STATE NEWS
PM Modi launched ‘Sahayak’ chatbot to assist visitors during the Mahakumbh.
• PM Modi launched the ‘Sahayak’ chatbot to help visitors during the Mahakumbh.
• The chatbot aims to improve event organization and accessibility.
• The Kumbh Mela will take place from January 13 to February 26, 2025.
• PM Modi inaugurated infrastructure projects worth ₹7,000 crore in Prayagraj.
• The projects include 10 new road bridges, flyovers, and permanent ghats.
• Riverfront roads are being developed as part of the infrastructure plan.
• New initiatives are focused on preventing untreated sewage from reaching the Ganga.
• The Mahakumbh exhibition site will highlight preparations for the upcoming Kumbh Mela.
Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman Scheme has been launched by the Delhi Government.
• The Delhi Government launched the Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman Scheme.
• Eligible women will receive ₹1,000 monthly, increasing to ₹2,100 after elections.
• The scheme is part of the 2024-25 budget with a ₹2,000 crore allocation.
• Around 38 lakh women are expected to benefit out of 67 lakh women voters.
• Applicants must be permanent residents of Delhi.
• Family income should not exceed ₹3 lakh per year.
• Applicants must be women aged 18 or older, not employed by the government or receiving pensions.
SUMMIT AND CONFERENCE
15th India-UAE Joint Commission Meeting co-chaired by the union minister for external affiars S. Jaishankar and his UAE counterpart
• The 15th India-UAE Joint Commission Meeting was held on December 13, co-chaired by India's EAM S. Jaishankar and UAE's Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed.
• On December 12, both leaders also co-chaired the 4th India-UAE Strategic Dialogue in New Delhi.
• The UAE Foreign Minister arrived in New Delhi on December 11 to attend both the Strategic Dialogue and Joint Commission Meeting.
• India and the UAE have maintained strong trade ties for centuries.
• The UAE was the fourth largest Foreign Direct Investor (FDI) in India for 2022-2023.
• The UAE has committed to investing $75 billion in India's infrastructure sector in the near future.
• The meetings aim to strengthen bilateral relations between India and the UAE.
• The discussions focused on deepening cooperation in various sectors, including trade, investment, and infrastructure.
9th India-Thailand Defence Dialogue held in New Delhi.
• The 9th India-Thailand Defence Dialogue was held in New Delhi.
• It was co-chaired by Amitabh Prasad (Joint Secretary of International Cooperation) and Gen Tharapong Malakam (Thailand’s Deputy Permanent Secretary for Defence).
• A Joint Working Group will be established to oversee and monitor defence industry cooperation.
• Both sides agreed to exchange subject matter experts between their armed forces.
• There are proposals to explore co-design, co-production, and co-development in the defence sector.
• Thailand is a key maritime neighbor of India and an important partner in the Act East Policy.
• Thailand praised the capabilities of India's defence industry ecosystem.
• Thailand’s ‘Act West’ Policy complements India’s ‘Act East’ Policy to strengthen bilateral ties.
SPORTS
Indian Grandmaster Dommaraju Gukesh became the youngest chess champion in the world.
• Indian Grandmaster Dommaraju Gukesh became the youngest chess world champion.
• Gukesh defeated China's Ding Liren in the final of the 18th World Chess Championship in Singapore.
• The match consisted of 14 games, with Gukesh scoring 7.5 points, while Ding earned 6.5 points.
• Gukesh won three games, Ding won two, and the remaining nine were drawn.
• Gukesh broke the record previously held by Garry Kasparov.
• Kasparov became the world chess champion at 22, while Gukesh achieved the title at 18.
• Gukesh is the second Indian to become the World Chess Champion, following Viswanathan Anand.
• His victory marks a historic achievement for Indian chess.
Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 FIFA World Cup.
• Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 FIFA World Cup.
• The country becomes the second Middle Eastern nation to host the tournament.
• Matches will take place in 15 stadiums across five cities: Riyadh, Jeddah, Al Khobar, Abha, and Neom.
• Spain, Portugal, and Morocco will co-host the 2030 World Cup.
• Both the 2030 and 2034 World Cups had only one bid each.
• The 2034 bid was confirmed by acclamation.
• Saudi Arabia’s selection was a historic moment for Middle Eastern football.
• The decision marks the first time when Saudi Arabia will host a World Cup.
AWARDS
Donald Trump has been named ‘Person of the Year’ for 2024 by TIME magazine.
• Donald Trump has been named TIME Magazine's "Person of the Year" for 2024.
• He is set to become the U.S. President for the second time.
• Trump previously received this honor in 2016 when he first became President.
• He will be the first person convicted in a criminal case to take the presidential oath.
• Other nominees for the title of ‘person of the year’ included Kamala Harris, Elon Musk, Benjamin Netanyahu, and Kate, the Princess of Wales.
• In 2023, Taylor Swift was named TIME's "Person of the Year."
• This marks Trump's second time receiving the prestigious recognition.
• TIME's choice highlights his ongoing influence in politics and media.
President Droupadi Murmu conferred an honorary General Rank to Nepali Army Chief Ashok Raj Sigdel.
• President Droupadi Murmu awarded the honorary General rank to Nepali Army Chief Ashok Raj Sigdel.
• Sigdel received the honor for his military expertise and strengthening Nepal-India relations.
• The tradition of conferring Honorary General titles between Nepal and India dates back to 1950.
• The title acknowledges the long-standing friendship and cooperation between the two nations' armed forces.
• During his visit, Sigdel toured India’s Defence Industries in Pune and the Indian Military Academy in Dehradun.
• The Nepali Army Chief's official visit to India took place from December 11-14.
• This gesture highlights the continued strong defense ties between Nepal and India.
BANKING, ECONOMY AND FINANCE
A growth of 3.5% have been recorded in India’s industrial output in October 2024.
• India’s industrial output increased by 3.5% in October 2024, marking a three-month high.
• The Index of Industrial Production (IIP) grew by 3.5% in October 2024, up from 3.1% in September 2024.
• Manufacturing output saw a 4.1% year-on-year growth in October 2024.
• Electricity generation rose by 2%, while mining output grew by 0.9% in October 2024.
• Industrial output during April-October 2024 grew by 4%.
• In the manufacturing sector, 18 of 23 industry groups reported growth compared to October 2023.
• Key contributors to IIP growth included basic metals, electrical equipment, and petroleum products.
• Consumer durables (5.9%), infrastructure goods (4.0%), and intermediate goods (3.7%) were the top-performing sectors.