Daily Current Affairs and GK | 28 October 2023

Topic: International News

1. New sanctions imposed by the US on Hamas and members of Iran's Revolutionary Guard.

• On October 27, a second round of sanctions have been issued by the USA targeting the Palestinian militant group Hamas following attacks on Israel this month.
• The sanctions have been imposed on a Jordanian national who lives in Tehran and serves as Hamas's representative in Iran.
• This includes officers from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force (IRGC-QF) who train and assist members of Hamas and other terrorist groups.
• The US Treasury Department said in a statement that the measures target excess assets in Hamas's investment portfolio and people that facilitate sanctions avoidance by Hamas-linked companies.
• A Gaza-based entity that served as a conduit for illicit Iranian funds to Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) group was also targeted.
• The October 27 action freezes any of the US assets of the targeted groups and generally bars Americans from transacting with them.
• There is also a risk of ban on those who do some transactions with them.
• In the Middle East, Iran supports Hamas and other militant groups.
• On October 7, Israel bombed the densely populated Gaza Strip after a Hamas attack, which Israel says killed about 1,400 people.
• More than nine thousand people have been killed so far in the conflict between Gaza and Israel.

Topic: Personality in News

2. Li Keqiang, a former Chinese Prime Minister, passed away at the age of 68.

• Li Keqiang has died suddenly of a heart attack.
• The former prime minister led China's Cabinet under President Xi Jinping from 2013 until his retirement in March 2023.
• During his tenure serving as China's second-in-command, Li, in his role as top economic official, improved conditions for entrepreneurs, creating jobs and wealth.
• His career progressed through various party posts, including serving as party secretary in Henan and Liaoning provinces.
• Li was appointed to the Central Committee of the party in 2007.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: International News

3. The UN General Assembly passed a resolution for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

• The UN General Assembly has passed a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, on humanitarian grounds, and for aid to reach Gaza.
• The resolution drew praise from the Islamic terrorist group and condemnation from Israel.
• The resolution called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the release of all civilians, the protection of civilians and international institutions, and ensuring the safe passage of humanitarian aid into the Strip.
• 120 countries voted in favor of the resolution, while 14 countries, including Israel and US, voted against the resolution. 45 countries did not participate in the voting.
• Israel has rejected calls for a ceasefire in Gaza, citing its commitment to root out Hamas and prevent another major attack after the attack three weeks ago.
• Meanwhile, Israel has said that its forces on the ground are increasing their activities and attacks are being intensified.
• Due to heavy bombardment, many services including phone and internet have been cut off.
• The Israel Defense Forces-IDF spokesperson has again asked residents of Gaza City to move to southern countries for their safety.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: National News

4. An alternative facility of postal ballot provided by the Election Commission of India to the elderly aged, disabled, and Corona-infected.

• In the upcoming elections of five states, an alternative facility of the postal ballot has been provided to the elderly, disabled, and Corona-infected voters aged 80 years and above.
• For the assembly elections in Chhattisgarh, the elderly, disabled, and corona-infected persons aged 80 years or above are being given the facility to vote through postal ballot from their homes, which are scheduled for November 7 and 17.
• The door-to-door surveys were conducted by booth-level officials and Form 12 'D' was made to be filled by such voters.
• The polling team will go to the homes of such voters and conduct their voting through postal ballot with complete confidentiality.
• The polling team will complete this voting process at least one day before the scheduled voting date.
• The videography of this process will also be done, as per the instructions of the Election Commission. 

Topic: State News/ Punjab

5. Amritsar and Kapurthala have been included in 30 cities of historical and religious tourism importance.

• These two cities of Punjab have been included in the 30 cities of historical and religious tourism importance of 15 states of the country selected under the Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme.
• Earlier, Sri Anandpur Sahib, Sri Fatehgarh Sahib, Chamkaur Sahib, Firozpur, Khatkar Kalan, Patiala, and Kalanaur were selected in this scheme in the year 2018-19.
• Swadesh Darshan Scheme aims to make the visit of tourists pleasant and memorable by providing better infrastructure facilities in cities of historical and religious importance.
• Under this scheme, the government will spend 70 crores of rupees on development works in Amritsar and Kapurthala cities of Punjab.
• Under this, the government's effort is to make the tourists stay in these cities for a long time and get detailed information about the historical and cultural heritage.
• Certainly, this step will boost the tourism industry in these cities.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: State News/ Uttar Pradesh

6. Three-day state-level Shri Anna Mahotsav inaugurated by CM of Uttar Pradesh.

• On 27 October, the state-level Shri Anna Mahotsav was inaugurated by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath at Indira Gandhi Pratishthan in Lucknow.
• To promote the use of millet, it is being organized from the 27th to 29th October.
• The Chief Minister also visited the exhibition organized by Shree Anna producers from across the state.
• On the occasion of the 34th foundation day of the Uttar Pradesh Agricultural Research Council, a three-day Shri Anna Mahotsav is being organized.
• Uttar Pradesh Agricultural Research Council works for research and development in the field of agriculture.
• During the occasion, the Chief Minister also honored 35 farmer-producer organizations working in the field of 'Shri Anna'.
• In addition, five Krishi Vigyan Kendras in the state- Jhansi, Lalitpur, Banda, Hamirpur, and Ghazipur- were given support of Rs 95 lakh each for millet processing facilities.
• Apart from this, the Chief Minister also honored the farmer-producer organizations that trained and encouraged a large number of farmers for millet farming during the ceremony.

