Current Affairs 12 November 2024
1. Dr. Navin Ramgoolam become Prime Minister of Mauritius
In a major political shift, Mauritius' opposition appears set for victory in the recent legislative elections, as Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth conceded defeat on November 11. Opposition leader Dr. Navin Ramgoolam has taken office as prime minister for a third time, leading his Alliance of Change coalition. Mauritius conducted its 12th parliamentary elections since gaining independence.
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The opposition, led by Dr. Navin Ramgoolam and the Alliance of Change coalition, is set for a major victory in Mauritius’ recent election.
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Incumbent Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth conceded, acknowledging the Alliance Lepep’s significant defeat and wishing the new government well.
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This will be Dr. Ramgoolam’s third term as prime minister, having previously held the role from 1995 to 2000 and 2005 to 2014.
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Son of Mauritius' first prime minister, Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, Navin Ramgoolam has a long history of political leadership.
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His Alliance of Change campaign promised reforms to address economic and social issues and aimed to strengthen international partnerships.
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India and Mauritius have a strong, historically rooted relationship, marked by shared cultural and demographic ties.
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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Ramgoolam, highlighting the “unique partnership” between the nations and inviting him to visit India.
About Mauritius:
Capital: Port Louis
Prime Minister: Navin Ramgoolam
2. Shigeru Ishiba Re-Elected as PM of Japan
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has secured his position after winning a run-off vote in parliament, following a setback in last month's election that saw his coalition lose its majority in the lower house. Ishiba, 67, assumed the role of prime minister from Fumio Kishida, who resigned in September amid a series of scandals that undermined public trust in the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). In a special parliamentary session on Monday, Ishiba triumphed over Yoshihiko Noda, leader of the opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan. Going forward, Ishiba will face challenges, including internal party divisions, economic difficulties, and a shifting international landscape.
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Ishiba, as leader of a minority government, faces the challenge of gaining opposition support for future bills and budgets, raising concerns of political gridlock.
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A former defence minister, Ishiba earned a reputation for openly criticizing party figures like Kishida and Abe, gaining voter support but causing friction within the LDP.
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He became LDP leader and prime minister on October 1, following a close race among candidates.
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The LDP, Japan’s long-ruling party, is increasingly unpopular due to economic issues like inflation, a sluggish economy, and a weak yen.
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Ishiba has promised LDP reforms, economic revival, and increased defence spending.
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He has supported socially liberal policies like marriage equality and separate surnames for couples, though he now seeks more discussion to align with the LDP’s conservative views.
About Japan:
Capital: Tokyo
Prime minister: Shigeru Ishiba
Currency: Japanese yen
3. GM Aravindh Chithambaram won the Chennai Grand Masters title
Aravindh Chithambaram, who initially aimed to avoid finishing last, stunned everyone including himself by clinching the title at the second edition of the Chennai Grandmasters classical chess tournament. He triumphed over Levon Aronian (USA) with a 2-0 victory in a blitz tie-breaker on Monday at the Anna Centenary Library auditorium.
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Aravindh surged into title contention by winning his second consecutive game.
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He defeated GM Parham Maghsoodloo in the final round with black pieces, playing the Queen’s Gambit Declined and securing a crucial victory to force a three-way tie at the top.
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Aronian and Arjun faced off in a two-game blitz play-off, with both winning with black pieces to set up a sudden-death decider.
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In the title match, Aravindh capitalized on a late mistake by Aronian to win the first blitz game, and then held firm with black to clinch the title.
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All three players tied on 4.5 points after 7 rounds took home Rs 11 lakh each.
4. India achieved Sixth rank globally in WIPO Patent Filing 2023
India has achieved a significant milestone in intellectual property (IP) rights, now ranking among the top 10 countries globally for patents, trademarks, and industrial designs, according to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)’s 2024 World Intellectual Property Indicators (WIPI). This accomplishment highlights India's progress in innovation, driven by consistent growth across various IP sectors and government efforts to foster IP development.
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India’s industrial design applications grew by 36.4% in 2023, with sectors like Textiles, Tools, and Health contributing to nearly half of the filings.
