Daily Current Affairs- 19th January 2025

Daily Current Affairs- 19th January 2025

INTERNATIONAL

The Cultural Center in Jaffna, Sri Lanka named as Thiruvalluvar Cultural Center

• The iconic Cultural Center in Jaffna, Sri Lanka built with Indian assistance, has been named as Thiruvalluvar Cultural Center in addition to paying homage to the great Poet and philosopher Thiruvalluvar it is also a testament to the deep cultural, linguistic, and historical and civilisational bonds between the people of India and Sri Lanka. 

IREDA, SJVN, GMR and NEA signed an agreement for the Upper Karnali Hydropower Project in Nepal

• Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Ltd. (IREDA) has finalized a Joint Venture Agreement with SJVN Ltd., GMR Energy Ltd., and Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) for the development of the 900 MW Upper Karnali Hydro-electric Project in Nepal. 

India & USA sign pact to enhance cooperation on cybercrime

• India and the USA have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (Agreement) to enhance cooperation and information sharing on cyber threat intelligence and digital forensics in criminal investigations. In a social media post, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal said that the MoU was signed by the Ambassador of India to the US, Vinay Mohan Kwatra and Acting U.S. Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Kristie Canegallo in Washington DC. 

OBITUARY

Legendary Director David Lynch Passed Away

• David Lynch, the acclaimed Hollywood director and writer, passed away at the age of 78. A true visionary of modern cinema, Lynch revolutionized the film industry with his distinct surreal style and exploration of the darker facets of human nature and the subconscious.

 IMPORTANT DAYS

NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) Foundation Day   

• NDRF was initially formed in 2006 with eight battalions the Disaster Management Act of 2005 established the NDRF, The NDRF has expanded to 16 battalions now.
• Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, participated as the Chief Guest in the 20th Foundation Day Celebrations of the NDRF in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh On this occasion he inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for projects worth over 200 crores rupees. The premises of three important centers including the Southern Campus of the National Institute of Disaster Management, Campus of the 10th Battalion of the NDRF, and the premises of the Regional Response Centre in Supaul was also inaugurated. 

World Snow Day

• World Snow Day is observed on the third Sunday in January each year and was created by the International Ski Federation (FIS). The purpose behind it is to increase children's participation in snow-related sports like skiing and snowboarding while bringing together families for a fun-filled frolic in the snow. 

SUMMITS & MOUs

STT Global to set up Rs 3,500cr data centre campus

• STT Global Data Centres India Pvt Ltd signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Telangana government to establish a state-of-the-art data centre campus in the Meerkhanpet, Mucherla region, with an investment of Rs 3,500 crore. 

World Economic Forum 2025

• Over 1,600 business leaders, including over 900 of the world's top CEOs and Chairs from the World Economic Forum's Members and Partners will participate in the 2025 annual meeting of the World Economic Forum that is scheduled to take place in Davos, Switzerland from January 20-24.