TODAYS TOP NEWS

 

1.  The Indian Meteorological Department has predicted heavy to very heavy rain in Midnapore, Jhargram and South 24 Parganas districts in West Bengal. An orange alert has been issued in Kolkata, North 24 Parganas, Howrah, Hooghly, Bankura, and Purulia districts.

2.  In Odisha, relief and restoration work is ongoing at war footing to bring back normalcy in the cyclone 'Dana'-battered coastal districts of Kendrapara, Bhadrak, Balasore, and Jagatsinghpur. Personnel from NDRF, ODRAF, Fire Services, energy, and other departments are working round the clock to restore road connectivity and power supply. 

3.  Kerala is also witnessing widespread rain under the influence of Dana. The IMD issued an orange alert in Thiruvananthapuram, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam and Thrissur districts.

4.  The air quality in Delhi-NCR continues to remain in the poor category. According to the Central Pollution Control Board, Delhi's air quality index was recorded at 270. The Centre has asked state governments to enhance their preparedness in view of air pollution. Dr. Atul Goel, Director General of Health Services, has written a letter to the health departments of states and union territories regarding air pollution preparedness. 

5.  Northern Railway to Operate 195 Special Trains for Diwali and Chhath, Adding Over 170,000 Seats for Passengers from  trips of special trains from 26 Oct to 7th November for the convenience of passengers. 

6.  Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced an important initiative. The Government of India will commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. This celebration will span two years, from 2024 to 2026. It aims to honour Patel’s crucial contributions to India. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was born on October 31, 1875, in Nadiad, Gujarat. He is often referred to as the “Iron Man of India.”  Since 2014, October 31 as ‘Rashtriya Ekta Diwas‘ or National Unity Day. 

7.  Prime Minister Narendra Modi will share his thoughts with the people of the country and abroad in the ‘Mann Ki Baat’ programme on Akashvani tomorrow 28 Oct (Sunday) . It will be the 115th episode of the monthly radio programme. 

8.  The filing of nominations ended yesterday for the first phase of assembly elections in Jharkhand. Forty-three constituencies will go to polls in this phase on the 13th of November. Former Chief Minister Champai Soren filed nomination from Saraikela. 

9.  Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Dr. L. Murugan has stressed the adoption of artificial intelligence tools to boost productivity and enhance governance.

10.  Science and Technology Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh said that the recently approved BioE3 policy will be a game changer in the field of biotechnology and will lead the national bioeconomy to 300 billion dollars by 2030. Presiding over the Memorandum of Understanding signing ceremony between the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and the Indian Space Research Organisation in New Delhi, the Minister said that India is the first country in the world to have a bioeconomy policy.

11.  The Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare (DoPPW) has announced a significant new initiative for central government pensioners aged 80 and older, introducing an additional pension known as the compassionate allowance.

12.  Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy announced an ambitious plan to develop Bapu Ghat at Langar Houz into a global centre of Gandhian ideology. He said that Bapu Ghat, situated at the confluence of Isa and Musa rivers, would soon receive water from the Godavari river as part of the Musi rejuvenation project, creating a “Triveni sangamam”.

13.  Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has convened a crucial Cabinet meeting at the Secretariat for Saturday, with a significant agenda focused on agricultural, revenue, and welfare schemes.

14.  Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for a range of development projects totaling Rs 7,160 crore. Among these initiatives are 2,615 panchayat government buildings spread across various blocks in the state and a new panchayat resource center in Sonepur, Saran district. 

15.  Arunachal Pradesh on Thursday hosted the second edition of the Tawang International Marathon, a global adventure event, at  Tawang town in the border district.

16.  The Government of India has appointed Dr. Neena Malhotra as the next Ambassador of India to the Kingdom of Sweden. Currently serving as an Officer on Special Duty in the Ministry of External Affairs, Dr. Malhotra is an esteemed Indian Foreign Service officer from the 1992 batch. 

17.  In a significant step to bolster entrepreneurship in India’s Northeast, the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Shillong has partnered with the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI). Through its IIM Shillong Foundation for Incubation and Enterprise (IIMSFIE), this collaboration introduces a structured entrepreneurship training and incubation programme.

✈ INTERNATIONAL NEWS 

1.  India and Germany  signed multiple MoUs and agreements ranging from green hydrogen to innovation and technology to boost the bilateral relationship. The MoUs and agreements were exchanged in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in New Delhi after delegation level talks.

2.  Prime Minister Modi  announced that Germany will increase its annual visa quota for skilled Indian professionals from 20 thousand to 90 thousand.

3.  India’s Ambassador to Lebanon, Noor Rahman Sheikh,  delivered the first tranche of humanitarian aid to Lebanon. This consignment of medicines was received by Lebanon’s Health Minister, Firas Abiad, highlighting the collaborative efforts between the two nations. 

4.  The National Centre for Good Governance completed the 34th Capacity Building Programme for Maldivian Civil Servants in New Delhi yesterday. The two-week program began on the 14th of this month in collaboration with the External Affairs Ministry. The program was attended by 35 civil servants from the Maldives. 

5.  Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has said that research collaboration is the bedrock of cooperation between Australia and India. Interacting with Indian students studying across Australia at an event held in Sydney, he appreciated and encouraged all the Indian students in Australia to contribute passionately to the future of both countries.

6.  Four Indians were killed after a Tesla car they were travelling in caught fire after crashing into a divider near Toronto in Canada. 

××××××××××××××××××××××××

🌎 WORLD NEWS 🌍 

========================

1.  A high-ranking team from Egypt met with Israeli officials in Cairo to discuss a ceasefire in Gaza. The meeting is part of intensive Egyptian efforts to revive negotiations for a ceasefire. 

2.  The United States and Qatar have announced the revival of Gaza ceasefire negotiations, marking a potential turning point in diplomatic efforts following the recent death of Hamas’ Yahya Sinwar. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, during his eleventh regional visit since the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, revealed that mediators are exploring fresh approaches after previous US-led initiatives stalled.

3.  In West Asia, Israeli warplanes raided the al-Qaa Jousieh border crossing between Lebanon and Syria, resulting in its closure. According to media reports, Israeli warplanes fired four air-to-ground missiles in the Al-Qaa axis in eastern Lebanon. Lebanese Minister of Public Works and Transport Ali Hamieh confirmed that the crossing is now out of service.

4.  World Polio Day is observed on October 24 every year. It aims to raise awareness about the fight against poliomyelitis. This day was established by Rotary International in honor of Dr Jonas Salk. 

United Nations Day is celebrated on October 24 each year. This day marks the founding of the United Nations (UN) in 1945. 

5.  The Punjab government of Pakistan announced plans to deploy artificial rain to address severe smog in Lahore. This decision follows Lahore being named the world’s most polluted city, with an alarming Air Quality Index (AQI) level of 394. 

6.  In South Africa, seven people were killed in a suspected gang-related mass shooting. This is the second such incident in two days in the Western Cape province.