Daily Current Affairs and GK | 29 November 2024

Topic: International Appointments

1. Masato Kanda has been elected as the 11th president of ADB.

• The Asian Development Bank (ADB) Board of Governors has elected Masato Kanda as ADB’s president.
• He is currently serving as Special Advisor to Japan’s Prime Minister and Minister of Finance.
• He will complete the remaining term of President Asakawa, which will end on 23 November 2026.
• ADB has been established as a regional development bank. It is headquartered in Manila, Philippines.
• This bank maintains 31 field offices in the world to promote social and economic development in Asia.
• At the time of its establishment, 31 countries were members of this bank, but now the number has reached 68.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Summits/ Conferences/ Meetings

2. All-India Director General and Inspector General of Police Conference started in Bhubaneswar.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the all-India Director Generals and Inspector Generals of Police conference at Bhubaneswar.
• This three-day Conference will be conducted from 29-31 November.
• Union Home Minister Amit Shah and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and many other dignitaries will attend the summit.
• The conference will focus on national security challenges and the evolving responsibilities of police forces.
• In this conference, internal security, cybercrime, Maoist menace, and challenges posed by emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and drones issues will be discussed.
• Chiefs of CRPF, RAW, NSG, Intelligence Bureau and SPG are also taking part in this event.

Topic: Defence

3. India and Russia agreed to increase joint military exercises.

• The 4th meeting of the Working Group on Military Cooperation under the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military and Military-Technical Cooperation was successfully concluded in Moscow, Russia.
• This meeting is an important milestone in advancing the long-term strategic partnership between the two countries.
• The working group stressed the importance of continued knowledge-sharing and collaboration in areas of strategic interest.
• It was also agreed to expand joint exercises to further strengthen operational synergy between the two armies.
• The Declaration on India-Russia Strategic Partnership was signed in the year 2000, which was elevated to the level of Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership in 2010.
• An important forum for India-Russia defence cooperation, this working group provides a platform to assess existing military engagements and identify new areas of cooperation to address emerging security challenges.

Topic: State News/ Bihar

4. On November 28, the three-day National Postal Exhibition BIPEX-2024 began at Gyan Bhawan in Patna, Bihar.

• This exhibition, inaugurated by Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, is based on the rich history of postal culture in Bihar.
• The knowledge that has been invested in postage stamps must be passed on to the next generation.
• Shri Arlekar said that postage stamps are a very important medium to integrate our tradition, culture and history.
• Mr. Arlekar also released two books, ‘Glory of Bihar’ and ‘Postal Heritage of Bihar’ written by Chief Post Master General of Bihar Anil Kumar.
• More than 150 stamp collectors and philatelists with collections of more than 20,000 stamps on various subjects are participating in the event.

Topic: Personality in News

5. World's oldest man, John Tinniswood, passed away in England at the age of 112.

• Guinness World Records announced on November 26 that John Tinniswood, an Englishman born the year the Titanic sank, has died at the age of 112.
• Tinniswood, who survived two world wars and two global pandemics, was officially recognised as the world's oldest person earlier this year.
• On 25 November, he died at a care home in Southport, northwest England.
• John Tinniswood was born in August 1912 in Liverpool.
• From the age of 100 until he was 110, John Tinniswood received birthday cards annually from Queen Elizabeth, who was 14 years his junior, until his death in 2022.

Topic: Books and Author

6. The book 'Why Bharat Matters' was released by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in Dubai.

• On November 28, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar released his book, 'Why Bharat Matters,' at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Library in Dubai, UAE.
• During the event, Dr Jaishankar elaborated on the themes and key messages of his book, and reflected on the complex interplay of global and domestic factors that shape India's position in the world.
• Dr Jaishankar's first book was titled 'The India Way', but he chose the word 'Bharat' for his second book to capture the authentic voice and spirit of the changing Indian society.
• The core message of ‘Why Bharat Matters’ is the importance of self-reliance in assessing global challenges and opportunities.

Topic: Indian Economy

7. After reaching record production levels in FY 2023-24, India's production of important minerals has continued to expand robustly in the first half of FY 2024-25 (April–October).

• The value of iron ore, which according to the Mineral Conservation and Development Rules (MCDR) accounts for 69% of all mineral production, has increased significantly.
• Provisional data for the current fiscal year indicates a 4.1% growth in production, which reached 274 million metric tonnes (MMT) in FY 2023-24.
• Between April and October of 2023, its production was 152.1 MMT. In same period of FY 2024–2025, it was 158.4 MMT.
• Production of manganese ore increased by 11.1% from 1.8 MMT in FY 2023-24 to 2.0 MMT in FY 2024-25 (April-October).
• From 12.4 MMT in FY 2023–2024 to 13.8 MMT in the current fiscal year, bauxite production grew by 11.3%.
• India produced 24.46 lakh tonnes (LT) of primary aluminium in FY 2024-25 (April–October) compared to 24.17 LT in the same period the previous year, a slight 1.2% rise.
• More significantly, refined copper production increased by 6.0%, from 2.83 LT to 3.00 LT.
• India is the world's second-largest producer of aluminium. It ranks among the ten largest producers of refined copper. It is the world's fourth-largest producer of iron ore.

