Current affairs 25 April 2025

India’s Longest Rail Tunnel Breakthrough in Uttarakhand.

• Rail Vikas Nigam Limited achieves the first breakthrough of India’s longest railway tunnel (14.57 km) as part of the Rishikesh–Karnaprayag rail link project.
• The Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) "Shakti" marked a historic milestone by setting a global benchmark in rail tunneling.
• This project will reduce the journey time between Rishikesh and Karnaprayag from seven hours to just two hours.

IISc Proposes World's Smallest Angstrom-Scale Chip.

• IISc scientists proposed developing angstrom-scale chips using 2D materials, positioning India as a leader in next-gen semiconductors.
• The project seeks Rs 500 crore funding for five years, aiming to overcome reliance on silicon-based technology.
• These chips could revolutionize AI, quantum computing, and automation with higher transistor density and efficiency.

Amit Shah Launches HEALD Initiative for Liver Diseases.

• HEALD (Healthy Liver Education and Alcohol-associated Liver Disease Prevention) aims to tackle liver disease nationwide through public education, early screening & treatment.
• Focuses on alcohol use disorder, integrating psychological support, community outreach & policy reforms.
• The initiative stresses that "behind every failed liver lies a missed opportunity" & aims to prevent such losses.

Jitendra Mishra Elected President of UNESCO-Backed CIFEJ.

• Jitendra Mishra has been elected as President of UNESCO-supported International Centre of Films for Children and Young People (CIFEJ) for the 2025–2027 term.
• Mishra, also the Festival Director of SIFFCY, advocates for using cinema to engage and educate young audiences.
• CIFEJ’s relocation to Athens marks a new era for promoting youth-focused cinema globally.

"Power Hungry: How AI Will Drive Energy Demand" Report.

• The expansion of AI-driven data centers will increase electricity consumption, with electricity costs for AI firms nearly doubling from 2019 to 2023.
• Simulated AI growth scenarios show varying increases in energy prices, with U.S. electricity prices potentially rising by 8.6% by 2030.
• The study stresses the need to align energy policies with AI development to mitigate environmental impacts.