NATIONAL:
1. National Herald Money Laundering Case
Why in news: ED seizes over 751 crore rupees assets in National Herald money laundering case
Key points:
• The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has attached assets worth over 751 crore rupees belonging to Associated Journals Ltd. (AJL), as part of its money laundering probe into the National Herald case.
• A provisional order has been issued under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act 2002 against the newspaper’s publisher Associated Journals Ltd., and its holding company Young Indian.
• The case is based on a private complaint by BJP’s Subramanian Swamy in a Delhi court in 2013.
• The complaint alleged cheating and misappropriation of funds on the part of the Gandhi’s in acquiring the newspaper.
• Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi were granted bail in the case by the trial court in December 2015.
2. Rapid Innovation and Startup Expansion (RISE)
Why in news: Atal Innovation Mission under NITI Aayog launches Rapid Innovation and Startup Expansion
Key points:
• The Atal Innovation Mission under NITI Aayog launched a new accelerator program called Rapid Innovation and Startup Expansion (RISE) in New Delhi.
• The program will support startups and small to mid-sized enterprises (SMEs) working on circular economy technologies and solutions in India and Australia.
3. 48 hour Film Challenge
Why in news: Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur launched the ‘75 Creative Minds of Tomorrow’ film challenge in Goa, which is part of International Film Festival of India (IFFI).
Key points:
• A total of 75 young creative talents from all over India are set to take on the challenge to make a short film, all in 48 hours at IFFI 54.
• The initiative offers young learners the platform to excel in the field of filmmaking and become the leading filmmakers and artistes of tomorrow.
4. Draft National Pharmacy Commission Bill, 2023
Why in news: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare sought public comments on Draft National Pharmacy Commission Bill, 2023
Key points:
• The Bill aims to repeal the Pharmacy Act, 1948 and setting up National Pharmacy Commission (NPC) with head office at New Delhi.
• NPC: It consists of a Chairperson (appointed by central government), thirteen ex-office Members and fourteen part-time Members.
Significance of Bill:
• It will improve access to quality and affordable pharmaceutical education.
• It will ensure availability of adequate and high-quality pharmacy professionals.
• It will promote equitable healthcare by making pharmacy services accessible to all citizens.
• It will ensure transparent assessment of pharmacy institutions and facilitate maintenance of a pharmacy register for India.
INTERNATIONAL:
1. South China Sea
Why in news: Philippines and US launched joint patrols in South China Sea
Key points:
• The move is likely to fan further tensions as China has warned the Philippines against activities with the United States.
• The exercise is also being called the Philippines's defense posture amid China's aggressive activities in the highly strategic waters.
• The joint maritime and air patrols are taking place in the area of the Batanes islands and heading west to the South China Sea.
ENVIRONMENT:
1. UN Report
Why in news: Climate-heating gases reached record highs, UN reports
Key points:
• The UN’s World Meteorological Organization, WMO, has reported that abundance of climate-heating gases in the atmosphere reached record highs in 2022.
• The WMO report also found that the heating effect of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere rose by 50 per cent between 1990 and 2022.
• The trend is largely driven by the burning of fossil fuels.
• The concentration of carbon dioxide is now 50 per cent higher than before the start of the Industrial Revolution.
• According to report, the concentrations of the two other key greenhouse gases, methane and nitrous oxide also grew.
• The WMO published its report ahead of the UN’s Cop28 climate summit, which begins on 30 November.
2. Climate Equality: A Planet for the 99%
Why in news: Oxfam released a report titled “Climate Equality: A Planet for the 99%”
Key points:
The report emphasizes on the Climate Breakdown and Extreme Inequality as twin challenges facing humanity.
Major Findings:
• In 2019, super-rich 1% was responsible for 16% of global carbon emissions, equivalent to emissions of the poorest 66% of humanity.
• Since the 1990s, super-rich 1% burned through twice as much of the carbon budget as the poorest half of humanity combined.
• The emissions of the 1% are set to be over 22 times more than the safe limit (the emissions allowed to stay below 1.5°C global warming) in 2030.
• The emissions of the super-rich 1% in 2019 are enough to cause 1.3 million deaths due to heat.
3. Emission Gap Report 2023
Why in news: UN Environment Programme (UNEP) released Emission Gap Report 2023
Key points:
• This is the 14th Emission Gap Report which tracks the progress in limiting global warming well below 2°C and pursuing 1.5°C in line with the Paris Agreement.
• Emissions gap is the difference between the estimated global GHG emissions resulting from full implementation of the latest Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and those under least-cost pathways aligned with the long-term temperature goal of the Paris Agreement.
Highlights
• 86 days have been recorded with temperature exceeding 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels this year.
