Current Affairs 18 December 2023

byhomeacademy •December 20, 2023

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Top Current Affairs 18 December 2023

World’s Largest Meditation Center Inaugurated

Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked a historic moment on December 18, 2023 as he inaugurated the Swarved Mahamandir in Umaraha, Varanasi.
This newly constructed meditation center stands tall at seven floors, accommodating an impressive 20000 devotees at a time for meditation.
Swarved Mahamandir is the world's largest meditation centre in Varanasi.
It is situated in the Umaraha area, approximately 12 km from Varanasi's city center, the temple spans an impressive 300000 square feet.

Telecommunications Bill, 2023 Introduced

Communications Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw introduced Telecommunications Bill, 2023 in Lok Sabha on December 18, 2023.
This new Bill seeks to replace key legislations including the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, the Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1933, and the Telegraph Wires Act, 1950.
The Bill seeks to amend and consolidate the law relating to the development, expansion and operation of telecommunication services and telecommunication networks.
It also deals with the assignment of spectrum and the Bill enables the technologically neutral use of spectrum and optimal utilisation of spectrum.
The Bill provides a framework for standards and conformity assessment of telecommunication equipment, identifiers, networks and services.

Global Status on Road Safety Report 2023

Despite a 5% decrease in road traffic deaths from 2010 to 2021, the WHO highlights on December 18, 2023 that road safety remains a major global health concern.
The report indicates a lack of seriousness globally in ensuring road safety, with insufficient progress in advancing laws and safety standards.
Only 0.2% of global roadways have cycle lanes, and 80% of them do not comply with pedestrian safety regulations, exposing users to significant risks.
The report reveals that over half of road traffic fatalities involve vulnerable road users, including pedestrians (23%), riders of 2/3 wheelers (21%) and cyclists (6%).

RBI Central Board Meeting Held

The 605th meeting of the Central Board of Directors of the Reserve Bank of India was held in Ekta Nagar (Kevadia) in Gujarat on December 18, 2023.
The Board, under the Chairmanship of RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das, reviewed the economic and financial scenario.
The Board also discussed the activities of select Central Office Departments and the draft Report on Trend and Progress of Banking in India, 2022-23.
Deputy Governors Dr. Michael Debabrata Patra, M. Rajeshwar Rao, T. Rabi Sankar, Swaminathan J. and other Directors Revathy Iyer etc attended the meeting.

Migration and Development Report Released

Migration and Development Report of World Bank published on December 18, 2023.
India retained its position as the largest recipient of remittances, with an estimated $125 billion in 2023.
In the South Asian region, remittance flows to India experienced notable growth, contributing to the overall positive trend.
South Asia, as a whole, witnessed a 7.2 percent increase in remittances in 2023.
The top five remittance recipient countries include Mexico ($67 billion), China ($50 billion), the Philippines ($40 billion), and Egypt ($24 billion).

Lithium Reservoir in Salton Sea

Scientists exploring Southern California’s Salton Sea, the state’s largest lake, have uncovered a remarkable lithium reservoir estimated to be worth $540 billion on December 18, 2023.
This ‘white gold’ discovery positions the United States as a potential leader in lithium production, marking a significant development for the country.
The newfound lithium abundance has the potential to supply batteries for over 382 million electric vehicles, propelling the U.S. into a prominent role in the global lithium market.
Manufacturing of rechargeable batteries for electronics, electric vehicles, and grid storage is the largest global use for lithium, representing 80% of total demand.