Daily Current Affairs- 23rd January 2025

Daily Current Affairs- 23rd January 2025

INTERNATIONAL

UN proclaimed 2025 as the International Year of Glaciers

• The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 2025 as the International Year of Glaciers' Preservation to raise awareness on the vital role glaciers, snow, and ice play in the climate system and water cycle, as well as the far-reaching impacts of rapid glacial melt. 

US to withdraw from WHO and Paris Climate Accord

• American President Donald Trump on the first day of his office signed several Executive Orders to implement his election promise of America first. The Executive Order signed on 20 January 2025 includes several controversial issues and reverses the previous Joe Biden administration decisions.
• The order includes the American withdrawal from the World Health Organisation (WHO), and the Paris Climate Change Agreement 2015, ending automatic citizenship rights for foreign parent's children born in the USA. 

NATIONAL

Centre introduced Diamond Imprest Authorization scheme

• The Department of Commerce, Government of India, launched the Diamond Imprest Authorization (DIA) Scheme as a strategic move aimed at strengthening the country's foothold in the global diamond trade, It will take effect from April 1 and will offer a streamlined process to facilitate the duty-free import of natural cut and polished diamonds under ¼ carat (25 cents). 

SPORTS

ICC Rankings: Bumrah continues to be best Test bowler in latest rankings

• India's pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah continued to remain the undisputed No. 1 Test bowler, while Ravindra Jadeja maintained his top spot in the all-rounders' category, in the latest ICC rankings.
• Bumrah, who had made history ahead of the fifth and final Border-Gavaskar Test against Australia in January by recording the highest-ever ICC Rankings rating for an Indian bowler at 907 points, is currently on a career-best points tally of 908. 

SPORTS

Viktor Axelsen and An Se-Young won men’s and women’s India Open 2025 badminton titles

• The India Open 2025 badminton tournament concluded in New Delhi with stunning performances from some of the world’s top players. The tournament saw Paris 2024 Olympic champions Viktor Axelsen of Denmark and An Se-young of South Korea claim emphatic victories in the men’s and women’s singles categories, respectively, while other categories witnessed thrilling matches and significant achievements. Below is the detailed breakdown of the event. 

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Dhananjay Shukla elected President of ICSI for 2025

• The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) has elected its new office bearers for 2025. Company Secretary (CS) Dhananjay Shukla has been elected as the President and CS Pawan G Chandak has been elected as the Vice-President of the ICSI. 

IMPORTANT DAYS

Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Jayanti

• Netaji Jayanti or Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Jayanti, officially known as Parakram Diwas or Parakram Divas (lit. 'Day of Valour'), is a national event celebrated in India to mark the birthday of the prominent Indian freedom fighter Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. It is celebrated annually on 23 January. 

SUMMITS & MOUs

Sun Petrochemicals signs Rs 45,500 crore investment MoU with Telangana

• The Telangana government has entered into an MoU with Sun Petrochemicals to develop three pumped storage hydropower projects in the districts of Nagarkurnool, Mancherial and Mulugu. These projects will have a combined capacity of 3,400 MW and will be complemented by downstream integrated solar power plants with a capacity of 5,440 MW. 

BOOKS & AUTHOR

Amitabh Kant authored the book ‘How India Scaled Mt. G20’

• Amitabh Kant, India’s G20 Sherpa, has unveiled the behind-the-scenes journey of India’s G20 Presidency in his book “How India Scaled Mt G20: The Inside Story of the G20 Presidency” (Rupa Publications). The book highlights the challenges, negotiations, and triumphs that shaped one of the most significant global summits hosted in New Delhi in September 2023.