National News

Modi Government To Kick Off Nationwide Yatra To Promote Awareness About Welfare Schemes On November 15

• On November 15, as the nation commemorates the birth anniversary of the revered 'adivasi' icon, Birsa Munda, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government is set to launch the ambitious "Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra."
• This 72-day nationwide outreach and awareness campaign aims to promote government schemes and reach vulnerable sections of society.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the campaign by flagging off Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) vans, which will initially traverse tribal districts for a week, disseminating information about government schemes.
• The primary objective of the 'Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra' is to "reach the unreached" and provide information to those who have yet to benefit from government schemes.
• During the campaign, the government will highlight 20 flagship schemes, with special recognition for Panchayats that have achieved 100% saturation of schemes such as Ayushman Card, Jal Jeevan Mission, Jan Dhan Yojana, PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana, and ODF Plus status.

International News

Republican Mike Johnson Elected New US House Speaker

• In a recent development, Republican Mike Johnson, hailing from Louisiana, has been elected as the new speaker of the US House of Representatives.
• He is the first Louisianan to hold this position and the first southerner to serve as speaker since Republican Newt Gingrich of Georgia in the 1990s.
• Johnson's political journey began in 2015 when he was elected to the Louisiana statehouse, and he later ran for Congress successfully in 2016.
• Representing Louisiana's fourth congressional district, Johnson describes himself as a "Christian, a husband, a father, a life-long conservative, constitutional law attorney, and a small business owner."
• The United States House of Representatives, often referred to as the House, plays a vital role in the legislative process of the United States and is a fundamental component of the country's federal government.

Sponge Bombs: Israel’s Secret Weapon Against Hamas

• Amid the escalating conflict between Israel and Hamas, Israeli forces are planning to deploy an innovative type of bomb known as "sponge bombs."
• These sponge bombs possess the capability to seal off the intricate network of tunnels beneath Gaza without causing explosions.
• Gaza is riddled with an underground infrastructure, reaching depths of 40-50 meters, including bunkers, headquarters, storage facilities, and connections to over a thousand rocket launch sites.
• These tunnels come in various forms, with some stretching for hundreds of kilometers and descending as deep as 80 meters below the 360-square-kilometer coastal strip and its surrounding borders.
• "Sponge bombs" are explosive devices designed to produce a sudden release of expanding foam that subsequently hardens.
• Encased in protective plastic with a metal barrier separating two distinct liquids, these devices, when activated, mix the liquids and move towards their intended target.
• During exercises conducted in 2021 in a simulated tunnel system near the Gaza border, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) were observed using these devices.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres Launches Advisory Body On Artificial Intelligence

• Under the leadership of Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, the United Nations has taken a significant step towards managing the opportunities and challenges posed by artificial intelligence (AI).
• To facilitate international cooperation and consensus on AI governance, a 39-member advisory body has been established, comprising tech industry leaders, government officials, and academics from diverse backgrounds.
• The primary objective of the advisory body is to establish a consensus on the global-scale risks associated with AI. By bringing together perspectives from various nations, the panel aims to formulate comprehensive recommendations on AI governance.

CCI Becomes A Member Of International Competition Network Committee

• The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has reached a significant milestone by becoming part of the prestigious 18-member steering committee of the International Competition Network (ICN).
• The ICN, comprising 140 competition agencies worldwide, is a unique global body dedicated exclusively to competition law enforcement.
• Its primary purpose is to provide antitrust authorities with a specialized and informal platform for maintaining regular contacts and addressing practical competition concerns.
• The inclusion of the Competition Commission of India in the ICN's steering committee is a testament to the regulator's consistent efforts in the field of competition law enforcement.
• India's commitment to promoting fair competition and its proactive engagement in international dialogues have earned it a place among the select few competition authorities guiding the ICN's global initiatives.

State News

24th Hornbill Festival 2023 To Kick Off In Nagaland From December 1

• The 24th Hornbill Festival 2023 is set to kick off in Nagaland on December 1. This vibrant festival is one of the most anticipated and celebrated events of the year, not only showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Nagaland but also attracting thousands of curious travelers from around the world.
• Named after the hornbill, a bird of great significance in Naga culture, the festival pays tribute to this bird and the values it embodies.
• Often referred to as the 'Festival of Festivals,' it brings together a traditional cluster of 17 Naga tribes, promoting intercultural harmony and showcasing their unique customs, traditions, and art forms.

Defence News

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) And Safran To Make Aircraft Engine Parts

• Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Safran Aircraft Engines, a leading French aero engine design, development, and manufacturing company, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at fostering industrial cooperation and collaboration.
• This collaboration includes HAL's production of LEAP (Leading Edge Aviation Propulsion) engine forgings at its state-of-the-art Foundry and Forge facility in Bengaluru.
• These LEAP engines power prominent aircraft models such as the Airbus A320 Neo family and the Boeing 737 Max.
• Additionally, HAL and Safran Aircraft Engines plan to collaborate on the co-design and production of the next-generation Indian Multi-Role Helicopter (IMRH), aiming to create cutting-edge helicopter engines meeting the evolving needs of the Indian armed forces and civilian aviation sector.

