1.Business and Finance
AAI Signs MoU With NTPC Subsidiary
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a subsidiary of NTPC Ltd known as, NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam (NVVN).
The MoU has been signed to promote usage of electric vehicles and set up solar power plants at the airports managed and operated by AAI.
According to the MoU, NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam (NVVN) will be provided with adequate land and rooftop space by AAI, free of cost, at identified AAI airports to set up solar power plants.
In the initial phase, NVVN will begin working on the projects at airports in Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan.
Quick Fact: The Chairman of Airports Authority of India is Arvind Singh.
2.Science and Technology
ISRO launched PSLV C49 with 10 satellites
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).
The carrier vehicle PSLV C49 is to deliver 10 satellites in all with EOS-01 as the primary one.
This is the 51st mission of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).
The launch was from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
Quick Fact: The Chairman of ISRO is K.Sivan.
3.Summits and Conferences
India-Italy Virtual Bilateral Summit 2020
The India-Italy Bilateral Summit was held virtually on 6th November 2020.
The Summit was attended by the Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Prime Minister of Italy Prof. Giuseppe Conte.
The leaders reviewed the large framework of the bilateral relationship and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen cooperation against common global challenges, including the Coronavirus pandemic.
A total of 15 MoUs/Agreements were signed during the Summit in various sectors such as energy, fisheries, shipbuilding, design etc.
Quick Fact: The President of Italy is Sergio Mattarella.
4.Person in News
Gyanendro Ningombam becomes president of Hockey India
Manipur’s Gyanendro Ningombam was elected as the President of Hockey India.
Gyanendro Ningombam had been serving as the Officiating President of Hockey India since July 2020.
Gyanendro has become the first President of Hockey India from northeastern part of India.
He has been associated with the discipline of Hockey in Manipur for the last 40 years.
5.Miscellaneous
National Cancer Awareness Day 2020
The National Cancer Awareness Day is observed annually nationwide on November 7.
The day aims to spread awareness on cancer, its symptoms and treatment.
The day was first observed in 2014 and was announced by the union health minister Dr Harsh Vardhan.
The day coincides with the birth anniversary of scientist Marie Curie (Marie Skłodowska Curie), winner of the 1903 Nobel Prize in Physics.
Quick Fact: World Cancer Day is observed on 4th February.
6.Defence and Security
Special Forces conducted ‘Bull Strike’ tri service exercise
India’s Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC) has conducted a three-day Tri-Service Combat Exercise code-named “Bull Strike”.
The exercise was conducted at Teressa Island in the Nicobar Group of Islands.
The exercise highlighted on interoperability and synergy among three services – Army, Navy and Air Force to maximise combat potential.
The participants of the exercise were the three services components of ANC, elements of Indian Army’s Parachute Brigade, MARCOS (Marine Commando Force) and Special Forces.
7.Business and Finance
Overseas Investment limits increased for Mutual Funds
Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has increased the investment limits for Mutual Fund companies for overseas investments.
Mutual Funds can make overseas investments subject to a maximum of US $ 600 million per Mutual Fund, within the overall industry limit of US $ 7 billion.
Earlier the limit was at USD 300 million.
Mutual Funds can make investments in overseas Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) subject to a maximum of US $ 200 million per Mutual Fund, within the overall industry limit of US $ 1 billion.
Quick Fact: The chairman of the Securities and Exchange Board of India is Ajay Tyagi.
8.Business and Finance
Whatsapp Partners with 5 Banks for UPI Payment
WhatsApp partnered with five Indian banks to process its payment services.
The banks are State Bank of India, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Axis Bank and Jio Payments Bank.
The messaging platform had received the approval to launch its Unified Payments Interface (UPI) based payments services in India, to let users send or receive money across the country.
The services will be expanded in a graded manner, under this, the company can only roll out the payments service to only its 20 million users.
