Current Affairs Today 1st and 2nd November 2020-Download in PDF

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Current Affairs Today – 1st and 2nd November 2020

NEWS AT A GLANCE

1. Every year 1^st November is observed as the World Vegan Day.
2. Every year, the United Nations marks the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists on November 2.
3. RBL Bank has partnered with Payment giant Visa and launched instant payouts for fintech firm.
4. The Central Government has extended the term of Justice (retd) Bansi Lal Bhat as the acting Chairperson of the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT).
5. The Ministry of Shipping recently announced that the government of India is to set up fourteen more aerodromes in the country to develop sea plane tourism in the country.
6. The Ministry of AYUSH and Invest India will set up “Strategic Policy and Facilitation Bureau” to facilitate systematic growth of AYUSH sector.
7. PM inaugurated the first of its kind Sea Plane service of the country in Gujarat.
8. The Panna Tiger Reserve of Madhya Pradesh has been included in the ‘World Network of Biosphere Reserves’ list of the UNESCO.
9. The work has begun on the world’s longest immersed tunnel, Fehmarnbelt Tunnel.
10. Kochi-Muziris Biennale is an art exhibition & festival which is the largest of its kind in South Asia.
11. The Annual State of Education Report (ASER) survey has been released, which provides a view into the levels of learning loss that students in rural India are suffering.
12. Microsoft has collaborated with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) with an aim to impart digital skills to more than one lakh underserved women in India over the next 10 months.
13. The IISc and the Indian Oil Corporation Research and Development Centre signed a Memorandum of Understanding.
14. Private lender Axis Bank Ltd said that it will acquire up to 19% in Max Life Insurance Co. Ltd.
15. The Indian Air Force (IAF) successfully test-fired an air launched version of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile from a Sukhoi fighter aircraft in the Bay of Bengal on 30 October 2020.
16. The Indian Air Force successfully test-fired an air-launched version of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile on October 30, 2020.
17. The Union Minister of Science and Technology, Harsh Vardhan has launched the ‘SERB – POWER’ schemes which aim to encourage and support emerging as well as eminent women researchers to undertake R&D activities in frontier areas of science and engineering.
18. The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee have developed the world’s first specific reliable bacterial biosensor to detect the presence of common environmental pollutant- Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate /Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SDS).
19. Veteran Politician and former prime minister of Turkey, Mesut Yilmaz has passed away at the age of 72.
20. Iconic Hollywood actor, Sean Connery, most famous for his portrayal of James Bond, has died at the age of 90 in the Bahamas.
21. Tamil Nadu Agriculture Minister R. Duraikannu, who was battling Covid-19, has died, a private hospital. He was 72.

NEWS IN DETAILS

IMPORTANT DAYS AND THEMES

World Vegan Day observed on 01 November

• Every year 1^st November is observed as the World Vegan Day.

Objective:

• to spread benefits of veganism for humans, non-human animals, and the natural environment.

History:

• The day was established in 1994 by Louise Wallis, then Chair of The Vegan Society in the United Kingdom, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the founding of the organisation and the coining of the terms “vegan” and “veganism”.

International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists observed on 02 November

• Every year, the United Nations marks the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists on November 2.

Theme:

• Theme: Protect Journalists, Protect the Truth

History:

• The date of November 2nd was chosen to mark the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against journalists to commemorate the assassination of French journalists in Mali in 2013.

BANKING & FINANCE 

RBL Bank launched instant payouts for fintechs

• RBL Bank has partnered with Payment giant Visa and launched instant payouts for fintech firm.
• Under this partnership, the bank will leverage Visa’s real-time push payments platform Visa Direct, across the country.

Extra Shots:

RBL Bank

• Headquarters: Mumbai
• Founded: August 1943

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

The Term of Justice Bansi Lal Bhat as officiating Chairperson of NCLAT extended till December 31, 2020

• The Central Government has extended the term of Justice (retd) Bansi Lal Bhat as the acting Chairperson of the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT).
• Justice Bhat’s term has been extended till December 31, 2020 or until a regular Chairperson is appointed or until further orders, whichever is the earliest.
• This is the third extension given to Justice Bhat.

NATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS

GoI to set up 14 more Aerodromes

• The Ministry of Shipping recently announced that the government of India is to set up fourteen more aerodromes in the country to develop sea plane tourism in the country.
• Recently, PM Modi inaugurated the seaplane service between Statue of Unity in Kevadia and Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad.
• The PM inaugurated the service on the side lines of the celebration of Ekta Diwas.
• The 14 aerodromes are being planned under UDAN scheme.
• The Ministry of Civil Aviation and Airport Authority of India are to implement the project jointly.

