Latest Current Affairs For Thursday 3rd November, 2022

China launches 2nd lab module Mengtian for its space station

China has successfully launched a second lab module, Mengtian, by using a Long March-5B Y4 rocket (one of China's biggest rockets).

It was launched from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site on the coast of the southern island province of Hainan.

Scientific equipment will be used for studying microgravity and carrying out experiments in fluid physics, materials science, combustion science, and fundamental physics. 

Arunachal Pradesh to get Northeast’s first fish museum

Fisheries Minister Tage Taki has announced that Arunachal Pradesh will soon get a fish museum, the first of its kind in the Northeast.

The museum would be a part of the Integrated Aqua Park (IAP), sanctioned by the Union Ministry of Fisheries.

The existing Tarin Fish Farm, located at high-altitude Bulla village, would be upgraded as the IAP.

PM Modi had announced one IAP for each state and UT under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampad Yojana for bringing blue revolution.

Edward M Kennedy posthumously honoured with 'Friends of Liberation War’

Bangladesh PM, Sheikh Hasina has conferred the prestigious ‘Friends of Liberation War’ honour on former US Senator Edward M Kennedy posthumously.

Reason: For his contribution to the liberation of Bangladesh.

The honour was handed over to his son Edward M Ted Kennedy Junior.

Edward Kennedy Senior took stand against the genocide committed by Pakistan on innocent Bengali people despite the US government’s role during the 1971 liberation war.

Ranipur tiger reserve becomes 53rd tiger reserve of India

Ranipur Tiger Reserve of Uttar Pradesh has become the 53rd tiger reserve of India.

The tiger reserve is spread across over 529.36 sq km, of which the core area is 230.32 sq km and buffer area is 299.05 sq km.

It is also the fourth tiger reserve in UP.

Other three tiger reserves of state: Dudhwa, Pilibhit and Amangarh.

Amangarh is a buffer zone of the Jim Corbett National Park and is located in Uttar Pradesh’s Bijnor.

While Dudhwa Tiger Reserve is located in Lakhimpur.

PM Modi inaugurated Global Investors Meet ‘Invest Karnataka 2022’

Prime Minister, Narendra Modi has addressed the inaugural function of Invest Karnataka, the Global Investors Meet via video conferencing.

Aim: To attract prospective investors and setting up development agenda for the next decade.

The country sessions would each be hosted by the partner countries - France, Germany, Netherlands, South Korea, Japan, and Australia.

The meet will be attended by the top industry leaders including Kumar Mangalam Birla, Vikram Kirloskar.

Centre restricts use of common weedicide glyphosate

The Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has issued a notification to restrict the use of glyphosate.

Reason: Health hazards for humans and animals.

Only authorised Pest Control Operators are allowed to use it.

The notification was based on a 2019 report by the Government of Kerala on prohibiting the distribution, sale and use of glyphosate and its derivatives.

Some 35 countries including Sri Lanka and France have banned or restricted the use of glyphosate. 

Bengaluru's Namma Metro Rail launches QR ticketing service on WhatsApp

Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has partnered with the WhatsApp to launch Namma Metro's WhatsApp chatbot-based QR ticketing service.

The chatbot is integrated with Unified Payments Interface (UPI) powered payments on WhatsApp.

It will allow 'Namma Metro' commuters to purchase tickets and recharge their travel pass right within WhatsApp.

WhatsApp chatbot is available in English and Kannada for all commuters of 'Namma Metro'.

HDFC ERGO launches Farm Yield Insurance Policy

HDFC ERGO has launched a technology backed farm yield insurance policy for farmers.

In this policy, a satellite-based index will be used to provide localized farm level coverage.

It will provide comprehensive cover across the crop life cycle from sowing to harvesting, basis satellite-based data.

The product is targeted at farmers under corporate/farm input company (FIC) contracts.

It is valid for food, oilseed, commercial or horticulture crops.

India's first hyperscale data centre inaugurated in Greater Noida

Uttar Pradesh CM, Yogi Adityanath has inaugurated North India's first hyper-scale data centre Yotta Yotta D1 in Greater Noida.

It was built at the cost of Rs 5,000 crore and spread over an area of 3,00,000 square feet.

Hiranandani Group firm Yotta Infrastructure has also signed MoU with Uttar Pradesh to invest Rs 39,000 crore in over the next 5-7 years.

Corporates like Adani, WebWerks, Sify, STT and NTT have also submitted their investment proposals.

GST revenues cross ₹1.51 lakh crore in October

The gross GST revenues of India has touched the mark of ₹1,51,718 crore in October 2022.

Central GST (CGST) revenues for the month were ₹26,039 crore.

State GST (SGST) was ₹33,396 crore and IGST revenues were ₹81,778 crore (including Rs 37,297 crore collected on import of goods).

This mark the second highest monthly collections since the launch of the indirect tax regime.

The highest GST collections in a month were recorded in April 2022, at ₹1,67,540 crore.

PM Modi inaugurated 3,024 newly constructed flats for EWS

PM Modi has inaugurated 3,024 newly constructed EWS flats at Kalkaji in Delhi under Phase I of ‘In-Situ Slum Rehabilitation’ Project.

He has also handed over keys to eligible beneficiaries at Bhoomiheen Camp, Vigyan Bhawan.

These flats have been constructed at a cost of about Rs 345 crore.

Objective of the rehabilitation project is to provide a better and healthy living environment to the residents of the Jhuggi Jhopri clusters, with proper amenities and facilities.

