Current affairs 24 October 2024

India dispatches first tranche of assistance to people of Palestine.

• India dispatched 30 tons of humanitarian aid to Palestine, including essential medicines, surgical supplies, and high-energy biscuits, via UNRWA.
• India reaffirmed its support for a peaceful two-state solution for Palestine and Israel.
• This aid follows India’s USD 2.5 million contribution to UNRWA earlier in 2024, emphasizing its commitment to peaceful resolution efforts.

India and Pakistan Renew Kartarpur Corridor Agreement Until 2029.

• India and Pakistan extended the Kartarpur Corridor agreement, allowing Indian pilgrims to visit the Kartarpur Sahib Gurudwara in Pakistan until 2029.
• The agreement, first signed in 2019, was renewed despite strained relations, following S. Jaishankar's visit to Pakistan for the SCO meet.
• India urged Pakistan to waive the $20 service fee charged to pilgrims, but no agreement was reached.

Russia outlines BRICS Grain Exchange proposal.

• President Vladimir Putin proposed the creation of a BRICS grain exchange, aiming to foster fair pricing for grains, legumes, and oilseeds and enhance food security among BRICS nations.
• The initiative will help protect national markets from external interference and artificial food shortages.
• Putin further introduced the idea of a BRICS investment platform.

Egypt Declared Malaria-Free by World Health Organization in 2024.

• Egypt was officially certified as malaria-free by the WHO, becoming the 2nd country globally this year to achieve this status after Cabo Verde.
• It is the fifth African nation and the third in the Eastern Mediterranean Region to receive this certification, following Morocco in 2010 and the UAE in 2007.
• A total of 44 countries and one territory have been certified as malaria-free by the WHO.

Odisha Government Announces Menstrual Leave for Women Staff.

• The Odisha government has introduced one day of paid menstrual leave per month for women employees, in addition to current leave entitlements.
• Women staff will now receive 12 additional casual leave days annually, increasing their total to 27 days (15 current CL + 12 new).
• This initiative was announced by Deputy CM Pravati Parida on Independence Day.