Daily Current Affairs- 13th January 2025

Daily Current Affairs- 13th January 2025

INTERNATIONAL

India-Nepal Inter-Governmental Committee meeting on trade transit and cooperation

• The India-Nepal Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) on Trade, Transit, and Cooperation to Combat Unauthorised Trade was held in Kathmandu from January 10-11, 2025. Secretary, Department of Commerce, Government of India, Shri Sunil Barthwal led the Indian delegation.
• The Nepali side was headed by Secretary, the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, Government of Nepal, Mr. Gobinda Bahadur Karkee, accompanied by representatives from different Nepali Ministries and Departments. 

Sao Tome and Principe’s new PM resigns

• Prime Minister Ilza Amado Vaz of São Tomé and Príncipe has resigned after her proposed cabinet list was made public before being presented to President Carlos Vila Nova. According to a Presidential decree, this breach prompted her dismissal from office. 

NATIONAL

PM Modi inaugurated Z-Morh Tunnel on January 13, boosting all-weather connectivity

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Z-Morh Tunnel on Monday (January 13). Located on the Srinagar-Sonamarg road in Jammu and Kashmir, this strategically significant project will play a crucial role in ensuring year-round road connectivity to the Ladakh region.
• The Z-Morh Tunnel, constructed at the cost of ₹2,400 crore on the Srinagar-Leh National Highway, spans 6.5 kilometres and will significantly improve road access to the Ladakh region year-round. 

 Mega Entrepreneurship Development Conclave kicks off in Pune

• Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Rajiv Ranjan Singh inaugurated the Mega Entrepreneurship Development Conclave in Pune today (January 13). During the event, Mr Singh will inaugurate 40 livestock projects worth more than 545 crore rupees. The objective of this conclave is to unite policymakers, federations, cooperatives, industry associations, entrepreneurs and financial institutions to unlock the potential of the livestock sector. 

Maha Kumbh, set to begin in Prayagraj

• The Maha Kumbh, set to begin in Prayagraj at the sacred confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers on Monday, (January 13). It is anticipated to generate over ₹4 lakh crore in trade, providing a significant boost to India’s economy. 

Piyush Goyal launches Bharat Cleantech Manufacturing Platform

• Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal unveiled the Bharat Cleantech Manufacturing Platform, an initiative designed to enhance India's cleantech value chains in the solar, wind, hydrogen, and battery storage sectors at the Bharat Climate Forum 2025 in New Delhi. 

SPORTS

Shreyas Iyer made the Punjab Kings Captain Ahead of IPL 2025

• Shreyas Iyer has been made as the captain of Punjab Kings for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season. The announcement was made during a special segment on the reality television show ‘Bigg Boss’, where Iyer appeared alongside teammates Yuzvendra Chahal and Shashank Singh. 

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Devajit Saikia appointed as BCCI Secretary

• Former first-class cricketer Devajit Saikia has been announced as the new secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), replacing Jay Shah, who assumed the role of ICC Chairman last year. The announcement was made during the BCCI Special General Meeting (SGM). Prabhtej Singh Bhatia was elected as the Treasurer of the Indian Cricket Board. 

Avenue Supermarts appoints Anshul Asawa as CEO designate from March 15

• Avenue Supermarts, which runs the hypermarket and supermarket chain DMart, has appointed Anshul Asawa as chief executive officer (CEO) designate and senior managerial personnel, effective March 15, it said in a stock exchange filing, Asawa will succeed Ignatius Navil Noronha, who will complete his current term of five years as the managing director of the company on January 31, 2026. 

IMPORTANT DAYS

Lohri

• The festival of harvest, Lohri celebrated today (January 13) in North India, especially in Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Jammu and Chandigarh. Lohri marks the end of the long nights of winter and welcomes the longer days of summer, as the Sun begins its journey to the Northern Hemisphere.