International News

1. G7 Foreign Ministers Address Israel-Gaza Conflict

• This week, the G7 foreign ministers convened in Japan, bringing the Israel-Hamas conflict and the resulting humanitarian crisis in Gaza to the forefront of global attention.
• Secretary Blinken emphasized the need for unity within the G7, highlighting the importance of a unified voice on the Gaza crisis.
• While the United States supports humanitarian pauses in Gaza, they have opposed a complete cease-fire, citing concerns about potential militant regrouping.
• G7 members have increasingly stressed the importance of minimizing civilian casualties, while avoiding direct criticism of Israeli actions.

2. Klyuchevskaya Sopka Volcano Eruption in Kamchatka, Russia

• Eurasia's highest active volcano, Klyuchevskaya Sopka, erupted on the Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia, releasing a significant amount of ash into the atmosphere.
• This marked the third eruption in 2023, though no injuries were reported. Precautionary measures, including school closures in nearby towns, were taken.
• The eruption sent ash clouds soaring to a height of 13 kilometers (8 miles) above sea level. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries, given the distance of local settlements from the volcano.

3. Widespread Displacement Crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

• In North Kivu, DRC, the conflict between M23 rebels and government-backed militias has worsened since October, leading to massive displacement.
• The UN's International Organization for Migration (IOM) expresses deep concern about the humanitarian situation.
• By October 2023, the number of internally displaced people (IDPs) in the DRC reached a record high of 6.9 million due to ongoing conflict and rising violence, creating one of the world's largest internal displacement crises.

4. Chile Joins International Solar Alliance ISA

• Chile's recent entry as the 95th member of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) marks a significant milestone in the global push for solar energy.
• The ISA is an action-oriented, member-driven platform dedicated to increasing the deployment of solar energy technologies.
• Currently, 116 countries have signed up as signatories to the ISA, with 94 successfully completing the necessary ratification to become full-fledged members.

State News

5. FM Nirmala Sitharaman Launches 12 GST Seva Kendras in Vapi, Gujarat

• In a festive event at Gyandham School in Vapi, Gujarat, Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, inaugurated 12 Goods and Services Tax (GST) Seva Kendras.
• She also recognized and rewarded the participants of the “Mera Bill Mera Adhikaar” (MBMA) scheme, promoting the culture of generating bills during sales and purchase transactions.
• These newly launched GST Seva Kendras, located in key cities like Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat, and others, represent a significant advancement in facilitating GST-related services.

Banking News

6. Axis Bank's Partnership with IRMA for Financial Inclusion

• Axis Bank recently entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA) to establish the Axis Bank Chair for financial inclusion.
• This initiative plays a pivotal role in advancing financial inclusion and financial literacy in India, aligning with the vision of equitable and sustainable transformation for the nation.
• The Axis Bank Chair for Financial Inclusion has been established for a period of five years. IRMA and Axis Bank will also establish a Joint Advisory Committee to manage the chair’s selection process, define its operation terms, and regularly evaluate its performance.

Important Days News

7. World Radiography Day 2023 Celebrates Patient Safety

• World Radiography Day, observed each year on November 8, commemorates the discovery of X-radiation by German physicist Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen in 1895.
• This year's theme, "Celebrating Patient Safety," highlights the broader responsibilities of radiographers beyond radiation protection, emphasizing patient well-being.
• The transition of this annual event to November 8 aligns with the anniversary of Roentgen’s groundbreaking discovery of X-rays, replacing the European Day of Radiology held on February 10.

8. India's Employee Well-Being Ranking

• A recent survey conducted by the McKinsey Health Institute reveals significant disparities in employee well-being, with Japan ranking at the lowest and India securing a notable second position.
• The survey assesses factors such as physical, mental, social, and spiritual health, highlighting the crucial link between positive work experiences and holistic health.
• This report underscores the pivotal role of the workplace in influencing employee well-being, considering the significant time spent at work.