• Global GHG emissions increased by 1.2 % from 2021 to 2022 with fossil fuel combustion and industrial processes being main contributors.
• Highly unequal distribution of current and historical emissions: Globally, the 10% of the population with the highest income accounted for 48% of emissions.
• Global warming is estimated to be limited to 3°C if the current policies continue.
India Related Findings:
• GHG emissions across the G20 increased by 1.2% in 2022, with increases in China, India, Indonesia, and the USA but decreases in Brazil, EU and Russia.
• India to date has only contributed 5% of warming.
• India has 8% implementation gap between Current Policies and NDC pledges.
CULTURE:
1. International Emmy Awards 2023
Why in news: India won two Emmys this year, including Vir Das' Netflix special Vir Das Landing that bagged International Emmy for Comedy.
Key points:
• The best in global television was honoured in New York at the 2023 International Emmy Awards.
• Esteemed film and television producer Ektaa Kapoor was recognized with the coveted Directorate Award, a testament to her significant contributions to the entertainment industry.
• In a historic moment, both “Vir Das: Landing” and “Derry Girls” season 3 secured the Best Comedy Series award.
• Vir Das’s stand-up special showcased his comedic brilliance, earning him well-deserved accolades.
Emmy Awards 2023 Winners in Key Categories:
• Best Drama Series: “The Empress”
• Best Actress: Karla Souza in “La Caida” (Dive)
• Best Actor: Martin Freeman in “The Responder”
• Best TV Movie/Mini-Series: “La Caida” (Dive)
• Best Non-Scripted Entertainment: “A Ponte – The Bridge Brasil”
• Best Short-Form Series: “Des Gens Bien Ordinaires” (A Very Ordinary World)
• Best Live-Action – For Kids: “Heartbreak High”
• Best Factual And Entertainment For Kids: “Built To Survive”
• Best Documentary: “Mariupol: The People’s Story”
• Best Sports Documentary: “Harley and Katya”
• Best Arts Programming: “Buffy Sainte-Marie: Carry It On”
• Best Telenovela: “Yargi” (Family Secrets)
• Best Animation for Kids: “The Smeds and The Smoos”
DEFENCE:
1. VAJRA PRAHAR 2023
Why in news: 14th Edition of the Indo-US Joint Special Forces exercise “VAJRA PRAHAR 2023” commenced at the Joint Training Node, Umroi
Key points:
• Exercise VAJRA PRAHAR is a joint exercise conducted between Indian Army and US Army Special Forces.
• It aims at sharing best practices and experiences in areas such as joint mission planning and operational tactics.
• The first edition was conducted in the year 2010 in India and the 13th edition of the Indo-US Joint Special Forces exercise was conducted at the Special Forces Training School (SFTS), Bakloh (HP).
SPORTS:
1. FIFA-AIFF Academy
Why in news: Odisha Govt and AIFF ink MoU for FIFA-AIFF Academy in Bhubaneswar
Key points:
• The AIFF-FIFA Talent Academy is the first of its kind in India, which is a testament to Odisha's rapidly growing standards as a global sports hub.
2. Transgender Players
Why in news: Transgender players banned from international women’s cricket by ICC
Key points:
• The International Cricket Council has become the latest sports body to ban transgender players from the elite women’s game if they have gone through male puberty.
• The new policy came after Canada’s Danielle McGahey caused controversy by becoming the first transgender cricketer to take part in an official international match during a women’s T20 fixture against Brazil.
POINTERS:
• Who has been named as the ‘Brand Ambassador Of Bengal’-Saurav Ganguly
• The government has announced the cancellation of the bid process for appointing an asset valuer for the strategic sale of which bank-IDBI Bank
• The International Cricket Council (ICC) Board has made a decisive move by relocating the upcoming men’s Under-19 World Cup from Sri Lanka to which country-South Africa
• Microsoft has recently announced the appointment of whom as the new Global Delivery Center (GDC)-Aparna Gupta
• Government has approved how many manufacturers under Production Linked Incentive scheme (PLI) Scheme 2.0 For IT Hardware-27 manufacturers
• Which bank has declared that it recovered about 79% of the money that was erroneously credited to some of its accounts via the Immediate Payment Service (IMPS)-UCO Bank
• According to CDC-WHO report, how many children in India missed their vital first dose of the measles vaccine-11 lakh children
• Who defeated Daniil Medvedev to become the first Italian man to reach the summit clash at the ATP Finals-Jannik Sinner
• Who will represent India at the swearing-in ceremony of Maldives President-elect Mohamed Muizzu-Minister of Earth Sciences Kiren Rijiju
• What is the name of the Joint Military exercise between India and Sri Lanka that begun in Aundh (Pune)-Exercise MITRA SHAKTI-2023
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