Current Affairs: Nov 21-Dec 20, 2024

• Current affairs from November 21, 2024, to December 20, 2024, are provided

Books and Authors

• "Beyond the Higgs Boson: The W Boson and Dr. Ashutosh Kotwal's Quest for the Unknown" is authored by Manik Kotwal and translated by Jerry Pinto
• "My Beloved Life" is penned by Amitava Kumar
• "Dalai Lama's Secret to Happiness" is written by Dr. Dinesh Shahra

International Affairs

• The Rio de Janeiro Declaration emphasizes taxation of billionaires, energy transition, and support for global climate initiatives like COP30 in Brasil
• This Declaration was released at the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Rio de Janeiro on November 18, 2024
• November 19, 2024, marked the 2nd India-Australia Annual Summit in Rio de Janeiro, alongside the G20 Summit
• Significant progress in the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) was showcased during the summit
• The United States has returned over 1,400 looted artifacts worth $10 million to India
• This is as part of an ongoing effort to repatriate stolen cultural items from South and Southeast Asia
• The returned items include a celestial dancer sandstone sculpture
• The sculpture was illegally smuggled from central India to London and sold to a patron of the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art
• India has been re-elected to the United Nations Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) for the 2025-2026 term
• Yamandu Orsi has been elected as Uruguay’s president with 49.8% of the vote in the November 2024 runoff
• Sri Lanka's Central Bank (CBSL) has introduced a single Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) of 8%
• The OPR supports the country's recovery post-financial crisis
• The previous system of Standing Deposit Facility Rate (SDFR) and Standing Lending Facility Rate (SLFR) has been replaced
• External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar inaugurated the new Indian Embassy Chancery in Rome
• Australia has introduced a law banning children under 16 from social media platforms such as TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram
• Noncompliance with the law can result in fines of up to AUD 50 million
• Donald Trump, the US President-elect, has appointed Kash Patel as the next FBI Director
• Donald Trump has threatened 100% tariffs on BRICS countries, including India, if they reduce reliance on the US dollar in international trade
• Oxford Word of the Year 2024 is ‘brain rot', reflecting on the negative impact of excessive low-quality online content
• The Assad family's reign in Syria ended as rebel forces, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), breached Damascus, forcing President Bashar al-Assad to flee
• Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Namibia’s first female president, made history with her election at age 72, winning over 57% of the vote
• Dubai unveiled the world’s largest gold bar on December 7-8, 2024, weighing 300.12 kg and valued at $25 million (₹211 crore)
• Merriam-Webster has chosen "polarization" as the 2024 Word of the Year
• The Supreme Court of Bangladesh stayed a High Court verdict that declared ‘Joy Bangla’ as the national slogan
• Time magazine has named Donald Trump as its Person of the Year for 2024
• Switzerland has decided to suspend the ‘Most Favoured Nation’ (MFN) clause in its tax treaty with India
• Mount Semeru in East Java, Indonesia, erupted on 15th December, releasing a thick column of ash up to 1,000 meters high
• The U.S. military successfully tested its Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW), also known as “Dark Eagle,” at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida
• The Gympie-Gympie (Dendrocnide moroides) is the most toxic plant in the world, found in Australia, Indonesia, and the Moluccas
• Moldova officially joined the International Solar Alliance (ISA)

National Affairs

• On October 29, 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated health projects worth ₹12,850 crore at the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) in New Delhi

• The Ayushman Vay Vandana Card was launched, offering free hospital treatment for senior citizens aged 70 and above

• Dhudmaras in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar district was selected for UNWTO's Best Tourism Village Upgrade programme to promote sustainable tourism

• Prasar Bharati launched its own OTT platform 'Waves' at the 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI)

• India has launched its first AI Data Bank

• Shri C.R. Paatil launched the “Bhu-Neer” portal during the India Water Week 2024 to streamline groundwater regulation in India

• India’s first modern self-sufficient gaushala inaugurated in Laltipara, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh by Prime Minister Narendra Modi

• NITI Aayog has recommended adding coking coal to India's critical minerals list

• Assam government renamed Karimganj district to Sribhumi

• The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved the PAN 2.0 Project with a financial outlay of ₹1,435 crore

• The PAN 2.0 Project aims to streamline and digitize the PAN services

• Current PAN cards will remain valid, and reapplication isn't needed

• Introduction of QR codes on PAN cards and significant upgrades to infrastructure for better security and user experience

• Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh inaugurated the VISION Portal (Viksit Bharat Initiative for Student Innovation and Outreach Network) in New Delhi

• The Union Cabinet approved the One Nation One Subscription (ONOS) scheme, allocating ₹6,000 crore for 2025-2027

• President Droupadi Murmu unveiled the Sanskrit and Maithili translations of the Indian Constitution in New Delhi

• Union Minister Smt. Annapurna Devi launched the “Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat” campaign in New Delhi

