International News

Mount Marapi's Unpredictable Fury

• Indonesia's West Sumatra recently witnessed the unexpected eruption of Mount Marapi on December 3, 2023, leading to a tragic incident resulting in loss of lives and the disappearance of climbers.
• The eruption caught many by surprise, covering the sky with a massive cloud of volcanic ash and debris scattering across roads and vehicles.
• Despite evacuation efforts, 26 individuals were unfortunately left behind in the wake of the eruption.
• Indonesia, situated on the seismic "Ring of Fire," houses 127 active volcanoes, with Mount Marapi being one of the most active on Sumatra, standing at approximately 9,500 feet.

State News

Lalduhoma's Ascent to Mizoram's Leadership

• In a significant political turn of events, Lalduhoma, leader of the Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM), is set to assume office as Mizoram’s Chief Minister on December 8.
• The ZPM secured victory in the Mizoram Assembly elections on November 7, securing 27 out of 40 seats and defeating the incumbent Mizo National Front (MNF) led by Zoramthanga.

Meghalaya’s Pride: Lakadong Turmeric Receives GI Tag

• Meghalaya's Lakadong turmeric, celebrated for its exceptional quality, has been awarded the prestigious Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
• This turmeric variety, grown organically in the Lakadong area of Jaintia Hills, is renowned for its dark color and impressive curcumin content ranging from 6.8 to 7.5 percent.
• Additionally, three other products from Meghalaya – Garo Dakmanda (traditional dress), Larnai pottery, and Garo Chubitchi (alcoholic beverage) – were also honored with the GI tag.

UNESCO Recognizes Gujarat’s Garba Dance

• Gujarat's culturally rich Garba dance has achieved international recognition by securing a spot on UNESCO’s "Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity."
• Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel announced this significant achievement, highlighting the dance's deep-rooted connection to the Navratri festival and its symbolic importance in expressing devotion to Goddess Mother.
• This recognition adds Garba to the distinguished list of Indian cultural phenomena on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list.

Important Days News

International Civil Aviation Day 2023: Advancing Innovation

• December 7 marks International Civil Aviation Day, commemorating the establishment of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in 1944.
• This year’s theme, “Advancing Innovation for Global Aviation Development,” emphasizes the crucial role of innovation in shaping the future of civil aviation worldwide.
• The ICAO, established 50 years ago, plays a pivotal role in fostering global cooperation and uniformity in civil aviation.

Honoring Our Armed Forces on Flag Day

• December 7 is celebrated annually as Armed Forces Flag Day, a day dedicated to paying tribute to the indomitable spirit and sacrifices of the soldiers, sailors, and airmen guarding our borders.
• Established in 1949 by the Ministry of Defence, this day serves as a reminder of the unwavering dedication of our armed forces and provides an opportunity for citizens to contribute towards their welfare.

Ranks & Reports News

Forbes Recognizes Influential Indian Women

• In Forbes’ annual list of “The World’s Most Powerful Women” of 2023, four prominent Indian figures secured spots.
• Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, HCL Corporation Chairperson Roshni Nadar Malhotra, Steel Authority Of India Chairperson Soma Mondal, and Biocon Executive Chairperson Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw earned recognition.
• The list's top positions were dominated by politicians, with Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, claiming the number 1 spot.

Agreements News

Sri Lanka's Strategic Debt Resolution

• In the midst of a severe economic crisis, Sri Lanka has taken a significant stride towards resolving its debt issues. An "agreement in principle" has been reached with India and the Paris Club group of creditors, including Japan.
• This development is crucial for Sri Lanka, paving the way for accessing the next tranche of the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) nearly $3 billion recovery package.
• The Paris Club and Sri Lanka have agreed on the main parameters of a debt treatment consistent with those of the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) arrangement between Sri Lanka and the IMF.
• Specific details remain undisclosed, with the agreement set to be formalized in the coming weeks through a Memorandum of Understanding.

Revolutionizing Insurance Accessibility in India

• ACKO General Insurance and PhonePe have collaborated to revolutionize insurance accessibility in India.
• This strategic alliance aims to provide users with a comprehensive range of car and bike insurance products directly through the PhonePe platform.
• Leveraging the strengths of both entities, ACKO's customer-centric approach combines forces with PhonePe's extensive distribution network.
• The integration is made possible through a cutting-edge partnership API stack, ensuring that ACKO's personalized pricing, innovative SKUs, and consistent user experience are seamlessly delivered to all partners.

Awards News

UN Honors Climate Champions

• Michelle Zárate Palomec from Mexico and Sebastian Mwaura from Kenya are set to be honored with the UN Global Climate Action Awards.
• Zárate Palomec, at the age of 27, leads initiatives to provide clean water to marginalized indigenous communities in Oaxaca, Mexico.
• Mwaura, the co-founder of Yna Kenya, is recognized for accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles and creating employment opportunities for women through the HerGo program in the e-mobility transport sector.

Lionel Messi: Time Magazine's Athlete of the Year

• Lionel Messi, Argentina's football icon, has been named Time magazine’s Athlete of the Year for 2023.
• This recognition follows Messi’s historic eighth Ballon d’Or win and his pivotal role in Argentina’s triumph at the 2022 World Cup.
• Beyond the playing field, Messi's move to Inter Miami has generated heightened interest, reflected in increased searches for match dates and tickets.

Meira Chand's Cultural Medallion Honor in Singapore

• Recently, Singapore bestowed its prestigious Cultural Medallion upon three distinguished individuals, recognizing their artistic excellence and significant contributions to the nation’s rich arts and culture.
• Among them, Meira Chand, an eighty-one-year-old Indian-origin writer of Swiss-Indian parentage, shares this esteemed accolade with novelist Suchen Christine Lim and Malay dance veteran Osman Abdul Hamid.
• Chand is renowned for her award-winning novels depicting multicultural societies, with her notable work, ‘The Painted Cage’ (1986), earning a longlist nomination for the Booker Prize.

Appointments News

Samir Shah Appointed BBC Board Chair

• In a notable appointment, Samir Shah, a 71-year-old media executive of Indian origin, has been selected by the U.K.
• government to serve as the new chair of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). Shah, born in Aurangabad and having immigrated to the U.K. in 1960, currently heads the media company Juniper TV.
• With over four decades of experience in the media industry, including a stint as a non-executive director at the BBC, Shah played a key role in the U.K. government’s Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities.
• His responsibilities as BBC Chair include overseeing the independence of the organization, a critical aspect following concerns that led to the resignation of the previous chair, Richard Sharp, in June.

Science & Technology News

Google Unveils 'Gemini': A Milestone in AI

• On December 6, Google parent company Alphabet made a groundbreaking announcement, revealing Gemini, its most advanced AI model to date.
• This development represents a major leap forward in the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence.
• Gemini is the first AI model to emerge from Alphabet post the merger of its renowned AI research units, DeepMind and Google Brain, resulting in the creation of a unified division named Google DeepMind, led by DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis.
• Gemini's standout feature is being “multimodal,” showcasing the ability to comprehend and process diverse types of information concurrently, including text, code, audio, images, and videos.

Miscellaneous News

Taylor Swift: Time Magazine's Influential Person of the Year

• Time Magazine has named Taylor Swift its Person of the Year for 2023, recognizing her widespread impact on music, culture, and society.
• This acknowledgment comes on the heels of Swift being named the most-played artist on Spotify, underscoring the enduring power of her artistry.
• Beyond accolades and financial success, Swift's ability to connect with audiences globally is showcased in her multifaceted impact.
• Swift faced stiff competition for the Person of the Year title, standing out among a diverse group of finalists that included Barbie, King Charles III, and OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman.