Daily Current Affairs : 25 April 2023 | Daily GK & Current Affairs Tests - Bank Exams PDF Download

PM Modi Inaugurates Kerala's First Vande Bharat Train

Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off Kerala's first Vande Bharat Express train from Thiruvananthapuram Central Station. The high-speed train will operate between Thiruvananthapuram and Kasargod. The Vande Bharat train will cover a distance of approximately 588 kilometers in around eight hours, passing through 11 regions including Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Pathanamthitta, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur, and Kasargod.
During the event, PM Modi also laid the foundation for various rail projects, including the redevelopment of Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode, Varkala Sivagiri rail line stations, as well as the improvement of the Thiruvananthapuram region.

PM Modi Launches India's First Water Metro in Kochi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his visit to Kerala, inaugurated India's first water metro in Kochi. The water metro system connects 10 islands around Kochi through battery-operated electric hybrid boats, offering seamless connectivity with the city. The water metro aims to provide a convenient and comparable travel experience to traditional metro systems, especially in cities like Kochi.
The project includes 38 terminals and 78 electric boats, developed under Cochin Shipyard Limited. It is funded by the Kerala government and the German company KfW. The initial phase of the Kochi Water Metro service will operate between the High Court-Vypin and Vyttila-Kakkanad terminals, with tickets starting at Rs 20.

Operation Kaveri: INS Sumedha Departs Sudan for Jeddah

Under Operation Kaveri, INS Sumedha departed from Port Sudan for Jeddah, carrying 278 Indian citizens who were stranded in Sudan. The operation was launched by India to rescue its citizens affected by the ongoing conflict in Sudan. The Indian government has positioned two transport aircraft of the Indian Air Force in Jeddah and a naval ship in Sudan to bring back stranded Indians.
Due to the risks and logistical challenges associated with overland movement, the evacuation is being carried out via sea route since Sudanese airspace remains closed to all foreign aircraft. The security situation in Sudan remains volatile, with intense fighting reported in Khartoum.

Indian-origin CEO Udai Tambar Appointed to Racial Justice Advisory Board

Udai Tambar, an Indian-origin CEO known for his work in youth development services in the US, has been appointed as a member of the racial justice advisory board in New York City. The board will assist in implementing the Racial Justice Charter Amendments launched by Mayor Eric Adams and the Mayor's Office of Equity Commissioner Sideya Sherman.
Tambar, currently the CEO and President of New York Junior Tennis and Learning (NYJTL), has dedicated his career to serving youth. He previously held positions such as Vice President of Community Health at Northwell Health and Executive Director for South Asian Youth Action (SAYA!). The advisory board aims to ensure that New York City continues to lead in racial equity work.

International Delegate’s Day

Every year on April 25th, International Delegate’s Day is observed to honor the delegates who play a crucial role in the functioning of the United Nations (UN). Delegates represent their countries in meetings at the United Nations, negotiate agreements, and coordinate with their home countries. They embody the multilateralism that the UN stands for.
This day marks the anniversary of the first day of the San Francisco Conference in 1945, where delegates from fifty countries gathered to establish an organization that would restore world peace and impose rules on the post-war world order.

Ratan Tata Receives Highest Australian Civil Honour

Ratan Tata, Chairman Emeritus of Tata Sons, has been honored with the Order of Australia, the highest Australian civil honour. The Australian Ambassador to India, Barry O’Farrell, praised Tata as "a titan of business, industry, and philanthropy" whose contributions have made a significant impact in Australia.
This recognition follows Tata's appointment as an Honorary Officer in the General Division of the Order of Australia (AO) for his service in fostering Indo-Australia ties, particularly in trade, investment, and philanthropy. Ratan Tata, known for his humility, led the Tata Group from 1991 to 2012.

India Ranks 4th in Countries with Largest Military Spending

According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), India ranked fourth in the world in terms of military spending. In 2022, India's military spending increased by 6% year-on-year, reaching $81.4 billion. The United States, Russia, and China topped the list as the highest spenders.
The US spent $877 billion on defense, followed by China with an estimated $292 billion and Russia with $86.4 billion. Saudi Arabia secured the fifth position with an annual expenditure of $70 billion. The total global military spending in 2022 reached $2,240 billion. India's rank dropped by one position from the previous year.