Daily Current Affairs- 26th December 2024

Daily Current Affairs- 26th December 2024

INTERNATIONAL

Tonga elects ’Aisake Valu Eke’ as new Prime Minister

• The Pacific island nation of Tonga has elected veteran politician Aisake Valu Eke as its new Prime Minister on 24 December 2024. Aisake Valu Eke will succeed the former Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni who resigned two weeks ago after a no-confidence motion was moved against him in the Parliament.
• Aisake Valu Eke will be formally sworn in as the new Prime Minister of the country in February 2025 and is expected to lead the country into the next general elections scheduled for November 2025. 

NATIONAL

Defence Secretary launches Rashtraparv website & app on Good Governance Day

• The Good Governance Day is being observed today (December 25) marking the 100th birth anniversary of former Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
• On the occasion, Defence Secretary, Rajesh Kumar Singh launched the Rashtraparv website and app in New Delhi. Mr Singh said, the website will provide information related to National events like Republic Day, Independence Day Celebrations, Beating Retreat and Tableaux to the general public. 

SPORTS

33 medals for India at the Asian Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championships 2024

• The young Indian weightlifters finished their campaign at the Asian Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championships 2024 with a credible 33 medals - seven gold,16 silver, and 10 bronze medals. Jyoshna Sabar of Uttar Pradesh stood out with three gold medals and a new Asian record.
• In the 2023 Asian Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championships held in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, the Indian weightlifting contingent finished with a total of 42 medals. 

OBITUARY

Legendary Malayalam writer, 'Jnanpith' awardee MT Vasudevan Nair Passes Away

• Noted writer and Jnanpith award winner M T Vasudevan Nair, who had been undergoing treatment at a private hospital here following heart failure, has passed away, hospital sources said on Wednesday, He was 91. 

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

N Srinivasan resigns as CEO, MD of India Cements post UltraTech acquisition

• Leading cement maker UltraTech has completed the acquisition of promoters a 32.72 per cent stake in India Cements Ltd, following which N Srinivasan and other promoters of the South-based cement maker have stepped down.
• The Aditya Birla Group firm has completed the acquisition of 10.13 crore equity shares of India Cements Ltd (ICL), representing 32.72 per cent of the equity share capital of the company. 

Amitava Chatterjee appointed new managing director, CEO of J-K Bank

• J&K Bank on Wednesday announced the appointment of Amitava Chatterjee, currently Deputy Managing Director of State Bank of India (SBI), as its new managing director (MD) and CEO, Chatterjee will replace Baldev Prakash, whose term comes to an end on December 29. 

Centre appoints Arunish Chawla as new Revenue Secretary

• About a month before the presentation of the Budget, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet on Wednesday appointed secretary in the Department of Pharmaceuticals Arunish Chawla as the next revenue secretary.
• A 1992-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer from the Bihar cadre, Chawla will take over from economic affairs secretary Ajay Seth. 

President appoints new Chief Justice of Himachal and Uttarakhand HC

• President of India Droupadi Murmu has appointed Justice Gurmeet Singh Sandhawalia and Justice Narender G the new Chief Justice of Himachal Pradesh and the Uttarakhand High Court respectively, on 24 December 2024, Justice Sandhawalia is at present a judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court while Justice Narendra G is a judge of the Andhra Pradesh High Court. 

IMPORTANT DAYS

Veer Bal Diwas

• On January 9, 2022, Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi made a landmark announcement: December 26 would be observed as Veer Bal Diwas. This marks the first time in India’s history that a national day has been dedicated to honouring the courage and sacrifice of children. Veer Bal Diwas stands as a tribute to the Sahibzadas, the four young sons of Guru Gobind Singh, whose bravery and martyrdom remain etched in the annals of India’s struggle for justice and faith. 

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

President Murmu to confer Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar

• President Droupadi Murmu will confer the ‘Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar’ on 17 children for exceptional achievements in seven categories in New Delhi. Children hail from 14 states and UTs. The government confers the Bal Puraskar to children for achievements in art and culture, bravery, innovation, science and technology, social service, sports, and the environment. Each awardee will receive a medal, certificate, and citation booklet.