Current Affairs | National | International | SSC | UPSC 5th November 2024

1. ADB launches action plan to boost disaster resilience in Asia and Pacific 

• The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has announced a new action plan to enhance its disaster resilience efforts in Asia and the Pacific region. 
• The Disaster Risk Management Action Plan 2024-2030 outlines ADB’s commitment to supporting its developing members in mitigating the impacts of disasters and climate change. 
• The action plan promises to guide the integration of disaster risk management components into ADB’s operations, project design, and funding decisions. 
• In August, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction warned that disasters in the Asia-Pacific region were projected to increase by 40 per cent by 2030. 

2. Vietnam-India Bilateral Army Exercise (VINBAX) 2024 has begun at Ambala, Haryana on 4 November 2024. 

• This is the fifth edition of Vietnam-India Bilateral Army Exercise. 
• VINBAX 2024 aims to enhance the joint military capability of India and Vietnam. 
• Personnel of the Army and Air Force from both countries are participating for the first time. 
• The Indian Army contingent comprises 47 personnel. 
• It is represented by a Regiment of the Corps of Engineers along with personnel from other arms and services. 
• VINBAX-2024 will continue till the 23rd November 2024. 

3. India has been elected as President of International Solar Alliance for 2 years until 2026. 

• France has been elected as co-President of International Solar Alliance for 2 years until 2026. 
• Ashish Khanna will succeed Dr. Ajay Mathur as ISA Director General. He will assume the role in 2025. 
• India’s solar capacity has expanded from less than 2 GW in 2014 to 90 GW. 
• Fiji aims to meet 100% of its power demand with renewable energy by 2030. 
• Fossil fuel imports currently account for 30% of Fiji’s total import costs. 

4. Yamaha Motor India appoints Itaru Otani as Chairman 

• India Yamaha Motor (IYM) Pvt Ltd. has appointed Itaru Otani as the new chairman of Yamaha Motor India Group. 
• Otani brings over three decades of experience with Yamaha Motor Company, having held key leadership roles across global markets, including Australia, Brazil, and Japan. 
• Prior to this role, Otani served as Chief General Manager, leading the Land Mobility Business Operations based out of Japan. 
• Otani replaced Eishin Chihan. 

Recent Appointment 

• CEO and MD of Multi Commodity Exchange of India (MCX) – Praveena Rai 
• Chairman of Airports Authority of India – Vipin Kumar 
• MD and CEO of Bharti Airtel – Shashwat Sharma (replace Gopal Vittal) effect from 1 Jan
• DG of ICRISAT – Dr. Himanshu Pathak 
• Chairperson of the Board of National Pension System (NPS) Trust – Chitra Jayasimha (replace Venkata Rao Yadagani) 

5. Japan set to test world’s first wooden satellite 

• Scientists in Japan are set to test the world’s first wooden satellite “LignoSat”. The LignoSat was developed by a team from Kyoto University and homebuilder Sumitomo Forestry. 
• It will be launched next week atop a SpaceX rocket, bound for the International Space Station. 
• LignoSat – named after the Latin word for wood – will be released from the space station in the coming weeks. It will orbit for six months, testing how well the material can withstand the extreme environment. 
• Forest science professor Koji Murata says wood can actually perform well in space, as there’s nothing there to make it rot or catch fire. 
• The wood used for this satellite comes from a type of magnolia tree – Japanese honoki. Traditionally, it is easy to process and resistant to shattering, which is why it is typically used for things like the scabbards of Japanese swords and the blades of Japanese wooden sandals due to its strength. 

6. Bharat Forge won the major contract for Indian Army's ATAGS howitzers by quoting the lowest bid. 

• In a major boost for India's defense capabilities, Pune-based Bharat Forge Limited has secured the Indian Army's contract for 307 Advanced Towed Artillery Gun Systems (ATAGS). 
• These advanced artillery systems were developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). 
• Under the contract worth over Rs 6,000 crore, Bharat Forge will manufacture 60% of the 307 howitzer guns. 
• In addition, Tata Advanced Systems Ltd., the second lowest bidder, will be responsible for the remaining 40% production of the 307 howitzer guns. 
• This distribution of manufacturing rights is part of the agreement reached following the commercial bid evaluation. 
• However, this will be the first major domestic order for the ATAGS howitzer, a product that has already garnered international interest and has been exported to friendly countries such as Armenia. 
• The contract is expected to be finalized within the current financial year. 
• The contract underlines India's strategic focus on strengthening border security with advanced, locally developed artillery. 
• The weapon system, part of the Army's artillery modernization programme, has been designed and developed by DRDO's Pune-based Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) and other DRDO laboratories.
• The Indian Army had completed extensive testing of ATAGS at the Pokhran Field Firing Range (PFFR) from April 26 to May 2, 2023. 

