India and U.S. will coproduce interoperable sonobuoys for the Indian Navy Initiative is aligned with the objective of the U.S.-India Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (ICET).

• Sonobuoys are air-launched, expendable electro-mechanical acoustic sensors used primarily in anti-submarine warfare and underwater acoustic research.
• They detect, classify, and track submarines by emitting sound waves and analyzing the echoes (active sonar) or by listening for sounds produced by submarines (passive sonar).
• Sonobuoys are typically around 13 cm (5 inches) in diameter and 91 cm (3 feet) long, designed to be deployed from aircraft or ships.

The Uttarakhand High Court has criticized authorities for failing to regulate soapstone mining in Bageshwar, highlighting environmental and safety concerns.

• Soapstone, also known as steatite, is a metamorphic rock primarily composed of the mineral talc, making it relatively soft and heat-resistant.
• It is soft, dense, and highly heat-resistant, making it suitable for various uses.
• Appearance includes shades of gray, bluish, green, or brown.
• Common applications are in countertops, sinks, hearths, sculptures, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals.
• Major reserves in India are in Rajasthan (57%) and Uttarakhand (25%).

India’s first Green Hydrogen Hub was launched in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, with an investment of ₹1.85 lakh crore by NTPC Green Energy Limited.

• The hub spans over 1,200 acres and aims to produce 1,500 tonnes of green hydrogen daily and 7,500 tonnes of derivatives like green methanol and sustainable aviation fuel.
• National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM) was announced in January 2023 by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
• Objective: Make India a global hub for the production, usage, and export of green hydrogen and its derivatives.
• Target: Achieve a production capacity of 5 MMT (million metric tonnes) per annum of green hydrogen by 2030.

John Dramani Mahama was sworn in as Ghana’s president for a third term.

• Ghana is situated in West Africa, bordered by Côte d’Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south.
• Capital:
• Ghana is one of the world’s largest producers of gold and cocoa.
• Climate:The country experiences a tropical climate with two main seasons: wet and dry.
• Geographical Features:The highest peak is Mount Afadja, part of the Akwapim-Togo Ranges. Major rivers include the Volta River, Black Volta, White Volta, Pra, and Tano.
• Historical Fact:Formerly known as the Gold Coast, Ghana was the first black African country south of the Sahara to achieve independence from colonial rule in 1957.

The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, has announced significant initiatives to enhance the capacity of Kandla Port (Deendayal Port) in Gujarat, India, with a total investment exceeding ₹57,000 crores.

• Kandla Port (Deendayal Port) was established in the 1930s with an RCC jetty by Maharao Khengarji.
• Renamed Deendayal Port in 2017 under the Indian Ports Act, 1908.
• Located in the Gulf of Kutch, Kutch District, Gujarat.
• Constructed in the 1950s as a replacement for Karachi Port after partition.
• One of India’s 12 major ports, operational since 1950.
• Serves as a gateway for states like Jammu & Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan.
• Ranked India’s No. 1 port in 2007-08 and retained this rank for 14 years.

Celebrated on 14^th January.

• Pongal is a harvest festival and a dish of boiled rice in milk that is celebrated in South India and Sri Lanka.
• A four-day celebration that marks the beginning of the harvest season, the Tamil month of Thai, and the end of winter. It’s a time to give thanks to nature, the sun, and farm animals for a bountiful harvest.
• The word “pongal” comes from the Tamil word pongu, which means “to boil over”.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched the book ‘Jammu Kashmir & Ladakh Through the Ages: A Visual Narrative of Continuities and Linkages’ in New Delhi.

• Published by the National Book Trust, the book highlights India’s geo-cultural unity.
• It counters myths of India’s disunity and documents Kashmir’s integral role in India’s history for over 8,000 years.
• The book explores the relationship between Kashmir, Ladakh, Buddhism, and Shaivism, showcasing their historical and cultural linkages.

West Bengal won the 33rd Santosh Trophy, defeating Kerala 1-0 in the final.

• The final was held at GMC Balayogi Stadium in Hyderabad.
• The Santosh Trophy was founded in 1941 as India’s premier football competition for state teams.
• Initially managed by the Indian Football Association (IFA), it is now organized by the All India Football Federation (AIFF).
• The tournament is named after Sir Manmatha Nath Roy Chowdhury, Maharaja of Santosh.

Lionel Messi, Argentina’s national football team captain, received the US Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States.

• Messi is the first male footballer to be honored with this prestigious award.
• The award was presented by US President Joe Biden.
• The US Presidential Medal of Freedom recognizes individuals for contributions to national interest, world peace, or significant public/private endeavors.
• Messi was recognized for his humanitarian efforts through the Leo Messi Foundation and his work as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.
• The medal is awarded for outstanding contributions in fields like national security, cultural impact, and global peace, similar to India’s Bharat Ratna.

India’s metro rail network has expanded to over 1,000 kilometers, making it the third-largest globally, following China and the United States. 

• The first metro system in India, the Kolkata Metro, began operations in 1984.
• The Delhi Metro, inaugurated in 2002, is the largest in India, with an operational network of 395 kilometers.
• As of January 2025, metro services are operational in 11 states and 23 cities across India, collectively covering over 1,000 kilometers.
• An additional 998+ kilometers of metro projects are currently underway, indicating a strong commitment to further expanding urban transit infrastructure.