1 ‘State of the Energy Union’ report released
The ‘ State of the Energy Union ‘ report provides a comprehensive overview of Europe’s energy and climate landscape, covering various aspects of energy and climate policy. This report highlights key findings and challenges identified in the Annual Climate Action Progress Report, Fuel Quality Report, Carbon Capture and Storage Directive Implementation Report, EU Adaptation Strategy Implementation Report and the upcoming Carbon Market Report. Europe is making progress in reducing its greenhouse gas emissions, with a net reduction of about 3% in 2022 . This decline reflects a continuation of a 30-year decline in emissions, which has been -32.5% cumulatively since 1990. Although emissions decreased significantly due to COVID-19 lockdown measures in 2020, followed by a rebound in 2021, 2022 emissions remain below 2019 levels. Additionally, Europe saw an increase in the amount of carbon removed from the atmosphere in 2022 compared to the previous year. However, based on member states’ projections, the EU is currently not on track to achieve its 2030 target of removing 310 million tonnes of CO2 annually from the atmosphere.
2 Union Cabinet approves Memorandum of Cooperation between India and Japan on Japan-India Semiconductor Supply Chain Partnership
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi was informed of the Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) signed between the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology , Government of India and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan for Japan-India Semiconductor Supply Chain Partnership in July, 2023. Was done. The MOC aims to strengthen cooperation between India and Japan towards enhancing the semiconductor supply chain, recognizing the importance of semiconductors for the advancement of industries and digital technologies. This MOC will be effective from the date of signature by both the parties and will remain in force for a period of five years. Bilateral cooperation, both G2G and B2B, will be enhanced on opportunities to advance flexible semiconductor supply chains and leverage complementary strengths.
3 Union Cabinet approves Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) rates on Phosphate and Potassic (P&K) fertilizers for Rabi season 2023-24 (01.10.2023 to 31.03.2024)
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the decision of the Department of Fertilizers to fix the Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) rates on Phosphate and Potassic (P&K) fertilizers for the Rabi season 2023-24 (01.10.2023 to 31.03.2024). Has given his approval to the proposal. An expenditure of Rs 22,303 crore is expected on nutrient-based subsidy in the upcoming Rabi season 2023-24. This subsidy on phosphate and potash fertilizers will be provided on the basis of approved rates for Rabi season 2023-24 (applicable from 01.10.2023 to 31.03.2024) so that the availability of these fertilizers at affordable prices to the farmers can be smoothly ensured. .
4 Special Forces Training School gets state-of-the-art Vertical Wind Tunnel
In a historic step to improve the training infrastructure of Special Forces and to equip them with high altitude air jumps , the Special Forces Training School (SFTS) at Bakloh , Himachal Pradesh has been equipped with the Indian Army ‘s first Vertical Wind Tunnel (Vertical Wind Tunnel). VWT) has been found. Army Chief General Manoj Pandey inaugurated it through virtual medium. The state-of-the-art wind tunnel is set to hone the Combat Free Fall (CFF) skills of the armed forces personnel.
7 PM Shri ICT Lab for Schools
To adopt modern technology in the classrooms, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) laboratories and smart classrooms will be started for PM Shri Schools in Haryana which will enhance the quality of education and provide better learning experience to the students. ICT labs and smart classrooms provide equitable learning opportunities by bridging the urban-rural digital gap. PM SRI is a centrally sponsored scheme for upgradation and development of more than 14500 schools across the country which aims to upgrade selected existing schools from among schools managed by the Central Government/State/UT Government/local bodies. They will act as exemplary schools by following all the components of the National Education Policy 2020 and will also guide other schools around them.
8 Reforms in long standing employment issue by Supreme Court
In a recent landmark decision, the Supreme Court has rectified a 30-year-old injustice in public employment . Using its powers under Article 142 of the Constitution, the court ordered the concerned department to appoint a person on probationary post for 10 years . Article 142 of the Constitution provides the Supreme Court with the exclusive power to deliver ” complete justice ” in situations where law or legislation cannot provide any remedy. The Supreme Court held that a public employer, which falls under the category of ‘State’ as per Article 12 of the Constitution , cannot dismiss a candidate from the job without a valid and reasonable cause. This decision underlines the importance of clear and fair eligibility criteria from the beginning of the selection process and reaffirms the principle of non-discrimination in public employment.
9 Government approved to include ‘Jamarani Dam Multipurpose Project’ in Uttarakhand under the Prime Minister Agricultural Irrigation Scheme.
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved the inclusion of Jamrani Dam Multipurpose Project of Uttarakhand under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana-Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme . Central assistance of over Rs 1,557 crore has been approved to Uttarakhand to complete the project . It is known that this project with an estimated cost of more than Rs 2,584 crore will be completed in March 2028 . The objective of this project is to construct a dam near Jamrani village on Gola , a tributary of Ramganga in Nainital district of Uttarakhand. With this, additional irrigation will be provided on 57 thousand 65 hectares of land in Nainital and Udham Singh districts of Uttarakhand and Rampur and Bareilly districts of Uttar Pradesh.
10 International Migration Outlook: 2023
The recent release of ‘ International Migration Outlook 2023 ‘ reveals that India has emerged as the leading source of migrants to Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries in both 2021 and 2022. It was observed that India replaced China as the top country of origin for newcomers among OECD nations , strengthening its position as a major contributor to global migration. India’s rise in global migration began in 2020 when it overtook China as the main source of migrants among OECD countries. This trend continued in 2021, making it the second consecutive year that India led the way with 0.41 million new immigrants. Preliminary data shows that India retained this top position in 2022, underscoring its significant influence in shaping global migration trends.
