Current Affairs 13 December 2023

Ruby Thakur
December 13, 2023
531

In Current Affairs for 13 December 2023, we will see the latest national and international current affairs news. These important current affairs will be beneficial for your upcoming NDA, CDS, CDS OTA, AFCAT, TA, Agniveer Army, Agniveer Navy, Agniveer Air Force, Women Military Police, INET, MNS, ACC exams, SCO, PCSL, CAPF, and SSB interviews, and direct entries for Army, Navy, and Air Force like SSC Tech, TGC, JAG, NCC, TES, 10+2 Cadet. Download a PDF file about current events at the end of this article. Let us now see the Current Affairs.

Current Affairs 13 December 2023

World’s Biggest Opium Producer

United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) released its Southeast Asia Opium Survey 2023.
The report states that Myanmar is the world’s biggest opium producer.
It added, from 2022 to 2023, Myanmar saw an 18 per cent increase to one lakh 16 thousand acres in the amount of land used to grow the illicit crop and a 16 per cent rise in production.

The growth can be attributed to multiple factors such as improved plot density, the use of irrigation and fertilisers.
Earlier Afghanistan held the infamous title but since the ascent of Taliban to power in 2021, cultivation of opium poppies has seen a decrease of 95 per cent.
The report notes that opium farming in Southeast Asia is closely linked to poverty, lack of government services, challenging macroeconomic environments, instability and insecurity.

‘Order of Merit’

Kabir Bedi was awarded the “Order of Merit of the Italian Republic” (Merito della Repubblica Italiana), the country’s highest honour awarded to civilians, at a private ceremony held in Mumbai.
This award, the most prestigious Italian honorific one, ultimately recognizes his unconditional feeling and passionate dedication to Italy.
The “Order of Merit of the Italian Republic” stands as a testament to Italy’s appreciation for those who have made outstanding contributions to society, embodying the nation’s values of merit and excellence.

The “Order of Merit of the Italian Republic,” known as “Merito della Repubblica Italiana” in Italian, is one of Italy’s highest honors.
Established on March 3, 1951, the order is bestowed to individuals who have made significant contributions to various fields, including arts, literature, economy, public service, and social, philanthropic, and humanitarian activities.
The order aims to recognize and honor individuals who have distinguished themselves through outstanding achievements and contributions to Italian society and beyond.
The order has five classes: Knight Grand Cross, Grand Officer, Commander, Officer, and Knight. Recipients are awarded the corresponding insignia based on the degree of their contributions.

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World’s First 4^th Generation Nuclear Reactor

China has achieved a significant milestone in its quest to shift away from traditional coal-fired power plants and decrease its reliance on foreign technologies.
Recently, the Shidao Bay nuclear power plant in eastern Shandong province commenced commercial operations, heralding the era of next-generation gas-cooled nuclear reactors.
This development is crucial for China’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions and securing a sustainable energy future.

The Shidao Bay plant distinguishes itself by utilizing two high-temperature reactors cooled by gas, a departure from conventional pressurized water cooling systems.
The Shidao Bay plant’s reactors fall under the category of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).
Unlike conventional reactors primarily designed for electricity production, SMRs offer versatility in applications beyond power generation.
These advanced models can be employed for heating, desalination, and steam production for industrial purposes. This adaptability positions SMRs as a pivotal player in China’s strategy to diversify its energy applications.

Karmaveer Chakra Medal 2023

Dr. Hemachandran Ravikumar was honored with the Karmaveer Chakra Medal and Rex Karmaveer Global Fellowship by ICONGO in collaboration with the United Nations, in recognition of his exceptional contributions to R&D in Physical & Bio-Science and Microbiological Studies.
The Rex Karmaveer Chakra Medal, hailed as one of the most distinguished civilian honors, is reserved for individuals who have demonstrated exceptional contributions on a global scale towards the well-being of humanity.