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Between 2018 and 2023, patent and design filings in India more than doubled, reflecting a rise in design innovation and manufacturing.
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India ranked fourth globally in trademark filings, with a 6.1% increase in 2023. Nearly 90% of these filings were from residents, with Health, Agriculture, and Clothing sectors leading.
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India now holds over 3.2 million active trademark registrations, the second-highest globally, strengthening brand protection efforts.
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Global patent applications reached a record 3.55 million in 2023, driven by Asian countries, including India, which saw its patent filings grow significantly.
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Asia’s share of global patent filings rose from 58.4% in 2013 to 68.7% in 2023.
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India’s patent-to-GDP ratio increased from 144 to 381 over the last decade, reflecting growth in IP alongside economic expansion.
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The government’s IP policies and investments in innovation are positioning India as a key global IP hub.
5. Donald Trump appointed Pete Hegseth as defense secretary
Pete Hegseth, a veteran of the U.S. Army National Guard, has been praised by Donald Trump for using his platform to "fight for our Military and Veterans." Trump commended Hegseth's advocacy for military personnel and veterans, recognizing his lifelong dedication as a "Warrior for the Troops" and for the country. On Tuesday, Trump announced that he had chosen Hegseth as his Secretary of Defense, describing him as tough, smart, and a strong supporter of the "America First" agenda.
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Pete Hegseth is a Princeton and Harvard graduate and an Army Combat Veteran, having served in Guantanamo Bay, Iraq, and Afghanistan.
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He was awarded two Bronze Stars and a Combat Infantryman's Badge for his battlefield actions.
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Trump praised Hegseth for using his Fox News platform to advocate for military personnel and veterans.
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Hegseth's book, The War on Warriors, highlights the leftwing betrayal of military personnel and advocates for a return to a merit-based, accountable military.
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He has led two Veterans Advocacy organizations, fighting for troops and veterans.
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Trump emphasized that Hegseth would be a strong, patriotic champion of the "Peace through Strength" policy.
6. Mara Kocho appointed as MD of NEHHDC
Mara Kocho, a pioneering figure from the Nyishi community, has been appointed Managing Director of the North Eastern Handicraft and Handloom Department Corporation (NEHHDC), a Central Public Sector Enterprise under the DoNER ministry. This key appointment is expected to drive growth in the handicraft and handloom sectors across Northeast India. Kocho’s inspiring journey from BSNL to NEHHDC showcases his strong leadership and dedication. As the first Indian Engineering Service (IES) officer from the Nyishi community, he has not only brought pride to his community but also opened doors for others to aim higher.
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Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein congratulated Mara Kocho on social media, expressing excitement about Kocho’s role in promoting handicrafts and handlooms in Northeast India.
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Mein expressed his anticipation for Kocho’s “active contribution” in advancing these sectors as part of his new role.
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With Kocho as Managing Director, NEHHDC aims to significantly benefit artisans and weavers, highlighting the cultural heritage of Northeast India globally.
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Previously served as BSNL Chief Engineer in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.
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Born on February 10, 1977, in Rang village, East Kameng district, Kocho is the first Indian Engineering Service (IES) officer from the Nyishi community.
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Held roles in BSNL across Haryana, New Delhi, Shillong, and Guwahati, and was Deputy General Manager (EM) at Hydro Power Development Ltd.
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Earned a Bachelor of Technology in Electrical Engineering from North East Regional Institute of Science & Technology, Nirjuli (2000).
About NEHHDC:
MD: Mara Kocho
Founded: 1977
7. Phillip Noyce Honored with Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Award
Veteran Australian filmmaker Phillip Noyce, acclaimed for films like Clear and Present Danger, Salt, and Rabbit-Proof Fence, will be awarded the prestigious Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Award at the 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI). The festival, scheduled to take place in Goa from November 20-28, 2024, has designated Australia as this year's Country of Focus.
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Philip Noyce's Impact: Known for shaping suspense and action genres, Noyce’s films like Patriot Games, Clear and Present Danger, and Salt have made significant contributions to both mainstream and critical cinema.
