International News

1. UK-India FTA Negotiations:

• The ongoing UK-India free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations face a significant hurdle concerning the protection of Geographical Indication (GI) products in agriculture.
• GIs grant exclusive naming rights, and the UK is advocating for enhanced safeguards for products like Scotch whisky, Stilton cheese, and Cheddar cheese.
• Notable Indian goods, including Basmati rice, Darjeeling Tea, Chanderi Fabric, Mysore Silk, Kullu Shawl, Kangra Tea, Thanjavur Paintings, and Kashmir Walnut Wood Carving, hold GI tags.

2. Humanitarian Aid Amidst Israel-Hamas Conflict:

• India has reaffirmed its commitment to providing humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip amidst escalating tensions between Israeli forces and Hamas.
• The second batch of aid, transported by the Indian Air Force's C17 aircraft, weighs 32 tonnes and is destined for El-Arish Airport in Egypt, the primary entry point for humanitarian aid into Gaza.
• This reflects India's consistent efforts in responding to the global call for solidarity in addressing urgent humanitarian needs arising from the conflict.

3. Yemen’s Houthi Rebels Hijack India-Bound Ship:

• The Red Sea witnessed the hijacking of the cargo ship "Galaxy Leader," en route from Turkey to India, by Yemen's Houthi rebels. Approximately 50 crew members from various nations were on board.
• The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) confirmed the hijacking but clarified that the ship is not Israeli.
• Ongoing US-mediated talks aim for a five-day ceasefire to facilitate aid shipments, following earlier reports of Qatari mediators seeking a three-day ceasefire in exchange for 50 hostages.

Defence News

4. AFMC Receives President’s Colour Award:

• On December 1, President Droupadi Murmu is set to confer the prestigious President’s Colour on the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC) in a grand ceremony, marking its platinum jubilee year.
• Recognized globally for its unwavering commitment to the highest standards of medical training, AFMC has played a pivotal role in shaping medical professionals for the Armed Forces, contributing significantly to the nation's healthcare backbone.
• The President’s Colour, also known as ‘Rashtrapati ka Nishaan,’ stands as the highest honor for any military unit.

Business News

5. Bengaluru Leads in Women-Led Startups:

• India's startup landscape, ranking as the third-largest globally, showcases remarkable growth.
• Bengaluru takes the lead in women-led startups with 1,783 ventures, followed by Mumbai (1,480) and Delhi (1,195).
• Notable contributions from Noida, Kolkata, and Ahmedabad highlight the geographic distribution of women entrepreneurs in India.

Economy News

6. Global Economic Trends:

• Inflation in both the United States and the United Kingdom is easing, fueling speculation about potential interest rate cuts in the coming year.
• Economic growth expectations in Europe vary, with disparities within the European Union.
• The economic recovery in the EU’s eastern region remains fragile, while Asia faces uncertainties in the economic recoveries of China and Japan, attributed in part to slowing consumption.

7. India’s GDP Crosses $4 Trillion Mark:

• India achieves a historic milestone as its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) surpasses the $4 trillion mark in nominal terms.
• This significant economic achievement reflects India's consistent efforts across various sectors, strategic policies, and a thriving entrepreneurial spirit.
• The Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) November bulletin reveals stronger-than-expected GDP growth in the second quarter, surpassing the RBI’s initial forecast of 6.5%.

8. Rural Inflation Outpaces Urban Counterpart:

• Recent data from the National Statistical Office (NSO) reveals a concerning trend in India’s inflation dynamics.
• Despite initiatives like the extended free-food program and efforts to stimulate rural demand, rural inflation stood at 5.12% in October 2023, indicating a sustained upward trend.
• Questions arise about the effectiveness of the free-food program designed to alleviate economic strain in rural areas.

9. India Extends Rice Export Bans:

• India, the leading global exporter of rice, is expected to prolong restrictions on overseas sales into 2024.
• With a decade-long presence in global rice exports, constituting nearly 40% of the total, India has imposed export duties and minimum prices to maintain domestic supplies and control price surges.
• Certain rice varieties, including broken and non-basmati white rice, are prohibited from export.

Important Days News

10. Women’s Entrepreneurship Day 2023:

• Women’s Entrepreneurship Day (WED) is a global celebration observed annually on November 19th, fostering gender-inclusive entrepreneurship and inspiring the next generation of female leaders.
• Celebrated in 144 countries and 65 universities/colleges, WED serves as a platform to recognize the significant contributions of women in the business world.
• Founded by Wendy Diamond in 2014, WED emerged in response to the challenges and opportunities faced by women in the entrepreneurial space.

Awards News

11. Indira Gandhi Peace Prize 2022:

• The prestigious Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development for 2022 was jointly awarded to the Indian Medical Association (IMA) and Trained Nurses Association of India.
• Presented on November 19, the award ceremony acknowledged the tireless efforts of every doctor, nurse, paramedic, and support staff for their selfless service during the unprecedented challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Former Vice-President Hamid Ansari presented the honor to Sharad Kumar Agarwal, President of the IMA, and Professor (Dr.) Roy K. George, President of the Trained Nurses Association of India.

Appointments News

12. Mira Murati Appointed Interim CEO at OpenAI:

• In a significant development, Mira Murati, a 34-year-old mechanical engineer born to Albanian parents, has been appointed as the interim Chief Executive Officer at OpenAI.
• This follows the dismissal of CEO and co-founder, Sam Altman, on November 18. Murati, an integral part of the OpenAI team since 2018, initially served as the Vice President of AI and partnerships.
• Her role has been pivotal in leading various teams contributing to groundbreaking projects like ChatGPT, Dall-E, and Codex.
• OpenAI, founded in 2015, has been a forefront player in AI research, with a primary objective to ensure the benefits of artificial general intelligence for society.

Sports News

13. Virat Kohli - Player of the Tournament in ICC World Cup 2023:

• Indian cricket icon Virat Kohli earned the prestigious "Player of the Tournament" title in the ICC World Cup 2023.
• His stellar performance set new records, scoring a total of 765 runs in 11 innings, the highest-ever runs in a single edition of the World Cup.
• Kohli's achievements included surpassing Sachin Tendulkar's record with his 50th One-Day International (ODI) century.
• This remarkable feat marked a special edition of the World Cup for the prolific batsman.

14. Travis Head - Man of the Match in Cricket World Cup 2023 Final:

• In a thrilling 2023 ODI World Cup final between Australia and India in Ahmedabad, Australian opener Travis Head emerged as the standout performer, earning the well-deserved title of Man of the Match.
• Head's remarkable innings played a pivotal role in Australia's successful pursuit of a challenging 241-run target set by India.
• His match-winning knock was adorned with 15 fours and six sixes, showcasing a perfect balance of aggression and precision.

Obituaries News

15. Former RBI Governor S. Venkitaramanan's Passing:

• Former Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Venkitaramanan, passed away at the age of 92 on November 18.
• Succumbing to age-related issues at a private hospital in Chennai, Venkitaramanan had assumed the role of RBI Governor in December 1990 during a severe balance of payments crisis.
• His two-year tenure witnessed significant economic challenges, including the multi-crore securities scam.
• Despite calls for his resignation, Venkitaramanan exhibited determination and courage during a period of rapid changes in the Central government. He was succeeded by C. Rangarajan.