NATIONAL:
1. MSME-Technology Centre in Sindhudurg, Maharashtra
Why in news: Union Minister Narayan Rane laid foundation stone of MSME-Technology Centre in Sindhudurg, Maharashtra
Key points:
• Union Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Narayan Rane laid the foundation stone of the MSME-Technology Centre in Maharashtra’s Sindhudurg today.
• The estimated project cost of MSME-Technology Centre, Sindhudurg is 182 Crore rupees.
• This technology centre will focus on sectors like general engineering and food processing.
• The Minister will also inaugurate an exhibition on PM Vishwakarma along with these events today.
• The PM Vishwakarma Scheme was launched by the Prime Minister in the month of September (last year 2023).
• This is a holistic scheme that provides end-to-end support to the artisans and craftspersons belonging to 18 trades.
2. Mobile Phones Production in India
Why in news: India now stands as the world’s second-largest producer of mobile phones
Key points:
• Only three percent of the total mobile phones sold in India are now imported.
• India’s mobile phone production is nearing 20 lakh crore rupees in a decade of unprecedented growth.
• India produced 2.45 billion units of mobile phones during these ten years, against a goal of 2.5 billion units.
3. National Day celebrations of Mauritius
Why in news: Prez Murmu embarks on state visit to Mauritius
Key points:
• She will attend the National Day celebrations of Mauritius as the Chief Guest.
• A contingent of the Indian Navy will participate in the celebration along with two Ships of the Indian Navy's First Training Squadron - INS Tir and CGS Sarathi.
• To further strengthen the close partnership, President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister of Mauritius Pravind Kumar Jugnauth will jointly inaugurate 14 India-assisted projects.
4. European Free Trade Association (EFTA)
Why in news: India signed trade agreement with European Free Trade Association; PM Modi calls it a watershed moment
Key points:
• The deal was signed in the presence of Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal.
• For the first time, India is signing a Free Trade Agreement with four developed nations, an important economic bloc in Europe.
• For the first time in the history of FTAs, the binding commitment of a 100 billion dollar investment and one million direct jobs in the next 15 years has been given.
• EFTA is an important regional group, with several growing opportunities for enhancing international trade in goods and services.
• Among EFTA countries, Switzerland is the largest trading partner of India followed by Norway.
• The European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries consist of Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein.
5. National Dairy Mela and Agricultural Exhibition
Why in news: Union Minister Arjun Munda launched the inaugural National Dairy Mela and Agricultural Exhibition in Chaibasa, Jharkhand
Key points:
• Organized by the National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana, this event marks the first of its kind in Jharkhand.
• It aims at fostering the comprehensive development of livestock and agriculture in tribal areas.
6. North India’s First Government Homeopathic College
Why in news: Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh announced the establishment of a Government Homeopathic College in Kathua, J&K, funded at Rs 80 crore
Key points:
• It will include a hospital complex, college facilities, administrative block, and separate hostels for male and female students.
• The college aligns with the government’s strategy of integrating traditional Indian medicine, including Homeopathy, Ayurveda, and naturopathy, with allopathic medicine.
7. Sela Tunnel Project
Why in news: In Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh, PM Modi virtually inaugurated the Sela Tunnel project
Key points:
• Constructed by: Border Roads Organisation (BRO) at an altitude of 13,000 feet
• The tunnel is situated on the road from Tezpur, Assam, to Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh’s West Kameng district.
INTERNATIONAL:
1. UAE
Why in news: Insurance Scheme Launched for Indian Workers in UAE with Coverage for Natural Deaths
Key points:
• This revolutionary Life Protection Plan (LPP) has been launched in the country, specifically designed for Indian expatriates, especially blue-collar workers.
• With approximately 3.5 million Indians residing in the UAE, constituting around 65 percent of whom are blue-collar workers.
ECONOMY:
1. GI Tag
Why in news: Majuli Mask Making and Manuscript Painting Received GI Tags
Key points:
• Majuli, the largest river island has received two prestigious Geographical Indication (GI) tags from the Indian government for its traditional crafts – Majuli mask making and Majuli manuscript painting.
