Current affairs 09 December 2024

India Leads Global Gold Purchases in October 2024.

• The RBI bought 27 tonnes of gold in Oct, increasing India’s total gold reserves to 882 tonnes, of which 510 tonnes are stored domestically.
• Central banks globally purchased 60 tonnes of gold in Oct, with India contributing the most, followed by Turkey (17 tonnes) and Poland (8 tonnes).
• Emerging economies dominated gold purchases, with the RBI acquiring 77 tonnes from January to Oct 2024.

India Sends 2,200 Metric Tonnes of Rice to Myanmar.

• India delivered 2,200 metric tonnes of rice to Myanmar as part of its humanitarian assistance.
• This initiative aligns with India's Act East and Neighbourhood First policies to support Myanmar's people.
• Myanmar faces severe challenges as the deadliest country for landmine casualties, with 1,052 civilian casualties in 2023, 20% of whom are children.

Gorakhpur's Integrated Waste Management Project.

• Gorakhpur is set to launch India's first Integrated Waste Management City-cum-Learning Centre by September 2025.
• The 40-acre facility will be located in Suthni village, Sahjanwa.
• It will handle 700 tons of waste per day, processing both dry and wet waste to produce charcoal and Bio-CNG.
• The project, supported by a Rs 300 crore investment from NTPC.

UK Joins US and Bahrain in C-SIPA Agreement.

• The UK joined the US and Bahrain in the Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement.
• A Geospatial Acceleration Initiative will leverage U.S. expertise to improve regional maritime security and navigation safety.
• Bahrain’s strategic role in securing key maritime corridors complements the UK-Bahrain £1 billion Strategic Investment Partnership established in 2023.

Mahatma Gandhi's Bust Unveiled in Nebraska State Capitol.

• Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen unveiled Mahatma Gandhi’s bust at the State Capitol and declared December 6 as A Day of Remembrance for Mahatma Gandhi.
• The event emphasized Gandhi’s global legacy of peace, nonviolence, and justice.
• This marks the first Gandhi bust in a State Capitol under the Indian Consulate’s Seattle jurisdiction.