Current Affairs

25^th November 2022

Top 23 Daily Current Affairs: National & International News

Here is the Daily Current Affairs of the 25th November 2022 covering the following news headlines: Indian Ocean Rim Association, Garuda Shakti 2022, National U-13 Badminton, Prasar Bharati, FICCI, European Space Agency.

International News

1.Qatar signed world’s ‘longest’ gas supply deal with China

QatarEnergy announced a 27-year natural gas supply deal with China, calling it the “longest” ever seen as it strengthened ties with Asia while Europe scrambles for alternative sources. The state energy company will send four million tonnes of liquefied natural gas annually from its new North Field East project to China Petroleum and Chemical Corporation (Sinopec).

China is the first country to seal a deal for North Field East. The Chinese company’s chairman revealed it had also requested a full share of the North Field South project that is dominated by Western energy giants.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

Qatar Capital: Doha;

Qatar Currency: Qatari Riyal;

Prime Minister of Qatar: Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdelaziz Al Thani.

2.Nepal: Sher Bahadur Deuba elected for consecutive 7th time from Dadeldhura district

In Nepal, Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has elected for the consecutive 7th time from the home district of Dadeldhura. The counting of votes continues for parliamentary and provincial elections in the country.

Senior Nepali Congress leader, Mr. Deuba defeated an independent candidate Sagar Dhakal by a margin of over 12 thousand votes. The 77-year-old Nepali Congress president Deuba is currently holding the post of Prime Minister for the fifth term.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

Nepal Capital: Kathmandu;

Nepal Currency: Nepalese rupee;

Nepal President: Bidhya Devi Bhandari.

3.UN Human Rights Body Launches Iran Human Rights Probe

The U.N. Human Rights Council voted to condemn the bloody crackdown on peaceful protests in Iran and create an independent fact-finding mission to investigate alleged abuses, particularly those committed against women and children.

The session in Geneva is the latest international effort to put pressure on Iran over its crackdown, which has already drawn international sanctions and other measures. A resolution put forward by Germany and Iceland was backed by 25 countries, including the United States and many European, Latin American, Asian and African nations. Six countries opposed the move — China, Pakistan, Cuba, Eritrea, Venezuela and Armenia — while 16 abstained.

4.Lt General Asim Munir Appointed as New Army Chief of Pakistan

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif appointed Lieutenant General Asim Munir as the new army chief of the country, replacing incumbent General Qamar Javed Bajwa. Information minister Marriyum Aurangzeb announced the appointment on Twitter ending weeks of speculation over what some call the most powerful position in the South Asian nation.

Pakistan’s military has directly ruled the country of 220 million people for nearly half of its 75-year history.

Lieutenant General Sahir Shamshad will take charge as the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee

PM Sharif held a cabinet meeting earlier where he selected Munir from a list of six nominees for the top military post.

Munir is currently posted at the army headquarters in Rawalpindi. He has served briefly as chief of the country’s premier intelligence agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).

State News

5.Uttarakhand: Nainital High Court bans beautification works of Sukhatal lake

The Uttarakhand high court has banned all construction activities in the dry area around the Sukhatal lake, a rain-fed water body that recharges the Naini lake. A division bench of Chief Justice Vipin Sanghi and Justice R.C. Khulbe imposed the ban while hearing suo motu a PIL against the beautification and rejuvenation work going on around Sukhatal.

The State Environment Impact Authority and the State Wetland Management Authority have also been made parties and notices have been issued to them in this regard.

During the hearing, amicus curiae (friend of the court) Kartikeya Hari Gupta told the court citing hydrological studies that the Sukhatal lake recharges the Naini lake up to 40% and 50%.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

Uttarakhand Governor: Gurmit Singh;

Uttarakhand Chief minister: Pushkar Singh Dhami;

Uttarakhand Capitals: Dehradun (Winter), Gairsain (Summer).

Appointments News

6.Senior consultant Romal Shetty is CEO-designate of Deloitte India

Senior consultant Romal Shetty has been nominated CEO-designate of Deloitte India after a months-long selection process, according to an email sent to the firm’s partners late.

The nomination committee, after considering multiple candidates, zeroed in on Shetty, who leads Deloitte’s consulting practice in India. The next step is for its Indian equity partners to confirm his candidacy.

Romal Shetty has 20 years of experience in advisory services across large-scale transformation programs covering the business and technology domain and has worked in over 30+ countries across risk and consulting domain.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

Deloitte Founder: William Welch Deloitte;

Deloitte Headquarters: London, England;

Deloitte Founded: 1845, London, United Kingdom.

Economy News

7.India’s Current Account Deficit Pegged at 3-3.2% of GDP in FY23

Robust domestic economic activity and an uptick in oil import bills, India’s current account deficit is expected to be 3-3.2 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) for FY23, according to Chief Economic Advisor (CEA) V Anantha Nageswaran.

India’s current account balance recorded a deficit of 1.2 per cent of GDP in 2021-22, against a surplus of 0.9 per cent in 2020-21.

The Reserve Bank of India expects CAD to have widened modestly in the first half (April-September 2022) but shrink in the second half (October 2022-March 2023). Overall, CAD is expected to be under 3 per cent of GDP for FY23.

