Daily Current Affairs- 28th January 2025

Daily Current Affairs- 28th January 2025

INTERNATIONAL

Lukashenko secured seventh term as President of Belarus

• Alexander Lukashenko has secured a seventh term as President of Belarus, extending his 30-year authoritarian rule. The election, held on January 26, 2025, reported Lukashenko winning nearly 87% of the vote, a result widely denounced as fraudulent by both domestic opposition and international observers.

NATIONAL

Giriraj Singh inaugurated Handloom Conclave Manthan

• Union Minister of Textiles Giriraj Singh inaugurated the “Handloom Conclave-Manthan” at the Dr Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi on 28 January. The interactive workshop will bring together stakeholders from across the handloom sector to formulate a roadmap for its future growth. 

PM Modi inaugurates ‘Utkarsh Odisha, Make-in-Odisha Conclave’ in Bhubaneswar

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the ‘Utkarsh Odisha, Make-in-Odisha Conclave’ in Bhubaneswar today (January 28).
• Utkarsh Odisha is a flagship Global Investment Summit hosted by the Odisha government, aimed at positioning the state as a leading investment destination and industrial hub in India. 

SPORTS

Bumrah Crowned ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year

• Jasprit Bumrah was named ICC Men's Test Cricketer of the Year after a stellar performance with 71 wickets, praised by Coldplay's Chris Martin during a concert.

Smriti Mandhana Named ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year 2024

• India's star batter Smriti Mandhana has been crowned the ICC Women's ODI Cricketer of the Year for her outstanding performances in 2024. The elegant left-handed opener dominated the 50-over format, amassing runs with remarkable consistency and flair, solidifying her reputation as one of the best in the game. 

Melie Kerr Clinches ICC Women’s Player of the Year Award

• New Zealand's Melie Kerr became the first Kiwi to win the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, earning the title of ICC Women's Cricketer of the Year for 2024. At 24, Kerr stood out for her exceptional performance across all facets of the game, surpassing notable contenders like Laura Wolvaardt. 

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

M. Mohan Appointed as Director of ISRO’s Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre

• Mohan has been appointed as the Director of the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. He succeeds Dr. V. Narayanan, who recently assumed the role of Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on January 14, 2025. 

IDBI Bank Approves Re-Appointment of Rakesh Sharma as MD & CEO for Three Years

• The Board of Directors of IDBI Bank approved the re-appointment of Rakesh Sharma as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD & CEO) of the bank for three years with effect from March 19, 2025. This is as per RBI's approval received in this regard. 

JP Morgan names Nitin Maheshwari, Ravi Shankar as co-heads of India bank

• JPMorgan has elevated Nitin Maheshwari and Ravi Shankar as co-heads of investment banking for India, according to a memo seen by Bloomberg News, the contents of which were confirmed by a spokesperson for the bank. Both bankers will take on the responsibilities held by Wadhwani, who recently left the US lender to pursue other opportunities, according to the memo. 

IMPORTANT DAYS

Birth Anniversary of Lala Lajpat Rai

• On January 28, 2025, India will commemorate the 160th birth anniversary of one of its most revered freedom fighters, Lala Lajpat Rai. Known as the ‘Punjab Kesari’ or the ‘Lion of Punjab’, Lala Lajpat Rai was a towering figure in India’s struggle for independence. His contributions as a freedom fighter, politician, social reformer, and journalist have left an indelible mark on the nation’s history.