Daily Current Affairs 26 December for Banking/Insurance/SSC and other related exams.
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NATIONAL NEWS
Manipur Initiates SAANS Campaign 2023-24 For Pneumonia Prevention
In a significant move development that would go a long way in addressing childhood pneumonia, Dr. Sapam Ranjan Singh, the State Health and Family Welfare Minister of Manipur, inaugurated the SAANS Campaign 2023-24 in Imphal.
- SAANS means Social Awareness and Action to Neutralize Pneumonia is an annual campaign implemented in states and union territories.The primary objective of SAANS is to accelerate action against childhood pneumonia, a leading cause of child mortality.
- The SAANS mission aims to minimize child mortality caused by pneumonia, accounting for approximately 15 per cent of all fatalities in children under the age of five annually.
President Droupadi Murmu gives assent to the three Criminal Code bills
President Draupadi Murmu gave her assent to the three new criminal code bills, which were cleared by Parliament last week.
- These new laws are the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and the Bharatiya Sakshya Act will replace the Indian Penal Code, the Code of Criminal Procedure and the Indian Evidence Act of 1872.
- The new provisions for arrest and police custody (that can extend custody up to 60 days or 90 days) will only lead to police excesses and custodial persecution. One of the first tasks of the successor government in 2024 must be to review these laws and remove the draconian provisions.
Bihar Police to launch new initiative to complete investigations in 75 days
Bihar Police will launch a new initiative, “Mission Investigation@75 days“, making it mandatory for investigators to complete investigation of cases within 75 days of FIR registration starting from January 1 next year.Â
- The Bihar government is preparing to take several measures from January 1, 2024 to make the state police more people-friendly and accountable.
- The performance of all police stations and district police will also be reviewed on a monthly basis from January 1.
UP to build India’s first AI city in Lucknow
India’s largest state, Uttar Pradesh has stated its intention to build the country’s first Artificial Intelligence (AI) city through an Expression of Interest (EoI). To be situated in Lucknow, the AI city will advance and foster the AI ecosystem worldwide.
- A report by Grand View Research pegged the global AI market size at $137 billion in 2022 and is projected to expand at a compound annual growth rate of 37.3 per cent from 2023 to 2030.
- Lucknow houses Centres of Excellence in areas like AI and MedTech (with extensive AI integration). The AI COE (centre in IIIT Lucknow) alone supports more than 15 AI/ML start-ups, nurturing a culture of creativity and entrepreneurship.
BANKING & FINANCE
Education loans see record 20.6% surge in April-Oct
Education loans registered a record year-on-year growth of 20.6 per cent at ₹1,10,715 crore in the current financial year till October compared with ₹96,853 crore in the year-ago period.
- According to Reserve Bank of India (RBI) data, spurt in education loans was the highest in the last five years.. The growth registered in the comparable period was 12.3 per cent FY23 and (-) 3.1 per cent in FY22.
- For the last one year, foreign education loans with an average ticket size of ₹40 lakh-60 lakh accounted for nearly 65 per cent of loans disbursed.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
India to acquire five lithium blocks in Argentina
In a significant development, India is poised to secure exploration and development rights for five lithium blocks in Argentina, marking its second international foray into critical minerals after a partnership with Australia in 2022.
- The deal is on the verge of finalization between Khanij Bidesh India Ltd. (KABIL) and Catamarca Minera Y Energética Sociedad Del Estado (CAMYEN), an Argentine state-owned mining and energy company.
- The Indian government plans to invest around Rs 200 crore over the next five years for exploration, signaling a strategic commitment to securing a domestic supply of critical minerals. The proposal is awaiting approval from the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs.
SPORTS
India women vs Australia women Test | India records maiden historic Test win over Australia
India Women concluded their first ‘home season’ of Test cricket in 28 years with a historic maiden victory over Australia in a one-off Test match in Mumbai. The win marked a significant achievement for the Indian team, capping off a season characterized by exemplary performances with both bat and ball.
- India had taken control of the match with a commanding 187-run lead in the first innings. They needed just 75 runs to win the match after bowling Australia out for 261 in the second innings. India reached the target just after lunch losing two wickets.
- This is India’s first victory against Australia in 11 tests since the teams first clashed in the longest format in 1977
Former South Africa captain Dean Elgar announces retirement from international cricket after India series
Former South Africa captain Dean Elgar has announced his retirement from international cricket after a test series against India concludes early next month.
- Elgar, who has scored more than 5,000 runs with 13 centuries in his 84 tests, will play his final test at Newlands in Cape Town starting January 3.
- Dean Elgar, who made his debut against Australia in Perth in 2011, had a memorable and enduring test career. With over 5,000 runs and 13 centuries in 84 tests, he became South Africa’s eighth-highest scorer in the format. His highest score of 199 against Bangladesh in 2017 stands out as a testament to his batting prowess.
BOOKS & AUTHORS
PM Modi releases book on collected works of Madan Mohan Malaviya
Prime Minister Narendra Modi released the first series of 11 volumes of collected works of Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya.
- The book release function was held on the occasion of the 162nd birth anniversary of Malaviya, the founder of Banaras Hindu University.
- The released collection is a bilingual masterpiece, featuring content in both English and Hindi. Spanning approximately 4,000 pages, these volumes meticulously gather the writings and speeches of Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya from various corners of the country.
Raghuram Rajan’s new book ‘Breaking the Mould: Reimagining India’s Economic Future,’ released
Former Reserve Bank of India (RBI) governor, Raghuram Rajan, in collaboration with economist Rohit Lamba, has released a groundbreaking book titled ‘Breaking the Mould: Reimagining India’s Economic Future.’
- This latest addition to Rajan’s literary contributions marks a significant exploration into the potential and challenges of India’s economic trajectory.
- This book explores India’s economic prospects and has stirred a debate on the adequacy of compensation for top government positions.