Today's Current Affairs 17th February 2024

INTERNATIONAL

Greece Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage: A Landmark Decision

• Greece has made history by legalizing same-sex marriage and granting equal parental rights to same-sex couples.
• Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, following his re-election, reaffirmed his commitment to equality by vowing to enact measures for same-sex marriage and parental rights. 

NATIONAL

Himachal Pradesh Leads as India’s Most Welcoming Region In 2024

• com, the popular online travel agency, unveiled its 12th Annual Traveller Review Awards 2024, highlighting the Most Welcoming Regions and Cities in India.
• Securing the top spot in the category of the ‘Most Welcoming Region in India’ is Himachal Pradesh, showcasing a remarkable jump from the 5th position in 2023.
• The rankings further feature Goa, Kerala, Rajasthan, and Uttarakhand in the following positions.
• In 2023, Puducherry held the prestigious position of the Most Welcoming Region in India, with Kerala, Rajasthan, Goa, and Himachal Pradesh following closely. 

Visakhapatnam to host 12th edition of MILAN naval exercise

• The 12th edition of the MILAN naval exercise is poised to set sail in the strategic port city of Visakhapatnam from February 19 to 27. 

SPORTS

ICC Bans UK Cricketer Rizwan Javed for Over 17 Years for Match-Fixing

• UK-based club cricketer Rizwan Javed has been handed a severe ban from all cricketing activities for a period of 17 ½ years.
• Rizwan Javed was one among eight individuals charged by the International Cricket Council (ICC) on behalf of the ECB for their involvement in corruption attempts during the 2021 Abu Dhabi T10 Cricket League. 

SUMMITS AND MOU’S

India and Colombia Sign MoU on Digital Cooperation

• India and Colombia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Cooperation in the field of Sharing Successful Digital Solutions Implemented at Population Scale for Digital Transformation.
• Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Union Minister of State for Electronics and IT, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, and Jal Shakti from India, and Mr. Mauricio Lizcano, Minister of Information Technologies and Communications of Colombia. 

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

City Union Bank Sweeps 7 Awards at 19th Banking Tech Conference

• City Union Bank, under the stewardship of Dr. N Kamakodi, claimed an impressive seven awards at the 19th Banking Technology Conference, Expo & Citations in 2023. 

BANKING AND ECONOMY

SBI Launches Digital Enrolment for PMJJBY and PMSBY Schemes

• State Bank of India (SBI) has introduced a convenient self-subscribing journey for its customers to enrol under the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY). 

SIDBI Releases Impact Study ‘Prabhaav’ on Fund of Funds for Startups

• Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) has released the impact assessment report of the Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS).
• As of November 30, 2023, 129 Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) have received commitments from the FFS across various segments.
• The scheme has facilitated investments totaling approximately ₹17,534 crore in 938 distinct startups. 

Sikkim INSPIRES: World Bank’s Support for Skill Development

• The World Bank has approved a new project aimed at supporting the state of Sikkim in India.
• The project focuses on training, upskilling, and providing jobs for 300,500 women and youth in high-growth and priority sectors. 

India Approves Acquisition of Defence Equipment worth Rs 84,560 Cr

• Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh, has approved various capital acquisition proposals amounting to Rs 84,560 crore on February 16, 2024.