Daily Current Affairs- 23rd December 2024

Daily Current Affairs- 23rd December 2024

INTERNATIONAL

ISRO, ESA Join Hands for Human Spaceflight Advancements

• The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and the European Space Agency (ESA) have signed a landmark agreement to enhance collaboration in human space exploration.
• Signed by ISRO Chairman S. Somanath and ESA Director General Dr. Josef Aschbacher, the agreement establishes a robust framework for cooperation, strengthening the relationship between the two premier space agencies. 

India and Kuwait sign several bilateral agreements in the field of Defence and other key areas

• India and Kuwait signed four Memorandum of Understandings in the areas of defence, sports and cultural cooperation during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the Gulf nation, The two sides welcomed the signing of the MoU in the field of Defence that will provide the required framework to further strengthen bilateral defence ties, including through joint military exercises, training of defence personnel, coastal defence, maritime safety, joint development and production of defence equipment. 

NATIONAL

India’s First Bio-Bitumen National Highway Inaugurated

• Union minister for road transport and highways, Nitin Gadkari, today (December 21) inaugurated India’s First National Highway constructed using bio-bitumen material in Nagpur -Mansar Bypass project of National Highway 44 in Nagpur District. 

SPORTS

Indian U19 team lifts inaugural T20 Asia Cup Title

• In Women’s Cricket, India clinched the inaugural Under-19 ACC Women’s T20 Asia Cup title at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, after defeating Bangladesh by 41 runs in the final. 

Koyel and Nilam win silver medals in Asian Youth & Junior Weightlifting Championship

• India’s Koyel Bar and Nilam Devi won silver medals in the 55kg Youth and Junior categories to take the country’s tally to six in the Asian Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championships in Doha, Qatar. 

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Sriram Krishnan was appointed as Senior AI Policy Advisor

• US President-elect Donald Trump has appointed Indian-American entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and author Sriram Krishnan as Senior Policy Advisor for Artificial Intelligence (AI) at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. 

IMPORTANT DAYS

Kisan Diwas or National Farmers Day: India

• National Farmers Day: India or also known as Kisan Divas in Hindi is celebrated every year on 23 December, on the birthday of the 5th Prime Minister of India, Choudhary Charan Singh, also a farmer's leader, who introduced many policies to improve the lives of the Indian farmers. 

SUMMITS & MOUs

UP & Manipur sign MoU for implementation of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat

• Uttar Pradesh and Manipur have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to implement the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat programme as paired states, The agreement between the representatives of both state governments was signed in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, in December 2024. 

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

Kuwait bestows its highest honors, The Order of Mubarak Al Kabeer, to PM Modi

• Kuwait has bestowed its highest honour, the Order of Mubarak Al Kabeer, to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Mr Modi is on a two-day visit to Kuwait. The External Affairs Ministry said, this is the 20th international honour given to Prime Minister Modi by a country. 

BANKING AND ECONOMY

World Bank ADB approve loans for the Amravati Project of Andhra Pradesh

• The World Bank and the Asian Development Bank have approved separate loans to the Amaravati Inclusive and Sustainable Capital City Development Program of the Andhra Pradesh The Programme seeks to develop the new capital city of Andhra Pradesh, Amaravati, as a smart and green city with world-class infrastructure.