 October 13 - International Day for Disaster Reduction  October 16 – World Food Day  October 17 - International Day for the Eradication of Poverty  October 17 - World Trauma Day

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CURRENT AFFAIRS:

India banned the import of refrigerators & Air Conditioners completely

 India has recently banned the import of refrigerants and air-conditioners completely tightening norms on “non-essential” imports. This has been done to reduce imports from China and tighten local manufacturing.  This says that an importer cannot fill in the refrigerant outside India. Thus, he will have to create assembly units using the local work force. This will increase employment in the country.

Lancet: Life Expectancy in India increases to 70.8 years

 The recently published Lancet medical report says that the life expectancy of India has increased since 1990.  The life expectancy of India has increased from 59.6 years in 1992 to 70.8 years in 2019. has the highest life expectancy. In Kerala life expectancy has increased to 77.3 years. The life expectancy of was 66.9 years.

Kerala State if India Capital Thiruvananthapuram Chief minister

India to become free of Trans Fat by 2022

 On October 16, 2020, the Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan announced that India has set a target of becoming trans-fat free by 2022. This target is year ahead of the target of World Health Organisation.  The announcement was made when the Minister presided over an event organised by the food safety and Standards Authority of India to celebrate the World Food Day. The World Food Day is celebrated by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation every year on October 16.

FSSAI Government ministry Founded August 2011 Agency executive Rita Teaotia (Chairperson)

Union Minister of AYUSH launched Regional Raw Drug Repository

 Union Minister of AYUSH launched Regional Raw Depository at the National Institute of Siddha, Chennai. The Regional Raw Repository is the significant segment of National AYUSH Mission.

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Ministry of AYUSH Government Ministry Officeholder Shripad Naik (MOS independent charge) Founded 9 November 2014, India Headquarters New Delhi

Union Cabinet endorses Rs 5,718 Cr World Bank’s Project STARS

 Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri affirmed the project STARS aided by the World bank  The cabinet has approved Rs 5,718 crores of aid from World Bankto execute venture STARS. STARS is Strengthening Teaching Learning and Resources for States.The undertaking is to be actualized by division of school instruction and proficiency working under Ministry of Education. The task will likewise arrangement and backing the PRAKH, the public evaluation place.

World Bank Headquarters Washington, D.C., United States Parent organization World Bank Group Founded July 1944 Founders John Maynard Keynes, Harry Dexter White

National Rural Livelihood Mission: Union Cabinet approves Rs 520 crores for Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir

 On October 14, 2020, Union Cabinet approved the special package of Rs 520 crores under National Rural Livelihood Mission for Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.  The cabinet has approved the package for a period of five years till 2023-24. The National Rural Livelihood Mission enables to increase household income.  The mission was launched in 2011 and is a restructured version of Swarna Jayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana. It aims to create effective institutional platforms.

A region formerly administered by India as a Jammu and Kashmir state from 1954 to 2019 Founded 26 October 1947

EVIN: India’s Plan to store COVID-19 Vaccines

 The Government of India has started to identify private facilities and government facilities to create a hub to store COVID-19 vaccines. India is under the plan of rolling out multiple vaccines for COVID-19. The Government of India is to use the Electronic Vaccine Intelligence Network (EVIN) to store the vaccine.  The Government is making logistical arrangements to procure, store, and distribute COVID-19 vaccines for their uninterrupted delivery. The expert group on Vaccine Administration under Dr V K Paul was deployed earlier. The group has mapped the cold storage units in the country.

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Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyan: 32 Cr man days of employment generated

 The Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyan is currently on fifteenth week of implementation. So far 32 crore man days of employment was provided. GoI has spent Rs 31,577 Crs in these 15 weeks to create employment opportunities under the programme.  Under the arrangement, huge no of structures were made. This incorporates 1,32,146 water preservation structures, 16,253 network clean buildings, 35,329 cows sheds, 35,529 cows sheds, 4,12,214 provincial houses.

Jal Jeevan Mission: Lab on Wheels launched

 On Oct12, 2020, State govt of Haryana launched “Lab on Wheels” to test the water quality in state. The water nature of Haryana is basically influenced by fluoride, iron, nitrate and alkalinity.  Lab on wheels is a mobile laboratory. The mobile laboratory have launch under Jal Jeevan Mission.

Delhi Cabinet approves "Tree Transplantation Policy"

 Delhi Cabinet has been approved the ‘Tree Transplantation Policy’ for preservation of trees in Capital. The Cabinet additionally endorsed the establishment of the subsequent brown haze tower on the planet at Connaught Place inside ten months.  Under the policy, a minimum of 80% of trees affected by a development or construction project will be transplanted. Over 80% of the transplanted trees must survive after transplantation.

