Daily Current Affairs and GK | 7 January 2025

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives

1. BHARATPOL portal has been launched by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

• The portal has been developed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
• This portal will streamline the processing of all requests for international assistance through INTERPOL.
• These requests include the issuance of Red Notices and other colour-coded INTERPOL notices.
• BHARATPOL portal will facilitate Indian law enforcement agencies.
• This will enable real-time information sharing and faster access to international police assistance.
• BHARATPOL Portal will bring all the stakeholders on a common platform.
• BHARATPOL Portal will strengthen efforts of India in combating transnational crimes.
• Union Home Minister also presented Police Medals to 35 CBI officers.
• They have been awarded the President’s Police Medals for Distinguished Service and the Union Home Minister’s Medal for Excellence in Investigation.

Topic: MoUs/Agreements

2. A MoU has been signed between FIU-IND and IRDAI for increased coordination and information exchange to check money laundering.

• A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between the Financial Intelligence Unit-India (FIU-IND) and the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI).
• This MoU has been signed as part of continued efforts in effective implementation of Prevention of Money Laundering Act and Rules.
• Vivek Aggarwal, Director, FIU-IND and Satyajit Tripathy, Member (Distribution), IRDAI signed the MoU.
• Under the MoU, FIU-IND and IRDAI will cooperate in the fields of mutual interest.
• They will share relevant intelligence and information, available in their respective databases.

Topic: International News

3. Indonesia officially became a full member of the BRICS.

• Brazil, the presiding country of BRICS, announced that Indonesia has been admitted as a full member of the BRICS.
• Indonesia is the world’s fourth-most populous country in the world.
• Indonesia formally notified the group of its interest in joining BRICS only after the establishment of its new government.
• BRICS was formed in 2009 by Brazil, Russia, India, and China. The first BRIC Summit was held in Russia’s Yekaterinburg in 2009.
• In 2024, BRICS was expanded and Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates have been included in the bloc.
• Turkey, Azerbaijan and Malaysia have also formally applied to become members of the BRICS.
• The 16th BRICS Summit was held under Russia’s chairmanship in Kazan in 2024.

(Source: DD News)

Topic: Geography

4. A strong Earthquake of 7.1 magnitudes shook the mountainous region in western China near Nepal.

• An earthquake with a 7.1 magnitude was centered in the Tibet region at a depth of about 10 kilometers (6 miles).
• The epicentre of the earthquake was 380 kilometres (240 miles) from Lhasa, the capital of Tibet.
• The epicentre was located between the India and Eurasia plates clash.
• The earthquake tremors were also felt in Nepal and India.
• This region is prone to earthquakes due to collision between Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates.
• These two tectonic plates meet beneath the Himalayas along a fault line.

Topic: Space and IT

5. Astronomers discovered new Ultra-Diffuse Galaxy.

• Astronomers from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) and their collaborators have discovered a new ultra-diffuse galaxy.
• It is 430 million light-years from Earth in the constellation Leo.
• This galaxy is located at the tip of the longest tidal tail ever discovered, stretching out from galaxy NGC 3785.
• The tidal tail is a long stream of stars and interstellar gas. The tidal tail holds the clues about the formation of ultra-diffuse galaxies (UDGs).
• Omkar Bait first recognized the uniqueness of the tidal tail.
• The formation of the ultra-diffuse galaxy is due to gravitational interaction between NGC 3785 and a neighbouring galaxy.
• This discovery will provide crucial information about the formation of ultra-diffuse galaxies, which have long been a subject of fascination for astronomers.

(Source: DD News)

Topic: Sports

6. In Squash, Anahat Singh has won the Under 17 Girl’s Singles title at British Junior Open in England.

• India’s Anahat Singh defeated Malika El Karaksy of Egypt, 3-2.
• This win marks Anahat’s third British Junior Open title, after her victory in the Under-11 category in 2019 and the Under-15 category in 2023.
• In the tournament, 16-year-old top-seed Indian defeated Egypt’s Ruqayya Salem 3-1 in the semi-finals.
• Anahat won over another Egyptian, Nadia Tamer, in the quarter-finals.
• Anahat had won nine PSA Challenger titles last year. This number is more than any other woman in the world.

Topic: Art and Culture

7. Saint Narahari Tirtha statue have been found in Simhachalam Temple in Vishakhapatnam.

• Saint Narahari was born in Srikakulam and died at Hampi.
• Narahari Tīrtha was a 13th century saint. A member from the Team of Research on Culture and Heritage (TORCH) found his three-foot idol.
• He hailed from Chikakolu town (present Srikakulam). His ancestors were aristocrats in the Gajapati Empire.
• Saint assisted Eastern Ganga dynasty for three decades. He was a administrator, intellectual and poet.
• Shri Narahari wrote fifteen books. Two of his works survive today.
• They are Gita Bhasya and Bhavaprakasika. He first composed Devaranamas in Kannada.  

