Today's Current Affairs 29th December 2023

INTERNATIONAL

Israel Grants Intel $3.2 Billion for $25 Billion Chip Plant Amid Ongoing Conflict

• Israel’s government has approved a substantial $3.2 billion grant for Intel Corp.’s ambitious plan to construct a $25 billion chip plant in southern Israel.
• The chosen site for the expansion, Kiryat Gat, is located 42 km (26 miles) from the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip.

NATIONAL

Ex-Cricketer Ambati Rayudu Joins Jagan Mohan Reddy’s Party

• Former Indian cricketer Ambati Rayudu officially joined the Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) led by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy.

Jammu and Kashmir Panchayati Raj Act Amended to Incorporate OBC Reservation

• The Administrative Council (AC), chaired by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, recently approved crucial changes to the Jammu and Kashmir Panchayati Raj Act, 1989.
• The draft J&K Panchayati Raj Act (Amendment) Bill 2023 was initially submitted to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India.

UP CM Yogi Adityanath Inaugurates Bateshwar’s Intra-District Chopper Service

• Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated the state’s first intra-district helicopter service in Bateshwar a historical village located 65 km from Agra city.

SCIENCE & TEHNOLOGY

ISRO to Launch India’s First X-Ray Polarimeter Satellite on Jan 1, 2024

• Following the successes of the Chandrayaan-3 and Aditya-L1 missions, ISRO is gearing up for its latest venture – the XPoSat mission. Scheduled for launch on January 1, 2024, this mission marks India’s maiden foray into polarimetry.

About ISRO:

Headquarters: Bengaluru

Founder: Vikram Sarabhai

Founded: 15 August 1969

 OBITURY

Founding Father of EU’s Single Currency Project Jacques Delors Dies Aged 98

• Jacques Delors, the former European Commission chief and a key figure in the formation of the European Union (EU), has died at the age of 98.
• Delors served for a record three terms from January 1985 to the end of 1994.

About European Union:

Founded: 1 November 1993, Maastricht, Netherlands

Founders: Germany, France, Italy, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg

Wolfgang Schaeuble, German Political Giant, Passes Away At 81

• Wolfgang Schaeuble, with over 50 years in the German parliament, has passed away at 81.
• He was Appointed Chancellor Angela Merkel’s finance minister in October 2009.

APPOINTMENS & RESIGNATIONS

Nina Singh First Woman CISF Chief Rahul Rasgotra ITBP Chief

• Central government has appointed Nina Singh as the first woman Director General of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).
• In another key appointment, Rahul Rasgotra, the Special Director of the Intelligence Bureau (IB), has been named the new Director General of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP).

 AWARDS & RECOGNITION

Mr L P Hemanth K Srinivasulu Receives ‘Man of the Year 2023’ Award from Home Minister Shri Amit Shah

• A ceremony held on December 28, 2023, Mr. L.P. Hemanth K. Srinivasulu, the newly appointed Director of the Latin America and Caribbean Trade Council, was bestowed with the prestigious “Man of the Year-2023″ award.
• The honor, presented by Shri Amit Shah, the Home Minister of India.

 BANKING AND ECONOMY

India Makes First-Ever Rupee Payment for the Purchase of Crude Oil from UAE

• India, the world’s third-largest energy consumer, recently made a significant move by conducting its first-ever payment in rupees for crude oil purchased from the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
• In the financial year 2022-23 (April 2022 to March 2023), India spent a substantial $157.5 billion on importing 232.7 million tonnes of crude oil.