Today's Current Affairs 2nd January 2024

INTERNATIONAL

Felix Tshisekedi Named President of the Democratic Republic of Congo

• Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is once again in the spotlight as President Felix Tshisekedi secures victory in the highly contested December 20 election.

BRICS group to double in 2024 after Saudi, Iran, UAE, Egypt, Ethiopia join ranks

• BRICS, the group of emerging-market nations comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, is poised to undergo a significant expansion on January 1.
• Representatives from the new invitees participated in a recent BRICS sherpa meeting in Durban, South Africa, indicating their acceptance of the invitation.
• The five countries are set to send officials to the next sherpa meeting in Moscow on January 30.
• The term “BRIC” was coined in 2001 to highlight robust economic growth in Brazil, Russia, India, and China.

 NATIONAL

Surat Hosts 12th Divya Kala Mela 2023

• The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan), under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, organised a distinctive event.
• The event, titled ‘Divya Kala Mela,’ took place in Surat, Gujarat, spanning from December 29, 2023, to January 7, 2024.

India-UAE Joint Exercise ‘Desert Cyclone 2024’ Kicks Off In Rajasthan

• Military exercise ‘Desert Cyclone 2024‘ is set to mark a significant milestone in the partnership between India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Scheduled to take place in Rajasthan from January 2 to January 15.
• The inaugural India-UAE Joint Air Forces exercise held in September 2008 at the Al-Dhafra base in Abu Dhabi.

SPORTS

Indian Teenager Anahat Singh Bags Girls’ U-19 2023 Scottish Junior Open Title at Edinburgh

• Anahat Singh, a rising star in Indian squash, secured victory in the girls’ under-19 category at the 2023 Scottish Junior Open squash held in Edinburgh.

SCIENCE & TEHNOLOGY

ISRO Launches XPoSat: India’s First X-Ray Polarimeter Satellite

• Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) marked the beginning of 2024 with a significant milestone, launching its first mission of the year. On January 1, ISRO successfully lifted off the XPoSat (X-ray Polarimeter Satellite) along with 10 other satellites from the Sriharikota spaceport, using the reliable PSLV-C58 rocket.
• The agency underscores the significance of XPoSat as its first dedicated scientific satellite designed to undertake research in this specialized domain.

 APPOINTMENS & RESIGNATIONS

Arvind Panagariya Appointed Head of Sixteenth Finance Commission by Government

• The GOI appointed Arvind Panagariya, former Niti Aayog vice chairman and Columbia University professor, as the chairman of the Sixteenth Finance Commission.
• Arvind Panagariya, a distinguished trade economist, had previously served as the first vice chairman of the Niti Aayog from 2015 to 2017.

 IMPORTANT DAYS

DRDO Celebrates Its 66th Foundation Day

• India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) commemorated its 66th Foundation Day on January 1, 2024.
• The celebrations commenced with paying floral tributes to former President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, the “Missile Man of India,” and Dr. VS Arunachalam, the former DRDO chief.
• DRDO Chairman Dr. Samir V Kamat addressed the DRDO fraternity.

Global Family Day 2024: 1 January

• Global Family Day, celebrated annually on January 1, marks a universal commitment to peace, unity, and the shared values of humanity.
• The theme for 2024, “Embracing Diversity, Strengthening Families”.
• By 1999, Global Family Day was established as a day dedicated to peace-building strategies.

BANKING AND ECONOMY

FinMin allows 30th tranche of electoral bonds

• The Indian government has granted approval for the release of the 30th tranche of electoral bonds, set to go on sale from January 2 to January 11, 2024.
• The inaugural sale of electoral bonds took place in March 2018.