• Indian Railways launched the ‘Sanraksha’ mobile app to enhance passenger safety

• The Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly approved a bill to abolish the garbage tax

• Gujarat’s ‘Gharchola’ handicraft has been awarded the Geographical Indication (GI) tag

• The New Pamban Bridge is replacing the 105-year-old Pamban Bridge to improve connectivity between the Indian mainland and Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu -India's tiger population has grown significantly, reaching 3,682 in 2022 -Ratapani Tiger Reserve, located in Madhya Pradesh, has been officially designated as India’s 57th Tiger Reserve

• India has declared snakebite a notifiable disease

• The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme, launched in 2015, has improved the Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB) and raised the Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) for girls

• The Uttar Pradesh government has declared the Maha Kumbh area in Prayagraj as the new Maha Kumbh Mela district ahead of the January 2025 Kumbh Mela -Mission Arun Himveer has been launched by the Arunachal Pradesh Government to improve market access for local farmers, SHGs, FPOs, and cooperatives -West Bengal has gained international recognition with UNESCO declaring it a top destination for heritage tourism

• Uber has launched Asia's first water transport service, Uber Shikara, in Dal Lake, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir

• Amit Shah unveiled an 11-ft tallstatue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in Jodhpur, Rajasthan

• On Gita Jayanti 2024, Bhopal set a Guinness World Record

• India’s first diabetes biobank has been established in Chennai through a collaboration between the ICMR and the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation (MDRF)

• Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar inaugurated the GSI Geoscience Museum in Gwalior

• Dr. Jitendra Singh unveiled Kisan Kavach, India’s first indigenous anti-pesticide bodysuit

• India has achieved a milestone in wildlife conservation with the first-ever satellite tagging of a Ganges River Dolphin

• Uttarakhand is set to become the first Indian state with a dedicated Yoga Policy

• Manipur commemorated Nupi Lal Numit 2024

• Uber has launched the 'Moto Women' pilot program in Bengaluru, offering an on-demand bike taxi service exclusively for female riders and drivers

• Uttarakhand will be the first Indian state to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) starting January 2025

• The former Prime Minister to mark whose 100th birth anniversary a commemorative stamp and coin were released by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi is Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee

Appointments

• Dr. Jaiteerth Raghavendra Joshi is the Chief of BrahMos Aerospace
• Preeti Lobana is the Country Manager and Vice President for India of Google
• M.S. Dhoni is the Brand Ambassador for Eurogrip Tyres
• Dinesh Bhatia is the Ambassador of India to Brazil
• G. Balasubramanian is the High Commissioner of India to the Republic of Maldives
• Pankaj Tripathi is the Festival Ambassador for Arunachal Rang Mahotsav 2024
• Salman Khan is the Brand Ambassador for Kho Kho World Cup
• Sriram Krishnan is the Senior Policy Advisor for AI at the White House of USA

Obituaries News

• Veteran politician Om Prakash Chautala passed away
• Brigadier Raj Manchanda also passed
• Tabla player Padma Bhushan Ustad Zakir Hussain passed

Awards and Honours

International

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi received Kuwait's highest civilian honor. That is the Order of Mubarak Al Kabeer
• Caitlin Sandra Neil won the Miss India USA 2024 title
• Tom Cruise has been honored with the US Navy's Distinguished Public Service Award
• Vinicius Jr won The Best Men’s Player
• Aitana Bonmati won The Best Women’s Player
• Emiliano Martinez won The Best Men’s Goalkeeper
• Alyssa Naeher won The Best Women’s Goalkeeper
• Carlo Ancelotti won The Best Men’s Coach
• Emma Hayes won The Best Women’s Coach
• Alejandro Garnacho won the Puskas Award
• Marta won the Marta Award
• Thiago Maia won the Fair Play Award
• Indian film "The Kumbaya Story" has gained international recognition
• Two Indian heritage conservation projects garnered global recognition
• India has been awarded the prestigious ISSA Good Practice Award for Asia and Pacific 2024
• Scottish Sikh artist Jasleen Kaur awarded the Turner Prize 2024
• Indian Chemical Council (ICC) was awarded the prestigious 2024 OPCW-The Hague Award

National

• The 100th edition of the Tansen Sangeet Samaroh honored Pandit Swapan Chaudhuri and Sanand Nyas Sanstha
• Suryabala’s novel awarded the Vyas Samman 2024
• Shaji N Karun selected for JC Daniel Award 2023
• Bharati Kolli recognized as one of the Rising Star Women Leaders of Banking for 2024

Sahitya Akademi Awards 2024

• Sameer Tanti won in Assamese

• Aron Raja won in Bodo

• Easterine Kire won in English

• Dileep Jhaveri won in Gujarati

• Gagan Gill won in Hindi

• K. V. Narayana won in Kannada

• Sohan Koul won in Kashmiri

• Mukesh Thali won in Konkani

• Mahendra Malangia won in Maithili

• K. Jayakumar won in Malayalam

• Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw was honoured with the Jamsetji Tata Award

