NATIONAL:
1. Homi Jehangir Bhabha
Why in news – India remembers Homi Jehangir Bhabha on his birth anniversary on October 30.
Key Points –
• He is considered as Father of the Indian Nuclear Program.
• He is the founding director of –
(a) Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR)
(b) Trombay Atomic Energy Establishment (renamed as Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC)).
• He formulated India's 3-stage nuclear power program –
(a) Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (Natural uranium-fuel).
(b) Fast breeder reactors (plutonium-based fuel).
(c) Advanced nuclear power systems (thorium).
2. Prisoner’s Dilemma
Why in news – Defence Minister referred to the concept of “Prisoner’s Dilemma” in Goa Maritime Conclave.
Key Points –
• It is a paradox in decision analysis in which two individuals acting in their own self-interests do not produce the optimal outcome.
• The best outcome lies in cooperation.
INTERNATIONAL:
1. Venezuelan Oil
Why in news – Indian refiners are likely to import crude oil from Venezuela at a discounted rate.
Key Points –
• US eased sanctions on oil from Venezuela.
• Venezuela is a petro-state whose economy, politics, and society are heavily dependent on oil with the government revenue almost completely reliant on exports
• Venezuela is suffering from “Dutch disease” which is a situation when the local currency appreciates due to the influx of foreign capital which then becomes the main source of income.
India- Venezuela Ties -
• During the pre-sanctions period from 2017 to 2019, India imported approximately 300,000 bpd of Venezuelan crude grades.
• It represented around 5-7% of India’s total crude oil imports during that time.
• The primary Venezuelan crude grade that India predominantly imported was Merey-16 (ultra-heavy and sour with high acid content).
ECONOMY:
1. Minimum Export Price (MEP)
Why in news – Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) imposed a Minimum Export Price (MEP) of $800 per tonne on Onions.
Key Points –
• By - Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
• Aim - to keep onion prices affordable by ensuring adequate domestic supply.
• MEP is set for a particular product below which it cannot be exported.
• It is declared under the Foreign Trade (Development & Regulation) Act, 1992.
Government steps to stabilise the price –
(a) Minimum Export Price (MEP)
(b) Operation Green Scheme for Tomato, Onion and Potato (TOP).
(c) Price stabilization fund (PSF) to cool onion prices.
(d) Irradiation of onion (minimizing storage loss).
ENVIRONMENT:
1. United Nation Forum on Forests (UNFF)
Why in news – M/o of Environment, Forest and Climate Change hosted United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF).
Key Points –
• India hosted a CLI to contribute to discussions at UNFF19 (New York 2024).
• 2 Thematic Areas –
(a) Forest fires/wildfires
(b) Forest Certification (FC) & sustainable Forest Management (SFM).
• UN Strategic Plan for Forests (2017-2030) has 6 Global Forest Goals and 26 associated voluntary and universal targets.
United Nation Forum on Forests (UNFF) –
• Aim - Economic and Social Council of the United Nations (ECOSOC) in 2000 established UNFF as a subsidiary body.
• It promotes the management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests and strengthens long-term political commitment to this end.
• Members - All Member States of United Nations (including India) and specialized agencies.
2. Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary (WLS)
Why in news – Maoists opened fire at forest watchers in Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary.
Key Points –
About Aralam WLS (1984) –
• Location – Kannur, Kerala.
• Fauna: Nilgiri Wood- Pigeon Columba elphinstonii, Lion-tailed Macaque, etc
REPORTS:
1. “State of the World’s Preparedness” Report
Why in news – It was released by the Global Preparedness Monitoring Board (GPMB).
Key Points –
• Full name – “A Fragile State of Preparedness: 2023 Report on the State of the World’s Preparedness” Report.
• It provides a robust, evidence-based methodology to assess global pandemic preparedness.
• It uses 30 indicators related to monitoring and accountability, financing, global governance among others.
Recommendations –
(a) Strengthen evidence-based monitoring to increase effectiveness.
(b) Reform the global financing system for PPPR (pandemic prevention, preparedness and response).
(c) Strengthen regional capacities for R&D.
(d) Address inequities in global access to medicines.
2. “Tripling Renewable Power and Doubling Energy Efficiency by 2030” Report
Why in news – It was launched on the sidelines of the Pre-COP event in Abu Dhabi.
Key Points –
• Launched by - COP28 Presidency, International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), and Global Renewables Alliance
• 5 key enablers to triple global Renewable Power Capacity to 11,000 GW and double average annual energy efficiency –
(a) Infrastructure and System Operation
(b) Policy and Regulation
(c) Supply chains
(d) Skills and Capacities
(e) Finance, and International collaboration.
• There is need to cut 22 gigatonnes (GW) of greenhouse gases by 2030 to keep 1.5°C within reach.
AWARDS & HONOURS:
1. Champions of the Earth Award 2023
Why in news – United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) announced 2023 Champions of the Earth Award.
Key Points –
• It is the UN’s highest environmental honour.
• To eliminate plastic pollution, 2023 award recognized in four categories.
• Awards –
Value Addition –
India’s Initiatives –
• Ban on identified Single Use Plastic (SUP) Items from 1st July 2022.
• Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules, 2021 (Extended Producer Responsibility).
• India Plastics Pact (2021).
• Project REPLAN (REducing PLAstic from Nature).
BIHAR:
1. Power Consumption
Why in news – Bihar has seen the steepest rise in power consumption, with a 350% increase in 10 years.
Key Points –
• Analysis was provided by the Pune-based non-profit Prayas.
• It increased from 6 billion units (BU in 2012) to 27 BU in 2022.
POINTERS:
• A teacher from West Bengal has achieved recognition as one of the top 10 finalists for the prestigious Global Teacher Prize. Who is he - Deep Narayan Nayak.
• Which ministry has organised 16th Urban Mobility India (UMI) Conference & Exhibition 2023 - Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs.
• Where was Exercise Kazind-2023 organised - Otar, Kazakhstan.
• Which country's former premier and a top economic official for a decade Li Keqiang has died - China.
• Which state has launched 'iStart Talent Connect Portal' to boost employment opportunities – Rajasthan.
• India abstained in the UN General Assembly from voting on a draft resolution that called for an immediate humanitarian truce in the Israel-Hamas conflict. The resolution submitted by whom – Jordan.
• The world's tallest nuclear research reactor has been established in which country - Bolivia.
• Which state has set a target of building 2 new schools every day for the next 5 years - Assam (4,000 schools by 2028).
• Who has been named global brand ambassador of Swiss watchmaker Rado - Katrina Kaif.
• Popular music director and lyricist Swarup Nayak died. He belonged to which state – Odisha.
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