NATIONAL NEWS
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates Statue of Unity
The Statue of Unity, a 182-metre giant structure built in honour of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, has been inaugrated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The imposing monument, touted as the world's tallest statue, is twice the height of Statue of Liberty and is built on an islet, Sadhu Bet, near the Sardar Sarovar Dam in Narmada district.
- Modi would also inaugurate the 'Wall of Unity' (a monument defining India's unity) near the statue.
Japan joins International Solar Alliance
In a boost to Prime Minister Narendra Modi-initiated International Solar Alliance (ISA), Japan announced joining the group submitting the instrument of ratification.
Japan will be the 71st country to sign and 48th country to ratify the ISA Framework.
The decision was announced at the end of bilateral Summit between Prime Minister Modi and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe.
- Extra info.:
ISA Membership- 121 nations
Headquarters: Gwal Pahari, Gurugram
Netherland To Be Partner Country for 25th DST-CII Technology Summit 2019
The Kingdom of Netherlands will be the Partner Country 25th DST – CII Technology Summit to be organized in 2019, announced Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, Environment,Forest and Climate Change.
- The Minister highlighted the successful bilateral research cooperation between India and Netherlands in sectors such as affordable medical devices, urban water systems, big data and Internet of Things (IoT).
- Dr. Vardhan also proposed to take the 25th Technology Summit -2019, to the next level, by inviting global participation during the next year Summit and making it truly a global event.
Indonesia's Medan city inaugurates 'Little India Gate'
Nearly 7,000 people gathered in northern Indonesia to witness the inauguration of ‘Little India Gate’, the first-of-its-kind structure in the country which recognises the contribution of Indian community in the development of Medan city.
- The new structure was inaugurated jointly by India’s ambassador to Indonesia and Timor Leste Pradeep Kumar Rawat and Mayor of Medan H T Dzulmi Eldin S at Kampung Madras or Madras Village area in Medan city.
- Extra info.:
Indonesia Capital: Jakarta
Currency: Indonesian rupiah
S Korea's First Lady to attend Uttar Pradesh's Deepotsav
South Korean first lady Kim Jung-sook will be the Chief Guest at the Deepotsav event being organised by the Uttar Pradesh government on November 6. Accepting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s invitation, she will be leading a high-level delegation that is scheduled to visit India from November 4 to 7 this year.
- The First Lady’s participation in the festivities in Ayodhya will showcase close civilisational links as well as the ongoing deepening engagement between two countries.
- Extra info.:
South korea Capital: Seoul
Currency: South Korean won
Anupam Kher resigns as FTII chairman
Veteran actor Anupam Kher has resigned from his position as chairman of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) because of his acting commitments.
- Kher, who was appointed to this position a year back, said he needed to spend prolonged periods of time in the United States for the next three years for an international television show because of which he would not be able to give enough time to FTII.
- Satish Kaushik was selected as the Vice President of FTII Society. This is for the first time that a Vice President was appointed for the Society.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NASA Retires Its Planet Hunter, the Kepler Space Telescope
The Kepler space telescope has run out of fuel and will be retired after a 9.5 year mission in which it detected thousands of planets beyond our solar system and boosted the search for worlds that might harbour alien life.
- The Kepler telescope discovered more than 2,600 of the roughly 3,800 exoplanets that have been documented in the past two decades.
- NASA launched the Kepler telescope on March 6, 2009, to learn if Earth-like planets that might harbour life are common or rare in other star systems.
Seychelles Launches World’s 1st Sovereign Blue Bond
The Republic of Seychelles has launched the world’s first sovereign blue bond a financial instrument designed to support sustainable marine and fisheries projects.
- Proceeds from the bond will support the expansion of marine protected areas‚ improved governance of priority fisheries and the development of the Seychelles’ blue economy.
- The blue bond‚ which is part of an initiative that combines public and private investment to mobilise resources for empowering local communities and businesses.
- Extra info.:
Seychelles Capital: Victoria
Currency: Seychellois rupee
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
India jumps 23 places to 77th in ease of doing business ranking
India has jumped 23 places in ease of doing business ranking. It was at 100th place last year and now it is at 77th rank. India is now recognised as among top ten improvers for the 2nd consecutive year. It is now ranked first among South Asian countries compared to 6th rank in 2014.
- Among the BRICS nations, only China, which was last year ranked 78th has logged smarter gains, rising to 46th place.
- In its annual 'Doing Business' 2019 report, World Bank said India improved its rank on six out of the 10 parameters relating to starting and doing business in a country.
SPORTS
Pankaj Advani clinches Asian Snooker title
Ace cueist Pankaj Advani won the Asian Snooker Tour by defeating Ju Reti of China in Jinan. The 33-year-old registered a domination 6-1 victory over his Chinese opponent to finish on top.
APPOINTMENTS
Mary Kom Named As Brand Ambassador Of Women's World C'ship
Five-time world champion Mary Kom has been named as the brand ambassador of the upcoming 10th edition of the International Boxing Association (AIBA) Women World Championship.
- The Boxing Federation of India (BFI) unveiled the logo and anthem of the Championship. The logo, depicting "fire and women's empowerment," was designed to bring in the two key elements-the inner strength of a woman and the national colours-together to mark the occasion of India playing hosts to the championships for the second time in the country.
- Similarly, the theme of the anthem: "Make some noise, scream and shout! We are here to knock you out!!!" encapsulates the emotion that a boxer goes through when she takes to the ring. The logo launch event was attended by Indian Team members, led by Mary Kom, and dignitaries from the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and BFI, including its president Ajay Singh.
- AIBA Women World Championship is slated to be held from November 15-24 in New Delhi.
AWARDS
Malala Yousafzai to receive Harvard award for activism
Nobel Prize winner Malala Yousafzai is being honoured by Harvard University for her work promoting girls' education. Harvard's Kennedy School says she will be awarded the 2018 Gleitsman Award at a December 6 ceremony.
- The Gleitsman Award provides $125,000 for activism that has improved quality of life around the world.
IMPORTANT DAYS
National Unity Day
National Unity Day or Rashtriya Ekta Diwas was introduced by Government of India in 2014. The day is celebrated on October 31 every year to commemorate the birth anniversary of the Iron Man of India Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel one of the founding leaders of the Republic of India.
- The day was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to pay tribute to Vallabhbhai Patel, who as the Home Minister of India, played an important role in the unification of India.
- Home Ministry of India stated that the day will provide an opportunity to reaffirm the inherent strength and resilience of our nation to withstand the actual and potential threats to the unity, integrity, and security of our country.
