13th December, 2023 Current Affairs
NATIONAL
Mohan Yadav sworn-in as Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh in Bhopal
- Mohan Yadav was sworn-in as Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh in Bhopal. Governor Mangubhai Patel administered the oath of office and secrecy to Mr Yadav, along with Deputy Chief Minister-designates Rajendra Shukla and Jagdish Devda at the Motilal Nehru Stadium in the state capital. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP president J P Nadda, the chief ministers of several BJP-ruled states and central ministers among others attended the oath-taking ceremony. More from our correspondent:
- Amidst the mild sunshine in Bhopal, the double engine government of Madhya Pradesh took charge with new leadership and new energy.
INTERNATIONAL
India votes in favour of ceasefire resolution in UNGA's Emergency Session on West Asia
- India voted in favour of the ceasefire resolution in the UNGA's Emergency Session on the West Asia. The draft resolution demanded an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict as well as the unconditional release of all hostages.
- The 193-member UN General Assembly adopted the draft resolution, introduced by Egypt, at an Emergency Special Session. 153 countries voted in favor of the resolution while ten countries, including the US, Israel, and Austria, voted against it. 23 countries, including Argentina, Ukraine, and Germany, abstained from the voting.
Indian Coast Guard Ship SAJAG Strengthens Maritime Ties with UAE through Strategic Port Visit
- The Indian Coast Guard Ship SAJAG, an Offshore Patrol Vessel, is on a three-day visit to the UAE. , as part of its ongoing strategic overseas deployment to West Asia. This visit marks a crucial milestone in the continuous diplomatic maritime engagement between India and the UAE.
- The primary objective of the visit is to strengthen professional relationships through joint exercises and interactions, contributing to collaborative efforts in the maritime sector. In alignment with India's strategic vision of "SAGAR – Security and Growth for all in the Region," this symbolic visit emphasizes the commitment to fostering understanding and interoperability between the maritime forces of both nations.
- ICGS Sajag is a key asset in the Indian Coast Guard fleet of Offshore Patrol Vessels based on the West Coast of India in Porbandar, Gujarat.
- The ship is equipped with state-of-the-art weapon systems, sensors, navigation, and communication systems, including an integral helicopter, showcasing India's shipbuilding prowess under the "Make in India" initiative.
- During the goodwill call, the vessel will engage with the UAE Coast Guard, UAE Navy, and the Critical Infrastructure and Coastal Protection Authority (CICPA), facilitating maritime exchanges and strengthening ties between the two nations throughout its stay in the UAE.
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ENVIRONMENT
COP28, UN Climate Change Conference, concludes with landmark agreement to tackle climate change
After two weeks of intensive negotiations, COP28, the UN Climate Change Conference, concluded today with a landmark agreement to tackle climate change. The "UAE Consensus," named after the host country, was hailed as a major breakthrough by many delegates and observers.
Key Highlights of the Agreement:
Global Stocktake:
Countries agreed on a robust action plan to keep global warming within 1.5 degrees Celsius. This plan includes ambitious emissions reduction targets, increased investments in renewable energy, and measures to adapt to the impacts of climate change.
Loss and Damage: For the first time ever, a dedicated fund was established to address the losses and damages experienced by vulnerable countries due to climate change.
Finance: Over $83 billion in new financial commitments were mobilized to support climate action in developing countries. This includes the launch of Altera, a new public-private investment platform dedicated to climate solutions.
Sectoral Commitments: Significant progress was made on a number of key sectors, including agriculture, food, health, and energy.
Private Sector Engagement: Oil and gas companies made ambitious commitments to reduce methane emissions and invest in renewable energy.
Fossil Fuels: For the first time, the final agreement included language calling for the transitioning out of fossil fuels.
Inclusivity: The "UAE Consensus" was built on a foundation of inclusivity, with all stakeholders, including indigenous peoples, youth, and the Global South, having a voice in the negotiations.
Looking Ahead: While the "UAE Consensus" represents a significant step forward, much work remains to be done. Countries must now implement the agreement and translate its ambitious goals into concrete actions. The success of COP28 will ultimately be measured by its impact on the planet, and the world will be watching to see if the promises made in Dubai are kept.
Additional Notes:
- The "UAE Consensus" is the first climate agreement to include language calling for the phase-out of fossil fuels.
- Over 80% of the world's population is now covered by climate commitments.
- The conference was attended by a record number of participants, including over 25,000 delegates from 197 countries.
Know about Indigenous Climate Forecasting System
- A state-of-the-art Earth System Model (ESM) known as the IITM-ESM has been indigenously developed at Centre for Climate Change Research (CCCR), Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) under the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
- This is the first Earth System Model from India and the climate change assessment carried out using IITM-ESM, was used in the latest Sixth Assessment Report prepared by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The National Climate Change Assessment report documenting the regional climate change projections, has been released to benefit students, researchers, and policymakers.
- The approximate expenditure by CCCR is about Rs.7.42 crores for the period 2017-2023.
SPORTS
India defeats Nepal by 4 runs at Police Gymkhana Cricket Ground in Mumbai
- In the first-ever Women's Bilateral T20 Series for the Blind, India defeated Nepal by four runs at the Police Gymkhana Cricket Ground in Mumbai.
- With this win, India has taken a 2-0 lead in the five-match Series. Chasing the target of 150 runs, the visitors were restricted to 145 for 6 by the hosts. Binita Pun, who scored 92 runs in the first game was again the highest scorer for Nepal with 56 runs.
- Earlier, India won the toss and elected to bat first. India scored 149 for 6 in the allotted 20 overs with the help stellar performance from Magupallu Satyavathi, Ravanni and Sushma Patel. India defeated Nepal by eight runs in the first game on Monday. Both the teams will now lock horns in the third T20I today.