Dr. Hemachandran Ravikumar’s exemplary work in advancing scientific knowledge and promoting the understanding of Biological Sciences has rightfully earned him this esteemed accolade.
A prominent figure in the scientific community, Dr. Hemachandran Ravikumar holds the esteemed position of Ambassador & Elected Member of the Royal Society of Biology (MRSB) in London.
The Registered Scientist Award 2023 specifically acknowledges Dr. Ravikumar’s significant contributions to “The Study of Memory Activities of the Cells in the Homo sapiens.”
Additionally, his collaborative work on “Summarised Facts, Managements, and Treatment Pattern for COVID-19,” co-authored with Co-scientist Mathunila Vissagan, has further solidified his position as a leading figure in the scientific community.

Project ARTHA Ganga

Arth Ganga is an initiative added recently to the Namami Ganga Program launched by the Government.
Arth Ganga, which is a sustainable and viable economic development model to strengthen the river-people connect through an economic bridge.
Accordingly, it was decided that the Namami Gange mission should lead the concept of Arth Ganga with the involvement of different ministries/departments and other stakeholders, institution & community organization. So it was added as a vertical of Namami Ganga Program, in addition to the 4 verticals – Nirmal Ganga, Aviral Ganga, Jan Ganga and Gyan Ganga, existing till then.

Six pillars of Arth-Ganga identified are: Promotion of Natural Framing on 5 kms band either side of River Ganga; Monetisation and reuse of Treated water and sludge from the STPs; Improvement of Livelihood opportunities, particularly for women; Promotion of Tourism and Cultural heritage; People’s Participation and Building of capacities and institutions. Implementation of these initiatives is aimed to develop sustainable development model with focus on economic activities related to river Ganga.
While no specific short-term goals have been set, however, the long-term objective of Arth Ganga is to link people and Ganga through the economic bridge in line with river rejuvenation, by garnering people’s participation for Ganga conservation and promoting sustainable development.

India Overtakes Hong Kong

India’s stock market value has overtaken Hong Kong’s to become the seventh largest in the world as optimism about the country’s economic prospects grows.
As of the end of November, the total market capitalization of the National Stock Exchange of India was $3.989 trillion versus Hong Kong’s $3.984 trillion, according to data from the World Federation of Exchanges.
India’s Nifty 50 index reached another record high. It has jumped 16% so far this year and is headed for its eighth straight year of gains. In contrast, Hong Kong’s benchmark Hang Seng index has plunged 17% year to date.

India has been a standout market this year in the Asia-Pacific region.
Increased liquidity, more domestic participation and improving dynamics in the global macro environment in the form of falling U.S. Treasury yields have all boosted the country’s stock markets.
The world’s most populous country also heads into general elections next year, which analysts predict could be another victory for the ruling nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party.

UN Climate Talks 2024

In a surprising turn of events, the long-standing stand-off between Azerbaijan and Armenia has found an unexpected resolution, setting the stage for Baku, Azerbaijan, to host the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) in 2024.
The resolution emerged as part of a prisoner swap settlement, underscoring the intricate relationship between geopolitical dynamics and global efforts to combat climate change.
Baku, known for being home to one of the world’s first oil fields developed over 1,200 years ago, will become the focal point for climate discussions in 2024.

The decision to have an oil powerhouse host climate talks for two consecutive years raises eyebrows, considering the primary focus of these conferences is often on reducing and eliminating fossil fuels.
This development prompts reflections on the irony of nations heavily reliant on oil taking center stage in global climate discussions.
Climate talks historian Jonna Depledge emphasizes that hosting COP29 in Baku is not inherently problematic.
She argues that nations with significant oil resources stepping up as climate leaders is a positive development, provided they can demonstrate a commitment to sustainable practices.

Vyas Samman

The literary world is set to celebrate as the 33rd Vyas Samman, 2023, is announced to honor the accomplished Hindi writer Pushpa Bharati for her 2016 memoir, “Yaadein, Yaadein aur Yaadein.”
This prestigious award is bestowed by the KK Birla Foundation, recognizing outstanding contributions to Hindi literature.
Born in 1935 in Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, Pushpa Bharati embarked on her literary journey, earning an MA in Hindi literature from Prayag University in 1955.

Instituted in 1991, the Vyas Samman acknowledges exceptional Hindi literary works by Indian citizens published in the last 10 years.
The award includes a cash prize of ₹4 lakh, a citation, and a plaque, recognizing the profound impact of the recipient’s contribution to the literary landscape.
The selection committee, led by eminent litterateur Prof Ramji Tiwari, meticulously reviewed works published from 2013 to 2022. Pushpa Bharati’s memoir, “Yaadein, Yaadein aur Yaadein,” stood out for its captivating anecdotes, providing readers with a glimpse into cherished memories and life lessons.

