Daily Current Affairs 26th January 2024: Your guide for daily General Knowledge Preparation
Dear Readers,
This post contains important current affairs of 26th January2024. It includes all Major National, International, Business and Sports related current affairs of 26th January2024. A brief explanation of every current affair is provided to further enhance your general knowledge. Once you have gone through these current affairs we would recommend to you to try 26th January2024 Current affairs test.
National News
1. Investment by AIIB in India’s Renewable Energy Sector
- The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) has allocated approximately $58.4 million (Rs 4.86 billion) to India’s largest renewable energy Infrastructure Investment Trust (InvIT), known as Sustainable Energy Infra Trust (SEIT).
- SEIT oversees eight solar power projects with a combined capacity of 54 gigawatt-peak across India. The InvIT is co-sponsored by Mahindra Susten Private Limited and Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan.
- This investment is part of AIIB’s strategy to promote InvITs as a key infrastructure asset class in India, following their previous $50 million investment in 2019 in Oriental Structural Engineers InvIT for road and highway financing.
2. Best Electoral Practices Awards Presented by President Murmu
- President Droupadi Murmu awarded the Best Electoral Practices Awards for 2023 in New Delhi, recognizing the Election Commission of India’s role in enhancing the country’s democratic diversity.
- The upcoming general elections will feature 12 lakh polling booths for over 96 crore voters. The Election Commission is engaging extensively with voters, celebrating the 14th National Voters’ Day under the theme ‘Nothing Like Voting, I Vote For Sure’.
3. Cabinet Approves Coal Gasification Plants in West Bengal and Odisha
- The Indian Government has sanctioned the setup of two coal gasification plants by Coal India Limited (CIL) in West Bengal and Odisha.
- These plants aim to produce 100 MT coal gas by 2030, advancing India’s self-reliance and energy independence goals.
- The Eastern Coalfields Limited’s plant in West Bengal is a joint venture between CIL and GAIL, with an investment of Rs 13,052 crore. The second plant, a collaboration between CIL and BHEL in Odisha’s Mahanadi Coalfields, involves an investment of Rs 11,782 crore.
4. Visit of Prime Minister Modi and President Macron to Jaipur
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron are planning a one-day visit to Jaipur.
- President Macron will explore the city’s historical sites, including Amber Fort, Jantar Mantar, and Hawa Mahal, before attending the Republic Day parade on January 26th.
5. Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas Set to Become Largest Cruise Ship
- Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas is preparing for its inaugural voyage on January 27, 2024.
- Touted as the world’s largest cruise ship, it is over 1,000 feet long and weighs approximately 250,000 gross registered tons.
- The ship features 20 decks, housing 40 restaurants, bars, lounges, seven pools, six waterslides, and a 55-foot waterfall.
6. Desert Festival 2024 in Jaisalmer
- The Desert Festival 2024, themed “Back to the Desert,” is scheduled from February 22 to 24 in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan.
- The event will commence with a procession from the Lakshminath temple and focus on showcasing local artists’ talents.
- Preparations are underway, including stakeholder meetings involving local residents, hoteliers, tourism operators, and artists, under the supervision of district collector Pratap Singh.
7. NATO’s Largest Military Exercise Since the Cold War
- NATO plans its most extensive military exercise since the Cold War, named Steadfast Defender 2024, involving around 90,000 troops.
- The exercise will span until May, including over 50 naval vessels, 80-plus aircraft, and 1,100 combat vehicles, including tanks and infantry fighting vehicles.
8. Cameroon Initiates Malaria Vaccine Program for Children
- Cameroon becomes the first nation to integrate the RTS,S/AS01 (Mosquirix) malaria vaccine into its national immunization program for children.
- Developed by GSK over 30 years, this vaccine, previously in pilot programs in several African countries, is now set for a wider rollout, targeting the continent most affected by malaria.
9. SJVN-NHAI Technical Consultancy Services Agreement
- State-owned SJVN has entered into an agreement with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to provide technical consultancy for highway projects.
- SJVN will utilize its technical consultancy expertise to assist in various highway projects.
10. Republic Day 2024 Celebrations in India
- India celebrated Republic Day on January 26, 2024, commemorating the enactment of the Indian Constitution on this day in 1950.
- This day marks the transition of India to a republic, following independence in 1947. The Constitution, led by Dr. BR Ambedkar, was adopted in 1949.
- The day also honors the Indian National Congress’s declaration of Purna Swaraj in 1930, symbolizing the end of British rule and celebrating the country’s democratic government.
11. International Customs Day Observance
- International Customs Day was observed on January 26, 2024.
- The day originates from the establishment of the European Customs Union Study Group (E.C.U.S.G.) in 1948 and the formation of the Customs Cooperation Council (C.C.C.) in 1952.
- It emphasizes the importance of customs administrations worldwide.
