Daily GK One Liners: January 22, 2025
Your quick summary of the day's top events across Business, National, Defence, and other key sectors. 🌟
International News 🌍
- Trump Withdraws U.S. from Paris Climate Agreement Again: President Trump announces the U.S.'s second exit from the Paris Climate Agreement, sparking global climate policy concerns.
- U.S. Exits WHO and Pauses Foreign Aid: Trump withdraws the U.S. from WHO and halts foreign aid for 90 days, raising international debate.
- Nepal's Yala Glacier May Disappear by 2040s: Experts warn Yala Glacier’s retreat highlights severe climate change impacts in the Himalayas.
- Nigeria Joins BRICS as Partner Country: Nigeria becomes a BRICS partner, boosting South-South cooperation and diplomatic ties.
National News 🇮🇳
- UNESCO-MeitY Collaboration on AI Readiness: AI Readiness consultations at IIIT Bangalore aim to draft India-specific AI policy frameworks.
- Chhattisgarh Announces ₹10,000 Aid for Labourers: Annual aid for landless agricultural labourers to benefit 7.5 lakh individuals.
- ICSI Elects New Leadership for 2025: Dhananjay Shukla elected ICSI President; Pawan G Chandak takes over as Vice President.
Defence News 🛡️
- DRDL Achieves Milestone with Scramjet Engine Test: Successful 120-second test of Active Cooled Scramjet Combustor marks progress in hypersonic technology.
Ranks & Reports News 📊
- India Drops to 3rd in Edelman Trust Barometer 2025: Trust score remains steady, but disparities across nations and income groups highlighted.
- Top 10 Countries for Public Pension Wealth: Report emphasizes India’s challenges in improving public pension systems.
Business News 📈
- Indian IT Firms Lead 2025 Brand Finance IT Rankings: Accenture remains the world’s most valuable IT services brand, with Indian firms dominating the rankings.
Books & Authors News 📚
- Amitabh Kant Pens G20 Memoir: "How India Scaled Mt G20" highlights India’s leadership during the 2023 G20 summit.
Sports News 🏆
- Gujarat Hosts Olympic Research Conference: India’s Olympic aspirations gain momentum with discussions on sustainable infrastructure and economic strategies.
Schemes News 🌸
- 10 Years of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Campaign: BBBP celebrates a decade of addressing gender imbalance and empowering girls across India.
Appointments News 📋
- Mahesh Kumar Aggarwal Appointed BSF ADG: Tamil Nadu cadre IPS officer takes over as BSF Additional Director General.
- Justice Alok Aradhe Appointed Chief Justice of Bombay High Court: Government strengthens judicial leadership in the Bombay High Court.
- Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya Sworn in as Delhi HC Chief Justice: Ceremony attended by Delhi dignitaries at Raj Niwas.
Miscellaneous News 🌟
- Ayodhya Marks Ram Lalla’s Pran Pratishtha Anniversary: Ayodhya celebrates one year since Ram Lalla’s Pran Pratishtha, reflecting cultural and spiritual heritage.
📚 Daily Current Affairs January 22, 2025 Explore the full article and stay updated.
🎯 Ready to challenge yourself? Take the Daily GK Quiz for January 22, 2025 here.
Quick Summary: Trump’s Second US Exit from the Paris Climate Agreement
Key Highlights 🌍
- Historic Second Exit: President Trump, during his second term, initiated the U.S.'s withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement on January 20, 2025, citing economic disadvantages.
- Global Implications: The withdrawal of the world’s second-largest emitter could weaken international climate efforts and potentially lead to increased global warming and climate disasters.
- Contrasting Policies: This move reverses progress made during the Biden administration, which rejoined the accord in 2021 and set ambitious climate goals for the U.S.
- International Response: The EU and UN reaffirm their commitment to climate action despite the U.S. exit, emphasizing continued global efforts in transitioning to green energy.
- Timeline: The withdrawal, initiated in 2025, will take effect in early 2026, giving time for potential advocacy and alternative strategies to emerge.
Why Read the Full Article? 🤔
• Understand the Impact: Learn how the U.S. withdrawal affects global climate action and the risks of diminished international cooperation.
• Explore Policy Shifts: Gain insights into the contrasting climate policies of the Trump and Biden administrations.
• Global Relevance: Examine the role of the U.S. in international climate agreements and the broader implications for geopolitics and environmental progress.
📚 Click here to explore the full article and delve deeper into the U.S. exit from the Paris Climate Agreement and its global ramifications.
Quick Summary: Tianshan Shengli Tunnel – World’s Longest Expressway Tunnel
Key Highlights 🌉
- Record-Breaking Length: The Tianshan Shengli Tunnel, at 22.13 km, is the world’s longest expressway tunnel, connecting Urumqi in northern Xinjiang to Yuli County in the south.
- Reduced Travel Time: It cuts transit time across the Tianshan Mountains from nearly 3 hours to just 20 minutes, revolutionizing personal and commercial transportation.
- Engineering Innovation: Overcame challenges like high-altitude conditions and complex geology using advanced tunnel boring machines, a first for China’s road tunnels.
- Strategic Importance: Aligns with China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), enhancing trade routes, regional connectivity, and economic growth in Xinjiang.
- Environmental Commitment: Adhered to strict ecological protection standards, safeguarding wildlife habitats and water resources.
Why Read the Full Article? 🤔
• Explore a Marvel of Engineering: Learn how innovative technology enabled the successful construction of the world’s longest expressway tunnel.
• Understand Economic and Strategic Impacts: See how the tunnel boosts regional trade, tourism, and integration within the BRI framework.
• Environmental Stewardship: Discover how large-scale infrastructure can balance development with environmental conservation.
📚 Click here to explore the full article and delve deeper into the transformative impact of the Tianshan Shengli Tunnel on connectivity and regional development.
Quick Summary: India-UNESCO Partnership for Ethical AI
Key Highlights 🤖
- Collaborative Effort: UNESCO partnered with India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to develop an AI policy framework tailored to India’s needs, based on the AI Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM).
- Event Overview: A two-day consultation, held on January 16-17, 2025, at IIIT Bangalore and NASSCOM AI office, engaged stakeholders from government, academia, industry, and civil society.
- Startup Focus: Startups were recognized as key contributors to innovation and ethical AI development.
- India’s AI Initiatives: Aligns with India’s ₹10,000 crore INDIAai Mission, emphasizing Safe and Trusted AI for ethical and inclusive AI governance.
Why Read the Full Article? 🤔
• Learn About AI RAM: Understand how this diagnostic tool evaluates and strengthens AI ecosystems.
• Discover India's AI Vision: Explore how the INDIAai Mission promotes ethical practices and empowers innovators.
• Global and Local Impact: Gain insights into how India’s partnership with UNESCO enhances AI governance and positions the country as a leader in responsible AI practices.
📚 Click here to explore the full article and delve deeper into the transformative collaboration between UNESCO and India for ethical AI governance.