Tata Steel's Jamshedpur plant achieve ResponsibleSteel certification

Tata Steel has received India’s first ResponsibleSteel certification for three facilities in Jamshedpur steel plant.

Three production facilities: Steel Works, Tubes Division and Cold Rolling Mill (Bara). 

ResponsibleSteel is the first global multi-stakeholder standard and certification initiative of steel industry.

Aim: To address challenges including climate change, diversity, human rights and more.

Tata Steel has been a member of ResponsibleSteel since October 2020.

Malayalam writer, A Sethumadhavan selected for 2022 Ezhuthachan Puraskaram

Noted Malayalam novelist and short story writer, A Sethumadhavan has been selected for 2022 Ezhuthachan Puraskaram.

Reason: For his valuable contribution to Malayalam language and literature.

He has also served as the chairman of South Indian Bank, director of State Bank of Travancore and chairman of National Book Trust.

Ezhuthachan Puraskaram is the highest literary award of Kerala government.

The award carries a cash award of Rs 5 lakh and a citation.

India-US launched ‘Operation Broader Sword’

India and the USA, jointly conducted an ‘Operation Broader Sword’ to stop the illegal shipment of drugs through the International Mail System.

It targeted shipments of illicit, potentially dangerous, unapproved prescription drugs, combination medical devices, and synthetic drug precursors shipped through International Mail Facilities.

The operation resulted in the interception of over 500 shipments of illicit and unapproved prescription drugs bound for US consumers.

NLU Delhi launches research affiliate program ‘Eklavya’

The National Law University (NLU), Delhi launched Eklavya, a ‘Research Affiliate’ program, for those who do not have a traditional law degree.

Aim: To emphasize its commitment to actively seek partnerships outside the varsity and draw from their experiences and perspectives to develop quality legal scholarship. 

It is open to those who have at least three years of demonstrable experience working on issues that have a significant interface with the law.

CarTrade Tech to acquire OLX India's auto business for Rs 537 cr

Mumbai-based used cars platform CarTrade Tech Ltd will acquire online marketplace OLX India's auto sales business for Rs 537 crore.

CarTrade will acquire a 100% stake in Sobek Auto India Pvt Ltd, the entity that houses OLX India’s Automotive business, in an all-cash deal.

The acquisition will likely to be completed in 21-30 days.

Sobek is a company incorporated under the Companies Act, of 2013.

It is engaged in the business of running an automotive digital platform.

Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance wins Insurer Innovation Award 2023

Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance has won the Insurer Innovation Award 2023 for the APAC region at the 8th World Digital Insurance Awards, hosted by TDI - The Digital Insurer.

Recognition: Bajaj Allianz Life's ground-breaking WhatsApp Conversational Platform - empowering customers to digitally services their policies seamlessly. 

The award entries were shortlisted by industry experts and the winner was selected by the community through pre-voting and live event voting.

OCA elects Sheikh Talal as the new President

Kuwait’s Sheikh Talal Fahad Al Ahmad Al Sabah has been elected as the new President of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA).

He replaced his older brother Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, who led the OCA for 30 years until 2021.

The OCA was founded in 1982 by his father Fahad Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, who led it until 1990.

The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) is a governing body of sports in Asia, currently with 45 member National Olympic Committees.

Gujarat CM launches pilot project of ‘Antyodaya Shramik Suraksha Yojana’

Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel launched the Antyodaya Shram Suraksha Accident Insurance Scheme from Kheda

All those registered under the e-Shram portal from Nadiad will benefit from the scheme.

It is being implemented through the Indian Postal Department, the IPPB, and the Ministry of Labour and Employment.

Under this scheme, insurance with a premium of Rs. 289 and Rs. 499 per year will be a big support to workers in the event of death or partial disability.

MoHUA conducts SBM-U 2.0 Planning & Implementation Review-cum-Workshop

The Housing Ministry organized a review-cum-workshop to evaluate and accelerate the planning and implementation of the SBM-Urban 2.0.

PM Modi launched the 2.0 versions of SBM-U and AMRUT on October 1, 2021.

SBM-U 2.0: Achieving 100% waste segregation in all households and premises and 100% door-to-door collection of segregated waste from each. 

AMRUT 2.0: To provide complete coverage of water supply to all households and sewerage and septage in 500 AMRUT cities. 

World Population Day 2023: 11 July

World Population Day is observed every year on July 11 in order to raise awareness about global population issues, including population control.

2023 theme: Unleashing the power of gender equality: Uplifting the voices of women and girls to unlock our world’s infinite possibilities. 

It was established by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in 1989, after the day the world approximately reached a population of five billion, which was observed on 11 July 1987.

India overtakes China as most attractive emerging market for investing

According to a study by Invesco Global Sovereign Asset Management, India has overtaken China to become the most attractive emerging market for investing in sovereign wealth funds this year.

Reason: This is due to its solid demographics, political stability, and proactive regulation. 

Positives for the nation also include the rapidly expanding demography, strong regulatory actions, and a welcoming climate for sovereign investors.

L&T and Spain's Navantia sign agreement for submarine project

L&T has signed a teaming agreement with Spanish-based Navantia for the submission of a techno-commercial bid for the Indian Navy’s prestigious P75 (India) submarine program.

P75 (India) Submarine Project is expected to be valued at €4.8 billion.

Navantia would carry out the design of P75(I) submarines based on its S80 class of submarines.

The first S80 class submarine was launched in 2021 and is undergoing sea trials prior to its delivery to Spanish Navy.