NATIONAL NEWS

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Inaugurates Diamond Bourse

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the world's largest corporate office centre, 'Surat Diamond Bourse' (SDB).

This SDB office complex is designed for the global landscape of rough and polished diamond trading.

Located within the Diamond Research and Mercantile City, Surat Diamond Bourse is part of Prime Minister Modi's flagship projects.

Surat Diamond Bourse will be the world's largest and modern centre for international diamond and jewellery trading.

This SDB will be a global hub for trading in rough and polished diamonds as well as jewellery.

It has a modern customs clearance facility for import and export. Besides, there are also facilities like a jewellery mall, international banking and safe deposit box for retail jewellery business.

This building has been constructed on 35.54 acres (67 lakh square feet) at a cost of Rs 3400 crore.

Kuno Forest Festival

The five-day Kuno Van Mahotsav was celebrated in Ranipura village on the outskirts of Sheopur district of Madhya Pradesh.

Madhya Pradesh is organising the first edition of Kuno Van Mahotsav from 17 to 21 December.

The event also aims to advocate cheetah conservation by highlighting the diverse flora and fauna and the importance of the Kuno Forest.

It also includes local arts and crafts, folk music, dance forms and adventure sports.

50 specially designed Swiss tents equipped with modern amenities have been installed in Ranipura for the festival.

NHAI Launched ERS Mobile App

NHAI has unveiled the NHAI ERS (Emergency Response System) Mobile Application.

This mobile application facilitates the smooth relay of dispatch-related information to on-road units.

With this technology, NHAI aims to enhance communication and coordination during emergency situations, ultimately bolstering the efficiency of emergency response teams.

This mobile application represents a progressive step towards a more connected and responsive emergency infrastructure.

 

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

International Year of Camelids

The United Nations has declared the year 2024 as the International Year of the Camelids to highlight the importance of camelids in the lives of people around the world.

The International Year of Camelids 2024 aims to create awareness about the untapped potential of Camelids and strive to increase investment in the Camelids sector through research, capacity development and use of innovative practices and technologies.

These camels are found in more than 90 countries of the world.

Camelids are crucial for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations.

These creatures contribute to local communities' food security, nutrition and economic development.

 

BANKING

Bandhan Bank to Disburse Pensions on Behalf of Indian Railways

Bandhan Bank has been authorised by RBI to disburse pensions on behalf of Indian Railways.

With this authorisation, Bandhan Bank will be allowed to give pensions to all former employees of the Ministry of Railways.

It will have access to nearly 50,000 Indian Railways retirees every year on average across all offices of Indian Railways.

The bank will quickly work with the Ministry of Railways to begin the process of giving out pensions.

The net profit of Bandhan Bank more than tripled for the quarter ended September 2023 to Rs 721 crore.

The net profit increased by a huge 245%.

 

RANKS, INDICES & REPORTS

Quality of Living Index 2023

Quality of Living Index 2023 was released by Mercer.

This index evaluates the quality of life for employees working abroad. It has taken data from more than 500 cities all over the world.

Quality of Living Index is based on different factors like Water Potability, Waste Removal, Sewage, Air Pollution, Water availability, Traffic Congestion.

For the 6th time, Hyderabad has the best ‘quality of living’ in India.

Hyderabad attained the 153rd spot in the Quality of Living Index 2023. Pune has the second-best ‘quality of living’ in India. It has secured the 154th position in Mercer’s Quality of Living City Index.

Bengaluru (156th) Chennai is the fourth Indian city in the list at 161 spot followed by Mumbai at 164. Kolkata (170) and New Delhi (172).

Vienna (Austria), Zurich (Switzerland) and Auckland (New Zealand) Copenhegan (Denmark) Geneva (Switzerland) are the top five cities in the Quality of Living Index 2023.

World Bank's Global Remittance Charts

According to the World Bank's migration and development report, India has topped the migrants in 2023 in terms of receipts.

In 2023, overseas Indians sent an estimated $ 125 billion to India.

The World Bank's latest migration and development report reflects the global landscape of transmission flow.

It indicates an increase of 3.8% in low and medium-income countries (LMICs) to reach US $ 669 billion in 2023.

The report projects a decline in migrants' real income in 2024 due to global inflation and low growth prospects.

 

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

President of Egypt

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has been elected as the President of Egypt for the third consecutive time.

The National Election Authority announced that President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi had received 89.6 percent of the votes in the election.

Hazem Omar, who leads the Republican People's Party, received 4.5 percent of the vote.

Al-Sisi will remain in power for another six years for a third consecutive term.

 

DEFENCE

IIT Kanpur Signed MoU with Indian Navy

Indian Navy signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with IIT Kanpur to promote innovation.

The agreement was signed at Naval Headquarters in New Delhi.

This agreement was signed by Indian Navy Admiral K. Srinivas and Professor Subramaniam Ganesh, Acting Director of IIT Kanpur.

This MoU will serve as a comprehensive framework.

This will be helpful in enhancing the capacity of both sides and providing solutions to regional issues.

This agreement reflects the commitment of both organizations to promote technology development, innovative solutions and joint research and development.

 

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

ISRO Announced to Launch a Female Robotic Astronaut

Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has announced that it will launch a female robotic astronaut 'Vyommitra' before the Gaganyaan mission.

‘Vyommitra’ will be launched in the year 2024.

‘Vyommitra’ has been developed at Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre.

It is a female humanoid space robot developed by the Indian Space Research Organization for the manned orbital spacecraft Gaganyaan.

This robot has been designed as half humanoid.

Through this project, ISRO will conduct the first test using this robotic system to ensure the safe travel and return of Indian astronauts, after which it will send the astronauts into space.

IIT Madras Developed ‘AMRIT’

IIT Madras developed ‘AMRIT’ for removing Arsenic and Metal ions from water.

‘AMRIT’ (Arsenic and Metal Removal by Indian Technology) uses nano-scale iron oxy-hydroxide. It removes arsenic when water is passed through it.

This water purifier technology has been developed for both domestic as well as community levels.

This technology has been recommended by the ‘Standing Committee’ of the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation for the examination of the best technologies related to water and sanitation.

Government is committed to provide a safe and potable tap water supply to all rural households.

Government launched the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) for the planning, approval, implementation, operation, and maintenance of drinking water supply schemes.

The government is working with academic institutions such as IITs to resolve issues related to water supply and water quality.

 

MISCELLANEOUS

Kerala's Shaikh Hassan Khan Climbs Mount Vinson

Shaikh Hassan Khan, a 36-year-old Kerala government employee, has climbed Mount Vinson, the highest peak in Antarctica.

This is the fifth peak that Shaikh Hasan Khan has conquered.

Apart from Mount Vinson, Shaikh Hassan Khan has climbed four other highest peaks – Mount Everest (Asia), Mount Denali (North America), Mount Kilimanjaro (Africa), and Mount Elbrus (Europe).

The aim of his campaign is to spread awareness about climate change happening in Antarctica.

It is the highest mountain in Antarctica.

Mount Vinson is situated at an altitude of 4,892 meters (16,050 ft) above sea level.