Daily Current Affairs – 17 January 2024

These current affairs today are a part of our daily current affairs. We cover a wide range of topics from state, national, and international news that are relevant and important for competitive exams. Our team prepares today’s current affairs after going through many newspapers, such as The Hindu, Indian Express, PIB, PRS, etc.

Scroll down for current affairs of 17th January, 2024.

India has entered into an agreement to procure five lithium brine blocks for exploration and development in Argentina. 

• The pact was forged between Khanij Bidesh India Ltd (KABIL) and Catamarca Minera Y Energética Sociedad Del Estado (CAMYEN), a state-owned mining and energy entity in the Argentine province of Catamarca. 
• This marks the inaugural venture into lithium exploration and mining by a state-owned corporation. 
• KABIL is set to initiate the exploration and development of five lithium brine blocks—Cortadera-I, Cortadera-VII, Cortadera-VIII, Cateo-2022-01810132, and Cortadera-VI—encompassing an expanse of approximately 15,703 hectares in the Catamarca province. 
• The accord not only augments India’s pursuit of lithium sourcing but also facilitates the infusion of technical and operational proficiency in brine-type lithium exploration, exploitation, and extraction.
• Argentina, boasting 20 percent of the world’s 98 million tonnes of lithium resources, stands as the second-largest holder globally, following Bolivia, as per the United States Geological Survey’s (USGS) Lithium Statistics and Information 2023 report. 
• It is a pivotal player in the “Lithium Triangle” alongside Chile and Bolivia, jointly commanding over half of the world’s total lithium resources. Argentina ranks second in lithium resources, third in lithium reserves, and fourth in global production.

Argentina:

Capital: Buenos Aires

President: Javier Milei

Currency: Argentine peso

Aitana Bonmatí and Lionel Messi crowned at The Best FIFA Football Awards 2023

• Aitana Bonmati and Lionel Messi took center stage at The Best FIFA Football Awards 2023™ ceremony in London. 
• Celebrating excellence since the previous edition, the event recognized outstanding players, coaches, goalkeepers, and more in both the men’s and women’s game.

The laureates of The Best FIFA Football Awards 2023 include:

• The Best FIFA Women’s Player: Aitana Bonmatí (Spain / FC Barcelona)
• The Best FIFA Men’s Player: Lionel Messi (Argentina / Paris Saint-Germain / Club Internacional de Fútbol Miami)
• The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper: Mary Earps (England / Manchester United)
• The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper: Ederson (Brazil / Manchester City FC)
• The Best FIFA Women’s Coach: Sarina Wiegman (Netherlands / England Women’s National Team)
• The Best FIFA Men’s Coach: Pep Guardiola (Spain / Manchester City FC)
• The FIFA Puskás Award: Guilherme Madruga (Brazil / Botafogo Futebol Clube)
• The FIFA Special Award: Marta
• The FIFA Fair Play Award: Brazil men’s national team
• The FIFA Fan Award: Hugo Daniel “Toto” Iniguez

Preesha Chakraborty secured a spot in the “world’s brightest” students list

• In the realm of academic brilliance, Indian-American prodigy Preesha Chakraborty secured a spot in the “world’s brightest” students list, courtesy of the esteemed Johns Hopkins Centre for Talented Youth. 
• The recognition was based on the results of above-grade-level tests conducted on over 16,000 students spanning 90 countries. 
• A nine-year-old student at Warm Spring Elementary school in Fremont, California, Preesha undertook the Johns Hopkins Centre for Talented Youth (JH-CTY) test during the Summer of 2023 as a Grade 3 pupil. 
• Joining the ranks of the globally renowned Mensa Foundation, where membership is extended to those scoring at the 98th percentile or higher on standardized, supervised IQ or other approved intelligence tests, 
• Preesha achieved this milestone at the tender age of six by attaining 99 percentiles in the national level NNAT (Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test). Beyond academia, she nurtures a love for travel, hiking, and mixed martial arts.

CTY:

Founded in 1979, CTY stands as a hub for innovation dedicated to advancing the field of gifted education through research on testing, programs, and other support for advanced learners.

Founder: Julian Stanley

Authority: Johns Hopkins University

Director: Amy Shelton

India Secures Gold in Men’s 25m Standard Pistol at Asian Shooting Championships, Jakarta

• In the realm of shooting, Yogesh Singh of India clinched the gold medal in the men’s 25m standard pistol event at the Asian Shooting Championships 2024 held in Jakarta, Indonesia. 
• The Mongolian shooter, Davaakhu Enkhtaivan, secured the silver medal with an identical score. 
• Notably, Singh outpaced Enkhtaivan by achieving 17Xs compared to Enkhtaivan’s seven. Kazakhstan’s Nikita Chiryukin, who triumphed over India’s Vijayveer Sidhu in the men’s 25m rapid-fire pistol, claimed the bronze with a score of 568. 
• In the women’s category, the Indian trio comprising Shreyasi, Manisha Keer, and Bhavya Tripathi secured the silver medal in the women’s trap team event, totaling 328. They finished behind China and ahead of Kazakhstan.
• In the recently concluded Asian Shooting Championships 2024 in Jakarta, in which category did India’s Yogesh Singh secure a gold medal? Men’s 25m standard pistol event.

