CURRENT AFFAIRS 13-12-2024

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.

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