Current Affairs - January 10, 2024 Current Affairs

The Government of India aims to terminate the Free Movement Regime along the international border with Myanmar. The Free Movement Regime (FMR), initiated in 2018, enables people on both sides of the India-Myanmar border to travel 16 km into each other's territory without a visa, based on a border pass with one-year validity, allowing a stay of up to two weeks. The India-Myanmar border spans 1,643 km across the states of Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh.

Singapore’s Changi Airport reclaimed the title of the World’s Best Airport for 2023 in the Skytrax awards, solidifying its reputation for excellence in air travel.

The European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) declared 2023 as the hottest year on record, indicating a potential milestone in the last 100,000 years.

South Korea's parliament overwhelmingly approved a bill banning the consumption and sale of dog meat, with penalties of up to three years imprisonment for breeding and slaughtering dogs for human consumption and a maximum of two years for selling dog meat. This legislative milestone reflects changing attitudes toward animal welfare and a rise in pet ownership.

IndusInd Bank, in partnership with National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), has introduced the UPI-enabled 'Samman RuPay Credit Card,' specifically designed for government sector employees. This initiative aligns with recent RBI permissions allowing RuPay credit cards to integrate with UPI payment applications.

India now holds the second rank in the MSCI EM Index, surpassing Taiwan. Over the past 8 years, India's weight in the index has increased from 7% to 17.1%, indicating economic resilience and attractiveness to investors. This rise in weightage has contributed to increased capital flows, with India experiencing the highest inflows in the last 11 years after a significant outflow in the preceding period.

DRDO introduced 'Ugram,' an indigenous assault rifle with a 7.62 x 51 mm calibre, meeting robust standards for military-grade rifles. Ugram showcases an effective range of 500 meters, addressing diverse combat scenarios. The first operational prototype was unveiled at the Armament and Combat Engineering Systems of the DRDO in Pune.

Gabriel Attal, at 34 years old, became the youngest-ever Prime Minister of France, appointed by President Emmanuel Macron. Attal also made history as the first openly gay official to hold this prestigious position.

The World Health Organization (WHO) launched medicine codes for Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani systems as part of the ICD-11 Module 2, showcasing a significant step toward global uniformity in disease terminology. This initiative, led by the WHO, promotes a holistic approach to healthcare classification, with senior officials and representatives gathering in Delhi for the launch event.

Samir Kumar Sinha has assumed the role of Additional Secretary and Director General (Acquisition) in the Defence Ministry as part of a recent bureaucratic reshuffle.

The Uttar Pradesh government is set to install solar rooftops on 25,000 Varanasi households in two months, providing substantial subsidies of ₹150 crore from the central government and ₹75 crore from the state. The initiative, led by UPNEDA, involves a comprehensive strategy, including awareness campaigns, logistics planning, and supply arrangements.

'Prasadam,' India's first hygienic food street, was inaugurated in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, by Union Health Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya. The event took place at Neelkanth Van, Mahakal Lok, and was attended by prominent officials, including Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav and Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla.

IIT Madras expands its global presence with a new campus in Kandy, Sri Lanka, as announced by Sri Lanka's Education Minister. President Ranil Wickremasinghe's budget proposal facilitates international collaboration in education, and Minister Dr. Premajayantha engages with IIT Madras leadership to foster academic partnerships and knowledge exchange.

Dubai achieved top honours in the 2024 Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards, becoming the first city to secure the No.1 global destination title for three consecutive years. The award, based on millions of traveller reviews, reflects Dubai's exceptional hospitality and attractions, underscoring its significance as a vital contributor to over 10% of the city’s GDP.

India will chair the UNESCO World Heritage Committee and host its 46th session in New Delhi from July 21 to 31, 2024, showcasing the nation's commitment to global cultural and natural heritage conservation.

Cyclone Alvaro, hitting Madagascar on January 1, 2024, made landfall near Morombe. It significantly impacted regions like Atsimo-Andrefana, Haute Matsiatra, and Menabe, leading to challenges in evacuation and rainwater drainage. The cyclone's impact in 2024 affected almost half the number of people impacted by Cyclone Freddy in Madagascar in 2023.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik inaugurated Malkangiri Airport in Odisha, signalling a significant improvement in connectivity. The airport, constructed for Rs 29 crore, includes a 1,602-meter runway capable of handling small aircraft, contributing to the state's transportation infrastructure.

INS Kabra, the Indian Navy's Fast Attack Craft, arrived in Colombo, Sri Lanka, emphasizing the commitment of both nations to enhance bilateral cooperation in the maritime domain. The visit aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR).

Viacom18 has entered into a four-year media rights deal with the International Hockey Federation (FIH) for the period 2023-2027, covering all FIH events except the FIH Nations Cup.

Power Finance Corporation (PFC) obtained RBI approval to set up a finance company in Gujarat’s GIFT City, resulting in a nearly 1% surge in its shares.