Daily Current Affairs of 23rd November 2024 in English

Introduction:

Daily Current Affairs of 23rd November 2024, witnessed a series of significant events across various domains, ranging from infrastructure development to geopolitical concerns, cultural celebrations, and scientific discoveries. Here's an in-depth look at the noteworthy occurrences of the day.

Top Current Affairs and News Headlines – November 23, 2024

Daily GK Update – 23rd November 2024: Current Affairs

Here are the major national and international updates, developments, and key events from 23rd November 2024:

National News

NITI Aayog Recommends Inclusion of Coking Coal in Critical Minerals List

NITI Aayog has recommended adding coking coal to India’s list of critical minerals, highlighting its importance in steel production and infrastructure development. This aligns with global trends such as the European Union’s declaration. India, heavily dependent on imports for 85% of its coking coal, seeks to reduce imports by increasing domestic production. The report stresses enhancing local coking coal availability to reduce reliance on imports and ensure self-sufficiency by 2070 as part of India’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions.

India's First Self-Sufficient Cattle Farm with Modern CBG Plant Inaugurated in Gwalior

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated India’s first modern, self-sufficient cattle farm in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, which includes a state-of-the-art compressed biogas (CBG) facility. The “Ideal Gaushala” reflects the country's commitment to sustainable development and green energy solutions. This project showcases the potential of converting organic waste into valuable resources, aligning with Modi’s vision of transforming waste into wealth.

International News

UK and India to Restart FTA Talks in Early 2025

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the resumption of Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations with India, set to restart in early 2025. This decision follows a meeting between Starmer and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where both leaders emphasized strengthening their strategic partnership in sectors such as security, defense, technology, climate change, healthcare, and education. The annual bilateral trade between the two countries stands at GBP 42 billion.

Bali Celebrates Gratitude Hindu Festival

Bali, known for its rich cultural heritage blending Hindu philosophy, local animistic traditions, and Buddhist influences, celebrates the Ngusaba Goren festival. The two-week-long Thanksgiving event honors deities through sacred dances performed by young girls. These rituals reflect the deep spiritual connection between the Balinese people and their divine traditions.

Mali's Junta Prime Minister Change

Mali’s political landscape witnessed another significant shift on November 21, 2024, when the military junta ousted Prime Minister Choguel Maiga. In a televised announcement, state media revealed that Maiga would be replaced by Abdoulaye Maiga, a spokesman for the junta. This decision comes amidst growing criticism of the junta's governance and signals increasing instability within the country’s political environment.

State News

Cyclone Fungal: Heavy Rain Warning in Tamil Nadu

According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), a potential cyclone named "Fungal" is forming in the Bay of Bengal. This system, which began as a cyclonic circulation near the South Andaman Sea on November 21, is expected to intensify by November 24. The cyclone comes shortly after the impact of Cyclone Dana in Odisha in October 2024, which caused severe damage.

Defense News

India’s Coastal Defense Exercise Sea Vigil 24 Concludes Successfully

India’s nationwide coastal defense exercise, Sea Vigil 24, concluded on November 21, 2024, successfully. The exercise, lasting 36 hours, demonstrated India’s strong commitment to enhancing its coastal security and preparedness. It involved 21 agencies and six ministries, strengthening India’s ability to respond to evolving maritime threats across its 11,098 km coastline and 2.4 million square km of exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

Economic News

JSW Steel to Replace Zomato in BSE Sensex from December 23, 2024

On November 22, 2024, the Asia Index Pvt Ltd, a subsidiary of BSE, announced the latest rejig of the benchmark BSE Sensex index. As part of this reorganization, online food delivery giant Zomato will be replaced by JSW Steel. The changes will take effect from December 23, 2024, with other indices like BSE 100, BSE Sensex 50, and BSE Next 50 also undergoing adjustments.

India’s Foreign Exchange Reserves Decline to Four-Month Low

India’s foreign exchange reserves experienced a sharp decline in the week ending November 15, 2024, falling by $17.76 billion to a four-month low of $657.8 billion. This sharp drop marks the biggest weekly fall since records began in 1998, driven by the strengthening of the US dollar, RBI intervention to stabilize the rupee, and falling gold prices.

Reports and Rankings News

World Bank Launches Employment Report in Delhi

On November 22, 2024, World Bank released a report titled "Jobs at Your Doorstep" with a focus on youth employment in six Indian states. The report, launched by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and other ministers, highlights the need to bridge the skills gap among youth and align education curricula with industry needs.

Banking News

RBI Doubles UPI 123Pay Transaction Limit for Feature Phones

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has raised the transaction limit for UPI 123Pay, a service catering to feature phone users, from ₹5,000 to ₹10,000. Introduced in March 2022, UPI 123Pay facilitates digital transactions via missed calls, IVR, and voice-based payment systems for those without internet access. The RBI has also increased the UPI Light Wallet limit from ₹2,000 to ₹5,000, aiming to enhance financial inclusion and promote digital payments among underserved populations.

Agreements and Deals News

ISRO and ASA Join Forces for Gaganyaan Mission

On November 20, 2024, ISRO and the Australian Space Agency (ASA) signed a cooperation agreement to support India’s Gaganyaan space mission. The collaboration will focus on crew module recovery and safety during mission uncertainties, marking a significant step toward ensuring the success of India’s first manned spaceflight.

Science and Technology News

IISc Introduces Strang: A New Tool for Nanopore Research

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have developed a new tool called Strang (String Representation of Nanopore Geometry), which aids in the analysis of nanopore structures. The tool uses machine learning models to predict the characteristics of nanopores, marking a breakthrough in material science and computational tools integration.

Important Days

Guru Tegh Bahadur Martyrdom Day – November 24, 2024

November 24 marks the martyrdom day of Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth Sikh Guru. Revered for his courage and sacrifice, Guru Tegh Bahadur played a pivotal role in shaping Sikhism and stood against injustice. His martyrdom is commemorated annually to honor his ultimate sacrifice for the protection of religious freedom and human rights.

Sports News

Sony Sports Acquires Rights to All ACC Tournaments (2024-2031)

On November 22, 2024, Sony Sports announced a major partnership with the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), securing exclusive broadcast rights for all ACC tournaments from 2024 to 2031. This deal is set to boost the visibility of cricket across the region and further promote the sport’s reach.

Awards News

PM Modi Receives Global Peace Award in Washington

On November 22, 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was honored with the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Global Peace Award in Washington, USA, for his contributions to global development and minority welfare. The award was presented by the Association of Indian American Minorities (AIAM), a newly launched organization aimed at fostering unity and advancement among the Indian-American diaspora.