PM Modi: Rs 100 Dedicatory Coin in honour of Vijaya Raje Scindia

 PM Narendra Modi is to release the Dedicatory coin of 100 rupees in appreciation of Vijaya Raje Scindia. Vijaya Raje Scindia also known as Rajmata of Gwalior.  The coin is being delivered to commend the birth century of Vijaya Raje Scindia. She was one of the Originator individuals from the Bharatiya Janata Gathering. CURRENT AFFAIRS: DEFENSE

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurates 44 bridges

 Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated 44 bridges that were worked by the Border Road Organization. Minister also established foundation stone of Nechiphu tunnel in Arunachal Pradesh.  The 44 bridges inaugurated are located in 7 States & Union territories and will draw out another period of network and advancement in the distant of the nation.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Preceding Ministry Department of Defence (1938–47)

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Founded 15 August 1947 Officeholders Rajnath Singh (Minister), Subhash Bhamre (Minister of State) Headquarters New Delhi

CURRENT AFFAIRS: BUSINESS

Covid-19: Pearls, Gems, jewellery industry demonstrated resilience during troublesome occasions, says

 MUMBAI: Gems & jewellery industry has indicated that versatility through these testing times and utilized innovation to exhibit the intrinsically created pieces to buyers across the globe on the India International Jewellery Show (IIJS) Virtual stage, Union minister Piyush Goyal said on Monday.  "Truth be told, this climate of innovation to arrive at clients all over the world shows the resilience of Indian industry & the govt to serve customers, particularly with the celebration round the corner, both in India and across the world," Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said at the debut function of the five-day IIJS Virtual composed by the Diamond and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC). CURRENT AFFAIRS: ECONOMY

GoI sets up Panel of Secretaries to streamline telecom spectrum allocation

 GoI has constituted a panel under the cabinet secretary Rajiv Gauba to streamline telecom spectrum allocation. The panel has been constituted with secretaries of railways, defence, home, telecom, department of space and Information and Broadcasting.  The spectrum auction had been held by GoI for six times. They are 2010, 2012-16. However, there was no clarity on frequency of future airwave sale.

Operation Green: 50% Freight Subsidy for agricultural perishables

 The Ministry of Food Processing and the ministry of Railways have jointly provided subsidised rate of 50% for freight transportation of perishable agriculture produce such as vegetables and fruits. The step is being implemented to boost Operation Green. Operation Green is implemented by Ministry of Food Processing.  The ministries will provide 50% subsidies to farmers transporting surplus agricultural produce such as vegetables and fruits by train. Also, the ministry will provide 50% subsidy to cold chain storage of Agricultural commodities. In order to receive the subsidies, the farmers have to submit self-certified documents on “Sampada” portal. The portal is maintained by the Ministry of food processing.

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Finance Minister announces celebration Advance scheme, LTC Money Voucher Scheme

 FM Nirmala Sitaraman reported the Special Festival Advance plan & LTC Cash Voucher plan. The schemes were launched to boost the demand in the country.  Under the plan, central govt employees will get pre-stacked Rupay cards. They can be withdrawn at ATMs. These advances shall be repaid by the employees in 10 installments.  The plan is to provide one-time festive advance of Rs 10,000 to all the govt employees. This will boost the consumer demand to Rs 8,000.

Union Minister of Finance- Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Cabinet Minister; responsible Founded 29 October 1946 P. Radhakrishnan (Minister of State), Shiv Officeholders Pratap Shukla (Minister of State), Nirmala Sitharaman (Minister) Headquarters New Delhi

India, Asian Development Bank (ADB) Signed USD 300 Million Loan to Develop Secondary Towns in Rajasthan

 GoI & ADB signed a $300 million credit on twelfth October to fund comprehensive and feasible water flexibly and sterilization foundation and administrations in 14 optional towns of the territory of Rajasthan.  The undertaking will give reasonable water gracefully and disinfection (WSS) administrations in the task towns in Rajasthan. The point is to improve personal satisfaction in these towns, including for poor people and defenseless subsequent to consenting to the advance arrangement.  The interests in WSS with 10-year activity and upkeep agreements will guarantee improved and practical help conveyance in accordance with the express government's metropolitan area advancement plan.

Asian Development Bank(ADB) Headquarters Mandaluyong, Philippines President Masatsugu Asakawa Founded December 19, 1966 Purpose Economic development

CURRENT AFFAIRS: SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Bepi Colombo Spacecraft reaches Mercury in its journey towards Venus

 The BepiColombo Space Craft was launched jointly by Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency and European Space Agency to planet Mercury. The space craft has now crossed Venus on its way to Mercury.