7. Compensation for human death in wildlife attack has been increased by Madhya Pradesh government from 8 lakh rupees to 25 lakh rupees. 

• The Madhya Pradesh government made this announcement a day following an elephant trampled two men to death near the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve in Umaria district. 
• Increased compensation of 25 lakh rupees each would be provided to the families of the two persons who were killed in elephant attacks in Umaria, said Chief Minister Mohan Yadav. 
• Two villagers were killed at Devra village and Brahe village by an elephant near Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve. 
• Recently, this tiger reserve was in news over the deaths of 10 elephants. 
• Bandhavgarh is known for Evergreen Sal forest and Mixed forest. 
• Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve is located in the eastern Satpura hills of Umaria & Katni Districts. 

8. New Indian Consulate has been inaugurated by India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar in Brisbane. 

• During the inauguration, he highlighted the strengthening bilateral ties between India and Australia. 
• The consulate will play an essential role in addressing the needs of the expanding Indian community in Queensland. 
• In Queensland, a considerable number of Indian students are pursuing higher education. 
• He called Indian diaspora as a “living bridge” between India and Australia. 
• He also visited Australia’s Humanitarian Logistics Capability (HLC) warehouse for Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) supplies to the Pacific.
• His visit marked his 5th trip to Australia and first to Brisbane. 

9. Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) Bengaluru has reported the “first significant” result from Aditya-L1. 

• The Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) scientists have reported the “first significant” results from the Visible Emission Line Coronagraph (VELC) payload of the Aditya-L1 mission. 
• India’s first solar mission was launched on September 2, 2023, by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). 
• VELC on the Aditya-L1 precisely estimated the onset time of a coronal mass ejection that erupted on the Sun on July 16. 
• The Sun often spews vast quantities of plasma in violent eruptions called coronal mass ejections (CMEs). 
• The Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIAp), Bengaluru, developed the VELC. 
• The unique data obtained from the VELC payload could precisely estimate the onset time of a CME.
• CMEs are usually observed in visible continuum light only when they have propagated well away from the sun’s surface. 
• On January 6, ISRO placed the Aditya-L1 spacecraft in a halo orbit around the first Earth-Sun Lagrange point (or L1). 

10. Kannada short film “Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know” has been nominated for Oscars 2025. 

• The Kannada short film “Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know” has qualified for the Oscars 2025 in the Live Action Short Film category. 
• It has been produced by the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) and won the La Cinef at Cannes 2024. 
• Chidananda S. Naik has directed it. 
• This short film is about an elderly woman who steals the village rooster, which causes sunlight to cease. 
• A prophecy is invoked to restore order, and the woman is exiled from the village. 

11. 352nd Governing Body meeting of ILO is underway in Geneva 

• The 352nd Governing Body meeting of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) was held in Geneva. 
• During the meeting Labour and Employment Secretary Sumita Dawra highlighted India’s commitment to improving living standards reflected in significant initiatives covering all dimensions of poverty that have led to 248 million individuals escaping multidimensional poverty in the last nine years as measured by the multidimensional poverty index. 
• She also stated the employment growth within the country adding around 170 million persons in economic activity during 2016-17 and 2022-23 as per provisional estimates. 

12. Anish Sarkar becomes Youngest-Rated FIDE Chess Player Globally 

• Anish Sarkar of Kolkata, West Bengal, has become the youngest-rated FIDE chess player in the world. At the age of three years, eight months, and 19 days, Anish secured a FIDE rating of 1555. 
• The International Chess Federation, known by its French acronym FIDE, is the world’s governing body for chess. It assigns ratings or points based on players’ performance in FIDE-approved chess tournaments. 
• Anish Sarkar, born on January 26, 2021, played his first tournament, the West Bengal State Under-9 Open, in October 2024. He next played in the West Bengal State Under 13 Open chess tournament, where several FIDE-rated players participated. 
• According to the FIDE rule, a player is given rating points if the player plays against at least five FIDE-rated players. Thus, after participating in the West Bengal State Under 13 Open chess tournament, Anish Sarkar was given an initial FIDE rating of 1555. 

