Daily Current Affairs 16 November for Banking/Insurance/SSC and other related exams.
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NATIONAL NEWS
India to have 1900 operational Global Capability Centers by 2025: Report
The total number of operational Global Capability Centres (GCCs) in India is expected to jump over 20 per cent from 1,580 currently to 1,900 by 2025, real estate consultancy CBRE said in a report. It said that between 2023 and 2025, GCCs will likely lease office space of around 60-62 million square feet (msf) in India.
- In its “India’s Global Capability Centres-charting a New Technology Era” report, CBRE said that the availability and cost of talent, real estate, and supporting regulatory framework have made India the most sought-after destination for GCCs. Due to this, global GCCs are leasing larger office spaces in the country.
- The report also stated that between 2023-25, the top six cities, including Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbai, Chennai, Pune and Hyderabad, are likely to witness a strong pipeline of new developments in emerging micro markets.
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi released the 15th Instalment of PM KISAN Scheme
Prime Minister Narendra Modi released the 15th installment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-Kisan) scheme worth over Rs 18,000 crore to more than 8 crores farmers, during his Jharkhand visit.
- Eligible farmers will receive Rs 2000 installment under the scheme, as the 15th instalment under the scheme.
- According to the PM Kisan website, “eKYC is MANDATORY for PMKISAN Registered Farmers. OTP Based eKYC is available on PMKISAN Portal or nearest CSC centres may be contacted for Biometric based eKYC.”
9th India International Science Festival to be Held in Faridabad in January 2024
The 9th edition of the Indian International Science Festival (IISF) is set to be held at the Campus of Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI) and the Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB) in Faridabad, Haryana from 17th January to 20th January 2024.The mega science fair promises a unique blend of scientific exploration, innovation and public engagement.
- The theme of the present edition of the science fair is ‘Science and Technology Public Outreach in Amrit Kaal’. This theme underscores the importance of making science accessible to the masses, aiming to inspire individuals across various demographics, from students and educators to scientists, researchers, industry professionals, entrepreneurs and science communications.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
Omegle shuts down operations permanently after 14 years of its service
Omegle, a once-popular online chat service founded in 2009 by Leif K-Brooks, has recently announced its shutdown after more than 14 years of operation.
- The platform, which allowed individuals to connect and talk with strangers, experienced a surge in popularity but ultimately faced challenges that led to its demise.
India to become third largest economy by 2027: FM Sitharaman
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said India is expected to overtake Japan and Germany to emerge as the third largest economy in the world by 2027.
- Addressing the Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue, Sitharaman said India’s economic growth is estimated to be just under 7 per cent during the year, the highest among major economies, despite global headwinds.
- Amidst supply-chain disruptions and economic turbulence due to contemporary conflicts that impact the Indo-Pacific, irrespective of whether they are occurring in relatively distant Ukraine or in relatively-proximate Israel or Yemen, and despite the palpable tensions prevalent in the South- and East China Sea, the Indian economy stands out as a bright spot, she said.
GAIL Completes World’s Inaugural Ship-To-Ship LNG Transfer
India’s top gas firm GAIL has done the world’s first ship-to-ship liquefied natural gas (LNG) transfer to save on shipping costs and cut emissions as the state-owned entity looks at innovative ways as a pivot to boost business
- GAIL has contracted 5.8 million tonnes per annum of LNG (natural gas super-cooled to liquid form) from the US. The company brings this volume to India via LNG ships. The ship typically travels a distance of about 19,554 nautical miles for a round trip to transport LNG from Sabine Pass in the US to India via the Suez Canal and Gibraltar.
- This journey takes approximately 54 days and emits about 15,600 tonnes of CO2.Emissions are generally controlled using the latest technology or changing the destination of the cargo. However, GAIL’s innovative contractual arrangement that results in vessels following an optimised path has resulted in a significant reduction in CO2 emission.
‘Hello Naariyal’ call centre launched
The Coconut Development Board (CDB) has launched ‘Hello Naariyal’ Friends of Coconut Trees (FoCT) call centre facility to help farmers with coconut harvesting and plant management operations.
- The Hello Naariyal call center, in Kerala functions from the HeadQuarters of the Board in Kochi. This initiative will not only benefit coconut growers of Kerala but will also extend its service to the traditional coconut-growing states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka through the respective Unit Offices of the Board.
SPORTS
Petroleum Minister Inaugurates Hockey India Senior Women C’ship
Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas & Housing and Urban Affairs, Shri Hardeep Singh Puri unveils the 3rd Hockey India Senior Women Inter Department National Championship 2023 at Shivaji Stadium in New Delhi, securing the tournament trophy in a competitive and thrilling setting.Indian Oil Corporation hosted the tournament.
- The championship features eight top-tier women’s teams from India including the All Indian Police Sports Control Board, Railway Sports Promotion Board, UCO Bank, Union Bank of India, Sports Authority of India, Sashastra Seema Bal, and Tamil Nadu Police.
AWARDS
Pakistan-based startup She-Guard wins top climate innovation competition
Pakistan-based cleantech startup She-Guard has been named the winner at the ‘ClimateLaunchpad Asia-Pacific’ finals with its innovative biodegradable and plastic-free sanitary product.
- The startup aims to turn banana crop waste into biodegradable, plastic-free, and affordable sanitary napkins, helping to solve the entangled challenges of climate change, health issues, and solid waste that Pakistan is facing.
- She-Guard competed with 172 other teams from six countries in the Asia-Pacific in the finals, hosted by national partner Centre4 Creativity & Sustainability, and funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Ireland (Irish Aid).
Salman Rushdie receives first-ever Lifetime Disturbing the Peace Award
World-renowned author Salman Rushdie has been awarded the first-ever ‘Lifetime Disturbing the Peace Award’ by the Vaclav Havel Center. This was Rushdie’s surprise public appearance since he was stabbed during a literary festival in New York in August 2022.
- The Havel Center, formerly the Vaclav Havel Library Foundation, pays homage to the Czech playwright and president who emerged after the Communist regime’s fall in the late 1980s. Established in 2012, the center’s core aim is upholding Havel’s legacy of championing human rights and free expression.