NATIONAL:
1. Vostro Accounts
Why in news – 9 special Vostro a/c have been opened with two Indian banks to facilitate trade in rupee.
Key Points –
• Reason – to tackle sanctions on Russia by the US and European countries.
• A Vostro (yours) a/c is an account that a domestic bank holds for a foreign bank in the domestic bank’s currency.
• The RBI allowed 9 such accounts in IndusInd Bank and UCO Bank.
• In the case of trade with Russia, payments in rupee for the export and import of goods will go to these Vostro a/c.
• Nostro (ours) a/c - The a/c opened by the Indian bank in foreign bank (e.g., US bank).
2. Patan Patola Scarf
Why in news – PM Modi gifted a Patan Patola scarf to Italian PM Giorgia Meloni.
Key Points –
• The (Double Ikat) Patan Patola textile is woven by Salvi family in Patan area of Northern Gujarat.
• It is so well crafted that it becomes a feast of colours, with front & reverse being indistinguishable.
• It is woven in pure silk.
• Bandhani - an intricate and difficult technique of dyeing or knot dyeing.
• In 1342 AD, the traveller Ibn Batuta had carried patolas as gifts to many kings.
INTERNATIONAL:
1. International Gita Mahotsav
Why in news – It would be organized from Nov 19 to Dec 6, 2022 at Kurukshetra, Haryana.
Key Points –
• In 2016, the Haryana government decided to celebrate this festival as “International Gita Mahotsav”.
2. South Korea’s “Indo-Pacific” Strategy
Why in news – During the ASEAN summit in Cambodia, South Korean President Yoon Suk-Yeol introduced “Indo-Pacific” strategy.
Key Points –
• It says it is committed to “principles of freedom, peace and prosperity built on a rules-based order” for the region.
• Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) - US anti-missile system.
3. NATO’s Article 4
Why in news – Poland said that a Russian missile killed two of its citizens.
Key Points –
• Article 4 of the treaty mandates that the member nations consult each other when faced with threat.
• Article 5 - An armed attack against one or more of them in Europe or North America shall be considered an attack against them all.
• As of now, NATO comprise 30 members.
SCIENCE – TECH:
1. Artemis 1 Mission
Why in news – NASA’s giant Moon rocket lifted off on Nov 16, a half-century after the 6 Apollo human Moon landings (1969-1972).
Key Points –
• The Orion space capsule would complete the lunar Orbiter mission in 25-days.
• Artemis 1 is unmanned, but there are 3 dummies that mimic astronauts.
• Rocket - Space Launch System (SLS) is the most powerful rocket ever built.
• Planned duration - 25 days, 11 hours, and 36 minutes.
ECONOMY:
1. 1 Trillion Dollars Lost
Why in news – Amazon became the world’s first public company to lose a trillion dollars in market value.
Key Points –
• Current market value - about $879 billion ($1.88 trillion in July 2021).
• Shares in the e-commerce by fell 4.3%.
SUMMITS & CONFERENCES:
1. Lead IT Summit 2022
Why in news – India and Sweden hosted the Lead IT (Leadership for Industry Transition) Summit on the side-lines of COP27.
Key Points –
• It focuses on the low carbon transition of the hard to abate industrial sector.
• Lead IT gathers countries and companies that are committed to action to achieve the Paris Agreement.
• It was launched by the governments of Sweden and India at the UN Climate Action Summit in September 2019.
• It is hosted by Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), Sweden.
• It is supported by the World Economic Forum.
2. 3rd No Money for Terror (NMFT) Conference
Why in news – India would host the 3rd NMFT conference on November 18-19, 2022.
Key Points –
• NMFT was started in 2018 as an initiative of the French government.
• Delegates from 75 countries and international bodies are expected to attend the event.
ENVIRONMENT:
1. “In our LiFEtime" Campaign
Why in news – It was launched by India at COP27 at Sharm El-Sheikh in Egypt.
Key Points –
• It was jointly launched by the National Museum of Natural History (under MoEFCC) and UNDP.
• Aim - to encourage youth (18 to 23 years) to become message bearers of sustainable lifestyles.
• This campaign envisions climate action initiatives that resonate with the concept of LiFE.
AWARDS & HONOURS:
1. NSW Australian of the Year Award
Why in news - Amar Singh was honoured with the prestigious 2023 New South Wales Australian of the Year Award.
Key Points –
• He founded “Turbans 4 Australia”.
• It is a charity organisation to support the displaced and the vulnerable impacted by natural calamities.
SECURITY:
1. 18th Yudh Abhyas
Why in news - The Indian and the US armies began the military exercise at Auli, Uttarakhand.
Key Points –
• A new Foreign Training Node (FTN) has been built at a high altitude in Uttarakhand’s Auli.
• This is located over 9500 feet.
• Previous edition (2021) - Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson, Alaska (the US).
IMPORTANT DAYS:
1. World COPD Day 2022
Why in news – It is observed annually on the 3rd Wednesday of November, this year it falls on November 16.
Key Points –
• COPD - Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
• Theme 2022 - “Your Lungs For Life".
• COPD is used to describe a group of lung diseases including chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
2. World Philosophy Day 2022
Why in news – It is observed on the 3rd Thursday of November every year. This year it falls on November 17.
Key Points –
• Theme 2022 - The Human of the Future.
• A symposium and exhibition were organised at UNESCO headquarters in Paris from Nov 16 to 18, 2022.
STATES/UTs:
1. Jharkhand Foundation Day
Why in news - It is celebrated on Nov 15 to mark the formation of the state of Jharkhand.
Key Points –
• It coincides with the birth anniversary of the tribal freedom fighter Birsa Munda.
• With passing of Bihar Reorganisation Act, 2000, Jharkhand was carved out of Bihar as the 28th state of India in 2000.
POINTERS:
• Which country has banned women from entering the capital's public parks and funfairs – Afghanistan.
• In Asian Boxing Championships 2022, India won how many medals – 12.
• As per FAO, India accounted for what percent of share in global millet production – 41% (12.49 MMT).
• Which oil company has achieved the No.1 rank in the Indian oil and gas sector for its sustainability performance in the 2022 edition of Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA) rankings - Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL).
• Which scheme has bagged the SKOCH award in the women and child development category - Lakshmir Bhandar (West Bengal).
• RBI approved merger of which two co-operative Banks - Shri Sharda Sahakari Bank Ltd. and Cosmos Co-operative Bank Ltd.
• Which organization has released “Food Outlook” report warning global food import bill to reach US$2 trillion - Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
• Which startup became first Indian aqua startup to earn ISO 27001 for Information Security Management – Aquaconnect.
• Who has been honoured with the Global Icon of Cinema and Cultural Narrative award - Shah Rukh Khan.
• Who has recently launched the ' e-KUMBH ' portal - Draupadi Murmu.