Daily Current Affairs 25th Oct, 2024

National News

Rajiv Ranjan Singh to Launch the 21st Livestock Census

• The Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh, also known as Lalan Singh, will initiate the 21st Livestock Census, a crucial initiative aimed at gathering detailed information about India’s livestock sector.
• The event is scheduled to take place on October 25, 2024, at the Leela Ambience Convention Hotel in Shahdara, New Delhi.

State News

Bihar CM Announces Rs 7,160 Crore for Panchayat Development Projects

• Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar unveiled a series of development initiatives worth Rs 7,160 crore.
• These projects include the construction of 2,615 panchayat government buildings across various blocks of the state and the establishment of a new Panchayat Resource Center in Sonepur, Saran district.

ADB Approves $434 Million Loan for 500 MW Solar Project in Assam

• The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has sanctioned a loan of USD 434.25 million to aid Assam’s renewable energy goals.
• This funding will support the construction of a 500 MW grid-connected solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant in the Karbi Anglong district, enhancing Assam’s capacity for sustainable energy generation and improving energy security.

International News

International Gita Mahotsav 2024: A Celebration of Culture, Spirituality, and Global Unity

• The International Gita Mahotsav will be celebrated from November 28 to December 15, 2024, in Kurukshetra, Haryana.
• This event promises to showcase India’s cultural and spiritual heritage, spreading the message of the Bhagavad Gita.
• Since 2016, the festival has expanded its reach globally, strengthening Haryana’s cultural ties with the world.

Business News

Reliance and Nvidia Partner to Develop AI Infrastructure in India

• Reliance Industries, led by Mukesh Ambani, has partnered with the US chipmaker Nvidia to establish AI infrastructure in India.
• Announced during the Nvidia AI Summit 2024 in Mumbai, the collaboration aims to elevate India’s status as a leading intelligence market.
• Nvidia’s GB 200 supercomputer technology will be deployed to support large-scale AI initiatives, aligning with Prime Minister Modi’s vision for AI self-reliance.

Hindalco Industries Joins International Copper Association (ICA)

• Hindalco Industries Ltd. has become the latest member of the International Copper Association (ICA), a global industry body that represents 50% of the world’s copper production.
• The ICA, a not-for-profit trade association with 33 members across six continents, promotes sustainable copper production practices.
• The organization is headquartered in Washington, D.C., with operational footprints in various regions worldwide.

IIM Shillong and SIDBI Collaborate to Support Northeast Entrepreneurship

• The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Shillong has partnered with the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) to encourage entrepreneurship in Northeast India.
• Through IIM Shillong’s Foundation for Incubation and Enterprise (IIMSFIE), the collaboration introduces a comprehensive training and incubation program for aspiring entrepreneurs in the region.

Dr. Neena Malhotra Appointed as Ambassador to Sweden

• Dr. Neena Malhotra has been appointed as India’s new Ambassador to the Kingdom of Sweden.
• Currently serving as an Officer on Special Duty in the Ministry of External Affairs, Dr. Malhotra is a 1992-batch Indian Foreign Service officer with a distinguished career, including prior postings as Ambassador to Italy, the Republic of San Marino, and various UN organizations.
• She holds a PhD from the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) in New Delhi and will soon assume her new position.

Justice Sanjiv Khanna Appointed as 51st Chief Justice of India

• Justice Sanjiv Khanna has been appointed as the 51st Chief Justice of India (CJI).
• His oath-taking ceremony is scheduled for November 11, 2024.
• Justice Khanna’s appointment follows the recommendation of outgoing CJI DY Chandrachud and was confirmed by President Droupadi Murmu.
• He will serve as CJI until his retirement on May 13, 2025, with a tenure of around 183 days.

Defence News

India-Germany Maritime Partnership Exercise: Strengthening Naval Ties

• The Indian Navy and the German Navy have completed their first-ever Maritime Partnership Exercise (MPX) in the Indian Ocean, marking a significant step in their naval collaboration.
• Conducted in the Bay of Bengal, the exercise included joint operations involving India’s guided-missile destroyer INS Delhi and Germany’s frigate Baden-Württemberg and replenishment tanker Frankfurt Am Main.
• This exercise highlights the commitment of both nations to enhancing maritime cooperation and regional security.

SIMBEX 2024: Enhancing India-Singapore Maritime Collaboration

• The 31st edition of the Singapore India Maritime Bilateral Exercise (SIMBEX) is currently underway at the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) in Visakhapatnam from October 23 to 29, 2024.
• This exercise, which began as ‘Exercise Lion King’ in 1994, has grown into a key element of the India-Singapore naval relationship.
• SIMBEX 2024 aims to enhance maritime security, domain awareness, and operational interoperability between the two nations.

Important Days

International Dwarfism Awareness Day 2024: Celebrating Diversity and Inclusion

• International Dwarfism Awareness Day, observed annually on October 25, promotes awareness about the lives and challenges of people with dwarfism, including conditions like Achondroplasia.
• The day encourages inclusion and understanding of individuals with short stature, challenging stereotypes and misconceptions.

Sports News

Indian Football Team Rises to 125th in FIFA Rankings

• The Indian men’s football team has moved up one spot to 125th in the latest FIFA rankings.
• This improvement follows their 1-1 draw against Vietnam in a recent friendly.
• Under the guidance of new coach Manolo Marquez, India has shown resilience despite being in search of their first win under his leadership.
• Their points tally has risen to 1133.78, positioning them 22nd in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) standings, just ahead of Vietnam.

Sharapova, Bryan Brothers Inducted into 2025 Tennis Hall of Fame Class

• Maria Sharapova and twins Bob and Mike Bryan have been named to the International Tennis Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025.
• The induction ceremony will be held on August 23, 2025, in Newport, Rhode Island, recognizing their trailblazing careers and contributions to tennis.

Indian Women’s Hockey Icon Rani Rampal Announces Retirement

• Rani Rampal, a legend of Indian women’s hockey, has officially retired from international play, ending a career that spanned over 15 years.
• Known as the “Queen of Indian Hockey,” Rani played 254 matches and scored 120 goals, leading India to several historic achievements, including a fourth-place finish at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

Ashwin Surpasses Lyon in ICC World Test Championship

• Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin has become the highest wicket-taker in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) during the second Test match against New Zealand in Pune.
• Ashwin, who began the match just one wicket behind Australia’s Nathan Lyon (187 wickets), finished the day with 189 wickets, setting a new record for the WTC.

Obituaries News

Ron Ely, TV’s Iconic ‘Tarzan,’ Dies at 86

• Ron Ely, famous for his portrayal of Tarzan in the 1960s NBC television series, has passed away at the age of 86.
• Ely died on September 29 at his residence in Los Alamos, California. His daughter, Kirsten Casale Ely, shared the news, referring to her father as a “hero” and a “magical” figure in the lives of those who knew him.
• Ely’s portrayal of Tarzan, while less celebrated than that of earlier actors like Johnny Weissmuller, helped shape the modern image of the character, known for its adventurous and iconic style.
• His passing marks the end of an era for fans of classic television.