“Strategic Policy and Facilitation Bureau”

• The Ministry of AYUSH and Invest India will set up “Strategic Policy and Facilitation Bureau” to facilitate systematic growth of AYUSH sector.
• The Bureau will help to make AYUSH systems future ready.
• It will support in making initiatives under the ministry to its full potential.
• The Bureau will help to make AYUSH systems future ready. It will support in making initiatives under the ministry to its full potential.
• Also, it will help to initiate the growth and investment of the AYUSH sector.

STATE CURRENT AFFAIRS

India’s first seaplane service inaugurated in Gujarat

• PM inaugurated the first of its kind Sea Plane service of the country in Gujarat.
• The Kevadia-Sabarmati water aerodromes and the seaplane service will connect the Statue of Unity in Kevadia at Narmada district in Gujarat with the Sabarmati Rover Front in Ahmedabad.
• The 19-seater seaplane will be managed by private airline SpiceJet.
• The flight will be able to accommodate 12 passengers and tickets will cost Rs 4,800 per person.
• There will be four flights a day between Ahmedabad and Kevadia on each side, which means four arrivals and four departures.
• The 2020 Rashtriya Ekta Diwas or National Unity Day marks the 145th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

Extra Shots:

Gujarat:

• Capital: Gandhinagar
• Chief Minister: Vijay Rupani
• Governor: Acharya Devvrat
• State formed on: 1 May 1960
• Literacy Rate: 79.31%
• National Park: Vansda NP, Blackbuck NP, Gir Forest NP, Marine NP, Gulf of Kutch

Panna Tiger Reserve of Madhya Pradesh gets UNESCO Biosphere Reserve status

• The Panna Tiger Reserve of Madhya Pradesh has been included in the ‘World Network of Biosphere Reserves’ list of the UNESCO.
• Currently, Panna Tiger Reserve is home to 54 tigers.
• This is the 12th biosphere reserve from India to be included in the ‘World Network of Biosphere Reserves’, and third from Madhya Pradesh, after Pachmarhi and Amarkantak.

Extra Shots:

Madhya Pradesh:

• Statehood Day: November 1, 1956
• Capital: Bhopal
• Chief Minister: Shivraj Singh Chauhan
• Governor: Anandiben Patel
• National Park: Bandhavgarh NP, Fossil NP, Kanha NP, Madhav NP, Panna NP, Pench NP, Sanjay NP, Satpura NP

INTERNATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS

Fehmarnbelt Tunnel will be the world’s longest immersed tunnel

• The work has begun on the world’s longest immersed tunnel, Fehmarnbelt Tunnel.
• Descending up to 40 meters beneath the Baltic Sea, Fehmarnbelt Tunnel will link Denmark and Germany, slashing journey times when it opens in 2029.
• The tunnel, which will be 18 kilometers (11.1 miles) long, is one of Europe’s largest infrastructure projects, with a construction budget of over €7 billion ($8.2 billion).

Kochi-Muziris Biennale

• Kochi-Muziris Biennale is an art exhibition & festival which is the largest of its kind in South Asia.
• Kochi Biennale Foundation organizes the festival at Kochi, Kerala.
• The Foundation is a non-profitable charitable trust engaged in promoting and supporting art and culture and also educational activities in India.
• The biennale displays artworks across various mediums, including film, installation, painting, sculpture, etc.

RANKS AND INDICES

Annual State of Education Report (ASER) survey

• The Annual State of Education Report (ASER) survey has been released, which provides a view into the levels of learning loss that students in rural India are suffering.
• The ASER survey shows a small shift in enrollment from private to government schools, across all grades and among both girls and boys.
• The survey shows that while the proportion of children not currently enrolled for the 2020-21 school years is higher than the equivalent figures for 2018, these differences are small for most age groups.
• Most teachers were in possession of phone numbers of at least 50% of their students. More than 80% of children have textbooks for their current grade.

AGREEMENTS AND MOU SIGNED

Microsoft partnered with NSDC to empower women in India with digital skills

• Microsoft has collaborated with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) with an aim to impart digital skills to more than one lakh underserved women in India over the next 10 months.
• This initiative is an extension of Microsoft’s partnership with NSDC announced in July 2020 to provide digital skills to over 1 lakh youth in the country over the next 12 months.
• Under the new collaboration, more than 70 hours of course content will be made available free of cost to underserved young women from rural communities.

Extra Shots:

Microsoft:

• CEO: Satya Nadella
• Founded: 4 April 1975, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
• Headquarters: Redmond, Washington, United States
• Founders: Bill Gates, Paul Allen

NSDC

• CEO: Manish Kumar
• Headquarters location: New Delhi
• Founded: 2008
• CFO: Prakash Sharma
• Chief strategy officer: Arunkumar Pillai

Indian Oil signed MoU with IISc

• The IISc and the Indian Oil Corporation Research and Development Centre signed a Memorandum of Understanding.
• The objective of the MoU is to develop biomass gasification-based Hydrogen Generation Technology to produce Fuel Cell Grade Hydrogen at an affordable price.