Karnataka Bank & Clix Capital Forge Digital Co-Lending Partnership

• Karnataka Bank (KBL), a prominent private sector bank, and Clix Capital, a rapidly growing NBFC in India, have entered into a strategic digital co-lending alliance through the YubiCo.Lend platform. 
• This collaboration focuses on extending loans to the Indian MSME sector, a significant contributor to India’s GDP and employment growth.
• Aligned with RBI’s co-lending guidelines for banks and NBFCs in priority sectors, this partnership leverages Karnataka Bank’s cost-effective funds and digital capabilities along with Clix Capital’s robust lending tech platform. 
• The goal is to provide seamless and cost-effective financing solutions digitally, synergizing each other’s strengths to serve the underserved.

Karnataka Bank:

Established: 18 February 1924

Headquarters: Mangalore, Karnataka, India

Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer: Srikrishnan Hari Hara Sarma

Madison Marsh, US Air Force Officer, Claims Miss America 2024 Title

• Madison Marsh, a 22-year-old second lieutenant in the US Air Force and a master’s student in the public policy program at the Harvard Kennedy School, achieved victory at the 2024 Miss America pageant. 
• Representing Colorado, Ms. Marsh made history as the first-ever active-duty Air Force officer to hold the national title.

Vice Admiral N Pramod Assumes Role as Director General Naval Operations

• Vice Admiral AN Pramod has taken charge as the Director General Naval Operations (DGNO). An alumnus of the 38th Integrated Cadet Course at the Naval Academy, Goa, he entered the Indian Navy on 01 July 1990. 
• Holding the designation of CAT ‘A’ Sea King Air Operations Officer and a Communication & Electronics Warfare Specialist, Vice Admiral Pramod has undertaken significant afloat appointments, including Fleet Operations Officer, Western Fleet, and the command of IN ships Abhay, Shardul, and Satpura. 
• Additionally, he commanded the Naval Air Station, Utkrosh, at Port Blair and has held key staff appointments, contributing to the Indian Navy’s strategic and operational endeavors.

Sheel Vardhan Singh, Former IPS Officer, Sworn in as Member of UPSC

• Shri Sheel Vardhan Singh, a former IPS officer with a commendable 37 years of service, has taken the oath of Office and Secrecy as a Member of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). 
• Dr. Manoj Soni, Chairman of UPSC, administered the oath to him. Known for his strategic thinking and expertise in the Global Security Scenario and Internal Security, Singh served as the Director General of CISF from November 2021 to December 2023, providing visionary leadership that bolstered security in the vital Industrial Sector. 
• He earned the President Police Medal for Meritorious Service in 2004 and the President Police Medal for Distinguished Service in 2010. 
• Additionally, Singh is an accomplished author, having penned two volumes of short stories, and a regular contributor to the ‘Speaking Tree’ column in The Times of India. His podcast, ‘The Dialogue Within,’ showcases his unique perspectives on life and living.

UPSC:

Established: 1 October 1926

Headquarters: New Delhi

Chairman: Dr. Manoj Soni

Who recently took the oath of Office and Secrecy as a Member of UPSC? Shri Sheel Vardhan Singh.

BCCI Initiates Selection Committee Overhaul

• In a recent development, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially announced the opening of applications for a pivotal position in the senior men’s national selection committee. 
• While the notice on the board’s website remains discreet about the specific individual being replaced from the current five-member committee led by Ajit Agarkar, speculations point towards the potential departure of Salil Ankola. 
• This move aligns with the BCCI’s strategy to avoid having two selectors from the west zone. The eligibility criteria outlined in the notice specify that applicants should possess a cricketing background, having played a minimum of seven Test matches, 30 first-class games, or 10 ODIs and 20 first-class fixtures. 
• Candidates must have retired at least five years ago, with a condition that disqualifies individuals who have served on any cricket committee for a cumulative period of five years. 
• Notably, the notice is silent on age restrictions. The current committee, chaired by Ajit Agarkar, assumed responsibilities last year following a series of changes triggered by a sting operation that led to the resignation of the then-chairman, Chetan Sharma. 
• The existing committee comprises members like Agarkar, Ankola, Subroto Banerjee, Shiv Sunder Das, and S Sharath, curiously lacking representation from the north zone.

BCCI:

Founded: 1 December 1928

Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra

President: Roger Binny

CEO: Hemang Amin

IOB Collaborates with Institute to Offer E-Learning Courses for Staff

• Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) has entered into a memorandum of understanding with the Indian Institute of Banking and Finance (IIBF) to jointly provide e-learning solutions for the bank’s employees. 
• Nataraj Karyampudi, Chief Compliance Officer of IOB, exchanged documents with S Muralidharan, Director (Academics) of IIBF. 
• The primary objective of this MoU is to enhance the compliance culture in the banking sector, bringing initiatives to the grassroots level and emphasizing zero tolerance towards non-compliance. 
• The collaboration underscores the commitment of both institutions to elevate banking education and foster a culture of compliance within the industry.

Indian Overseas Bank:

Founded: 10 February 1937

Founder: M. Chidambaram Chettyar

Headquarters: Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

MD & CEO: Ajay Kumar Srivastava