Read the important current affairs of 17 February 2024. Today Current Affairs covers the headlines Greece Same Sex Marriage, Quad Bill, Jyotisar Anubhav Kendra, and Cancer Center in Bhubaneswar.
Daily Current Affairs – 17 February 2024
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17 February 2024 Current affairs, pertains to the most recent global news and events that have bearing on our day-to-day activities. As a crucial component of the general studies section, staying up to date with the 17 February 2024 Current Affairs is crucial for students getting ready for exams. The 17 February Current Affairs is significant because it can assist students become more knowledgeable about general topics, strengthen their reading and comprehension skills, and grow as critical thinkers.
International News
US House Passes Quad Bill
- The Quad bill, which aims to strengthen collaboration between the US, Australia, India, and Japan, was enacted by the US House of Representatives by a resounding vote.
- The bill requires the creation of a Quadruple Intra-Parliamentary Working Group in order to support collaborative efforts across multiple areas.
- The goal of this historic law is to improve cooperation between the US, Australia, India, and Japan. Its main goal is to strengthen the bonds and enable strategic collaboration between these important countries.
Greece Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage
- Greece has changed the social and legal landscape of the nation significantly by legalizing same-sex marriage and giving same-sex couples equal parental rights.
- In addition to recognizing same-sex marriages, the recently passed legislation guarantees same-sex couples equal parenting rights.
- This involves giving both parents in a same-sex relationship the same legal status as guardians, enabling them to actively engage in their children’s upbringing and make important decisions for them.
National News
Prime Minister Modi Virtually Unveils Mahabharata-Inspired Jyotisar Anubhav Kendra
- The Jyotisar Anubhav Kendra, a museum and interpretive facility based on the epic Mahabharata, in Rewari has been essentially opened by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
- Even though the project is still ongoing, the inauguration of two of the five intended galleries is a positive beginning.
- With a about Rs 240 crore investment, this project is expected to improve Kurukshetra, Haryana’s offerings for spiritual and cultural tourists.
Prime Minister Modi To Unveil 125-Foot Statue Of Bir Lachit Borphukan In Assam
- In Lahdoigarh, Hollongapar, Jorhat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to unveil a massive 125-foot statue of Bir Lachit Borphukan.
- The Assam Chief Minister made this declaration in a recent statement, outlining a number of noteworthy events intended for this year’s first week of March with the goal of celebrating the state’s rich historical and cultural legacy.
- As a project that represents the bravery and spirit of the Assamese people, the statue of Bir Lachit Borphukan, a general best known for leading the charge in the 1671 Battle of Saraighat where he stopped the Mughal invasion, was built.
State News
Odisha CM Inaugurates Bagchi Sri Shankara Cancer Center In Bhubaneswar
- The Bagchi Sri Shankara Cancer Centre and Research Institute (BSC CRI) in Bhubaneswar was opened by Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
- Established in partnership with the Sri Shankara Cancer Hospital and Research Centre in Bengaluru, this state-of-the-art facility marks a significant advancement in patient accessibility and affordability of high-quality cancer treatment.
- The government and charitable organizations have joined forces to address the pressing demand for sophisticated cancer treatment facilities in the area, and the opening of BSC CRI marks a significant turning point in the history of healthcare in Odisha.
Telangana Tourism Minister Reddy Lays Foundation Stone For Komuravelli Railway Station
- In the Siddipet District of Telangana, G Kishan Reddy and Mohan Yadav laid the cornerstone for the Komuravelli Railway Station.
- The station intends to enhance access to the well-known Komuravelli Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple, which draws millions of worshippers each year.
- The well-known Komuravelli Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple is located in Komuravelli village and is a major pilgrimage place. Every year, almost 25 lakh devotees from four different states travel to the temple town to receive the presiding deity’s darshan.
Himachal Pradesh Leads As India’s Most Welcoming Region In 2024
- The well-known online travel company Booking.com just revealed its 12th Annual Traveller Review Awards 2024, which showcase the Most Welcoming Cities and Regions in India.
- Himachal Pradesh has risen to the top of the “Most Welcoming Region in India” category, a stunning leap from fifth place in 2023.
- This accolade is a testament to the state’s dedication to offering visitors a friendly and accommodating atmosphere. Goa, Kerala, Rajasthan, and Uttarakhand are also included in the rankings at the following spots.
Defence News
India Approves Acquisition Of Defence Equipment Worth Rs 84,560 Cr
- On February 16, 2024, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), presided over by Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh, accepted a number of capital acquisition requests totaling Rs 84,560 crore.
- The aforementioned approvals prioritize the acquisition of equipment from Indian vendors in order to foster self-sufficiency in defense production.
- In the Buy {Indian-Indigenously Designed Developed and Manufactured (IDDM)} category, approval was granted. For increased safety, it has a seismic sensor and remote deactivation.
Visakhapatnam will Host MILAN Naval Exercise 12th Edition
- From February 19 to 27, the strategically located port city of Visakhapatnam will host the 12th edition of the MILAN naval exercise, which will bring together naval troops from more than 50 nations.
