Daily Current Affairs- 14th January 2025

Daily Current Affairs- 14th January 2025

INTERNATIONAL

Mount Ibu Erupts in North Maluku, Indonesia

• Mount Ibu, situated in North Maluku, Indonesia, erupted on January 11, 2025, sending ash clouds up to 4,000 meters high and ejecting glowing lava up to two kilometres from its crater. This event has prompted authorities to issue warnings and implement safety measures for the public. 

India and Saudi Arabia sign Haj agreement 2025

• India’s Minister of Minority Affairs, Kiran Rijiju, signed the Haj Agreement 2025 with Saudi Arabia’s Minister for Hajj and Umrah, Dr Tawfiq Bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, in Jeddah. The agreement secures a quota of 175,025 pilgrims from India for the upcoming Haj season.

 NATIONAL

India's first private semiconductor fab to come up in AP

• The Andhra Pradesh government signed an MoU with Indichip Semiconductors Limited and its joint venture (JV) partner Yitoa Micro Technology Limited (YMTL) of Japan for setting up a semiconductor manufacturing facility with an investment of over Rs 14,000 crore. This Silicon Carbide (SiC) chips manufacturing facility will be India's first private semiconductor fab. 

Madhya Pradesh CM launches Swami Vivekananda Yuva Shakti Mission

• Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav launched the Swami Vivekanand Yuva Shakti Mission on the occasion of the National Youth Yadav on 12 January 2025 in Bhopal, He also inaugurated the world’s largest 3-D rangoli, depicting Swami Vivekananda at the Shaurya Smarak in Bhopal.
• The Swami Vivekananda Yuva Shakti Mission has been launched by the state government keeping in mind Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s guiding principle of GYAN (Focusing on the Poor, Youth, Farmers, and Women) and inspired by the principles of Swami Vivekanand. 

PM Modi launches ‘Mission Mausam’ on IMD’s 150th Foundation Day

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the celebrations marking the 150th Foundation Day of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on January 14 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The Prime Minister addressed the gathering at 10:30 AM, and also launched the ‘Mission Mausam,’ aimed at making India a ‘Weather-ready and Climate-smart’ nation. 

SPORTS

FC Barcelona wins their 15th Spanish Super Cup

• FC Barcelona crushed Real Madrid 5-2 to secure their 15th Spanish Super Cup crown at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah. Despite an early lead by Real Madrid, courtesy of Frenchman Kylian Mbappé in the 5th minute, Barcelona staged a strong comeback. 

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

United Spirits appoint Praveen Someshwar as CEO-designate from March 1

• United Spirits (Diageo India) announced the appointment of Praveen Someshwar as chief executive officer-designate from March 1, replacing Hina Nagarajan who will a join the Diageo’s global executive committee after steering the Indian operations as managing director and CEO for four years. Someshwar has been MD and CEO of HT Media for the last five years. Before that, he had served in various positions at PepsiCo in India and in the wider Asia Pacific region for over 24 years. 

IMPORTANT DAYS

Makar Sankranti

• Makar Sankrānti is a Hindu observance and a festival. Usually falling on the date of 14 January annually (15 January on a leap year), this occasion marks the transition of the sun from the zodiac of Sagittarius (dhanu) to Capricorn (Makara).
• Since the sun has made this transition which coincides with moving from south to north, the festival is dedicated to the solar deity, Surya and is observed to mark a new beginning, Many multi-day festivals are organised on this occasion all over India. 

BOOKS & AUTHOR

Manisha Pande's book Middle-Class India: Driving Change in the 21st Century

• Journalist Manisha Pande’s book Middle-Class India: Driving Change in the 21st Century is an excellent companion to have by your side while exploring these questions.
• It is divided into three parts. Part I looks at the middle class in pre-independence India, focusing on the period from 1757 to 1947. Part II concerns itself with the time frame between when India freed itself from the clutches of British colonial rule in 1947 to economic liberalisation in 1991. Part III is about the post-liberalisation scenario, from 1991 until the present day.
• Middle-Class India: Driving Change in the 21st Century
• Author: Manisha Pande
• Publisher: Aleph Book Company 

BANKING AND ECONOMY

IDBI Bank unveils Chiranjeevi Super Senior Citizen FD

• IDBI Bank has introduced a new specialised fixed deposit scheme, 'IDBI Chiranjeevi-Super Senior Citizen FD,' targeting customers aged 80 years and above. The premium offering provides enhanced interest rates, with an additional 65 basis points above standard fixed deposit rates and 15 basis points over existing senior citizen rates.