CURRENT AFFAIRS 13 December, 2024
- GUKESH SHATTERS RECORDS TO BECOME YOUNGEST WORLD CHAMPION –
- Dommaraju Gukesh’s rise to becoming the youngest chess world champion is a story of relentless ambition, focus, and resilience. At the age of 18, Gukesh defeated reigning champion Ding Liren in a grueling three-week-long contest in Singapore, surpassing Garry Kasparov’s record as the youngest chess world champion in history.
- His journey from a young boy declaring his ambition to this historic feat showcases extraordinary dedication and talent.
- Champion: D Gukesh of India, youngest world champion at age 18.
- Defending Champion: Ding Liren of China, who won the title in 2023.
- Venue: Singapore.
- Format: 14-round “classical” chess event with a prize fund of $2.5 million.
- Final Score: Gukesh – 7.5, Ding – 6.5.
- Decisive Game: Gukesh, playing with black pieces, won the 14th game after Ding’s critical blunder.
- SYRIAN FIGHTERS NAME MOHAMMED AL-BASHIR AS INTERIM PRIME MINISTER –
- The Syrian conflict has marked a new phase with the appointment of Mohammed al-Bashir as the caretaker prime minister of Syria. Al-Bashir, previously the head of the Syrian Salvation Government (SSG) in Idlib province, has been tasked with leading the transitional government following the fall of President Bashar al-Assad.
- His role is crucial as Syria navigates the aftermath of the 12-day lightning offensive that toppled the Assad regime, ending more than five decades of Assad family rule.
- PRESIDENT MURMU CONFERS HONORARY GENERAL RANK TO NEPAL ARMY CHIEF –
- President Droupadi Murmu, honored Nepal’s Army Chief, General Ashok Raj Sigdel, with the prestigious honorary rank of ‘General of the Indian Army.’
- This event, held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, reflects the enduring tradition of mutual respect and deep military ties between India and Nepal, which dates back to 1950.
- This ceremony also emphasizes the shared commitment of both nations to further strengthen their defense collaboration and friendly relations.
- INDIA’S RETAIL INFLATION EASES TO 5.48% IN NOVEMBER –
- India’s retail inflation moderated to 5.48% in November from 6.21% in October, marking a significant decline driven by easing food prices, particularly vegetables.
- This shift brought inflation back within the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) target range, raising expectations of a potential rate cut in early 2025.
- Additionally, industrial production showed positive growth, adding to the optimism for the economy. However, core inflation and volatile food prices remain concerns.
- ELON MUSK REACHES HISTORIC $400 BILLION NET WORTH –
- Elon Musk is the first person to achieve a net worth of $400 billion, a milestone driven by financial moves and political developments. Musk sold shares of SpaceX, which greatly increased his wealth, and the recent U.S. election results also played an important role in this financial surge.
- Musk’s sale of SpaceX shares added approximately $50 billion to his net worth. This brought his total to $439.2 billion. The Bloomberg Billionaires Index marks this remarkable increase. His net worth had previously declined by over $200 billion in late 2022.