- “Building Naval Alliances for a Secure Maritime Future,” this year’s theme, emphasizes the exercise’s dedication to boosting international maritime security via collaboration and strategic discourse.
- MILAN 2023 aims to increase marine trade safety, which is an essential part of the world economy, by pooling resources and expertise.
Business News
LIC Launches A Non-Participating Product ‘Amritbaal’ For Children
- A new insurance product called “Amritbaal” has been introduced by the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC).
- “Amritbaal” appears as a clever financial tool intended to help youngsters with their substantial demands, including their schooling.
- The product has a number of noteworthy features that are intended to create a sizable corpus for the child’s future needs. The Guaranteed additions, which promise an accumulation of Rs. 80 per thousand of the basic value promised at the conclusion of each policy year, are one of the attractions.
Important Days News
Global Tourism Resilience Day 2024
- First observed on February 17, 2023, the United Nations Global Tourism Resilience Day represents a major advancement in recognizing and bolstering the resilience of the tourism sector.
- According to the most recent UNWTO data, there was a notable surge in international travel in 2023, with an anticipated 975 million tourists visiting other countries between January and September—a 38% increase from 2022.
- In order to ensure the tourism industry’s contribution to sustainable development and economic stability, particularly in developing nations, this effort seeks to support a sector that can endure both anticipated and unforeseen problems.
Schemes News
MSME Minister Narayan Rane Launches Rs 20 Lakh Scheme Under CGTMSE For GST-Exempted Micro Units
- A unique program for unregistered micro businesses (IMEs) that is free from the Goods and Services Tax (GST) system was introduced by MSME Minister Narayan Rane.
- Through this program, IMEs can apply for government-funded Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE) loans up to Rs 20 lakh without the need for collateral.
- The “Special Provision for Informal Micro Enterprises under Credit Guarantee Scheme” program seeks to assist micro and nano businesses with loans.
SBI Launches Digital Enrolment For PMJJBY And PMSBY Schemes
- In order to enroll in the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) programs digitally, State Bank of India (SBI) has created a convenient self-subscribing process. This eliminates the requirement for clients to visit a branch or Customer Service Point.
- Clients can digitally sign up for the PMJJBY and PMSBY programs. The procedure is choosing the bank, inputting the account number, and entering the date of birth on the Jan Suraksha webpage.
- PMJJBY offers a one-year term life insurance policy that is renewable every year in the event of any cause of death. Accident insurance coverage is provided by PMSBY for unintentional death and disability.
Ranks & Reports News
India Achieves Global Digitalization Milestone As Third Largest Digital Economy
- Only the technology superpowers of China and the United States of America (USA) lag behind India as the third most digitally advanced country in the world.
- The Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER), a well-known think tank with headquarters in Delhi, released the “State of India’s Digital Economy Report, 2024,” which includes this important discovery.
- The research provides a thorough overview of India’s digital environment, contrasting it favorably with some of the most advanced economies globally while emphasizing areas in which user-level digital engagement still needs to be improved.
Awards News
City Union Bank Sweeps 7 Awards At 19th Banking Tech Conference
- Under the direction of Dr. N Kamakodi, City Union Bank triumphantly demonstrated its technological superiority by winning an astounding seven honors at the 19th Banking Technology Conference, Expo & Citations in 2023.
- Apart from winning first place, CUB also achieved second place in Best IT Risk Management, Best Digital Engagement, and Best Technology Talent categories.
- With its amazing collection of accolades, City Union Bank has established itself as a leader in the sector and a pioneer in the use of technology in banking.
Appointments News
Lebanese Judge Nawaf Salam Elected As ICJ’s New President
- US Judge Joan Donoghue was succeeded by Nawaf Salam as president of the International Court of Justice in The Hague. With this noteworthy accomplishment, he becomes the first Arab and Lebanese person to occupy this esteemed role over a three-year period.
- Salam joined the ICJ in 2018, and as of right now, he is the most senior judge in the world. His selection serves as a testament to his impressive career trajectory in international law.
- The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is the primary court of the United Nations. It renders advisory rulings on legal matters presented to it by UN bodies and specialized organizations. It also decides legal disputes between governments.
Sports News
ICC Bans UK Cricketer Rizwan Javed For Over 17 Years For Match-Fixing
- Rizwan Javed, a club cricket player in the UK, has been severely banned from all cricket-related activities for a term of seventeen and a half years.
- His involvement in multiple violations of the Emirates Cricket Board’s (ECB) Anti-Corruption Code for Participants led to this decision.
- The International Cricket Council (ICC) on behalf of the ECB charged eight people, including Rizwan Javed, for their alleged involvement in corruption attempts during the 2021 Abu Dhabi T10 Cricket League.
Science & Technology News
India To Initiate Satellite Based Tolling On Mysuru-Bengaluru Expressway
- In a move revealed by India’s Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari, the country would test toll collection on the Mysuru-Bengaluru Expressway based on the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS).
- The GNSS-based tolling system offers a smooth and effective substitute for traditional toll collection techniques.
- In contrast to toll gates, which require cars to stop in order to pay, GNSS technology allows cars to be precisely positioned so that tolls can be computed according to the distance driven on the highway.