Daily Current Affairs, News Headlines 20.01.2025
National Updates
- The Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025 has witnessed the launch of 56 new products from 22 different brands at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. Commerce and Industry Ministry said various advanced vehicles, cutting-edge mobility solutions, and the latest components were showcased in this event.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi has saluted the brave personnel of the National Disaster Response Force, NDRF on its Raising Day.
- Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) has simplified the online process of updating member profiles. The members whose Universal Account Number has already been validated through Aadhaar can update their profile with name, date of birth, gender, nationality, father or mother’s name, etc.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi has welcomed the naming of the iconic Cultural Center in Jaffna built with Indian assistance, as Thiruvalluvar Cultural Center.
- The Centre has proposed a meeting with the protesting farmers on February 14 in Chandigarh to discuss their demands. A delegation of Central Government officials led by Joint Secretary, Department of Agriculture and Farmer Welfare, Priya Ranjan met farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal recently.
- The Northern Railways division has announced operation of three special trains between Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Railway Station, Katra and Prayagraj to facilitate pilgrims travelling to the Maha Kumbh Mela.
International Updates
- The United Nations has said that trucks carrying humanitarian aid entered Gaza after a truce between Israel and Hamas went into effect. Efforts are also underway for the release of hostages.
- Millions of TikTok users in the United States are no longer able to watch videos on the social media platform as a federal ban on the popular app takes effect.
- A temporary ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has commenced after a three-hour delay, facilitating a critical step toward de-escalation in the ongoing conflict. Mediator Qatar confirmed the start of the truce.
- In South Korea, a court issued a warrant to detain impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol for an extended period over his controversial declaration of martial law on December 3. The Seoul Western District Court approved the arrest warrant after a lengthy deliberation.
- In Nigeria, 77 people were killed and many injured in northern Nigeria when a petrol tanker truck overturned, spilling fuel that exploded.
Sports Updates
- In the inaugural edition of the Kho Kho World Cup, Indian Women’s and Men’s teams were crowned as the World Champions. Women Team India secured a commanding victory with a score of 78-40 against the Nepal women’s team in the final match.
- The 20th edition of the Tata Mumbai Marathon was held, with over 65,000 runners taking part in the event. Maharashtra Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan flagged off the ‘Elite’ segment of the marathon by firing a sports gun from the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus.
- In India Open Badminton in New Delhi, Demark’s Viktor Axelsen won the Men’s singles title. He defeated Hong Kong’s C. Yiu Lee in straight sets 21-16. 21-8 in the final.
- In the Tata Steel Chess Tournament, World Champion D Gukesh has won the first round defeating Anish Giri of Holland in a closely contested match at Wijk Aan Zee in Netherlands.
- In the Australian Open Tennis, Indian ace Rohan Bopanna and his Chinese partner Shuai Zhang entered the quarterfinals of the mixed doubles after they got walk over from the fourth seeded Monaco-American pair of Hugo Nys and Taylor Townsend.