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Masterclasses & Panels: The festival will host 25+ masterclasses and panel discussions with industry icons, including AR Rahman, Shabana Azmi, Mani Ratnam, Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Philip Noyce, and John Seale.
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Topics of Focus: Sessions will cover sound design, acting in the digital age, and the future of filmmaking.
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Additional Screenings: Six extra theaters for screenings, including INOX Madgaon, INOX Ponda, and Z Square Samrat Ashok, along with Picture Time inflatable theaters across Goa.
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Accessibility Partnership: Svayam ensures accessibility for people with reduced mobility, offering features like audio descriptions and sign language interpretation.
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Unified Branding: All festival venues will have unified décor and branding in collaboration with NID, Ahmedabad.
8. Sonu Sood Appointed Brand Ambassador for Thailand Tourism
Sonu Sood, renowned actor, humanitarian, and philanthropist, has been appointed as the Brand Ambassador and Honorary Tourism Advisor for Thailand. Known for his philanthropic efforts, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, this new role broadens his influence globally. His collaboration with Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports aims to promote Thailand as a top travel destination for Indian tourists.
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Global Goodwill Ambassador: Sonu Sood's reputation as a humanitarian grew significantly, especially for his efforts to assist migrant workers during the COVID-19 lockdown by providing transportation, financial aid, and supplies.
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Beloved Philanthropist: His remarkable contributions during the pandemic earned him widespread admiration, making him one of India’s most loved philanthropists.
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Thailand Tourism Partnership: Sonu Sood's appointment as Brand Ambassador and Honorary Tourism Advisor reflects his growing international presence and aligns with Thailand’s efforts to boost tourism, particularly from India.
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Strategic Collaboration: Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism aims to use Sood's popularity in India to attract more Indian tourists, capitalizing on the growing travel interest from India to Southeast Asia.
About Thailand:
Capital: Bangkok
Official language: Thai
King: Maha Vajiralongkorn
9. World Pneumonia Day celebrated on 12th November
World Pneumonia Day, observed annually on November 12, is focused on raising awareness of pneumonia a serious but preventable and treatable respiratory illness. This day aims to draw global attention to the impact of pneumonia, especially on children under five and the elderly, who are at the highest risk. Health organizations, governments, and communities unite in a coordinated effort to highlight preventive measures, advocate for improved treatment options, and work to reduce the disease's mortality rate.
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Highlighting Global Disparities: Raises awareness of the disproportionate impact on children in developing regions, promoting improved healthcare access.
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Mobilizing Resources: Supports funding for research, better healthcare accessibility, and vaccination programs.
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Promoting Vaccination: Increases awareness of vaccines like pneumococcal and influenza for pneumonia prevention.
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Public Education and Advocacy: Educates people on early symptom recognition, treatment options, and preventive measures.
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These efforts aim to lower pneumonia-related mortality, foster resilient communities, and build healthier, informed populations.
10. Former Member of Parliament Mahendra Singh Mewar Passes Away
Mahendra Singh Mewar, former Member of Parliament from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and a member of the historic Mewar royal family, passed away on November 10, 2024, at the age of 83. He had been receiving treatment at a private hospital in Udaipur, Rajasthan, where he succumbed after several days of illness. Known for his impact on the social and political spheres of Rajasthan, Mewar was a respected and influential figure.
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Royal Heritage: Mahendra Singh Mewar was a descendant of the legendary Maharana Pratap, known for his defense of Mewar against Mughal invasions, making Mewar’s heritage central to his identity.
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Preservation of Culture: A prominent figure in Rajasthan, he dedicated himself to preserving the region’s cultural heritage and traditions.
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Political Career: Elected to the Lok Sabha from Chittorgarh in 1989 as a BJP member, he represented his constituents with a focus on social welfare and development.
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Public Service: Known for his strong connection to the needs of his people, he was respected for his dedication to public service and community upliftment.
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Lasting Legacy: His life’s work in both politics and cultural preservation has left a significant mark on Rajasthan’s social and political landscape.
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