9. Global Patenting Activity Reaches Record High in 2022

• The World Intellectual Property Indicators (WIPI) report for 2022 outlines significant trends in the global intellectual property landscape.
• While trademark and design applications saw a decline, patent filings witnessed an unprecedented surge, primarily driven by innovators from India and China.
• In 2022, innovators worldwide submitted a staggering 3.46 million patent applications, reflecting global interest in protecting intellectual property.
• The majority of IP filing activity occurred in Asia, with Asia accounting for 9% of global patent filings, 67.8% of trademark applications, and 70.3% of industrial design filings, reaffirming the region’s central role in the global IP landscape.

Schemes News

10. Legal Literacy And Legal Awareness Program (LLLAP) Impacting Over 6 Lakh People

• The Legal Literacy and Legal Awareness Program (LLLAP) operating under the DISHA scheme, in collaboration with 14 implementing agencies, has reached out to more than 600,000 individuals.
• Access to justice, a fundamental right enshrined in India's Constitution, is at the core of this program.
• LLLAP plays a pivotal role in the Access to Justice Scheme, aiming to empower underprivileged sections of society to access justice services.
• It also focuses on strengthening the capacities of key justice service providers to better serve marginalized communities.

Awards News

11. Apolinaris DSouza Honored With The 19th ‘Kalakar Puraskar’ Award

• The prestigious 'Kalakar Puraskar' celebrated its 19th edition by conferring the award upon Apolinaris D’Souza, a prominent figure in Konkani culture as a singer, lyricist, and composer.
• The event was organized in association with Mandd Sobhann by the Carvalho Household of Kundapura, at Kalaagann, Mangaluru.
• Established in 2005 by linguist Pratap Naik, SJ, and the Carvalho Household, this annual award recognizes outstanding achievements in various fields related to Konkani culture, including music, dance, theatre, folklore, and cinema.

Appointments News

12. Hitesh Kumar S Makwana Appointed Surveyor General of India

• The Central Government of India recently announced a series of significant appointments, reinforcing its commitment to efficient governance and administrative leadership.
• Hitesh Kumar S. Makwana, an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) official from the Tamil Nadu cadre, now holds the position of Surveyor General of India.
• He previously served as an Additional Secretary in the Union Home Ministry. Anurag Agarwal, an IAS official from the Punjab cadre, has assumed the role of Additional Secretary & Financial Advisor in the Ministry of External Affairs, contributing his expertise to international diplomacy and finance.
• Rupinder Brar, an Indian Revenue Service (IRS) official, takes on the position of Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Coal, contributing to the development and management of India’s coal resources.

Sports News

13. Archer Deepika Kumari Shines at National Games

• Deepika Kumari, a former world No. 1 archer, displayed her remarkable talent and determination at the National Games, clinching two gold medals and one silver.
• Representing Jharkhand, she initiated her medal haul with a gold in the women’s individual archery category.
• She later partnered with Mrinal Chauhan to secure the top position in the mixed team archery category.
• The 50m rifle 3-positions event witnessed the Asian Championships gold medalist, Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar, securing the top spot.

Science & Technology News

14. Discovery of the Oldest Black Hole Dating Back To 470 Million Years After the Big Bang

• In a groundbreaking discovery that has astounded the scientific community, researchers have identified the most ancient black hole ever detected, which emerged a mere 470 million years after the birth of the universe during the Big Bang.
• This remarkable find was made possible through the collaborative efforts of NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope and the Chandra X-Ray Observatory, working in tandem over the past year.
• The newly discovered black hole is a colossal giant, measuring ten times larger than the black hole at the center of our Milky Way galaxy.
• Scientists estimate its mass to range from 10% to 100% of the combined mass of all the stars within its host galaxy.

Obituaries News

15. Veteran Politician D B Chandregowda Passes Away at 87

• India's political landscape mourns the loss of D B Chandre Gowda, a veteran politician and former minister, who passed away at the age of 87.
• He is most notably remembered for his selfless act of vacating his Lok Sabha seat in 1978, which paved the way for former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's remarkable political comeback post the Emergency.
• Serving as a Member of Parliament in the Lok Sabha thrice and once in the Rajya Sabha, his electoral victories in the Chikkamagaluru Parliamentary Constituency on a Congress ticket in 1971 and 1977 showcased his political acumen.