Current affairs 24 February 2025

Haryana launches witness protection scheme.

• Haryana launched a witness protection scheme for cases with punishments of death, life imprisonment, or seven years and above.
• Witnesses are categorized into three threat levels, with protection measures like identity change, relocation, and in-camera trials.
• A district-level Witness Protection Cell will oversee implementation, led by police officials.

Shaktikanta Das appointed as "Principal Secretary-2" to PM Modi.

• Shaktikanta Das, the former governor of the Reserve Bank of India, has been appointed as the Principal Secretary-2 to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
• Shaktikanta Das, who remained RBI's governor for six years, demitted office in December last year.
• Sanjay Malhotra took charge as the 26th governor of the apex bank.
• He has served as the Department of Revenue and Economic Affairs Secretary.

First Conference for Women Peacekeepers in New Delhi.

• The Conference on the theme Women in Peacekeeping: A Global South Perspective took place in New Delhi.
• The conference is being organised by the Ministry of External Affairs in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence and the Centre for United Nations Peacekeeping.
• The conference brings together the participation of women peacekeepers from 35 troop-contributing countries from Global South.

India Sends Aid to Honduras After Storm SARA.

• India dispatched humanitarian assistance of 26 tons to Honduras in the wake of the recent Tropical storm SARA.
• On January 27, India had also sent a humanitarian aid consignment to the Kurdistan region of Iraq.
• India is the first responder for Global South in times of need.
• Over the years, India has consistently provided aid and assistance to Iraq.

Virat Kohli Becomes Fastest to 14,000 ODI Runs.

• Virat Kohli has created history as he became the quickest batter to score 14,000 runs during the ICC Champions Trophy clash against Pakistan in Dubai.
• Kohli is now only the third batter in ODI cricket to have scored 14,000 runs, after the legendary Indian Sachin Tendulkar and Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara.
• Kohli already holds the record for scoring the most ODI centuries (50).