Daily Current Affairs- 17th December 2024

Daily Current Affairs- 17th December 2024

INTERNATIONAL

India, France and UAE participated in the “Desert Knight” exercise.

• India, France, and the UAE began a major air combat exercise, “Desert Knight,” over the Arabian Sea. The operation aims to enhance trilateral defence cooperation and foster better interoperability among their air forces during complex combat scenarios. 

India and Sri Lanka sign Agreements to strengthen bilateral ties

• India and Sri Lanka signed several Memorandums of Understanding (agreements) in New Delhi aimed at expanding cooperation across multiple sectors. The agreements were signed in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who is on a three-day state visit to India. 

Bilateral naval exercise SLINEX 2024

• The bilateral naval exercise SLINEX 2024 (Sri Lanka–India Exercise) will be conducted from 17 to 20 Dec 24 at Visakhapatnam under the aegis of the Eastern Naval Command. The exercise will be held in two phases - the Harbour Phase from 17 to 18 December and the Sea Phase from 19 to 20 December. Initiated in 2005, SLINEX is a significant series of bilateral naval exercises that have strengthened maritime cooperation between India and Sri Lanka over the years. 

NATIONAL

Partnership between BMW and UNICEF to empower children in rural India

• The BMW Group and UNICEF announced their partnership in India, aiming to transform the educational landscape for 100,000 children in four states with a focus on foundational learning and STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) skills from early years through adolescence. 

PM Modi inaugurated & laid the foundation stone for 24 projects in Rajasthan

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Rajasthan. During the visit, he participated in the ‘Ek Varsh-Parinaam Utkarsh’ program, which celebrates the completion of one year of the State Government of Rajasthan. On the occasion, the Prime Minister inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for 24 projects related to energy, roads, railways, and water worth over 46 thousand 300 crores rupees at Jaipur, Rajasthan. 

SPORTS

Mumbai Winss Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024

• Mumbai showcased a stellar performance to defeat Madhya Pradesh by five wickets and claim the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2024. Madhya Pradesh scored 174/8 in 20 overs, with Rajat Patidar remaining unbeaten at 81, Mumbai chased the target with ease, scoring 180/5 in 17.5 overs. 

India wins Women’s Junior Asia Cup 2024 in penalty shootout

• In Hockey, India won the Women’s Junior Asia Cup 2024 championship in Muscat, Oman. In the title clash, the Indian team defeated China 3-2 in a penalty shootout to successfully defend its title. 

Team Russia wins the 13th edition of ‘Admiral’s Cup’ Sailing Regatta

• The Russian team won the team event of the 13th edition of the Admiral Cup sailing regatta, The Admiral Cup is an offshore Laser Radial boat race organised by the Indian Navy. It is held in the Arabian Sea near the Ettikulam Beach of Kerala, where the Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimal, is situated. 

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Google names Preeti Lobana as Country Manager, VP for India

• Tech giant Google announced the appointment of Preeti Lobana as new country manager and vice president for India. She succeeds Sanjay Gupta, who recently transitioned to an elevated role as President of the Asia Pacific region at Google. 

RBL Bank re-appoints R Subramaniakumar as MD & CEO for a period of 3 years

• RBL Bank's board of directors has reappointed R Subramaniakumar, the current managing director and chief executive officer (MD and CEO) of the bank, for a period of three years, effective June 23, 2025.