13. Global Allied Health Network has been launched at the International Allied Health Conference (IAHC 2024). 

• The International Allied Health Conference was held on November 1, 2024, in conjunction with the third Singapore Allied Health Conference. 
• 1,100 global Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) and students from over 18 countries participated in the conference to enhance collaboration and innovation. 
• It has been organised by the National University Health System (NUHS) in partnership with SingHealth and the National Healthcare Group (NHG). 
• "Advancing Allied Health: Diverse in Calling, United in Purpose” is the theme of this conference. 
• It emphasises the shared mission of healthcare professionals from diverse specialities. 
• The Global Allied Health Network (GAHN) has been launched at this conference to formalise a strategic collaboration with key stakeholder organisations, including the World Health Organization. 

14. Renowned fashion designer Rohit Bal passed away at the age of 63. 

• Renowned fashion designer Rohit Bal, also known as 'Gudda,' passed away at 63 due to cardiac arrest. 
• He is known for his innovative designs and contributions to Indian fashion. 
• He was a founding member of the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI). 
• He was famous for his unique blend of traditional patterns with modern sensibilities. 
• He co-founded Orchid Oversea Pvt. Ltd. with his brother. 
• He was born into a Kashmiri Pandit family on May 8, 1961, in Srinagar. 

15. Navy Chief Dinesh Tripathi launches ‘Swavlamban 2024’ exhibition 

• Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi has inaugurated the ‘Swavlamban 2024’ exhibition at Bharat Mandapam. 
• The event aims to showcase innovations from the country’s young entrepreneurs and strengthen collaborations between the Indian Navy and various industry stakeholders. 
• He expressed enthusiasm for the innovative solutions showcased by the nation’s youth and noted the participation of around 115 stalls from diverse agencies, including the Indian Air Force, Indian Army, Indian Coast Guard, and the Border Security Force (BSF). 
• Launched in 2022, the initiative aims to collaborate with Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and the Indian industry to address operational needs and bridge capability gaps within the Navy. 

16. Karnataka celebrates Bali Padyami festival 

• Karnataka celebrates Bali Padyami festival on the fourth day of Deepavali. 
• It is believed that the Asura king Bali Chakravarty comes out of Pathala loka and visits Bhuloka as per the boon given by Lord Vishnu during Vamana Avatar. 
• After worshipping Ganga matha on the first day, Naraka Chaturdashi on the second and Lakshmi Pooja on the third day of Deepavali, the festival of Bali Padyami derives significance. 
• The day is symbolic of prosperity and welfare representing the then flourishing kingdom of Bali Chakravarty. 

17. Wriddhiman Saha announces retirement from cricket 

• Indian wicketkeeper-batter Wriddhiman Saha has announced his retirement from cricket, the ongoing Ranji Trophy season will be his last final one. 
• The 40-year-old Bengal wicketkeeper has appeared in 40 Tests and nine ODIs since his international debut in 2010. 

Recently Retired Players 

• Matthew Wade (Australia) – International Cricket 
• Rani Rampal (India) – Hockey 
• Rafael Nadal (Spain) – Professional Tennis 
• Dipa Karmakar (Tripura, India) – Gymnastic 
• Dwayne Bravo (West Indies) – All forms of Cricket 
• Luis Suarez (Uruguay) – National Football 
• Barinder Sran (India) – International Cricket 

18. India’s Atanu Das bags Bronze Medal in Swiss Open Indoor Archery 

• India’s Atanu Das has bagged a Bronze medal in the Swiss Open Indoor Archery in Lausanne, Switzerland. Olympian Atanu Das defeated Switzerland’s Thomas Rufer 6-4 in the Recurve Men’s Bronze medal match. 
• Earlier in the Semifinals, Atanu faced a defeat against Romain Fichet of France 4-6. Romain clinched the silver while Italy’s Alessandro Paoli clinched the gold. 
• The 2025 Indoor Archery World Series kicked off, featuring over 300 archers from 31 countries. 
• The Swiss Open includes both recurve and compound divisions. There will be six events held during the 2025 season 1, starting in November 2024 and ending in March 2025. 

19. 5 November – World Tsunami Awareness Day 

• World Tsunami Awareness Day is observed globally each year on November 5. 
• Objective – To increase awareness about the dangers of tsunamis and encourage proactive preparedness in the event of such natural disasters. 
• Theme 2024 – Fighting Inequality for a Resilient Future 
• Established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015, the day underscores the importance of early warning systems and community education to reduce the catastrophic effects of tsunamis.