Current Affairs - September 23, 2024 Current Affairs

The Rs 530 crore water supply project launched by Tripura's Chief Minister Manik Saha aims to enhance drinking water infrastructure across 12 cities in Tripura. Funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), this initiative will benefit over 75,000 families and includes the construction of deep tubewells, water treatment plants, reservoirs, and the laying of 305 km of pipelines. The project highlights the government's commitment to improving essential services and ensuring access to clean drinking water for its citizens, with a completion target set for three years.

Invest India's new office was inaugurated in Singapore by Union Minister Piyush Goyal, highlighting India's commitment to enhancing investment partnerships. This office will act as a dedicated contact point for companies in the region interested in investing in India, promoting collaboration across various sectors. Invest India, established as a national investment promotion agency, aims to facilitate and attract high-quality investments by providing comprehensive services such as strategic business advisory and policy guidance. This initiative is part of India's broader efforts to engage global investors and support economic growth through foreign investment.

The Quad Leaders Summit, hosted by US President Joe Biden, took place in Wilmington, Delaware, USA, where Prime Ministers met with fellow Quad leaders, including Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio. This summit aimed to strengthen the Quad partnership, promoting democratic values, regional security, and cooperation in areas like health, technology, and maritime security. The leaders also discussed global tensions and the importance of a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region. India is set to host the next Quad Summit in 2025.

Anura Kumara Dissanayake has been elected as Sri Lanka’s new president, receiving 42% of the votes in the first election since the country’s economic collapse in 2022. Leading the National People’s Power (NPP) coalition, Dissanayake defeated his main opponent, Sajith Premadasa, who secured 23% of the vote. The election was marked by a significant voter turnout of 76%, reflecting the public's engagement in shaping the country's future. Following his victory, the outgoing Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena resigned, marking a notable shift in Sri Lanka's political landscape and governance.

The International Day of Sign Languages is observed annually on September 23 to raise awareness about the importance of sign language in realizing the human rights of deaf people. This date commemorates the establishment of the World Federation of the Deaf in 1951. The day aims to promote sign language rights, preserve linguistic and cultural diversity, and ensure equal access to education and services for the deaf community. By recognizing sign languages, we acknowledge their value as full-fledged natural languages, distinct from spoken languages.

Nazira Banoo, hailing from Lato, Kargil in Ladakh, won the gold medal in the under-30 Poomsae category at the 1st Khelo India Women’s Taekwondo League held in Vadodara, Gujarat. The event, organized by the Taekwondo Federation of India and Khelo India, brought together participants from across India. Nazira’s victory not only earned her the gold medal but also secured her qualification for the Khelo India Women’s League Nationals Phase-III, which will take place in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

India has launched its first cancer genomics repository through the Indian Cancer Genome Atlas (ICGA) Foundation. This initiative aims to create a comprehensive genetic data repository on breast cancer, starting with data from 50 patients and planning to expand to over 500. The focus is on addressing the molecular differences between Indian cancer patients and Western data, enabling more targeted and effective treatments for Indian patients. This development marks a significant step in cancer research and personalized medicine in India.

The XEC variant, a recombinant of KS.1.1 and KP.3.3, was initially identified in Germany. This variant exhibits mutations facilitating faster transmission, but current data does not indicate increased severity. Following its discovery, XEC has spread to 27 countries, with Germany accounting for 13% of reported cases, followed by the UK and the US. The global spread of XEC underscores the ongoing importance of genomic surveillance, public health monitoring, and international collaboration in combating COVID-19. Continuous research is crucial to understanding the variant's implications and potential future mutations.

The Indian Air Force successfully completed Exercise Eastern Bridge-7 with the Royal Air Force of Oman, enhancing strategic relations, operational coordination, and tactical skills between the two air forces. The exercise, held at the RAFO airbase in Masirah, Oman, from September 11 to 22, 2024, featured MiG-29 and Jaguar aircraft from the IAF and F-16 and Hawk aircraft from Oman. This bilateral exercise aimed to strengthen military cooperation, interoperability, and joint operations, underscoring the commitment of India and Oman to regional peace and security.

World Rhino Day is celebrated annually on September 22, serving as a global awareness day dedicated to all five species of rhinos. Established in 2011, this day brings together cause-related organizations, NGOs, zoos, and the public to celebrate rhinos and highlight conservation efforts aimed at their survival. Various activities and events are organized to promote awareness of the challenges faced by rhinos and to advocate for their protection. The International Rhino Foundation plays a key role in this celebration, recognizing the contributions of those committed to rhino conservation.

India and Bhutan have strengthened their partnership on food safety by signing an agreement in March 2024. The focus of this collaboration is to align regulatory standards, simplify food import procedures, and foster technical cooperation between the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and the Bhutan Food and Drug Authority (BFDA). This agreement aims to streamline trade and enhance food safety practices, ensuring the mutual recognition of Bhutanese food business operators by the FSSAI. This partnership represents a significant step forward in promoting food safety between the two nations.

Indian wrestler and Commonwealth Heavyweight champion Sangram Singh made a historic debut in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) at the Gama International Fighting Championship in Tbilisi, Georgia. Competing in the 93 kg division, Singh achieved the fastest victory by an Indian fighter in this weight class, securing a win in just one minute and thirty seconds. Despite facing a much younger opponent, Pakistani fighter Ali Raza Nasir, Singh's skill and experience led him to a decisive victory, establishing his place in international MMA competitions.

India has committed to supplying 40 million cancer vaccine doses to Indo-Pacific nations under the GAVI and QUAD initiatives. The announcement was made by the Prime Minister during the Cancer Moonshot Event, emphasizing India's role in global healthcare collaboration. The QUAD grouping, which includes the United States, Australia, Japan, and India, aims to foster cooperation in areas such as cancer prevention, detection, and treatment, with a focus on improving healthcare access in the Indo-Pacific region.

The Loss and Damage Fund board's groundwork in Baku marks a significant milestone in addressing climate-related disasters. With nearly $800 million pledged, COP29 seeks to convert commitments into tangible funding. This development supports nations affected by climate disasters, showcasing international cooperation in combating climate change. The fund's disbursement, set to begin in 2025, underscores the importance of global solidarity in mitigating the impacts of climate change.

India successfully negotiated the return of 297 antiquities from the United States, bringing the total number of recovered artifacts since 2014 to 640. This achievement is a testament to India's efforts to preserve its cultural heritage, bolstered by the 2024 Cultural Property Agreement with the US aimed at combating illicit trafficking. The returned antiquities include notable pieces like a 12th-century Nataraja statue and 105 artifacts returned post-2023 visit. This development highlights the importance of international cooperation in protecting cultural treasures.

India A triumphed over India-C in the Duleep Trophy final, winning by 132 runs in a match that was full of suspense. The final day began with India A at 270 for six and ended with a declaration at 286 for eight, setting India C a target of 350 runs. Although India C's innings started positively with partnerships, the match's dramatic turns ultimately led to India A's victory. This match highlights the thrilling unpredictability of cricket, particularly in the longer format, where fortunes can change rapidly.