCC will serve as an inspiration for the rest of the country.
  • The Uniform Civil Code seeks to ensure that all citizens are governed by a common set of laws in matters of personal relationships, promoting equality and justice.

INTERNATIONAL
Donald Trump Takes Oath as 47th President of United States

  • Donald Trump has been sworn in as the 47th President of the United States, taking the oath of office for his second term. Chief Justice John Roberts administered the oath at the Capitol Rotunda in Washington, DC, tonight. Cannons were fired in salute as Hail to the Chief played. JD Vance took the oath as Vice President, administered by Justice Brett Kavanaugh. At 40, Vance became the 50th vice president and the third youngest in US history.
  • President Trump declared a national energy emergency to help lower prices, a key campaign promise. He asserted that the inflation crisis was caused by massive overspending and escalating energy prices. The new president also pledged to direct his Cabinet to use their vast powers to reduce the cost of goods. He vowed to put America first as he marked the beginning of a new chapter for the country, declaring that the golden age of America begins right now under his leadership.

Trump signs record number of executive Orders on day 1 of 2nd term

  • President Donald Trump signed a record number of executive orders within hours of assuming office as the 47th President of the United States for a non-consecutive second term.
  • Following this, after witnessing the presidential parade, he delivered another speech and signed as many as 80 executive orders.
  • Among the measures, Trump focused on curbing immigration, boosting fossil fuel production, and rolling back environmental regulations, including the 2021 Paris Climate Accord.
  • In one of the major orders, President Trump directed to withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO). In his order, Trump cited a string of reasons for the withdrawal, including the global health agency’s mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the failure to adopt urgently needed reforms. Trump accused the WHO of being biased towards China in how it issued guidance during the outbreak. The decision to withdraw means the US will leave the United Nations health agency in 12 months and stop all financial contributions to its work. The US is the biggest financial contributor, contributing around 18 per cent of its overall funding.
Join our WhatsApp Channel: Click Here
 Join our Telegram Channel: Click Here
Follow our YouTube Channel: Click Here
Follow our Instagram Page: Click Here

ECONOMY
Centre aims to reduce mineral import dependence by enhancing domestic production

  • Centre will soon launch the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) to enhance domestic production, reduce import dependence, and encourage offshore mining auctions while urging states to cooperate for sustained mining activities.
  • Lithium, cobalt, copper, nickel, and rare earth elements are known as critical minerals, which are essential for manufacturing Défense equipment and key technologies.
  • India has already made its place on the global platform for critical minerals, and the Coal and Mines Ministry wants both the public and private sectors to work in tandem in this regard.

India, Belgium to deepen trade and investment ties

  • Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal held bilateral talks with Belgian Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister Bernard Quintin in Brussels.
  • Both leaders acknowledged Belgium’s significant reliance on foreign trade and India’s dynamic, growing economy as key factors for leveraging mutual opportunities. They also discussed the progress of the EU-India Free Trade Agreement negotiations and emphasized the importance of prioritizing trade issues to streamline negotiations and strengthen economic ties.
  • India and Belgium trade is estimated at over 15 billion dollars in 2023-2024 while Foreign Direct Investments from Belgium into India was estimated at around four billion dollars.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Inauguration of Eastern India’s First Astronomical Observatory

  • The Department of Science and Technology, under the Union Ministry of Science and Technology, has inaugurated the first astronomical observatory in Eastern India atop Panchet Hill in the Garpanchkot area of Purulia district, West Bengal.
  • This marks an important milestone in the advancement of astronomical research in India. It is the sixth astronomical observatory in the country, following observatories in locations such as Ladakh, Nainital (Uttarakhand), Mount Abu (Rajasthan), Girbani Hills (Pune), and Kavalur (Tamil Nadu).
  • The observatory established in Garpanchkot Hills has been named after the renowned physicist and scientist Satyendra Nath Bose, in honor of his invaluable contributions to science. Bose is best known for his work in the field of quantum mechanics and his collaboration with Albert Einstein in developing Bose-Einstein statistics. The observatory has been set up by the Satyendra Nath Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences (SNBNCBS), a premier scientific research institution in India dedicated to promoting basic science research and development.

ANDHRA PRADESH
Flamingo Festival 2025 Concludes in Andhra Pradesh

  • The three-day Flamingo Festival 2025 in Andhra Pradesh concluded on January 20, 2025, with calls to protect the rich biodiversity of the region, specifically in Pulicat Lake and Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary. The event, which attracted numerous visitors, particularly bird watchers and photographers, was hailed as a major success. 
  • Held across several prominent locations in the region, including the renowned Pulicat Lake and Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary, the Flamingo Festival served as a platform to raise awareness about the ecological significance of these areas. Over the three days, the festival attracted both local tourists from Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu as well as nature lovers, bird watchers, and photographers from various parts of India.
  • The festival’s primary goal was not only to celebrate the beauty of the flamingos and the stunning biodiversity of the region but also to raise awareness about the environmental challenges faced by these vital ecosystems. Pulicat Lake, which is home to a large population of migratory birds, including flamingos, and Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary, a haven for avian species, were both focal points for the discussions during the event.
Published date : 22 Jan 2025 10:08AM

Photo Stories