IFFI 2024 Awards

Film Awards:

• Golden Peacock for Best Film: Toxic
• Silver Peacock for Best Director: Bogdan Muresanu for “The New Year That Never Came”
• Best Actor (Male): Clement Faveau for “Holy Cow”
• Best Actor (Female): Vesta Matulyte & Ieva Rupeikaite for Toxic
• ICFT-UNESCO Gandhi Medal: "Crossing“ by Levan Akin

Direction Awards:

• Best Debut Director of Indian Feature Film: Navjyot Bandiwadekar (Gharat Ganapti)

Special Awards:

• Indian Film Personality of the Year Award: Vikrant Massey
• Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Award: Phillip Noyce

Sports News

• Richa Ghosh smashed the joint-fastest fifty in women’s T20Is
• Real Madrid triumphed in the 2024 FIFA Intercontinental Cup
• Nat Sciver-Brunt of England became the first woman cricketer to score a Test century in less than 100 balls
• Jasprit Bumrah became India’s highest wicket-taker in Test cricket on Australian soil -The Indian women’s junior hockey team successfully defended their Women’s Junior Asia Cup title

Other news

• Mumbai defeated Madhya Pradesh to win the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2024
• Dommaraju Gukesh became the youngest world chess champion
• Shaheen Shah is the youngest bowler to take 100 wickets across in the three formats.
• The Khelo India Winter Games (KIWG) editions promises thrilling events in Ladakh and J & K in 2025
• Japan clinched the Asian Women's Handball Championship against South Korea
• Aarit Kapil an Indian prodigy became the youngest Indian to defeat a chess Grandmaster.
• Bangladesh U-19 defended their Asia Cup title over India
• Former Assam cricketer Devajit Saikia has been named the acting secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
• Indian junior hockey team defeated Pakistan 5-3 to win the Junior Asia Cup title.
• Pavan Kampelli won eFootball bronze medal at the Asian Esports Games
• Arjun Erigaisi exceeds 2800 ELO rating in Chess
• Max Verstappen secured’s Driver Championship title fourth time in a row
• Divith Reddy won Under-8 World Cadets Chess Championship
• Bajrang Punia gets a four-year suspension by NADA
• Vaibhav Suryavanshi makes record as young player to win IPL auction
• Aanders Antonsen is the first Danish player to win the men's singles in the China Masters
• Bihar will host Khelo India Youth and Para Games.

Important days and themes

Important Days:

• World Television Day (21st November): Accessibility
• World AIDS Day (1st December): Take the rights path: My health, my right!
• International Day of the People with Disabilities (3rd December): Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future -Navy Day (4th December): Strength and Power through Innovation and Indigenisation
• World Soil Day (5th December): Caring for soils: measure, monitor, manage
• International Civil Aviation Day (7th December): Safe Skies. Sustainable Future: Together for the next 80 years .- International Anti-Corruption Day (9th December): Uniting with Youth Against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow's Integrity
• Human Rights Day (10th December): Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now
• International Mountain Day (11th December): Mountain solutions for a sustainable future – innovation, adaptation and youth
• International Migrants Day (18th December): Honouring the Contributions of Migrants and Respecting Their Rights

Summits and Conferences details with locations

• 2024 UN Climate Change Conference (COP 29): Baku, Azerbaijan
• International Cooperative Alliance Global Cooperative Conference for 2024: New Delhi
• Global Cooperative Conference 2024: Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi
• Global Investment 2024: Jaypur, Rajasthan
• International Tourism Mart for 2024: Kaziranga,Assam
• World Maritime Technology Conference (WMTC) 2024 : Chennai,Tamilnadu
• World Ayurveda Congress (WAC 2024) and Arogya Expo: Dehradun,Uttarakhand
• Asia-Oceania Meteorological Satellite Users’ Conference (AOMSUC-14): New Delhi
• edition 2024 of renowned Hornbill Festiva Nagaland : Naga Heritage Village in Kisama
• Odisha Parba 2024: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi
• Gyan-Kumbh 2024: Pondicherry University
• First round of the India-Japan Dialogue on Economic Security, Strategic Trade, and Technology: Tokyo, Japan Events.

Other information

-India-Kuwait to have Joint Commission for Cooperation to strengthen relationship.

Indian military drills

• Exercise SLINEX: Sri Lanka and India, Visakhapatnam type of Drill Navy.
• Exercise "Desert Knight": India, France, and the UAE in the Arabian Sea, Airforce
• Indian Military drills HARIMAU SHAKTI, India and Malaysia, army
• Indian Military Drills: The CINBAX Army is between to, India and Cambodia with location, Foreign Training Node in Pune."
• Launched to have "Maritime Coastal drill Sea vijil-24, India holds this mission with of other 21 agencies India-Tanzania to hold Joint Defence Committee meeting at Goa