NATIONAL:
1. 17-day Long Rescue Operation in Uttarakhand Ends
Why in news: 7-day long rescue operation in Uttarakhand ends in success with safe evacuation of all 41 workers
Key points:
• A part of the under-construction tunnel from Silkyara to Barkot collapsed on the 12th of this month due to a landslide.
• 41 labourers were trapped inside.
• They are from Uttarakhand, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Orissa, Bihar, West Bengal, Assam and Himachal Pradesh.
• Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has announced Rs 1 lakh financial aid to all workers who were trapped in the Silkyara tunnel.
2. India’s Largest Circular Railway Network
Why in news: Bengaluru is set to establish India’s largest Circular Railway Network
Key points:
• Bengaluru plans to establish a 287-km circular railway.
• With this circular railway Bengaluru will become country's largest suburban network by potentially surpassing Chennai's 235.5-km circular railway.
• Rs 7 crore has been allocated for the feasibility and alignment study of Bengaluru’s circular railway.
INTERNATIONAL:
1. 8th Wonder of the World
Why in news: Angkor Wat has recently earned the prestigious title of the 8th wonder of the world
Key points:
• Angkor Wat, now hailed as the eighth Wonder of the World, has surpassed Italy’s Pompeii in recognition.
• Angkor Wat holds the distinction of being the largest religious monument worldwide.
• Initially erected as a Hindu temple in honor of Lord Vishnu, it later underwent a significant transformation into a prominent Buddhist temple.
ECONOMY:
1. Critical and Strategic Mineral Blocks
Why in news: Centre to launch first-ever tranche auction of critical and strategic mineral blocks
Key points:
• Twenty blocks of critical and strategic minerals spread across the country are to be auctioned.
• This is a landmark initiative that will boost India's economy, enhance national security and support transition to a clean energy future.
• India has committed to achieve 50 percent of cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil sources by 2030.
• Such ambitious plan for energy transition is set to drive the demand for electric cars, wind and solar energy projects and battery storage systems thereby increasing the demand for these critical minerals.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY:
1. Microwave Remote Sensing Satellite
Why in news: India & US to launch joint microwave remote sensing satellite for Earth observation
Key points:
• The satellite will be named NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar).
• The data from NISAR will be highly suitable for studying the land ecosystems, deformation of solid earth, mountain and polar cryosphere, sea ice and coastal oceans on a regional to global scale.
2. Measles & Rubella Vaccine 'Mabella'
Why in news: IL launches measles & rubella vaccine 'Mabella' for children
Key points:
• Indian Immunological, IIL launched the measles and rubella vaccine 'Mabella' for children.
• The MR vaccine was developed in partnership with Polyvac Institute of Vietnam was launched.
ENVIRONMENT:
1. COP28
Why in news: COP 28 is scheduled to take place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from November 30, 2023, to December 12, 2023.
Key points:
• COP 28 denotes the 28th Conference of the Parties COP to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) with nearly all nations participating.
• COP came into existence in 2010.
• The main objective of the COP is to evolve a global consensus to address the climate catastrophe.
• Limiting the increase in global temperature to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
• Assisting the communities who are most vulnerable to the consequences of climate change.
• COP summit laid the Kyoto Protocol, a milestone international treaty established in 1997.
AWARDS/HONOURS:
1. IFFI 2023
Why in news: ‘Endless Borders’ Wins Golden Peacock at IFFI 2023
Key points:
• The 54th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa ended on November 28 with an award ceremony.
List of the winners of IFFI 2023:
• Golden Peacock Best Film: ‘Endless Borders’
• Best Actor-Male: Pouria Rahimi Sam for ‘Endless Borders’
• Best Actor (Female): Melanie Thierry for ‘Party of Fools’
• Best Director: Stephan Komandarev for ‘Blaga’s Lessons’
• Special Jury Award: Rishab Shetty For ‘Kantara’
• Best Debutant Director: Reger Azad Kaya for his Syrian-Arab Republic film ‘When the Seedlings Grow’
• Best Web Series: ‘Panchayat Season 2’
• Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Award: Michael Douglas
IMPORTANT DAYS:
1. International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People 2023
Why in news: November 29th is held as the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People
Key points:
• Since 1978, November 29th has held a significant place on the global calendar as the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.
• This day symbolizes a collective commitment to champion the rights and aspirations of the Palestinian people.
BIHAR:
1. 'Mission Daksh'
Why in news: The government of Bihar launched ‘Mission Daksh’ for nearly 25 lakh academically weak school children
Key points:
• The education department in Bihar will launch “Mission Daksh” on December 1 for mentoring weaker students of primary schools.
• As part of the programme, ‘Mission Daksh’, the state Education Department has directed teachers to intensively mentor such students with the “warning” that any laxity will cause them to face action.
POINTERS:
• Bharat Biotech International, a leading vaccine manufacturer signed an MoU with which university to advance the science of vaccines and biotherapeutics- University of Sydney ID
• What is the name of India-Sri Lanka Joint Military Exercise which was concluded in Pune recently-The Mitrashakti 2023
• Which state has unveiled the ‘Hot Cooked Meal Scheme’-Uttar Pradesh
• Rescuers in Uttarakhand began vertical drilling above the tunnel and had set a target of how many hours-100-hour
• Who has called for the setting up of an all-India judicial service-- President Droupadi Murmu
• Who will be India’s representative to attend the World Climate Action Summit (WCAS) in Dubai-Prime Minister Narendra Modi
• Which state government has given outlet chains, retailers and department stores 15 days to withdraw any halal-certified food items-Uttar Pradesh government
• What name has been proposed by the Union Government for the existing Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres (AB-HWCs)-‘Ayushman Arogya Mandir’.
• An ethnic minority armed group in which country has seized control from the country’s ruling junta of a border crossing to China-Myanmar
• Who beat national champion Siddharth Vishwakarma in the final of the $25,000 ITF men’s tennis tournament-Ramkumar Ramanathan
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