Today's Current Affairs 14th December 2023

INTERNATIONAL

Statue of Tamil Icon ‘Thiruvalluvar’ Unveiled In France

• External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar highlighted that the inauguration of the Thiruvalluvar statue in Cergy is a fulfillment of an assurance made by Prime Minister Modi during his visit to Paris for Bastille Day in July.
• Thiruvalluvar, commonly referred to as Valluvar, stood as an eminent Indian poet and philosopher renowned for authoring the Tirukkuṟaḷ, a compilation of couplets addressing ethics, political and economic subjects, and love.

About Tamil Nadu:

Founded: 1773

Chief Minister: M. K. Stalin

Governor: R. N. Ravi

Capital: Chennai

 NATIONAL

Uttar Pradesh to Witness Aviation Boom: Nine New Airports in Two Years, Reveals Aviation Minister

• Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia recently unveiled ambitious plans for Uttar Pradesh’s aviation infrastructure.
• Uttar Pradesh currently has Kushinagar and Noida airports.

About Uttar Pradesh:

Chief Minister: Yogi Adityanath 

Founded: 24 January 1950

Governor: Anandiben Patel

UIDAI Imposes Rs.50000 Penalty for Overcharging Aadhaar Services, Suspends Operator: Govt.

• The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has implemented strict measures against operators found guilty of overcharging and also imposed penalty of Rs.50,000 against them.
• UIDAI imposes a Rs.50,000 penalty and suspends operators found overcharging to ensure fair and affordable access.

About UIDAI

Headquarters: New Delhi

Founded: 28 January 2009, India

Founder: Government of India

Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab CM Mann Initiate Scheme for Doorstep Services

• Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal recently launched the “Bhagwant Mann Sarkar, Tuhade Dwaar” scheme in Ludhiana.

 SPORTS

Italy clinches Admiral’s Cup 2023 at Indian Naval Academy

• 12th edition of the eagerly awaited Admiral’s Cup Sailing Regatta concluded at Ettikulam Beach, INA, Ezhimala.
• A total of 20 countries participated in the Admiral’s Cup Sailing Regatta 2023.

About Italy:

Capital: Rome

Prime minister: Giorgia Meloni

President: Sergio Mattarella

 SUMMIT'S & MOU's

Reliance Teams with DBS Bank For Biogas Initiative

• Reliance Industries has forged a strategic partnership with DBS Bank India to establish a financing program.
• The first biogas facility is in Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh, and is expected to reduce carbon emissions by 40,000 tonnes annually.

COP28 Concludes with Historic Agreement on Fossil Fuels

• The 28th Conference of Parties (COP28) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change concluded with a groundbreaking decision – the “UAE Consensus”.
• The appointment of Sultan Al Jaber, CEO of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, as COP28 President raised concerns about potential industry influence.

 AWARDS & RECOGNITION

Mohammed Shami nominated for Arjuna Award, Satwiksairaj-Chirag for Khel Ratna

• India’s premier badminton men’s doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty is in line to receive the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, the country’s highest sports prize.
• Mohammed Shami, who finished as the top wickettaker in the ODI World Cup with 24 scalps, is in the list for the Arjuna Award.

 RANKING

Mercer’s Survey: Pune 2nd In India for Quality of living after Hyderabad

• Pune has secured the second-best position in terms of ‘quality of life‘ in India.
• Vienna (Austria), Zurich (Switzerland), and Vancouver (Canada) clinched the top three spots globally in that order, according to the 2023 index.

 BANKING AND ECONOMY

Food Processing Industry Thrives with ₹7,000 cr Investment under PLI Scheme

• Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme investing a staggering ₹7,126 crore.

About Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO):

Headquarters: Rome, Italy

Founded: 16 October 1945, Québec City, Canada