Topic: Defence

8. India successfully tested K-4 submarine-launched nuclear missile from INS Arighaat.

• It has a strike range of 3,500 km. The test was conducted in the Bay of Bengal off Visakhapatnam.
• The K-4 missile, which is solid-fuelled, was launched from the 6,000-tonne submarine.
• The first test of the missile was conducted by INS Arighaat, which was put into service on August 29.
• The K-4 missile had previously only been tested from submerged pontoons.
• The second nuclear-powered submarine in India's fleet is INS Arighaat.
• The submarine can carry nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles, or SSBNs as they are known in the navy.
• The INS Arihant, India's first SSBN, is equipped with 750-kilometer-range K-15 missiles.
• The more sophisticated K-4 missiles have a 3,500-kilometer striking range and can be carried by INS Arighaat.
• The nation is getting ready to welcome INS Aridhaman, its third SSBN, into the fleet in early 2025.
• India's sea-based nuclear deterrence would be further reinforced by the 7,000-ton INS Aridhaman.

Topic: National News

9. Guidelines on flexible-duration degrees for undergraduate students have been approved by UGC.

• The University Grants Commission had approved a Standard Operating Protocol (SOP) for Accelerated Degree Programs (ADPs).
• Now, the students pursuing undergraduate degree programmes will get the flexibility to finish their degree earlier or extend it beyond the stipulated duration.
• The students can use this option to shorten or extend their study durations based on their learning abilities.
• It will allow students to complete a three-year or four-year degree in reduced time by earning additional credits per semester.
• The Higher Education Institutions (HEI) will establish committees to evaluate student eligibility for the programmes.
• Degrees will be equivalent to standard duration degrees for all employment and academic purposes.
• UGC has proposed that HEIs may earmark 10% of their sanctioned student intake for ADPs.
• Students of a four-year undergraduate programme can reduce its duration by one semester or a maximum of two semesters.
• A three-year or four-year undergraduate programme duration can be extended up to a maximum of two semesters.

Topic: Personality in News

10. Pankaj Tripathi became the brand ambassador of Madhya Pradesh Tourism.

• Pankaj Tripathi has been named brand ambassador of Madhya Pradesh Tourism.
• Madhya Pradesh government is planning to develop 50 offbeat destinations to attract more tourists.
• Madhya Pradesh Tourism department aims to promote the state's rich offerings, ranging from its wildlife sanctuaries and UNESCO World Heritage sites to its spiritual and cultural landmarks.
• Madhya Pradesh Tourism and Pankaj Tripathi are set to invite travellers to visit the state.

Topic: Defense

11. On November 28, the India-Singapore bilateral exercise AgniWarrior 2024 began.

• The India-Singapore bilateral military exercise, AgniWarrior 2024, took place from November 28 to November 30 in Maharashtra.
• The exercise is being conducted at the Deolali Field Firing Range, part of the Artillery School of Maharashtra.
• The primary objective of this exercise is to enhance professional military interaction between the artillery units of India and Singapore.
• In this exercise both the countries will exchange best practices between the Indian Army and Singapore Armed Forces.
• Another interesting aspect of this exercise will be that it will provide a platform for cultural exchange, thereby strengthening relations between the two countries.
• The exercise comes a month after Singapore Defence Minister Dr Ng Eng Hen visited India to co-chair the 6th India-Singapore Defence Ministers' Dialogue in New Delhi with his Indian counterpart Rajnath Singh.
• The year 2025 will mark the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Singapore, on the occasion of which the two ministers agreed to further advance defense cooperation and achieve new achievements.

Topic: Sports

12. Max Verstappen won his fourth consecutive World Drivers' Championship.

• On 23 November, Max Verstappen won his fourth consecutive Formula 1 championship by finishing fifth at the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
• Verstappen equalled Sebastian Vettel's record at Red Bull.
• Meanwhile, George Russell led all 50 laps to record his second win of the season and third of his career.
• Verstappen is the sixth driver in F1 history to win at least four titles.
• Carlos Sainz Jr. finished third for Ferrari in the Constructors' Championship.

Topic: National Appointments

13. NHPC CMD gets an additional charge of SJVNL CMD.

• Hydropower giant NHPC MD Raj Kumar Chaudhary has been given the additional charge of the post of SJVN Ltd Chairman.
• Chaudhary is currently serving as NHPC Chairman and Managing Director.
• He has vast experience in the power sector and hydropower development.
• He has expertise and deep knowledge in all aspects of the development of a hydro project.
• He joined NHPC in 1989 as a Probationary Executive (Civil) at Koel Karo HE Project, Jharkhand.
• He has played an active role in the commissioning of the Teesta-V HE Project (510 MW) in Sikkim.

Topic: Sports

14. Divith Reddy becomes the world champion in the U-8 Cadets Championship.

• Divith Reddy of Hyderabad became champion of the Under-8 World Cadets Chess Championship.
• He secured 9/11 points equal to compatriot Sattwik Swain.
• Divith Reddy clinched the gold based on his tiebreak score.He has a FIDE rating of 1784 points.
• He had a three-way tie with compatriots Sattwik and Ziming Guo of China.