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Highlights

 o The mission BepiColombo consists of two satellites launched together. They are Mercury Planetary Orbiter and Mercury Magentospheric Orbiter. The two satellites will separate on arriving Mercury. o The mission will perform study of mercury. This will include characterisation of magnetosphere, magnetic field in both interior and on the surface of the mercury. o The spacecraft Bepicolombo was launched on Ariane 5 rocket. o It will arrive Mercury in 2025. o The Mission is a part of the Horizon 2000+ Programme of European Space Agency and was the last mission of the programme.

Gov Tech- Thon 2020 to be held from 30th October

 GoI's NIC(National Informatics Centre), IEEE Computer Society (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) and Oracle Corporation will organize Gov Tech- Thon 2020 commencing from October 30, 2020, to November 1 2020.  Gov Tech-Thon 2020, a pan India 36 hours virtual Hackathon to be organized from October 30 to November 1, 2020. It is launched under the Government of India's Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.

EpicVacCorona: Second COVID-19 Vaccine approved by Russia

 The Russian Authorities have approved a new COVID-19 vaccine called “EpicVacCorona”. It is a two shot vaccine.  EpiVacCorona is a peptide-based vaccine. Sputnik V was the first vaccine developed by Russia. Russia is to conduct the vaccine trial of EpicVacCorona on 40,000 volunteers.  The first phase of the vaccine is to be held through open trials. It will include men and women of age 18 to 30 years. The second phase of the trial is placebo-controlled. It will include men and women of the age group 18 to 60 years.

Russia President Vladimir Putin Currency Russian Rouble Prime minister Mikhail Mishustin Capital Moscow

India to turn out FELUDA Paper strip tests for Corana Virus

 On October 11, 2020, the Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan reported that India is to roll out Feluda Paper Strip test in next few weeks.  The minister made the announcement during the 5th edition of “Sunday Samvaad”. Sunday Samvaad is anintuitive meeting held by the pastor in online media.

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 The minister also said that under the Middle's Immunizations technique, the prioritization of gatherings of Coronavirus antibodies depends on two key conisderations as follows o Risk of Exposure to infection and Occupational Hazard o Risk of developing severe disease and increased mortality. CURRENT AFFAIRS: INDUSTRY

Tata Power: Simultaneous stumbling at MSETCL facilities caused power outage

 MUMBAI: On Monday Tata Power said there was "simultaneous substation tripping" at state-run MSETCL's two facilities, which prompted a significant force blackout in the budgetary capital and encompassing zones.  It said tripping at the Kalwa and Kharghar sub-stations at 1010 hours caused a tremendous dunk in recurrence in the Mumbai transmission framework, prompting the stumbling of intensity flexibly.

Tata Power Electric power distribution company CEO Praveer Sinha (1 May 2018–) Headquarters Mumbai Parent organization Tata Group Revenue 8,309.01 crores INR (US$1.2 billion, 2020)

CURRENT AFFAIRS: INTERNATIONAL

Webinar between India Kazakhstan Defence Cooperation Hosted

 Ambassadors of both countries and senior Ministry of Defence (MoD) officials from both sides participated in the webinar. A webinar between India and Kazakhstan was held on October 15 2020.  Theme of webinar - " Make In India For The World, India – Kazakhstan Defence Cooperation: Webinar and Expo".  Webinar was organized under the aegis of Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence through FICCI.  This webinar is the part of the series of webinars which are being managed with friendly foreign countries to boost defence exports and achieve defence export target of $5 billion in the next five years.

Kazakhstan Country in Central Asia Capital Nur-Sultan Currency Kazakhstani tenge

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President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev Official languages Kazakh, Russian

India Hosts Virtual Summit of Ministers of Justice of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation

 7th Meeting of Ministers of Justice of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad hosted the Member States, Minister of Law & Justice, Communication and Electronics & Information Technology on October 16, 2020.  India today hosted the virtual Summit of Ministers of Justice of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, SCO.  The summit highlighted the initiatives taken by the Indian Government for providing affordable and easy access to justice for all and also about Pro Bono Legal Services to provide free legal aid to marginalized sections of the society.

Israeli Parliament Approves Historic Peace Deal with UAE

 The Parliament of Israel, approved the historic normalization deal or the peace deal called as the Abraham Accord with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on October 15, 2020. Israeli Parliament initially signed the agreement in Washington on September 15, 2020.  Eighty were voted in favour of the deal while 13 were opposed it. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called for peace with Lebanon which is Israel's neighbour in the north.  The UAE and Bahrain became the first Gulf countries to agree upon the formulation of official relations with Israel.