Current Affairs 13 December 2023 Question

World’s Biggest Opium Producer
A. Afghanistan
B. Myanmar
C. Pakistan
D. Kazakhstan
ANSWER: B
What Factor Contributed To Myanmar’s Increased Opium Production
A. Decreased Use Of Fertilizers
B. Improved Government Services
C. Enhanced Plot Density And Use Of Irrigation
D. Political Stability
ANSWER: C
“Order Of Merit Of The Italian Republic” Awarded To
A. Aamir Khan
B. Kabir Bedi
C. Nikhil Dey
D. Ayush Khurana
ANSWER: B
“Order Of Merit Of The Italian Republic” Award Ceremony Held In
A. Mumbai
B. New Delhi
C. Hyderabad
D. Bengaluru
ANSWER: A
Shidao Bay Nuclear Power Plant Is Of
A. Japan
B. China
C. Russia
D. USA
ANSWER: B
What Distinguishes China’s Shidao Bay Nuclear Power Plant
A. It Uses Traditional Pressurized Water Cooling Systems.
B. It’s A Coal-fired Power Plant.
C. It Utilizes Gas-cooled Nuclear Reactors.
D. It Operates Without Any Cooling System.
ANSWER: C
Project ARTHA Ganga Is Launched Under
A. Jal Sanchay
B. Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana
C. Namami Gange Programme
D. Jal Tara
ANSWER: C
Who Is Appointed As Prime Minister Of Poland
A. Donald Tusk
B. Mateusz Morawiecki
C. Mariusz Błaszcza
D. Grzegorz Puda
ANSWER: A
Karmaveer Chakra Medal 2023 Is Awarded To
A. Ashis K. Mukherjee
B. Albert Hofman
C. Shizuo Akira
D. Dr. Hemachandran Ravikumar
ANSWER: D
Karmaveer Chakra Medal 2023 Is Awarded Given By
A. ISRO
B. NASA
C. iCONGO
D. Germanwatch
ANSWER: C
India’s Stock Market Value Surpassed Which Country To Become 7th Largest In
The World
A. China
B. Japan
C. Hong Kong
D. South Korea
ANSWER: C
On Which Date Is International Cheetah Day Observed Annually
A. December 5*
B. December 3*
C. December 6*
D. December 4*
ANSWER: D
Which Companies Collaborated To Form AI Alliance To Promote An “Openscience” Approach To AI Development
A. Google and Microsoft
B. Meta and IBM
C. Facebook and Amazon
D. Apple and NVIDIA
ANSWER: B
Who Hosted 4th Edition Of ASEAN India Grassroots Innovation Forum
A. Malaysia
B. India
C. Thailand
D. Indonesia
ANSWER: A
Companies Collaborated For Insurance Accessibility Offering Diverse Range Car
& Bike Insurance Directly Via The PhonePe Platform
A. ACKO And PhonePe
B. HDFC and Paytm
C. Bharti AXA General Insurance and Paytm
D. SBI and Amazon Pay
ANSWER: A
When Is SAARC Charter Day Observed Annually
A. November 15*
B. December 8*
C. January 21*
D. December 5*
ANSWER: B
Where Was 5th Honey Bee Day Celebrated With Theme ‘Bee & Honey Trials’
A. Manipur
B. Mizoram
C. Arunachal Pradesh
D. Nagaland
ANSWER: D
Which Festival, Often Referred To As “Festival Of Lights,” Is Celebrated Globally From December 7* To December 15*
A. Kwanzaa
B. Eid al-Fitr
C. Hanukkah
D. Christmas
ANSWER: C
Who Has Been Appointed As New Chairman Of Max Life Insurance
A. Analjit Singh
B. Sunil Bharti Mittal
C. Naina Lal Kidwai
D. Rajiv Anand
ANSWER: D
Where Is The Headquarters Of Oil And Natural Gas Commission
A. Dehradun
B. Vadodara
C. Digboi
D. Mumbai
ANSWER: A