Today's Current Affairs 23rd January 2024

 INTERNATIONAL

Cabo Verde has been granted certification by the World Health Organization (WHO) for achieving a malaria-free status

• In a recent announcement, the World Health Organization (WHO) has officially certified Cabo Verde as a malaria-free country.
• This accomplishment positions Cabo Verde alongside Mauritius and Algeria as the third nation in the WHO African region to achieve malaria-free status.
• Cabo Verde’s certification adds to the list of 43 countries and 1 territory globally that have been recognized as ‘malaria-free’ by the WHO. Notable instances in the South East Asian region include the Maldives (2015) and Sri Lanka (2016), while India awaits such certification.

 NATIONAL

The 'Anuvadini' app, introduced by the central government, facilitates multilingual education

• The central government has taken a noteworthy step to encourage multilingualism in education by launching the 'Anuvadini' app, a platform driven by Artificial Intelligence.
• The initiative aims to make study materials for all school and higher education courses available in digital form, specifically in Indian languages listed in the 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
• This step aligns with the recommendations of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, emphasizing the importance of studying in one’s mother tongue.
• The University Grants Commission (UGC), All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE), and the Department of School Education have been instructed to ensure the availability of study materials in regional languages.

 SPORTS

For 2023, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has revealed the Men's and Women's T20 International Teams of the Year

• The International Cricket Council (ICC) has revealed the T20I Teams of the Year for both Men and Women in 2023, acknowledging outstanding performances in the shortest format of the game. The selection showcases individuals who have demonstrated excellence either as batsmen, bowlers, or all-rounders over the course of the calendar year.
• The Men’s T20I Team of the Year 2023 is a blend of emerging stars and established talents from across the globe. It features players from India, England, the West Indies, New Zealand, Zimbabwe, Uganda, and Ireland.
• The Women’s T20I Team of the Year 2023 also features a mix of established and emerging players from various cricketing nations. The team is characterized by its blend of youthful exuberance and experienced campaigners. The presence of players from non-traditional cricketing nations like Uganda is a testament to the growing global reach of T20 cricket.

 AWARDS & RECOGNITION

In the BCCI Awards 2023, Shubman Gill and Ravi Shastri are set to be recognized and honored

• The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is gearing up to recognize outstanding contributions to Indian cricket at the upcoming NAMAN Awards ceremony in Hyderabad.
• This prestigious event, held for the first time since 2019, celebrates the achievements of Indian cricketers in the preceding year.
• Shubman Gill is slated to receive the Cricketer of the Year award, acknowledging his extraordinary performance in 2023. Gill played 48 matches during the year, amassing an impressive 2,154 runs.
• Ravi Shastri, a former all-rounder and head coach of the Indian cricket team, will be honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Shastri’s illustrious career includes representing India in 80 Tests and 150 One Day Internationals (ODIs), scoring over 3,000 runs in both formats and taking 280 wickets.

 Important Days

Parakram Diwas 2024 

• On January 23rd, 2024, Parakram Diwas commemorates the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, a key figure in India's quest for independence.
• This day is celebrated to honour his indomitable spirit and invaluable contribution to India’s independence. This year nation observe the 127th edition of Parakram Diwas 2024.
• Parakram Diwas 2024 is a national event celebrated annually in India since 2021. It commemorates Netaji’s birth anniversary and is a tribute to his brave legacy. The day serves as a reminder of the courage and determination of one of India’s most revered freedom fighters.

 BANKING AND ECONOMY

YES BANK has achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first Indian bank to join RXIL's ITFS (Invoice Trading and Financing System) platform

• In a historic development, YES BANK has achieved the distinction of being the first Indian bank to conduct an export finance transaction on RXIL Global IFSC Limited’s International Trade Financing Services Platform (ITFS). This partnership signifies a major advancement in digitalization and cross-border business initiatives for YES BANK.
• The platform, registered under the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA), offers a digital avenue for arranging credit through Factoring, Forfaiting, and other trade financing services at competitive rates with swift processing. This historic transaction is the first of its kind on the ITFS platform in conjunction with any bank in India.