Israel Country in Middle East Capital Jerusalem Currency Israeli Shekel Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu

India to host 7th Justice Ministers Meet of SCO

 On October 16, 2020, the Union Minister of law and Justice Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad is to host the seventh meeting of ministers of justice of Shanghai cooperation organisation.  The ministers during the meet will share the information on establishing favorable climate to advance question goal system, criminological exercises and other legitimate administrations.

5th Meeting through video conferencing: India-Mexico Bilateral High Level Group on Trade, Investment & Cooperation Held

 5th meeting of India and Mexico Bilateral High-Level Group on Trade, Investment & Cooperation was held through video conferencing on 9th October 2020. In this

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gathering both the nations evaluated their two-sided exchange, speculation and business relations.  The official discussed several topics including the Bilateral investment treaty, Cooperation Framework on phytosanitary and sanitary products, Audiovisual co- production, Technical barriers to trade, Market access for Agricultural Products, Cooperation in intellectual property rights and Promotion of tourism and the improvisation of people to people contact.

FATF: Pakistan to remain on “Grey List”

 On October 12, 2020, the Financial Action Task Force reported that Pakistan will continue to remain under “grey list” of the association.  The asia-pacific gathering of FATF presented a report named “Follow up report on mutual evaluation of Pakistan”. The report is first of its kind. The choice of putting Pakistan under grey list was taken based on this report.

Pakistan A country in South Asia Currency Pakistani rupee Prime minister Imran Khan

India to attend 7th Justice Ministers Meet of SCO

 On October 16, 2020, the Union Minister of law & Justice Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad is to attend 7th meeting of ministers of justice of Shanghai cooperation association.  The ministers during the meet will share the knowledge on establishing favorable climate to advance debate goal instrument, scientific exercises and other legitimate administrations.

European Union to sanction Russia & Belarus

 On October 12, 2020, the European Union consented to force sanctions on Russia for harming the resistance chief Alexei Navalny. Imposition of authorization was started by France and Germany. CURRENT AFFAIRS: INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Facebook India chooses Sunil Abraham as Public Policy Director for Data & Emerging Tech

 New Delhi: Facebook India on Monday reported arrangement of Sunil Abraham as the Public Policy Director for Data and Emerging Tech to lead and shape the organization's position on tech strategy issues in India.

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 He will answer to Facebook India Public Policy Director Ankhi Das, and will be liable for building associations and commitment with key partners in the public approach territory of information security, customer assurance, and AI-drove development for new items and administrations, an announcement said. CURRENT AFFAIRS: ENVIRONMENT

IMD launches improved SILAM & ENFUSER models to screen Air Quality in the nation

 On Oct 14, 2020, the Indian Meteorological Department operationalised improved air quality estimate models. hey were SILAM and ENFUSER.There are in excess of 40 air quality checking frameworks in Delhi.  SILAM - System for Integrated Modeling of Atmospheric Composition. The model has been improved by actualizing Global outflow inventories, for example, CAMS-GLOB and EDGAR for mineral fine anthropogenic particulate issue at 10 kilometer goal.  It was developed by the Finish Meteorological Institute. The model gives data, for example, balance barometrical arrangement and Wildfire smoke. It is equipped for tackling the reverse scattering issue. The model is fit for taking information from assortment of sources, for example, ocean salt, Pollen and blown residue.

Graded Response Action Plan comes into force in Delhi

 The Anti-Pollution measure Graded Response Action Plan is to come into force in Delhi. The Delhi Pollution Control Committee has banned the operation of electricity generator sets. The Environment Pollution Authority had earlier directed Punjab, Delhi, Rajasthan and Haryana Governments to implement air pollution control measures under Graded Response Action Plan.  The Graded Response Action Plan are institutional measures that are to be adopted when the air quality deteriorates. It is an emergency measure. It was prepared by Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority. It aims to prevent Particulate Matter PM 10 and PM 2.5 go beyond “moderate” Air Quality Index.

Uttarakhand to Start Plantation Drive to Clear Compensatory Afforestation Backlog in Other states

 Uttarakhand Forest Department is to set up a plantation drive in Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh and parts of Rajasthan to clear the backlog for compensatory afforestation over the following two years. The Compensatory afforestation is done against the transfer of forest land for non-forestry purposes.  In compensatory plantation, 1,100 vegetation are planted over an area of one hectare.

Uttar Pradesh State of India Capital Lucknow

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Governor Chief minister Yogi Adityanath

CURRENT AFFAIRS: AGRICULTURE

India releases commemorative coin to mark 75th anniversary of Food & Agriculture Organization

 On Oct 16, 2020, PM Modi release category coin of Rs 75 denomination to mark the 75th anniversary of United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization. The Prime Minister will likewise commit 17 bio-sustained assortments of eight yields.  The dispatch of dedicatory coin will check the most noteworthy need given by the Government of India to horticulture and nourishment.

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