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Daily G.K. - Top Stories

17 Dec 2024

DAILY G.K. TEST

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INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

UK Joins Indo-Pacific Bloc: A Post-Brexit Trade Milestone

  • The United Kingdom officially became the first European nation to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). This significant move, a result of the UK's post-Brexit strategy, aims to boost the country's economy by providing new business opportunities and trade benefits across the Indo-Pacific region. The UK's entry into the bloc was formalised after the ratification of the accession treaty by most CPTPP members, with several more expected to follow.
  • The CPTPP is an economic partnership that originally started with 11 members: Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, and Vietnam. After the US withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) in 2016, the remaining countries established the CPTPP, reducing trade barriers on a wide range of goods and services. The bloc accounts for around 15% of global GDP and includes some of the fastest-growing markets globally.
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BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

Google Appoints Preeti Lobana as India Head

  • Tech giant Google announced the appointment of Preeti Lobana as its new Country Manager and Vice President for India. This strategic move comes as Google aims to bolster its presence and commitment to India's rapidly evolving digital economy. Lobana, a seasoned professional with over three decades of experience, took over the reins from Sanjay Gupta, who transitioned to a larger role as the President of the Asia Pacific region.
  • Before joining Google, Lobana served in prominent leadership roles at renowned organisations, including: NatWest Group, American Express, Standard Chartered Bank and ANZ Grindlays Bank.
  • Her academic credentials include being an alumnus of the prestigious Indian Institute of Management (IIM) – Ahmedabad, where she honed her expertise in strategy, change management, and leadership.

RBI Raises Collateral-Free Agricultural Loan Limit to Rs. 2 Lakh

  • In a significant move to enhance financial access for farmers, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) raised the limit for collateral-free agricultural loans from Rs. 1.6 lakh to Rs. 2 lakh. Effective January 1, 2025, the directive aims to address inflationary pressures and rising input costs while providing small and marginal farmers with sufficient credit support to meet their operational and developmental needs.
  • Banks were directed to implement the revised guidelines by January 1, 2025, and run awareness campaigns to ensure farmers are well-informed about the enhanced loan provisions.

RBL Bank Reappoints R. Subramaniakumar as MD & CEO

  • RBL Bank's board of directors reappointed R. Subramaniakumar, the current Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD and CEO) of the bank, for a period of three years, effective June 23, 2025.
  • The reappointment is, however, subject to approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). The bank will make an application to the RBI seeking approval for reappointing Subramaniakumar as MD and CEO for a further period of three years under Section 35B of the Banking Regulation Act, 1935.
  •  Subramaniakumar was initially appointed for a period of three years as MD and CEO of the bank in June 2022, making him the second public sector banker after Prashant Kumar to head a private sector bank.
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SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

EU Launches Iris2 Space Programme to Challenge Elon Musk's Starlink

  • The European Union launched a €10 billionn (£8.3 billion) space programme called Iris2, aiming to build a network of 290 satellites to compete with Elon Musk's Starlink. This ambitious project is designed to strengthen Europe's control over its communications and offer secure connections for governments and military operations amidst rising cybersecurity threats.
  • Using advanced technology, Iris2 will provide a system equivalent to 1,000 satellites, operating in both medium Earth orbit and low Earth orbit. This will ensure widespread coverage for defence, internet services, TV, weather updates, and border surveillance across Europe.
  • Leading European companies like Airbus Defence and Space, Thales Alenia Space, and Telespazio will be key contributors to the project.
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SPORTS

Women's Junior Asia Cup 2024: India Beats China in Shootout, Defends Title

  • Indian women's hockey team beat China 3-2 in penalty shootout in the final of the Women's Junior Asia Cup in Muscat, Oman, and successfully defended its title.
  • The top five finishers at the 2024 Women's Junior Asia Cup -India, China, Japan, South Korea and Malaysia qualified for the 2025 FIH Women's Junior World Cup in Chile.
  • The 10th Women's Junior Asia Cup was held in Muscat, Oman, from December 7 to 15, 2024.
  • Hockey India, announced a reward of Rs. 2 lakh for each player and Rs. 1 lakh to each support staff for everyone's effort and winning the championship.
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NATIONAL AFFAIRS

NCL Launches 'CHARAK' for Free Health Treatment in Singrauli

  • Northern Coalfields Limited (NCL), under the Ministry of Coal's guidance, launched the 'CHARAK' project – Community Health: A Responsive Action for Koylanchal, aimed at providing free treatment for economically weaker sections suffering from life-threatening diseases.
  • The initiative will benefit residents of Singrauli and Sonbhadra districts with annual family incomes below Rs. 8 lakh, covering diseases like malignancy, TB, HIV, cardiovascular diseases, and others. This project aligns with NCL's long-standing commitment to improving the socio-economic condition of the region.
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DEFENCE

US Armed Forces Test 'Dark Eagle' Hypersonic Missile

  • The U.S. military successfully tested its Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW), also known as 'Dark Eagle,' bringing it closer to being fielded as a crucial asset in modern warfare. The test, conducted at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, demonstrated the missile's ability to travel at speeds exceeding 3,800 miles per hour (Mach 5), and its capability to strike distant and well-defended targets.
  • This achievement marks a major milestone in hypersonic technology development for the U.S. military, with future operational deployment planned by 2025.