Extra Shots:

Indian Oil

• Chairperson: Shrikant Madhav Vaidya
• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Founded: 30 June 1959

ACQUISITION & MERGER

Axis Bank to buy 19% stake in Max Life

• Private lender Axis Bank Ltd said that it will acquire up to 19% in Max Life Insurance Co. Ltd.
• Axis Capital Ltd. and Axis Securities Ltd will together acquire upto 3% in Max Life.

Extra Shots:

Axis Bank

• CEO: Amitabh Chaudhry
• Headquarters: Mumbai
• Founded: 1993, Ahmedabad

DEFENCE CURRENT AFFAIRS

India Successfully Test Fires Nuclear Capable BrahMos from Sukhoi 30 MKI off Bay of Bengal

• The Indian Air Force (IAF) successfully test-fired an air launched version of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile from a Sukhoi fighter aircraft in the Bay of Bengal on 30 October 2020.
• The aircraft took off from an airbase in Punjab & reached the Bay of Bengal after mid-air refuelling.
• The missile successfully hit a sinking ship in the Bay of Bengal, with deadly accuracy.
• This test was the longest range BrahMos strike that was undertaken by the Sukhoi 30 MKI platform.
• Developed by DRDO, the air-launched version of nuclear capable BrahMos has a strike range of 300 km with the capability to hit targets at sea or land in all weather conditions.

Extra Shots:

Indian Air Force

• Helicopter: Apache AH-64E, CH-47 Chinook, Dhruv, Chetak, Cheetah, Mi-8, Mi-17, Rudra, Mi-26, Mi-25/35
• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Founded: 8 October 1932, India
• Role: Aerial warfare
• Attack: Jaguar, Harpy

India test-fires air-launched version of BrahMos missile

• The Indian Air Force successfully test-fired an air-launched version of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile on October 30, 2020.
• The BrahMos supersonic cruise missile was test-fired from a Sukhoi fighter aircraft in the Bay of Bengal.
• The successful test displayed IAF’s growing combat prowess.
• The Sukhoi fighter jet belonging to Tigersharks squadron took off from a frontline air base in Punjab.
• The missile was fired after the Su-30 MKI aircraft covered a long distance. It had travelled for over three hours before test firing.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY CURRENT AFFAIRS

DST launches SERB-POWER schemes

• The Union Minister of Science and Technology, Harsh Vardhan has launched the ‘SERB – POWER’ schemes which aim to encourage and support emerging as well as eminent women researchers to undertake R&D activities in frontier areas of science and engineering.
• SERB-POWER stands for Science and Engineering Research Board – Promoting Opportunities for Women in Exploratory Research.
• SERB is a statutory body under the Department of Science and Technology, GOI, established by an Act of the Parliament of India in 2009 (SERB ACT,2008).
• The schemes has been launched to provide two categories of research support which are:
• SERB – POWER Fellowship
• SERB – POWER Research Grants

IIT Roorkee develops world 1st biosensor to detect harmful detergent pollutant

• The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee have developed the world’s first specific reliable bacterial biosensor to detect the presence of common environmental pollutant- Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate /Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SDS).
• The IIT Roorkee team has developed a whole-cell biosensor using Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 strain as a framework (chassis).

OBITUARY

Former Turkish Prime Minister Mesut Yılmaz passes away at 72

• Veteran Politician and former prime minister of Turkey, Mesut Yilmaz has passed away at the age of 72.
• Yilmaz was the Chief of the now-defunctional centre-right Motherland Party or ANAP from 1991 to 2002.
• He served as prime minister of Turkey three times in the 1990s.

Iconic James Bond Star Sean Connery passes away

• Iconic Hollywood actor, Sean Connery, most famous for his portrayal of James Bond, has died at the age of 90 in the Bahamas.
• The actor essayed the lead in the James Bond flicks like Dr. No, From Russia with Love, Goldfinger, Thunderball, You Only Live Twice, Diamonds Are Forever, and Never Say Never Again.

Tamil Nadu Agriculture Minister R. Duraikannu passes away at 72

• Tamil Nadu Agriculture Minister R. Duraikannu has passed away at an age of 72.
• Doraikkannu was elected to the Tamil Nadu Assembly from Papanasam in Thanjavur district in 2006, 2011 and 2016, with the late chief minister J Jayalalithaa inducting him in the cabinet in 2016.

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