Daily Current Affairs- 18th December 2024

Daily Current Affairs- 18th December 2024

INTERNATIONAL

Russia will launch visa-free travel for Indian tourists in 2025

• In June 2024, Russia and India agreed on a bilateral agreement to ease visa rules. Its main aim is to introduce visa-free group tourist exchanges, after spring 2025, Indian tourists may be able to visit Russia without a visa. 

International Forest Fair inaugurated in Bhopal 

• The 10th International Forest Fair is being held in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh from 17 December to 23 December. It was inaugurated by Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav.
• The fair will offer a broad forum for discussion amongst collectors, producers, traders, entrepreneurs, scientists, administrators, and policy makers involved in the forest sector, Representatives from Sri Lanka, Nepal and Australia are taking part in the fair. 

NATIONAL

INS Nirdeshak, Indian Navy’s New Survey Ship

• The Indian Navy is set to commission INS Nirdeshak, a new survey ship, on December 18, 2024, at the Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam. This event, with Hon’ble Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Sanjay Seth as the Chief Guest, signifies a major leap in India’s naval capabilities 

SPORTS

Spin Legend R Ashwin Announces Retirement from International Cricket

• Indian cricket team spinner Ravichandran Ashwin announced his retirement from international cricket following the third Test match against Australia in Brisbane on Wednesday. Ashwin made the announcement in the post-match press conference along with skipper Rohit Sharma after the game ended in a draw. Ashwin played the second match of the five-Test series in Adelaide but was replaced by Ravindra Jadeja for the match in Brisbane. Ashwin retires from the game as the second highest wicket-taker for India in Tests with 537 scalps in 106 games, leaving him only behind Anil Kumble (619 wickets). 

OBITUARY

Environmentalist Tulsi Gowda, ‘Encyclopedia of Forest’, passes away

• Environmentalist Tulsi Gowda passes she was affectionately known as the “Tree Goddess,” was an environmentalist from Karnataka celebrated for her exceptional dedication to afforestation and ecological preservation. Born in 1944 in Honnali village, Uttara Kannada district, she overcame personal and financial hardships to emerge as a symbol of environmental conservation. 

IMPORTANT DAYS

International Migrants Day

• On 4 December 2000, the General Assembly, taking into account the large and increasing number of migrants in the world, proclaimed 18 December International Migrants Day, It was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2000, in response to the growing number of migrants across the world, in addition to, marking the establishment of the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families, 

Minorities Rights Day: India

• Minorities Rights Day in India is observed annually on December 18 to promote awareness about the rights, safety, and well-being of minority communities. The day aims to highlight the issues faced by minorities in India and to encourage initiatives for their protection and development. 

SUMMITS & MOUs

DPIIT signs MoU with HDFC Bank to strengthen startup ecosystem and foster innovation

• The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has inked a partnership with HDFC Bank, India's largest private sector bank by assets, by signing an MoU to empower startups with world-class banking and financial services. 

Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya and Indian Navy Sign MoU for Logistics Education

• Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV) and the Indian Navy signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance education, research, and training in logistics for the Navy. This collaboration is aimed at strengthening the logistics capabilities of the Indian Navy, focusing on key areas like supply chain management, multimodal transportation, and sustainability. 

Flipkart Partners with NCERT to Broaden Access to Educational Books

• In a significant step towards democratizing access to education, Flipkart, India’s leading e-commerce marketplace, has signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT). This collaboration aims to make NCERT publications affordable and seamlessly accessible to students and learners across the country, including those in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.