NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. CSIR-NIScPR Commemorates 83 Years of Scientific Excellence of CSIR: CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (CSIR-NIScPR) celebrated the 83rd Foundation Day of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) at the National Agricultural Science Complex, Pusa, New Delhi.On the occasion, a special issue of ‘Science Reporter’, a monthly publication of CSIR-NIScPR was also released during the event. The title of the issue is “Science Reporter: A Six Decade Journey in Science Communication (1964-2024)”.Awards were distributed by distinguished guests to retirees, employees completing 25 years of service, and meritorious 10th and 12th-class students.
2. PM Narendra Modi participates in Swachh Bharat Diwas 2024: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has participated in the Swachh Bharat Diwas 2024 programme on the occasion of 155th Gandhi Jayanti in New Delhi.The event marks the completion of 10 years of the launch of one of the most significant mass movements for cleanliness, the Swachh Bharat Mission.The Prime Minister will launch several projects related to sanitation and cleanliness, worth over nine thousand six hundred crore rupees. These include projects under AMRUT and AMRUT 2.0, National Mission for Clean Ganga and 15 Compressed Biogas Plant projects under GOBARdhan Scheme.The Swachh Bharat Diwas programme will showcase India’s decade-long sanitation achievements and those in the recently concluded Swachhata Hi Seva campaign. It will also set the stage for the next phase of this national endeavour.
3. Who will implement the Cruise Bharat Mission?: The Union Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways is the nodal ministry for implementing the Cruise Bharat Mission.The mission will be implemented with the support of all regulatory agencies, such as Customs, Immigration, CISF, State Tourism Departments, State Maritime Agencies, District Administrations, and local police.
The ministry will establish a special purpose vehicle (SPV) for cruise development under the Indian Ports Association. The Indian Port Association is an association of major ports in India.
4. Kerala Launches India’s First Supercapacitor Manufacturing Facility: Kerala’s Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, recently inaugurated India’s first supercapacitor manufacturing facility at Keltron Component Complex Limited (KCCL) in Kallyassery, Kannur. This marks an important milestone for both Keltron and India’s electronics industry. The Kerala government has plans to invest ₹1,000 crore more to boost the electronics sector. This includes upgrading current factories and building new infrastructure, like an IT corridor and an electronics manufacturing park in Amballur. These steps aim to make Kerala a leader in electronics manufacturing.
5. IIT Madras Researchers Develop New Method for Retinal Treatment: Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Madras, have developed new techniques to treat eye problems like retinal tears and diabetic retinopathy. These eye conditions affect about 11 million people in India. The research uses mild laser-induced convection, a method that makes delivering treatment to the retina faster and more effective. The study is the result of over 10 years of work between Professor Arunn Narasimhan and eye specialist Dr. Lingam Gopal. They studied how heat from lasers affects the retina and helps deliver medicine more efficiently. By using computer simulations and experiments, they discovered that by gently heating the eye, they could speed up the process of getting medication to the retina.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Claudia Sheinbaum sworn in as Mexico’s 1st female president: Claudia Sheinbaum was sworn in as Mexico’s first woman president.She vowing to bolster women’s rights and ensure Latin America’s number 2 economy remains a secure destination for international investment.The 62-year-old climate scientist and former mayor of Mexico City is set to serve a six-year term, ending in 2030.Sheinbaum’s inauguration is the culmination of a four-decade rise in Mexican politics, punctuated by her history-making election as the first woman to lead Mexico City.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. Arti Sarin becomes first woman to take over as DG, Armed Forces Medical Services: Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin became the first woman officer to take over as the Director General, Armed Forces Medical Services (DGAFMS).The DGAFMS is directly responsible to the Ministry of Defence for overall medical policy matters which relate to the Armed Forces.Prior to assuming the appointment of 46th DGAFMS, the Flag Officer held the coveted appointments of DG Medical Services (Navy), DG Medical Services (Air) and Director & Commandant of Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), Pune. She is an alumna of AFMC, Pune and was commissioned into the Armed Forces Medical Services in December 1985.The Flag Officer has the rare distinction of serving in all three branches of the Indian Armed Forces, having served as Lieutenant to Captain in the Indian Army, from Surgeon Lieutenant to Surgeon Vice Admiral in the Indian Navy, and as an Air Marshal in the Indian Air Force.
2. Taiwan Receives First Shipment of Harpoon Missile Systems: Taiwan has received its first shipment of 100 land-based Harpoon anti-ship missile systems from the United States, which arrived at Kaohsiung Port on September 27. This is an important step in strengthening Taiwan’s military, especially during times of regional tension. This shipment will make Taiwan’s defenses stronger against threats from the sea and highlight the ongoing support from the U.S., which is important for maintaining security in the region.