11 “Bharat Tex 2024” will be organized in New Delhi on February 26-29, 2024.
In a significant initiative, India’s textile industry , in partnership with industry bodies, is getting ready to host “ Bharat Tex 2024 ”, touted to be the world’s largest textile event. Held in New Delhi from February 26 to February 29, 2024, the mega exhibition symbolizes India’s ambition to become a global textile superpower marked by innovation, collaboration and the “ Make in India ” ethos. “Bharat Tex 2024” embodies India’s 5F vision, spanning ‘Farm to Fiber to Factory to Fashion to Foreign’. This underlines India’s readiness to compete globally in the textile sector, manufacturing products not just for domestic consumption but for the world.
12 Skyroot Aerospace unveils Vikram-1 rocket
In an important event for India’s space industry, Union Minister for Science and Technology Dr Jitendra Singh launched Skyroot ‘s Vikram-1 orbital rocket in Hyderabad on Tuesday, October 24 . With hopes of achieving a fully commercial launch in the later months of 2024, Pawan Kumar Chandna , co-founder and CEO of Skyroot, has emphasized the partly commercial nature of Vikram-1’s inaugural launch. Skyroot’s Vikram-1 is described as a “technologically advanced, multi-stage launch vehicle with a payload capacity of approximately 300 kg in low Earth orbit. It is an all-carbon-fibre-body rocket equipped with a 3D printed liquid engine.
13 Tamil Nadu government launches ‘Project Nilgiri Tahr’
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has launched an initiative called “ Project Nilgiri Tahr ”, which aims to conserve and protect the endangered Nilgiri Tahr species . The project, with a budget of ₹25 crore, seeks to better understand the population, distribution and ecology of the Nilgiri tahr as well as address immediate threats to their survival. The project was launched at the Secretariat in Chennai, where Chief Minister Stalin also distributed books to school students to raise awareness about this unique species.
14 The government started ‘Amrit Kalash special trains’ for the representatives associated with the Meri Mati-Mera Desh campaign to reach Delhi.
Many ‘ Amrit Kalash special trains ‘ are being run from across the country for the representatives associated with the Meri Mati-Mera Desh campaign to reach New Delhi . The Culture Ministry said that these trains from Tripura and Meghalaya will reach Delhi on Friday and from Assam and Sikkim on October 28. More than one thousand delegates from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana will reach Delhi on October 29 by special trains.
The second phase of MP Bharat Darshan starts from today with the slogan of 15 little study, little rotation.
Under the second phase of Sansad Bharat Darshan, the popular initiative of Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Singh Thakur, Sansad Bharat Darshan Yatra is being organized till 1st November . Under this, 21 boys will be given a tour of Delhi and especially Gujarat . Under another initiative of Anurag Thakur, two female teachers have also been selected under Ek Se Shrestha . Under this, children are taught free of cost and all necessary educational materials are given free of cost. Anurag Thakur has given the slogan ‘Our resolution, our effort, education for all, development for all’ to the ‘Ek Se Shreshtha’ initiative, while MP Bharat Darshan has given the slogan ‘little study, little rotation’. It is noteworthy that Sansad Bharat Darshan is an educational tour which is organized free of cost by Anurag Singh Thakur for the meritorious and excellent students of Hamirpur parliamentary constituency. For this, students are selected through a competitive process.
16 Foreign Minister Dr. S. reached Bishkek on a two-day visit to the Kyrgyz Republic. Jaishankar
Foreign Minister Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar reached Bishkek on a two-day visit to the Kyrgyz Republic . Dr Jaishankar will lead the Indian delegation to the 22nd meeting of the Heads of Government of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council to be chaired by the Kyrgyz Republic . In a social media post, Dr. Jaishankar said that he looks forward to exchanging views as well as taking forward the Kyrgyz leadership and bilateral agenda during the constructive dialogue at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Council meeting.
17 Sri Lanka’s decision to issue free visas to citizens of seven countries including India
Sri Lanka has decided to issue free visas to citizens of seven countries including India as part of a pilot project . The Sri Lanka Cabinet has approved the proposal to waive visa fees for tourists from India, China, Russia, Malaysia, Japan, Indonesia and Thailand . Sri Lankan Tourism Minister Harin Fernando has said that the pilot project will continue till March 31, 2024 .
18 Two American scientists of Indian origin honored for their contribution in the field of technology and innovation
Two American scientists of Indian origin were welcomed at the White House by President Joe. Biden awarded the Medal of America for contributions to the field of technology and innovation . Scientists – Ashok Gadgil and Shubra Suresh were awarded the National Medal in Technology and Innovation and National Medal of Science. At the award ceremony, President Biden also honored prominent American scientists and inventors. The National Medal of Science and the National Medal of Technology and Innovation are awarded to American scientists who have made exemplary achievements in their respective fields.
19 Arunachal Pradesh: Government will give heritage school status to government schools established before independence.
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu today announced that government schools established before independence in the state will be given the status of heritage schools . Along with developing the infrastructure of these schools, a museum will also be built on the campus. The Chief Minister said this at a program organized on the occasion of completion of 75 years of a government school at Balek in East Siang district. Shri Pema Khandu said that before independence, three to four government schools were established in the state and today their number is more than three thousand.
20 Dhoni again becomes the brand ambassador of Lay’s
Lay ‘s has again announced cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni as its new brand ambassador. PepsiCo India, the company that owns the Lay’s brand, made this announcement. Starting his second innings as the brand ambassador, Dhoni has been seen in Lay’s new campaign ‘ No Lay’s, No Game ‘.