Daily Current Affairs and GK | 14 November 2024

Topic: Defence

1. 9th edition of Garuda Shakti exercise concluded between India and Indonesia.

• On 12 November, the 9th edition of India-Indonesia Joint Special Forces Exercise Garuda Shakti concluded at Mokopassus, Sijantung, Indonesia.
• Its closing ceremony was attended by senior military officers of both the countries.
• In this program, Indian Ambassador to Indonesia Sandeep Chakraborty, Defense Attache in the Indian Embassy Captain Shiv Kumar and Colonel Inf J of the Indonesian Army were present. S. Elling were present.
• Exercise Garuda Shakti has enabled both the contingents to enhance their capabilities to conduct joint military operations in counter-terrorism environment in sub-conventional domain.
• Began on November 1, the Garuda Shakti exercise was designed to enhance bilateral military cooperation and strengthen ties between the armed forces of the two countries.
• 25 personnel from the Indian Army Parachute Regiment (Special Forces) as well as 40 Indonesian personnel from the elite Kopassus Special Forces also participated.
• The exercise was particularly significant as 2024 is the “Year of Technology Absorption” for the Indian Army, which will further deepen technological cooperation between the two countries.
• India and Indonesia are also celebrating the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic relations this year, as well as the completion of a decade of India's Act East Policy, with Indonesia as a key pillar.

Topic: International News

2. Vivek Ramaswamy, Elon Musk selected by Trump to lead new US government efficiency department.

• On November 12, US President-elect Donald Trump appointed Elon Musk to this role aimed at creating a more efficient government.
• Musk and former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswami will co-lead the newly created Department of Government Efficiency, which Trump has indicated will work across government boundaries.
• The new department would fulfill a long-standing Republican dream and “provide advice and guidance from outside the government.”
• Donald Trump has given Elon Musk the big responsibility of reducing government expenditure and making policies that will make the country profitable.
• The new department will work closely with the White House and the Office of Management and Budget to "enact large-scale structural reform and an entrepreneurial approach to government never seen before."

Topic: Awards and Prizes

3. Samantha Harvey won the Booker Prize for her novel ‘Orbital’.

• Britain’s Samantha Harvey won the 2024 Booker Prize for her novel ‘Orbital’.
• Orbital takes readers on an extraordinary journey to the International Space Station.
• Harvey’s win is not just significant for its content but also for the records it has broken. It has also outsold the last three Booker winners combined.
• Harvey wrote the novel during the pandemic while watching footage of the Earth in low orbit on her screen.
• Orbital is the second-shortest novel to win the Booker Prize in history. It is only 136 pages.
• Samantha Harvey is also the first woman to win the Booker Prize since 2019.
• The winner was announced by the chair of the judges, Edmund de Waal, at a ceremony held at Old Billingsgate in London.
• Harvey receives £50,000 and a trophy, which was presented to her by Paul Lynch.

Topic: Sports

4. Aravindh clinched the Chennai Grand Masters 2024 Masters title.

• In chess, GM Aravindh Chithambaram clinched the Chennai Grand Masters title after defeating GM Levon Aronian.
• GM V Pranav remained unbeaten throughout the tournament and claimed the Challengers title.
• The Chennai Grand Masters 2024 has two categories: Masters & Challengers.
• Aronian settled for a quick draw against GM Amin Tabatabaei.
• The Masters category witnessed a three-way tie for the top spot.
• Pranav ended the tournament with four wins and three draws and gets a direct entry in the Masters category next year.