3. EURONAVAL 2024: EURONAVAL 2024 is shaping up to be an important event in the world of naval defense, with close to 500 exhibitors expected to participate. The event will be held from November 4th to 7th, 2024, at the Paris-Nord Villepinte Exhibition Centre. Thirteen countries will have their own dedicated spaces, called national pavilions, where they can showcase their products and ideas more effectively. The countries hosting these pavilions are Brazil, Colombia, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States
4. Lt. Gen. Asim Malik Appointed New Pakistan’s ISI Chief: Lt. Gen. Muhammad Asim Malik has been appointed as the new Director General of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), taking over from Lt. Gen. Nadeem Anjum. This change comes at a time when Pakistan is facing growing security risks and political unrest, particularly due to tensions from supporters of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan. Lt. Gen. Malik is 59 years old and comes from a military family—his father, Lt. Gen. Ghulam Muhammad Malik, also served in the army. He studied at the University of Balochistan and continued his education at well-known defence institutions in the U.S. and U.K. During his military training at the Pakistan Military Academy, he won the prestigious ‘Sword of Honour,’ a recognition given to the best cadet.
SPORTS
1. Virat Kohli becomes fourth player to complete 27,000 international runs: Indian batsman Virat Kohli became only the fourth player in history to complete 27,000 runs in international cricket across formats, a feat that he achieved on the fourth day of the ongoing second Test against Bangladesh here.Kohli made a brisk 47 off 35 balls with four fours and a six as he helped India push on further in an aggressive mode to make up for the lost time in the Test due to incessant rains.Kohli became only the second Indian to achieve the feat after the Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar, who amassed a massive 34,357 runs across the length of his career. He is also the fastest batter to reach 27000 runs, reaching the impressive landmark in just 594 innings.Sachin is followed by Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara (28,016 runs) and, Australia’s Ricky Ponting at third (27,483 runs).Kohli has more than 8,800 runs in Tests, 13,906 runs in 295 ODIs, and another 4,188 runs in 125 T20Is. He has only retired from the T20 format after India won the T20 World Cup 2024 earlier this year. India’s talisman is still a long way from matching Sachin’s record, as the former cricketer scored 15,921 runs in 200 Tests.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. Survey Discovers New Reptile and Amphibian Species: A survey of reptiles and amphibians, known as herpetofauna, was conducted in the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR), specifically in the Masinagudi Division, from September 7th to 9th, 2024. This survey discovered a large variety of species, with a total of 33 reptiles and 36 amphibians identified. Four of these species might even be completely new to science. The survey covered areas at different heights, ranging from 300 to 2,000 meters above sea level, across different types of habitats. It was led by Deputy Director Arun Kumar P., with guidance from Field Director D. Venkatesh. This was the first full study of herpetofauna in this part of the reserve, which made the findings even more exciting.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. SEBI approved new asset class for HNIs with riskier appetite: Market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) approved a new asset class, allowing high-net-worth investors to invest in riskier regulated products.The new asset class is to have a minimum investment amount of Rs 10 lakh. The offerings under the new product will be referred to as ‘Investment Strategies’, to maintain a clear distinction from the schemes offered under the traditional mutual funds.The new product is intended to add depth and variety to the investment landscape of the country through a new asset class.SEBI floated a consultation paper on introducing a ‘New Asset Class’ in July, inviting public comments by August 6, 2024.The move is aimed at creating a new product that lies between mutual funds and portfolio management services (PMS), catering to investors with higher risk-taking capabilities and larger ticket sizes. Among other important decisions, the regulator also approved rules for a new investment product under mutual funds.
2. GST collections hit a 40-month low in September, with revenues at ₹1.73 lakh crore: Growth in India’s Gross Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections slumped to a 40-month low of 6.5% in September, with revenues at ₹1,73,240 crore, about 1% lower than the tally in August.Net GST receipts, after adjusting for refunds made to taxpayers, were 3.9% higher than a year ago, marking the slowest growth in this financial year.However, net collections were 1.5% higher than August’s receipts, at ₹1,52,782 crore. In the preceding month, net GST receipts had grown 6.5% while gross collections were up 10%.As many as seven States recorded negative revenue growth, led by a 33% contraction in Manipur, while revenues were flat in Gujarat. Ten States underperformed the national level 6% uptick in domestic revenues, including Telangana (1%), Rajasthan (2%), Uttar Pradesh (3%), and Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and West Bengal (5% each). Poll-bound Haryana recorded the sharpest rise in revenues of 24%, followed by Delhi where receipts grew 20%.
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