Today's Current Affairs 23rd March 2024

INTERNATIONAL

Simon Harris, Ireland’s Youngest PM in the Making

• Simon Harris, a prominent figure in Irish politics, has emerged as the sole candidate in the race to become Ireland’s next prime minister following the unexpected departure of Leo Varadkar.
• At 37 years old, Harris is poised to become the youngest prime minister in Ireland’s history. 

SPORTS

Sharath Kamal to be Indian Flagbearer at Paris Olympics 2024

• Ace table tennis player Sharath Kamal will be the Indian team’s flagbearer for the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics. The announcement was made by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).
• Ranked World No. 88, Kamal has won the national table tennis championship a record 10 times. He has also claimed 13 medals at the Commonwealth Games (CWG), including seven golds.
• Joining Kamal in the spotlight is MC Mary Kom, who has been named as the chef de mission for the Paris 2024 Summer Games.
• Mary Kom is the first female boxer in history to have captured six world titles.

 

Nayana James Shines at Indian Open Jumps Competition

• In the women’s long jump event at the 3rd Indian Open Jumps Competition, Nayana James from Kerala recorded a personal best mark of 6.67m to secure the gold medal.
• Her jump stood out as no athlete threatened the 2024 Paris Olympics qualification mark on the day.
• Nayana’s distance was 16cms off Anju Bobby George’s National record and 19cms behind the Paris mark. 

APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS

Appointment of Mariam Mammen Mathew as DNPA Chairperson

• Mariam Mammen Mathew, CEO of Manorama Online, has been appointed as the Chairperson of the Digital News Publishers Association (DNPA) for a two-year term starting April 1, 2024.
• She succeeds Tanmay Maheshwari, Managing Director of Amar Ujala. 

IMPORTANT DAYS

Shaheed Diwas 2024:

• Shaheed Diwas 2024 falls on March 23, 2024, commemorating the day when three iconic freedom fighters – Bhagat Singh, Shivaram Rajguru, and Sukhdev Thapar – were martyred by the British Government.
• Their most notable action was the bombing of the Central Legislative Assembly in Delhi on April 8, 1929, accompanied by the iconic slogan “Inquilab Zindabad” (Long Live the Revolution). 

World Meteorological Day 2024

• Every year on March 23rd, the World Meteorological Day is celebrated. This day marks the establishment of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in 1950.
• The WMO is a specialized agency of the United Nations.
• The theme for World Meteorological Day 2024 is “At the Frontline of Climate Action“.
• In 1950, on March 23rd, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) was founded. 

SUMMITS AND MOU’S

CBI, Europol sign Working Arrangement for cooperative relations

• The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Europol have entered into a significant Working Arrangement aimed at combating crime and fostering cooperation between the two agencies.
• Europol Executive Director Catherine De Bolle and CBI Director Praveen Sood signed the Working Arrangement in a virtual event held on March 21.
• The signing ceremony took place simultaneously in New Delhi and the Hague. 

AUKUS Partnership to Build Australia’s SSN-AUKUS Submarines

• The United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia have forged the AUKUS partnership to bolster trilateral security and construct nuclear-powered submarines for the Royal Australian Navy.
• Collaboration between Australia’s ASC and UK-based BAE Systems to construct submarines. 

RANKING & REPORTS

Global Trade Overview 2023 and 2024 Outlook: UNCTAD Report

• The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) has released its Global Trade Update report, outlining the state of global trade in 2023 and projections for 2024.
• Merchandise exports in India grew by 5% in the last quarter of 2023 compared to the same period in the previous year.