Today's Current Affairs 17th December 2023

INTERNATIONAL

TIWB Launched Saint Lucia Program, With India as the Administration Partner

• Tax Inspectors without Borders (TIWB), a joint initiative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
• The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), launched a significant program in Saint Lucia on 14th December 2023.

About UNDP:

Founded: 22 November 1965, United States

Headquarters: New York, New York, United States

 NATIONAL

PM Narendra Modi Launches Second Edition of Kashi Time Sangamam in Varanasi

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the second edition of Kashi Tamil Sangamam, a cultural extravagance aimed at fostering the cultural ties between Varanasi and Tamil Nadu.
• During the event, PM Modi also flagged off the Kashi Tamil Sangamam Express.

About Uttar Pradesh:

Founded: 24 January 1950

Chief Minister: Yogi Adityanath

Governor: Anandiben Patel

Capital: Lucknow (Executive Branch)

Surat Diamond Bourse Inaugurated by PM Modi

• The Surat Diamond Exchange, marking a historic moment as it surpassed the Pentagon to become the world’s largest office complex.

About Gujarat:

Founded: 1 May 1960

Chief Minister: Bhupendrabhai Patel

Governor: Acharya Devvrat

Capital: Gandhinagar

SCIENCE & TEHNOLOGY

IAF Successfully Testfires ‘SAMAR’ Air Defense Missile System in Andhra Pradesh

• The Indian Air Force (IAF) has proudly announced the successful test firing of its Surface to Air Missile for Assured Retaliation (SAMAR) air defence missile system.
• The IAF conducted the successful firing trials of the SAMAR air defence missile system during the AstraShakti-2023 exercise at Air Force Station Suryalanka.

About Andhra Pradesh:

Founded: 1 November 1956

Chief Minister: YS Jagan Mohan Reddy

Governor: S. Abdul Nazeer

Capital: Amaravati

 OBITURY

Sheikh Nawab AI-Ahmad AI-Sahab, Kuwait Emir, Passed Away at the Age of 86

• Sheikh Nawab AI-Jaber Saheb passed away on December 16, 2023, at the age of 86.

 RANKING

Aster Medcity Claims the No.1 Spot as India’s Leading Emerging Hospital

• Aster Medcity, located in Kochi, Kerala, and a unit of Aster DM Healthcare, has emerged as a frontrunner in the healthcare industry.
• The hospital has recently achieved the remarkable feat of being ranked No.1 in the ‘Best Multi-specialty Hospital Emerging‘category by The Week-Hansa Research 2023, as published in December 2023.
• Nitish Shetty is the CEO of Aster DM Healthcare.
• Aster Medcity is founded on 6th May 2015.

Logistics Performance Index 2023: States and UTs Recognized for achievements and Challenges

• The Commerce and Industry Ministry recently released the fifth LEADS (Logistics Ease across Different States) 2023 report.
• Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Chandigarh, and Gujarat are among the 13 states and Union Territories recognized as “achievers” in the logistics index chart for 2023.

Hyderabad Leads In Food Adulteration Cases: NCRB

• The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) recently revealed alarming data that sheds light on the severity of the issue, especially in the city of Hyderabad and its surrounding areas.
• The NCRB data pointed out that Hyderabad topped the nation in food adulteration cases in 2022. In close second place was Andhra Pradesh, trailing after Telangana.

About Telangana:

Governor: Tamilisai Soundararajan 

Founded: 2 June 2014

Chief Minister: Revanth Reddy

Capital: Hyderabad

BANKING AND ECONOMY

NPS Assets Surge to ₹10.7 Lakh Crore with Impressive 16.94% Equity Returns

• India’s National Pension System (NPS) has witnessed a substantial growth in assets, reaching a new milestone of ₹10.7 lakh crore as of December 9, 25.95% higher than the previous year.

S&P Global Ratings: Positive Outlook for Asia-Pacific Economies despite Global Challenges

• Out of the 21 countries assessed by S&P in the APAC region, 19 are bestowed with a stable outlook.
• S&P acknowledges that economic growth in the Asia-Pacific region in 2024 may not match the strength seen in 2023.