Today's Current Affairs 28th March 2024

INTERNATIONAL

Saudi Arabia Sends First Contestant to Miss Universe Pageant

• Rumi Alqahtani, a 27-year-old model and influencer from Saudi Arabia will be the first participant from the country in the Miss Universe competition.
• This will be the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s first appearance in the Miss Universe pageant.
• The Miss Universe pageant 2024 will be held in Mexico. 

Thailand’s Historic Move: Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage

• Thailand’s lower house of Parliament has passed a groundbreaking bill to legalize same-sex marriage, marking a significant step towards equality in Southeast Asia. 

Bassirou Diomaye Faye Wins Senegal’s Presidential Election

• Bassirou Diomaye Faye, an anti-establishment figure, has won the Senegalese presidential election with 54.28 per cent of the votes in the first round.
• At 44 years old, Faye is set to become Africa’s youngest elected president and the first opponent to win in the first round since Senegal’s independence from France in 1960.

About Senegal:

Capital: Dakar

President: Macky Sall

Currency: West African CFA franc

Official language: French 

SPORTS

Haryana Crowned Champion at Boxing Sub Junior National Championship

• Haryana clinched the team titles in both the Boy’s and Girls categories with an impressive combined haul of 19 medals at the Boxing Sub Junior National Championship. 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

ISRO’s START 2024 Program to Inspire Youth in Space Science

• The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will conduct the Space Science and Technology Awareness Training (START) 2024 program during April and May.
• ISRO is inviting Expression of Interest (EOI) from educational institutes, universities, and colleges within India offering UG and PG courses in physical sciences and technology to host START-2024. 

APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS

New Chiefs Appointed to Lead NIA, NDRF, and BPR&D

• The Indian government has announced crucial appointments in key security agencies, including the National Investigation Agency (NIA), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D). 

New Members Sworn In at Lokpal of India

• Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi has taken oath as the new judicial member of the Lokpal (ombudsman) on 27 March 2024.
• The oath was administered by Justice AM Khanwilkar, the Chairman of the Lokpal of India.
• The institution of the Ombudsman was first established in Sweden in 1809.
• The concept gained popularity globally after being adopted by New Zealand and Norway in 1962. 

BANKING AND ECONOMY

IRDAI Identifies LIC, GIC Re, and New India Assurance as D-SIIs

• The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has designated three insurers as Domestic Systemically Important Insurers (D-SIIs) for the year 2023-24.
• These insurers, namely Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC Re), and New India Assurance Co Ltd.

NTPC Secures USD 200 Million Loan from JBIC for Renewable Projects

• State-owned power giant NTPC has finalized an agreement with the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) to obtain foreign currency loans totaling USD 200 million (JPY 30 billion or approximately Rs 1,650 crore). 

Competition Commission of India (CCI) Approves Acquisition of Lanco Amarkantak Power Limited by Adani Power Limited

• On March 26, 2024, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) granted approval to Adani Power Limited, a subsidiary of the Adani Group, for the complete acquisition of Lanco Amarkantak Power Limited.
• This acquisition involves the transfer of 100% equity share capital of Lanco Amarkantak Power Limited to Adani Power Limited.
• Statutory body responsible for enforcing the Competition Act, 2002, constituted in March 2009.