Business News

RBI Approves MobiKwik’s Zaakpay To Operate As Payment Aggregator

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has granted in-principle authorization to Zaakpay, the secure payment gateway arm of MobiKwik, to operate as a payment aggregator.
• This authorization allows Zaakpay to onboard new merchants onto its platform, facilitating quick and easy processing of online payments.
• Zaakpay offers over 100 different payment methods, including UPI, debit and credit cards, net banking, and mobile wallets, catering to the evolving needs of consumers and businesses.
• Zaakpay serves as a catalyst for businesses, enabling them to participate in digital marketplaces and reach consumers across the country, even in the most remote regions, providing significant advantages, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and businesses seeking to expand their digital presence.

Tata To Become India’s First iPhone Manufacturer As Wistron Approves Factory Sale

• The Tata Group has taken a significant step towards manufacturing and assembling Apple iPhones in India for both domestic and international markets by acquiring Wistron's operations in India.
• Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar announced this major venture, highlighting the Tata Group's ambition to establish itself as a key player in the global electronics industry.
• The Tata Group has set an ambitious timeline to commence iPhone production within just two and a half years, bolstering India's position as a prominent hub for smartphone manufacturing and exports.
• Wistron, a significant player in the global electronics manufacturing sector, has granted approval for the sale of its operations in India to the Tata Group, marking a pivotal step in the process of Tata Group's entry into iPhone manufacturing.

Important Days News

76th Shaurya Diwas Celebrates To Mark Landing Of Forces In Kashmir

• The Indian Army celebrated the 76th 'Shaurya Diwas' in Jammu and Kashmir, a day dedicated to commemorating a significant historical event: the landing of Indian forces in Kashmir on October 27, 1947.
• This operation marked the first civil-military victory for Independent India. During the 'Shaurya Diwas' celebrations, a striking replication of the historic event was performed as a tribute to the courageous soldiers and the resilient people of Jammu & Kashmir.
• On October 27, 1947, Indian Army troops landed at Budgam Airport, initiating a mission to evict Pakistani forces from Jammu and Kashmir. This day stands as a testament to the unwavering commitment to the unity and integrity of the nation.

International Day Of Care And Support 2023

• October 29 marks the UN's first official International Day for Care and Support, recognizing the legacy of the first International Day for Care founded four years ago by trade unions to accelerate public investment in the care economy.
• The United Nations General Assembly decided to proclaim 29 October as International Day of Care and Support, emphasizing the importance of care and support in advancing gender equality, promoting healthy aging, and ensuring the sustainability of societies and economies.
• The resolution calls upon Member States, the UN system, civil society, the private sector, academia, and the public to observe the international day annually and to raise awareness of the importance of care and support, as well as the need to invest in a resilient and inclusive care economy.

Schemes News

Jai Bhim Mukhyamatri Pratibha Vikas Yojna Launched By Delhi Government

• The Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi is inviting applications from eligible students belonging to SC/ST/OBC/EWS categories for free coaching under the "Jai Bhim Mukhyamatri Pratibha Vikas Yojna."
• This initiative aims to provide coaching for various competitive examinations and entrance tests, including recruitment exams conducted by agencies like SSC/DSSSB/Railway/Bank, entrance exams for MBA, MCA, recruitment exams for Defense forces, and exams for recruitment of technical posts.
• Eligible students can receive free coaching from specific empaneled coaching institutes or join non-empaneled coaching institutes with fee reimbursement, subject to the scheme's prescribed limit.

Summits & Conferences News

Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri Inaugurates 16th Urban Mobility India Conference & Exhibition 2023 In New Delhi

• Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister, Hardeep Singh Puri, inaugurated the 16th Urban Mobility India Conference and Exhibition 2023 in New Delhi.
• The event, organized by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs in collaboration with the Institute of Urban Transport (India) and the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Ltd., focuses on critical aspects of urban transportation in the country.
• The conference theme, "Integrated and Resilient Urban Transport," emphasizes the importance of designing efficient and high-quality transport systems capable of withstanding challenges, including rapid climate change, and highlights the integration of various transport options from the planning stage.

Science & Technology News

JioSpaceFiber: India’s First Satellite-Based Gigabit Broadband Service

• Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd, India's leading telecommunications provider, has introduced 'JioSpaceFiber,' a groundbreaking satellite broadband service.
• This service's primary goal is to extend high-speed internet access to previously underserved and remote regions in India, connecting millions of homes and businesses to online services, including governmental, educational, health, and entertainment services.
• The chairman of Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd, Akash Ambani, stated that JioSpaceFiber aims to provide every Indian with the opportunity to fully participate in a booming digital society.

Miscellaneous News

Jio MAMI Film Festival Began In Mumbai After A Four-Year Break

• The Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival made a return after a four-year interval with a grand ceremony in Mumbai.
• The festival, which opened with a master ceremony led by Priyanka Chopra Jonas, the chairperson of Jio MAMI, will unfold over ten days, showcasing more than 250 features and shorts across multiple venues throughout Mumbai.
• The festival's opening night celebrated two legendary directors, Mani Ratnam and Luca Guadagnino, by presenting them with the Excellence in Cinema award.
• Veteran Indian critic Aruna Vasudev, acclaimed author and subtitler Nasreen Munni Kabir, and film programmer and casting director Uma Da Cunha received prestigious lifetime achievement awards.