Today's Current Affairs 18th January 2024

NATIONAL

India records its first-ever confirmed sighting of a rare Tibetan Brown Bear

• India’s wildlife conservation, the first-ever confirmed sighting of the rare Tibetan Brown Bear (scientific name: Ursus arctos pruinosus) was recorded in the high altitudes of North Sikkim.
• The Tibetan Brown Bear is accorded the highest protection status under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar inaugurates 12th General Assembly of the Asian Buddhist Conference for Peace

• Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar has said that the world today faces challenges like climate change, conflict, terrorism and poverty.
• He was speaking after inaugurating the 12th General Assembly of the Asian Buddhist Conference for Peace in New Delhi today.

SPORTS

Sue Redfern: ICC’s First Female Neutral Umpire in Bilateral Series

• Sue Redfern from England is set to become the first ICC-appointed female neutral umpire to officiate in a bilateral series.
• This historic moment is scheduled to take place during the upcoming WT20I between Australia and South Africa.

About ICC:

Headquarters: Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Founded: 15 June 1909

CEO: Geoff Allardice

Chairman: Greg Barclay

Asian Shooting Championship 2024

• Yogesh Singh showcased exceptional marksmanship in the men’s 25m centre fire pistol competition, claiming the individual gold medal with a score of 573.
• In the shotgun qualifiers held in Kuwait City, Lakshay demonstrated his prowess by securing the bronze medal. He shot a commendable 33 in the six-man final, finishing fourth in the qualification round with a score of 119.

 APPOINTMENS & RESIGNATIONS

Rear Admiral Shantanu Jha Takes Over as Chief Staff Officer at Eastern Naval Command

• Rear Admiral Shantanu Jha took charge as Chief Staff Officer (Operations) at the Headquarters, Eastern Naval Command.

 SUMMIT'S & MOU's

Maharashtra inked MoUs worth Rs 3.53 lakh crore at WEF in Davos: CM Eknath Shinde

• Maharashtra government has inked memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with an investment potential of Rs 88,420 crore over the last two days at the World Economic Forum currently underway in Davos.

About Maharashtra:

Chief Minister: Eknath Shinde 

Founded: 1 May 1960

Governor: Ramesh Bais

Capital: Mumbai

 AWARDS & RECOGNITION

REC Limited Wins ICAI Award for Excellence in Financial Reporting FY 2022-23

• REC Limited, a prominent Maharatna Public Sector Unit and a leading Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) under the Ministry of Power, has been honored with the prestigious ‘Plaque’ at the ICAI Awards for Excellence in Financial Reporting.
• Established in 1969, REC Limited is a premier NBFC focused on Power Sector Financing and Development throughout India.

 RANKING

TCS ranked second most valuable IT brand in global list

• Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) rated the second most valuable IT services brand in the world, according to the 2024 Global 500 IT Services Ranking by Brand Finance.

About Tata Consultancy Services:

Founders: J. R. D. Tata, Faquir Chand Kohli

CEO: K. Krithivasan (1 Jun 2023–)

Headquarters: Mumbai

Founded: 1 April 1968

 BANKING AND ECONOMY

L&T Secures ‘Mega Order’ for Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Electrification Project

• L&T Construction’s railways strategic business group has clinched a significant contract valued between ₹10,000 to ₹15,000 crore for a pivotal segment of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project.
• The ‘mega’ order, received from a Japanese agency overseeing the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Project (MAHSR).

Foxconn and HCL Group Forge Partnership for Chip Packaging Unit in India

• Taiwanese tech giant Foxconn, a long-time Apple Inc. partner, is diversifying from China and joining forces with HCL Group to establish a chip packaging and testing facility in India.
• Foxconn’s subsidiary, Foxconn Hon Hai Technology India Mega Development, will invest $37.2 million for a 40% stake, with the remaining held by HCL.