Current affairs 13 January 2024

Henley Passport Index 2024; India ranks 80th.

• France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Japan, and Singapore lead with visa-free access to 194 destinations.
• India holds the 80th position, offering visa-free access to 62 destinations.
• Average visa-free destinations nearly doubled since 2006. UAE has climbed 44 places in the past decade, ranking 11th. Ukraine and China see significant gains, securing 32nd and 62nd positions, respectively.

Ayodhya sets world record with longest solar light line installation.

• Ayodhya administration achieves a milestone by working on the world's longest solar light line installation, connecting Ghats from Guptar Ghat to Jhunki Ghat, further extending to Nayaghat.
• The project involves seamlessly linking previously segmented ghats, showcasing a pioneering initiative by the Ayodhya administration ahead of the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony.

India voices concerns over EU Carbon Tax: risks of trade data.

• India, exporting 15% of goods to the EU, raises alarms over potential compromise of sensitive trade data as it complies with the EU's pioneering Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).
• Key sectors like steel, oil refining, and cement, are known for global cost competitiveness, prompting India to emphasize data security in the evolving landscape of carbon emission tariffs.

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GRSE unveiled West Bengal's first next-gen electric ferry.

• GRSE unveiled Dheu, West Bengal's first NG electric ferry.
• Running solely on battery and solar power, the 24m vessel, designed for the Govt. of West Bengal, ensures a noise-free and vibration-free ride for 150 passengers.
• Aligned with Maritime India Vision-2030, the launch signifies GRSE's commitment to green tech, emphasizing autonomy and sustainable energy.

Major UPI apps enabled for real-time remittances from Singapore.

• Indians can now receive remittances from Singapore directly into their bank accounts in real-time, thanks to the groundbreaking UPI-PayNow linkage announced by the NPCI.
• Major UPI and bank apps, including SBI, Axis, ICICI, BHIM, PhonePe, and Paytm, are enabled for this service.
• The UPI-PayNow linkage is a game-changer, facilitating instant, secure, and cost-effective remittances.