Macron Ally François Bayrou New French Prime Minister

  • France's President Emmanuel Macron appointed centrist ally Francois Bayrou as Prime Minister, as he seeks to calm a political crisis that has left his authority dwindling by the day.
  • Macron's office made the announcement a week after the former office holder Michel Barnier lost a vote of no confidence, forcing him to submit his resignation.
  • Bayrou is the leader of the centrist MoDem party and a political heavyweight from south-western France. A former Education Minister, and Mayor of the south-western town of Pau, he has been an ally and close confidente to Emmanuel Macron since he swept to power in 2017.
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PERSONS IN NEWS

Padma Shri Awardee Environmentalist Tulsi Gowda Dies

  • Tulsi Gowda, the renowned environmentalist and Padma Shri awardee known as the "Vruksha Maate" (Mother of Trees), passed away at her residence in Karnataka's Honnali village, Ankola Taluk, Uttara Kannada district. She was 86.
  • Tulsi Gowda dedicated over six decades of her life to environmental conservation, planting and nurturing thousands of trees in Ankola and its surroundings. Her unparalleled knowledge of plants earned her the title "Encyclopaedia of Plants."
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DAYS AND EVENTS

Pensioners Day in India

  • Pensioners Day, observed annually on December 17 in India, is a tribute to D. S. Nakara, the pioneer who fought relentlessly for the rights and dignity of pensioners. This day commemorates the landmark Supreme Court judgment of 1982, which guaranteed equality and justice for retired officials and pensioners.
  • The liberal pension system introduced in 1979 benefited only those who retired after March 31, 1979.
  • D.S. Nakara challenged this discriminatory policy in court, arguing that it was a violation of equality.
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AWARDS AND HONOURS

IIT-Roorkee Awarded CII's Most Innovative Institution Award 2024

  • The Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee was awarded the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)'s Most Innovative Institution Award 2024, marking the fifth consecutive year of this distinguished recognition.
  • It highlights IIT Roorkee's dedication to fostering a vibrant innovation ecosystem. The Institute has consistently excelled in translating groundbreaking research into practical solutions that address critical societal challenges. By forging strong partnerships with industry, IIT Roorkee has created a dynamic platform for knowledge exchange and collaborative problem-solving.
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GENDER/ HEALTH/ EDUCATION

Maharashtra Government, British Council Partner to Boost Higher Education System

  • The Department of Higher and Technical Education, the Maharashtra government, in collaboration with the British Council, UK's international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities, launched the Capacity Building for International Officers programme under their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
  • With support from the Department of Higher and Technical Education, 36 participants from 18 public and private universities across Maharashtra were shortlisted for this workshop, which is designed to strengthen internationalisation initiatives within Indian higher education institutions.
  • This initiative aims to enhance the capacity of Indian universities to engage in internationalisation efforts while showcasing UK expertise in this area. Aligned with the goals of India's (NEP) 2020, the programme aspires to position India as a global hub of education by fostering cross-border collaborations and promoting excellence in higher education.
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TOURISM AND HOTEL INDUSTRY AWARENESS

Russia Offers Visa-Free Travel for Indians in 2025

  • Indians may soon enjoy visa-free travel to Russia as part of a new initiative expected to begin in the spring of 2025. This move follows bilateral discussions between India and Russia in June 2024, aimed at easing visa restrictions and encouraging group tourist exchanges. Currently, Indian nationals require visas to visit Russia, but the upcoming agreement could significantly streamline travel processes, boosting tourism and strengthening bilateral ties.
  • Russia currently offers visa-free entry to China and Iran under its group tourist exchange program.
  • The program has boosted tourism from these countries, prompting Russia to replicate it with India.

Delhi Airport Connects to 150 Destinations, Becomes Country's First

  • Delhi airport operator DIAL said that the airport now provides connectivity to 150 destinations.
  •  Thai AirAsia X launched direct flights between Delhi and Bangkok-Don Mueang (DMK), marking the 150th destination connected to Delhi airport.
  • Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) also became the first airport in the country to connect 150 destinations.
  • Of all the long-haul destinations from India, 88 per cent of destinations are connected from Delhi and 56 per cent of all long-haul weekly flights departing from India, operate from Delhi.
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