Daily Current Affairs 10 & 11 December for Banking/Insurance/SSC and other related exams.
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NATIONAL NEWS
Indian Army Organizes Table-top Exercise To Empower ASEAN Women Officers
In an effort to foster gender inclusivity and strengthen the skills of women military personnel in peacekeeping operations, the Indian Army conducted a Table-Top Exercise (TTX) at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi from December 4 to 8. The exercise was designed specifically for women officers from the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN).
- Organized by the Centre for United Nations Peacekeeping (CUNPK), a premier institution of the Indian Army dedicated to providing training in peacekeeping operations, the TTX aligns with CUNPK’s ongoing commitment to strengthening international cooperation and capacity-building in peacekeeping missions, with a special emphasis on empowering women in the field.
DARPG launches scheme and web-portal for National Awards for e-Governance NAeG
Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances DARPG has launched the scheme and web-portal for National Awards for e-Governance NAeG. The objective of the Scheme is to recognize and promote excellence in the implementation of e-Governance initiatives. The purpose is also to encourage innovations in successful e-Governance solutions.
- In a statement, DAPRG informed that the nominations for the National Awards for e-Governance 2024 can be registered and submitted online at www.nceg.gov.in. It added the last date for submission of nominations is 29 of this month.
Telangana CM Revanth Reddy launches two schemes as part of six poll ‘guarantees’ of Congress
Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy launched two schemes, part of the six Congress-promised ‘guarantees’—free bus travel for women and a Rs 10 lakh health insurance for the poor. The launch coincided with Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi’s birthday.
- Under the Rajiv Arogyasri health scheme, the poor would get financial health insurance coverage of Rs 10 lakh. Under the ‘Mahalakshmi’ scheme, women can travel free of cost in the state-run Road Transport Corporation (RTC) buses.
- Meanwhile, Telangana government is also preparing to release a white paper on state finances of the past 10 years to offer transparency to the public. The officials of the state have also been ordered to provide comprehensive information on budget allocations and expenditures for all departments covering the period from 2014 to 2023.
Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurates ‘Krishnaveni Sangeetha Neerajanam’ in Vijayawada
Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, inaugurated the Krishnaveni Sangeetha Neerajanam at Tummalapalli Kalakshetram in Vijayawada.
- This three-day classical music extravaganza will host a variety of activities, including classical music performances by renowned musicians of the country and an exhibition and sale of regional cuisine, local handicrafts and handlooms.
- The event provides an enchanting glimpse into the glorious Indian classical music heritage and featured a diverse array of performances by accomplished musicians.
Indian Navy Conducts Bi-annual ‘Prasthan’ Exercise off Mumbai Coast
The Indian Navy, in collaboration with various defense, state, and civil agencies, recently concluded a comprehensive two-phased exercise named ‘Prasthan‘ in the Offshore Development Area off the Mumbai coast.
- This exercise, conducted every six months, is pivotal in validating and refining measures and procedures aimed at addressing various contingencies that may arise in oil production platforms.
- The current exercise was conducted on R12A (Ratna) platform of ONGC, located about 45 nm West of Mumbai harbour.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
India slips to 4th spot in global ranking after dismal 2023
India, once a powerhouse in the global startup ecosystem, has experienced a significant downturn in its funding trajectory, slipping to the fourth position in the global ranking among the highest-funded geographies in 2023. This decline comes after securing the third spot in both 2021 and 2022.
- After grabbing the third spot globally in 2021 as well as in 2022, India ranked fourth behind the US, the UK and China this year, receiving only $7 billion in total funding (till December 5), according to data compiled by global market intelligence platform Tracxn.
- In the third quarter of 2023, India further slipped to the fifth position among the highest-funded countries, lagging behind the US, the UK, China, and France.
- Q3 witnessed a substantial 30% drop from Q2 2023 and a staggering 54% drop compared to Q3 2022.
India ranks 7th in Climate Change Performance Index
India has been placed 7th in this year’s Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI). The country improved one rank from the previous one, and also remained among the highest performers. According to a report released during the global climate conference (COP-28) in Dubai, India maintained its top 10 position for the fifth year in a row.
- The Index evaluates the climate mitigation efforts of 63 countries and the European Union, covering over 90 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. China, the largest polluter came in at number 51 while the US, the second biggest emitter came in at number 57. India’s past performance in the CCPI ranking shows significant improvement from 31st rank in 2014 to seventh in 2023.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement at COP26 that India will achieve net-zero emissions by 2070 shows a lack of ambition and political will, according to our experts, the report said.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
REC Signs 200M Euro Loan With German Bank KfW For Distribution Sector Reforms
REC Limited, a prominent Maharatna Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) under the Ministry of Power, achieved a significant milestone by signing a 200 million Euro loan agreement with the German bank KfW.
- This agreement, marking REC’s sixth line of credit under the Indo-German Development Cooperation, emphasizes the corporation’s commitment to strengthening the distribution infrastructure of DISCOMs in alignment with the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) of the Government of India.
ITC becomes world’s 3rd most valuable tobacco company after London-based BAT sinks
Diversified conglomerate ITC, with a market cap of $67 billion (Rs 5.6 lakh crore), surpassed British American Tobacco Plc (BAT) to become the third most valuable tobacco company in the world.
- London-based BAT, which sells cigarettes, tobacco, and other nicotine products, has seen a sell-off in its shares in the past week, rendering its market cap below ITC to $64 billion.
- US-listed Philip Morris International and Altria Group currently occupy the top spots above ITC as the two most valuable tobacco companies in the world.
AWARDS
Nikhil Dey Named ‘2023 International Anti-Corruption Champion’ by the US Government
Indian social activist Nikhil Dey has been honored as an International Anti-Corruption Champion by the US government for 2023.
- This recognition highlights his decades-long commitment to empowering peasants and workers while exposing corruption in the delivery of government services.
- Dey is the co-founder of the Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan (MKSS), a Rajasthan-based organization at the forefront of transparency and anti-corruption movements in India.