NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. U.S. approves $1.17 billion deal for support systems for MH-60R helicopters: The United States has approved a possible $1.17 billion deal to sell India support equipment for MH-60R multi-role helicopters under its Foreign Military Sales programme.Nine of the 24 choppers contracted under a $2.2 billion deal with Lockheed Martin in February 2020 have been inducted into India’s armed services so far.The Indian Navy has already received six MH-60R helicopters which are deployed in Kochi with the same configuration used by the US Navy. The remaining 18 helicopters will include customised configurations to meet Indian requirements.The MH-60R helicopters have emerged as a major force multiplier for the Indian Navy amidst the growing challenges from China and Pakistan in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
2. MS Dhoni joins Eurogrip Tyres as Brand Ambassador: Eurogrip Tyres, a leading brand specialising in two-wheeler, three-wheeler, and off-highway tyres, has appointed cricket legend Mahendra Singh Dhoni as its brand ambassador.As part of this collaboration, Dhoni will endorse the Eurogrip brand and its entire product portfolio.TVS Srichakra Ltd, the manufacturer of Eurogrip, TVS Eurogrip, and TVS Tyres, was established in 1982 and operates as a key vertical of the USD 3 billion TVS Mobility.
3. India Chairs 68th Commission on Narcotic Drugs: India has been selected to chair the 68th session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND). This announcement was made by the Indian Embassy in Austria. Ambassador Shambhu S Kumaran has officially assumed the role of Chairman, which marks India’s first time leading this UN forum. The CND will concentrate on global cooperation against drug trafficking. It will address substance abuse and its social impacts. The focus includes health impacts related to drug use. Ensuring the availability of controlled substances for medical use is also a priority. India aims to promote dialogue on these issues.India plans to work closely with other member states. The goal is to create fair and inclusive strategies.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. International Gita Mahotsav 2024 inaugurated in Kurukshetra: The Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has inaugurated the International Gita Mahotsav at Kurukshetra, Haryana.The International Gita Mahotsav commemorates the birth of ‘Srimad Bhagwat Gita’, the sacred scripture containing advice of Lord Krishna that he gave to Arjuna in Kurukshetra on the first day of the famous 18-day battle in the Mahabharata.The annual International Gita Mahotsav is organised by the Kurukshetra Development Board of Haryana Tourism in collaboration with the Government of Haryana.This year, Tanzania, an African country, is the foreign partner country, and Odisha is the State partner.
2. India’s IndiGo ranked among ‘world’s worst airlines’ in survey: According to the report, IndiGo has been ranked among the “world’s worst airlines” in the 2024 AirHelp Score report, securing 103rd place out of 109 with a score of 4.80. The low rating is attributed to underwhelming customer satisfaction and poor handling of flight disruption claims.Meanwhile, Tata’s Air India fares slightly better, standing at 61st. At the top of the list, Brussels Airlines has been named the best airline, followed by Qatar Airways.Conducted by AirHelp, an EU-based claim processing agency, the survey evaluates airlines globally on punctuality, quality of service, and handling of compensation claims. These criteria weighed equally, form the overall score.The analysis covers data from January to October, incorporating on-time performance, customer claims processing, and feedback from passengers across 54 countries on food, comfort, and service.
3. Human-Cape Buffalo Conflicts in Tanzania: Recent studies in Tanzania’s Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA) reveal the escalating conflicts between humans and Cape buffaloes. The Cape buffalo, an aggressive species, faces population decline, currently listed as Near Threatened. Between 1999 and 2014, its numbers fell by 18%. The global population is now estimated at 569,000-573,000, with about 398,000 being mature. Human-buffalo conflicts arise from several factors including increasing human populations, habitat loss, changes in land use, buffaloes invading farmland, and, damaging crops, which leads to confrontations with local farmers. Additionally, poaching exacerbates the situation, resulting in approximately 200 people losing their lives in these encounters.
4. International Advisory Body for Submarine Cable Resilience: Submarine telecommunication cables are vital for global connectivity, and carry approximately 99% of internet traffic, which supports essential services like commerce, healthcare, and education. However, they are susceptible to damage and each year, around 150-200 faults occur globally. Common causes include fishing activities, anchoring, natural disasters, and equipment malfunctions. The Advisory Body focuses on promoting best practices among governments and industries. Its goals include improving cable resilience, minimizing damage risks, and expediting repairs. The group will also address increasing internet traffic, aging infrastructure, and environmental threats.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. India-Vietnam Hold 3rd Security Dialogue: India and Vietnam recently held the 3rd Security Dialogue in Hanoi to strengthen their partnership and focus on global and regional security issues. Pavan Kapoor represented India as Deputy National Security Adviser and Lt. Gen. Pham The Tung represented Vietnam as Deputy Minister of Public Security. They led discussions on various security topics. The dialogue addressed several critical areas including terrorism and organized crime were high on the agenda. Both nations emphasized the need for improved information sharing. They recognized that collaboration is essential for effective law enforcement.Economic security issues were also a focal point. Both countries agreed to work together on new technologies. Combating cybercrime emerged as a concern. They acknowledged the importance of staying ahead in technological advancements.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. UPI rule changes: UPI Lite transaction, wallet limit hiked: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has increased the transaction limit for offline digital payments through UPI Lite. The move can benefit many people, especially those who live in places with poor internet connectivity. UPI Lite transactions are offline in the sense that there is no need to enter a UPI PIN while making payments.The RBI has hiked the per-transaction limits on UPI Lite from Rs 500 to Rs 1,000. The overall wallet limit of UPI Lite has also been raised from Rs 2,000 to Rs 5,000.UPI Lite is designed to enable instant, low-value offline payments which form the bulk of retail payments made across India.Customers can use the replenishable balance to make cashless payments for any low-value item from Kirana stores, pharmacies, restaurants, shops, fuel retail outlets, and more.
2. BharatPe launches ‘Shield’ to protect users from digital transaction frauds: Fintech firm BharatPe has launched a fraud protection plan ‘Shield’ to offer coverage against digital frauds, including protection against fraudulent Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions.The new offering extends protection to users from fraudulent digital transactions up to Rs 5,000. Users will have to pay Rs 19 per month to avail this protection.Users making their first UPI transaction with the fintech app will receive 30 days of complementary fraud protection service.BharatPe Shield covers risks such as computer fraud, phishing attacks, and unauthorised transactions caused by phone loss. It enables claims for losses incurred up to 10 days prior to reporting such frauds.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1. EPFO services win India international award: India has bagged the International Social Security Association’s (ISSA) ‘Good Practice Award’ for Asia and Pacific for this year for five services provided by the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO).ISSA president Dr Mohammed Azman presented the award to the EPFO at the Regional Social Security Forum held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.The Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) received five certificates of merit for communication channels, E-proceedings: A case on the use of information and communication technology in justice delivery, district outreach programme (Nidhi Aapke Nikat), multilingual call centres, and Prayaas —The EPFO received five ‘Certificates of Merit’ for running ‘efficient’ communication channels, conduct of E-proceedings, outreach programme Nidhi Aapke Nikat, running multilingual call centres, and pension order delivery initiative Prayaas.
2. Michelle Bachelet Wins 2024 Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament, and Development: Michelle Bachelet, former president of Chile, has been awarded the 2024 Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament, and Development, by the Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust. The jury, led by Shivshankar Menon, selected Bachelet for her outstanding contributions to human rights and equality. Bachelet served as Chile’s president from 2006 to 2010 and again from 2014 to 2018. Her presidency focused on reforms in education and taxation. She played a key role in establishing a free trade agreement between India and Chile.
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