24 December 2024 current affairs in English

pMadhya Pradesh recognized as one of ‘Go-To Global Destinations for 2025’ 

• Madhya Pradesh has been recognized by the Wall Street Journal as one of the “Go-To Global Destinations for 2025”.
• This is due to the state’s rich heritage, wildlife, and natural beauty.
• The journal highlights renowned UNESCO World Heritage sites Khajuraho, Panna, and Bandhavgarh.

About Wall Street Journal

• Founded: July 8, 1889
• Founders: Charles Dow, Edward Jones, and Charles Bergstresser
• Headquarters: New York City, USA
• Specializes in financial markets, corporate news, politics, technology, and global events.
• Known for its data-driven journalism and in-depth analyses.

About Madhya Pradesh

• Capital: Bhopal
• Largest City: Indore
• Formation: November 1, 1956
• Language: Hindi

Ex-SC judge V Ramasubramanian appointed new NHRC chairperson

• Former Supreme Court judge V Ramasubramanian has been appointed as the 9th Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
• It has been done for a tenure of three years until December 2027.
• Justice Ramasubramanian retired on June 29, 2023, after serving for over three years as a Supreme Court judge.

About V Ramasubramanian

• His legal career began after he completed his LLB from Madras Law College in 1983.
•  He practised at the Madras High Court for 23 years before he was appointed as a judge of the same court on July 31, 2006.
• He was appointed as the Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court on June 22, 2019.
•  Three months later, on September 23, he was elevated to the Supreme Court of India.
• Justice Ramasubramanian retired on June 29, 2023.

About NHRC

• Establishment: October 12, 1993
• Legal Basis: The NHRC was set up under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 (PHRA).
• Headquarters: New Delhi
• The NHRC consists of the following members:

1. Chairperson: A former Chief Justice of India or a judge of the Supreme Court.
2. One serving or retired judge of the Supreme Court.
3. One serving or retired Chief Justice of a High Court.
4. Two members with knowledge or practical experience in matters related to human rights.
5. Ex-officio Members: Chairpersons of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Minorities, and Women.

ISRO to launch its key Spadex mission on December 30

• The Indian Space Research Organisation will launch its Spadex mission on December 30 from the first launch pad at Sriharikota. .
• The Spadex mission will see two satellites — SDX01 or Chaser and SDX02 or Target.
• India’s workhorse Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle PSLV-C60 will launch the two 220 kg satellites in a 470 km circular orbit.

About Spadex Mission

• SPaDEx stands for Space Docking Experiment.
• The objective is to demonstrate the docking of two spacecraft in orbit and enable the transfer of materials, fuel, or data between spacecraft.

About ISRO

• Established: August 15, 1969
• Founder: Dr. Vikram Sarabhai (regarded as the father of India’s space program)
• Headquarters: Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
• Parent Organization: Department of Space (DoS), Government of India

Bihar to Host Women’s Kabaddi World Cup 2025

• Bihar is preparing to host the Women’s Kabaddi World Cup in March 2025.
• It marks the second time the state has organized this prestigious event, following its successful inaugural tournament in 2012. 
• The matches will be held at the Rajgir Sports Academy.
• The Women’s Kabaddi World Cup 2025 will take place in March.
• The tournament will feature teams from eight Asian countries. 
• The participants include India, China, Japan, South Korea, and Nepal. 

About Kabaddi

• Each team consists of 7 players on the field and additional substitutes.
• Players are divided into raiders and defenders.
• Matches are typically played in two halves of 20 minutes each, with a 5-minute break in between.
• The court is rectangular, measuring 10 x 13 meters for men and 8 x 12 meters for women.

News Headlines for Today

• India Shines at Junior World Pencak Silat Championship: Nusrath Fatima Wins Silver for Nation
• India Secures $500 Million ADB Loan for Green Infrastructure Projects
• Swarnim Bharat: Virasat aur Vikas’ Announced as Theme for Republic Day 2025 Tableaux
• Nepal prepares itself for HPV vaccination drive; GAVI provides Anti-cancer ‘HPV’ vaccine doses to Nepal
• Romanian President Nominates Marcel Ciolacu to Form Pro-European Coalition Government
• Nepal celebrates 101st birth anniversary of Jan-Andolan leader Krishna Prasad Bhattarai
• US President-elect Trump appoints Indian-American Sriram Krishnan as policy advisor on AI
• Youngest Brazilian Joao Fonseca wins 2024 Next Gen ATP Finals
• Champions Trophy 2025: PCB confirms UAE as neutral venue
• Anahat Singh picks up her 9th PSA Challenger title in 2024