• A GI tag identifies products with unique qualities from a specific geographical region
• Majuli masks are used in traditional bhaonas (theatrical performances) of the neo-Vaishnavite tradition
• Masks can depict gods, goddesses, demons, animals, and birds
• Manuscript painting is done on Sanchi pat (bark of the agar tree) using homemade ink.
AWARDS:
1. 96th Academy Awards
Why in news: Oppenheimer bags seven awards including Best Actor and Best Director
Key points:
• Biographical thriller Oppenheimer is the big winner of the 96th Oscars at the Ovation Hollywood in Los Angeles, California.
• "Oppenheimer," is Christopher Nolan's epic take on the father of the atomic bomb.
List of winners in 96th Academy Awards:
• BEST PICTURE -"Oppenheimer"
• BEST ACTOR - Cillian Murphy, “Oppenheimer”
• BEST ACTRESS - Emma Stone, “Poor Things”
• BEST DIRECTOR - Christopher Nolan, “Oppenheimer”
• BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR - Robert Downey Jr., “Oppenheimer”
• BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS - Da’Vine Joy Randolph, “The Holdovers”
2. Miss World 2024
Why in news: Krystyna Pyszkova from Czech Republic crowned Miss World 2024
Key points:
• Meanwhile, Yasmina Zaytoun of Lebanon was crowned the First Runner-Up at the beauty pageant.
• According to Miss World Organisation, Krystyna Pyszková is a student, volunteer, and international model.
• She founded the Krystyna Pyszko Foundation and continues to support the work there.
• Krystyna's proudest moment includes opening an English school for underprivileged children in Tanzania.
PERSONS/PLACES IN NEWS:
1. Asif Ali Zardari
Why in news: Asif Ali Zardari took oath as Pakistan's 14th President.
Key Points: Zardari will replace Dr. Arif Alvi, who stayed in office for five more months despite completing his five-year term in September last year.
Ahom General Lachit Borphukan:
• PM Modi unveiled a towering bronze statue of Ahom general Lachit Borphukan in Jorhat, Assam.
• Designed by Ram Vanji Sutar, the statue stands 125 feet tall atop a 41-foot pedestal.
• Lachit Borphukan was a legendary army commander of the Ahom kingdom (1228-1826).
• He is celebrated for his pivotal role in the 1671 ‘Battle of Saraighat,’ where he successfully defended Assam against the mighty Mughal forces led by Raja Ramsingh-I
ENVIRONMENT:
1. Kuno National Park
Why in news: Female cheetah Gamini gave birth to five cubs in Kuno National Park
Key points:
• Female cheetah Gamini was brought from South Africa.
• This takes the tally of the Indian-born cubs to 13.
• The total number of cheetahs, including cubs in Kuno National Park, is twenty-six.
• Under the ambitious cheetah reintroduction project, eight Namibian cheetahs were released into enclosures at KNP on September 17, 2022.
• In February 2023, another 12 cheetahs were brought to the park from South Africa.
SPORTS:
1. French Open Badminton Tournament
Why in news: Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty win Doubles title at French Open badminton tournament in Paris
Key points:
• Indian pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty have clinched their second French Open Men's doubles Badminton title.
• The Indian top seed registered a straight games victory over Yang Po-han and Lee Jhe-huei of Taiwan in the final.
• Satwik and Chirag had earlier won the title in 2022.
STATE/UT:
1. Mahtari Vandan Yojana of Chhattisgarh Government
Why in news: PM Modi launched Mahtari Vandan Yojana of Chhattisgarh government
Key points:
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually launched the Mahtari Vandan Yojana of the Chhattisgarh government.
• Under the Mahtari Vandan Yojana of the Chhattisgarh government, about 70 lakh women will be given 1000 rupees every month.
BIHAR:
1. Two More Vande Bharat Trains in Bihar
Why in news: PM Modi will flag off two Vande Bharat Trains for Bihar
Key points:
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi will virtually flag off two Vande Bharat trains on Patna-Lucknow and Patna-New Jalpaiguri routes.
• With this, the total number of Vande Bharat trains originating from Patna will be four.
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