Topic: Books and Authors

7. Three books released by PM Modi at Tulsi Peeth in Chitrakoot.

• On October 27, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Tulsi Peeth in Chitrakoot.
• During a function, he released three books - ‘Ashtadhyayi Bhashya’, ‘Ramanandacharya Charitam’ and ‘Bhagwan Shri Krishna ki Rashtraleela’.
• The PM said that this will further strengthen India's knowledge tradition.
• Ashtadhyayi is a thousand-year-old text of India's linguistics, India's intellectualism, and our research culture because this book contains the grammar and science of language in direct way.
• Based on only 14 Maheshwar Sutras, this language has been the mother of Shastra and Sahastra (implements and scholarship).
• Prime Minister Modi paid rich tributes to Jagadguru Ramanandacharya and mentioned his vast knowledge and contribution.
• In 2015, Swamiji was awarded the Padma Vibhushan.
• Tulsi Peeth is an important religious and social service institution in Chitrakoot, Madhya Pradesh.
• Jagadguru Rambhadracharya established it in 1987.
• Tulsi Peeth is one of the leading publishers of Hindu religious literature.

Topic: International News

8. Asian Development Bank (ADB) has given approval for a $400-million policy-based loan to India.

• The loan is for sub-programme 2 of the Sustainable Urban Development and Service Delivery Programme.
• The aim of this programme is to provide support to the reform agenda of the government for improving the quality of urban life.
• Sub-programme 1 was approved in 2021. It established national-level guidelines as well as policies to improve urban services.
• Sub-programme 2 provides support to investment planning and reform steps at the urban local body (ULB) and state levels.
• ADB would keep assisting the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs with project execution by offering knowledge and advising support.
• ADB will concentrate on lower-income states since they need assistance with institutional strengthening, policy reform, and capacity building.

Topic: Summits/ Conferences/ Meetings

9. 6^th conclave of Indian Coast Guard Subordinate Officers was organised in New Delhi.

• The conclave was organised on October 26 & 27, 2023. Its theme was ‘Towards an Inclusive Approach’.
• During the conclave, MoUs were signed to enhance welfare measures for the personnel of the Coast Guard.
• Subordinate officers from various Coast Guard units across the country participated in the conclave.
• Indian Coast Guard Director General Rakesh Pal inaugurated the two-day conclave.
• Indian Coast Guard was established on 1 February 1977. It operates under the Ministry of Defence.
• It is the maritime law enforcement agency of India. It is also a search and rescue agency.

Topic: International Appointment

10. Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar has been elected as the new king of Malaysia.

• Malaysia's royal families elected the powerful and outspoken Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar as the next king.
• Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar will be appointed as the 17th King of Malaysia.
• He will be sworn in after the incumbent king's term expires on January 31 next year.
• He will take the place of Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, who ascended the throne in 2019.
• Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar is known for his big collection of luxury cars and motorcycles.
• Malaysia is a constitutional monarchy and the king is largely ceremonial.
• The federal constitution of Malaysia grants the monarch only a few discretionary powers.
• The constitution of Malaysia allows the king to appoint a prime minister.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Geography

11. Hurricane Otis hit the southern coast of Mexico.

• Hurricane Otis made landfall on the southern coast of Mexico.
• Hurricane Otis killed 27 people and damaged the beach resort of Acapulco.
• It is a category 5 storm with a wind speed of 270 kilometres per hour.
• It flooded streets which submerged cars and cut communications.
• The government declared a state of emergency in the region.
• Mexican authorities said Otis is the most powerful storm to strike Mexico's Pacific coast.
• A cyclone is a very low-pressure system with very high-speed winds revolving around it. The centre of a cyclone is called the eye of the storm.
• A cyclone is called a ‘hurricane’ in the American continent.

Topic: Indian Economy

12. Indian economy to become 3rd largest economy by 2030: S&P Global Market Intelligence

• S&P Global Market Intelligence has said the Indian economy is expected to surpass Japan and Germany by 2030 and become 3rd largest economy.
• India is presently ranked fifth in terms of size with $3.7 trillion economy in 2023-24.
• India’s nominal GDP measured in terms of USD is forecast to expand from $3.5 trillion in 2022 to $7.3 trillion by 2030.
• This would result in the size of the Indian GDP exceeding Japanese GDP by 2030.
• This would make India the second-largest economy in the Asia-Pacific region.
• As per S&P Global Market Intelligence, India will be one of the world’s fastest growing economies over the next decade.
• It also said that 1.1 billion Indians will have internet access by 2030.
• This is more than double from the estimated 500 million internet users in 2020.