Topic: National News

8. Mandatory hallmarking for silver is planned by the government amid rising consumer demands.

• On January 6, Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) should consider implementing mandatory hallmarking for silver and silver artefacts following demands from consumers.
• Work in this direction has already started, and the government will take a decision after consultation with stakeholders and completion of a feasibility assessment by BIS.
• The move follows the successful implementation of mandatory gold hallmarking, introduced in June 2021, which now covers 361 districts.
• The existing hallmarking system consists of a unique six-digit alphanumeric code (HUID), which certifies the purity of gold.
• Silver hallmarking, which certifies the purity of the white metal, is currently voluntary.
• The potential inclusion of silver hallmarking will significantly expand India’s quality control measures for precious metals.
• Established under the BIS Act in 1986, BIS is an autonomous national body responsible for setting quality standards for products and services.

Topic: Personality in News

9. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his resignation.

• On January 6, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his resignation amid growing dissatisfaction with his leadership.
• Mr. Trudeau said it had become clear to him that he “cannot remain leader through the next election due to internal battles.”
• He said Parliament, which was scheduled to resume on January 27, would remain suspended till March 24.
• All three main opposition parties have said they plan to bring down the Liberal Party with a no-confidence motion when Parliament resumes, so an election is almost certain to occur in the spring after the Liberals choose a new leader.
• Mr Trudeau came to power in 2015 after 10 years of Conservative Party rule and was initially praised for taking the country back to its liberal past.
• He was the also second youngest Prime Minister in the history of Canada.

Topic: National News

10. Asia's largest Aero Show, Aero India 2025, will be held in Bengaluru.

• The Air Force Station Yelahanka in Bengaluru, Karnataka, will host the 15th edition of Asia’s biggest aero show, Aero India 2025, from the 10th to the 14th of February.
• "The Runway to a Billion Opportunities" is the theme of this event.
• A unique platform will be provided by Aero India for forging partnerships between foreign and Indian firms to accelerate the indigenization process and showcase cutting-edge technologies.
• The first three days of the event will be business days, while the 13th and 14th are set as public days so that people can watch the show.
• Several bilateral meetings will be held during the event, focusing on strengthening defence and aerospace ties with friendly countries.
• Aero India has already established itself globally as a premier aerospace exhibition, having held 14 successful editions in Bengaluru since 1996.
• The last edition achieved remarkable milestones as it was attended by over seven lakh visitors, dignitaries from 98 countries, and 809 exhibitors, including businesses, investors, start-ups, and MSMEs.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Biotechnology and Diseases

11. HMPV Virus detected in 2 infants in Bengaluru.

• Amid growing concerns over the outbreak of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) in China, on January 6, the Union Health Ministry reported that two cases of HMPV have been detected in Karnataka.
• Of the two infants who were found infected, one has already been discharged from the hospital.
• The first HMPV case was detected in a three-month-old baby girl at Baptist Hospital, Bengaluru. She had bronchopneumonia but has been discharged.
• The second HMPV case was an eight-month-old baby boy who tested positive on January 3 at the same hospital.
• HMPV has been recognized by the American Lung Association as a significant cause of acute respiratory infections, particularly among children.
• For the first time, researchers in the Netherlands discovered this virus in 2001 and identified it as a major cause of respiratory illness during the winter and spring months.
• Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV):
  • HMPV is a respiratory virus that usually leads to mild to moderate flu-like symptoms.
  • It spreads mainly through close contact with infected individuals or contaminated surfaces and is most active during winter and early spring.
  • Typical symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or congested nose, and sometimes wheezing or difficulty breathing.
  • Some individuals, especially very young children, the elderly, or people with weakened immune systems, may experience serious respiratory problems such as pneumonia or bronchiolitis.

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives

12. Panchayat Se Parliament 2.0 programme has been launched by LS Speaker Om Birla.

• 500 elected women representatives from Panchayati Raj institutions from 20 States and Union Territories have participated in this programme.
• Its main aim is to empower elected women representatives from Scheduled Tribes from Panchayati Raj institutions.
• It also enhances their knowledge of constitutional provisions, parliamentary procedures, and governance to foster effective leadership.
• It is organized to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of tribal icon Birsa Munda.
• The programme included workshops and sessions with a guided tour of the new parliament house, Samvidhan Sadan, Pradhanmantri Sangrahalya.

Topic: Banking System

13. Goal-oriented deposit schemes have been introduced by SBI for customers of all ages.

• SBI has also launched two new deposit schemes, Har Ghar Lakhpati and Patrons.
• Har Ghar Lakhpati scheme is a pre-calculated Recurring Deposit to accumulate a sum of ₹1 lakh or its multiple.
• Patrons is a term deposit product for senior citizens aged 80 years or above.
• Har Ghar Lakhpati scheme is also available to minors.
• Patrons scheme offers enhanced interest rates for senior citizens (aged 80 years or above).
• This scheme is available to both existing and new Term Deposit customers.