Current affairs 25 November 2024

India among top 10 countries with AI readiness.

• The Boston Consulting Group (BCG) report based on data from 73 economies showed that India ranks second globally in AI specialists, and third in research publications.
• Agriculture, forestry, and fisheries - 17% of GDP.
• The construction sector - 8% of GDP.
• Arts, recreation, and personal services - 8%.
• Retail and wholesale make up 10% of GDP.
• Public services represent 6% of GDP.

COP29 Adopts $1.3 Trillion Baku Finance Goal.

• At COP29 in Baku, leaders committed $1.3 trillion in climate finance for developing nations by 2035, tripling the previous $100 billion annual target.
• India criticized the goal as insufficient, emphasizing the need for $1.3 trillion by 2030.
• Key outcomes include the Loss and Damage Fund (2025 start) and finalizing carbon markets under Article 6.
• COP30 will be held in Brazil in 2025.

IndusInd Bank Partners with UNICEF for Climate Action.

• IndusInd Bank has partnered with UNICEF to tackle climate risks and enhance community resilience in five districts.
• Dharashiv, Maharashtra.
• Begusarai, Bihar.
• Virudhunagar, Tamil Nadu.
• Baran, Rajasthan.
• Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh.
• These areas are vulnerable to climate-related disasters.
• IndusInd Bank › CEO: Sumant Kathpalia.
• Executive Director of UNICEF: Catherine M. Russell.

Rishabh Pant Becomes IPL's Costliest Player at ₹27 Cr.

• Rishabh Pant became IPL's most expensive player, signed by Lucknow Super Giants for ₹27 crore after Delhi Capitals used Right To Match at ₹20.75 crore.
• Punjab Kings spent ₹26.75 crore on Shreyas Iyer, while Venkatesh Iyer returned to KKR for ₹23.75 crore.
• IPL mega auction featured 84 players, ₹641.5 crore funds in total.
• IPL mega auction is being auctioned on November 24-25 in Jeddah.

Andhra Pradesh Assembly Repeals Garbage Collection Tax.

• Andhra Pradesh Assembly approved repealing the garbage tax; households paid ₹30-₹120 monthly, commercial complexes ₹100-₹10,000.
• 40 municipalities received a total of ₹13.9 crore per month for garbage collection.
• Even properties with a tax of ₹50 were charged ₹356 annually as garbage tax.
• Between Nov 2021 and July 2022, bills worth ₹325 crore were generated, of which ₹249 crore was paid.