Current affairs 13 February 2025

Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2024: India Ranked 96th.

• CPI 2024, released by Transparency International, ranked 180 countries, with Denmark being the least corrupt and South Sudan, Somalia, Venezuela & Syria among the most corrupt.
• The global average CPI score stands at 43, with India ranked 96th, scoring 38, a decline from 39 in 2023.
• India's rank dropped from 93rd in 2023 to 96th in 2024.
• 1st: Denmark
• 2nd: Finland
• 3rd: Singapore

FAO Launches $95M Climate Project in Somalia.

• FAO launches a $95M, seven-year climate-resilient agriculture project, Ugbaad, to strengthen Somalia’s agrifood systems.
• Somalia’s Deputy PM highlights government commitment to climate adaptation amid worsening weather shocks.
• With agriculture supporting 65% of the population, the project aims to restore landscapes and protect livelihoods.

US President Trump Bans Paper Straws, Favors Plastic.

• President Trump signed an order banning paper straws in federal agencies, mandating a switch to plastic.
• The move reverses Biden’s policy, which aimed to curb plastic pollution as a crisis.
• Despite concerns over ocean pollution, Trump defended plastic use, opposing the trend of restricting single-use plastics.

Govt Expands e-NAM, Adds 10 New Commodities for Trade.

• The Agriculture Ministry added 10 new commodities to e-NAM, raising the total to 231, including dragon fruit and spices.
• Miscellaneous Commodities: Dried Tulsi Leaves, Besan (Chickpea Flour), Wheat Flour, Chana Sattu (Roasted Chickpea Flour), Water Chestnut Flour
• Spices: Asafoetida, Dried Fenugreek Leaves
• Vegetables: Water Chestnut, Baby Corn
• Fruits: Dragon Fruit

RBI to Inject Rs 2.5 Lakh Crore to Boost Liquidity.

• RBI will inject Rs 2.5 lakh crore into the banking system through a Variable Rate Repo auction to enhance liquidity.
• The RBI will conduct daily VRR auctions on all working days in Mumbai.
• VRR is a market-based auction where banks bid for funds, and the interest rate is determined by demand and supply.
• This tool is by RBI to provide short-term liquidity to banks.