8.AYUSH Grows from US$ 3 Billion to US$ 18 Billion

Union Ayush Minister Shri Sarbananda Sonowal informed that AYUSH has grown by 17 percent in 2014-20 to reach US dollars 18.1 billion. The Minister was speaking at the inauguration of ‘AYUR-UDYAMAH’ at New Delhi, where he also released the RIS report titled ‘AYUSH Sector in India: Prospects and Challenges.

On the occasion, the All-India Institute of Ayurveda – Incubation Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (AIIA ICAINE) the first-of-its-kind incubation center under the Ministry of Ayush to promote Start-ups was also launched.

AIIA ICAINE was launched by the Union Minister of Food and Processing Industries Shri Pashupati Paras Ji.

9.India’s Unemployment Rate Eases to 7.2% in July-September 2022

Unemployment rate for persons aged 15 years and above in urban areas declined to 7.2 per cent during July-September 2022 from 9.8 per cent a year ago, the National Statistical Office (NSO) said.

India’s urban unemployment rate dropped for the fifth consecutive quarter in the July-September period of 2022-23 (FY23) to 7.2 per cent, according to the latest Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) released by the National Statistical Office (NSO).

The unemployment rate in current weekly status terms for all ages in the September quarter (second quarter or Q2) of FY23 is the lowest unemployment rate recorded in more than four years, from the time the NSO launched India’s first computer-based survey in April 2017.

Banking News

10.Axis Bank, Flipkart to Launch ‘Flipkart Axis Bank Super Elite’ Credit Card

Axis Bank, India’s third largest private sector bank, and Flipkart, India’s homegrown e-commerce marketplace have partnered to launch the ‘Super Elite Credit Card. To scale the Flipkart SuperCoins reward program and enhance the customer shopping experience, this card will serve extensive value to shoppers.

Following the three million milestones recently achieved for the existing Flipkart Axis Bank Credit Card, this partnership enables yet another avenue for customers on the platform to unlock and enjoy unique rewards.

The Super Elite Credit Card will offer an activation benefit of 500 Flipkart SuperCoins with 4X SuperCoins earned for every transaction and rewards up to Rs 20,000 across Flipkart, Myntra, etc.

Schemes News

11.In a first Indian Govt Announces Strategy for Suicide Prevention

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare unveiled the National Suicide Prevention Strategy — the first-of-its-kind policy formulated by the government to prevent suicides as a public health priority.

According to the ministry, the policy that will set the stage for promotion of mental health and prevention of suicides in the coming decade.

The goal of the strategy is to reduce suicide mortality in the country by 10 per cent by 2023. The strategy provides a framework for multiple stakeholders to implement activities for prevention of suicides in the country.

The implementation framework of the National Suicide Prevention Strategy envisions five key stakeholders responsible for realising the objectives. These include national-level ministerial stakeholders, state-level governmental stakeholders, district-level governmental stakeholders, NIMHANS-Bangalore and other top mental health institutes, and strategic collaborators.

Business News

12.Tata to Acquire Packaged Water Giant Bisleri for About ₹7,000 Crore

Tata Consumer is set to acquire India’s largest packaged drinking water company, Bisleri, for an estimated Rs 6,000-7,000 crore. Chairman Ramesh Chauhan is aiming to disinvest Bisleri International to Tata Consumer Products three decades after selling soft drink brands Thums Up, Gold Spot and Limca to Coca-Cola.

The current management will continue for two years as part of the deal. Chauhan’s ill health and daughter Jayanti’s lack of interest in the business is driving him to sell off the company. Selling Bisleri was a painful decision, he said, but believes that the Tata Group will take ‘even better’ care of it.

There have been other interested parties such as Reliance Retail, Nestle and Danone. The report stated that talks between Tata and Chauhan have been going on for the past two years.

Summits and Conferences News

13.22nd Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Council of Ministers’ Meeting

India participated in the 22nd Council of Ministers’s meeting of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) held at Dhaka in Bangladesh. The Indian delegation was led by Minister of State for External Affairs Dr. Rajkumar Ranjan Singh.

The COM adopted the ‘IORA’s Outlook on the Indo-Pacific’ (IOIP) which would guide enhancement of IORA’s engagement in the Indo-Pacific region. India led the process of development of the IOIP. Dhaka Communique was adopted as the Outcome Document of the 22nd COM Meeting.

Defence News

14.Garuda Shakti 2022: India-Indonesia joint exercise kicks off in Karawang

The Special Forces of India and Indonesia commenced the joint military exercise Garuda Shakti. The exercise is currently underway in Indonesia at Sangga Buana Training Area, Karawang. The eighth edition of Exercise Garuda Shakti focuses on enhancing understanding, cooperation and interoperability between the Special Forces of both armies.

The goal of the joint exercise is to advance the special forces’ skills. It also aims to share information on new weapons, equipment, tactics, techniques, and procedures, as well as lessons learned from previous operations.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

Indonesia Capital: Jakarta;

Indonesia Currency: Indonesian rupiah;

Indonesia President: Joko Widodo.

15.Indian Air Force Commenced Joint HADR Exercise Samanvay 2022

Indian Air Force is conducting the Annual Joint Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) Exercise ‘Samanvay 2022’ from 28 November 2022 to 30 November 2022 at Air Force Station Agra.

To assess the efficacy of institutional Disaster Management structures and contingency measures, the exercise will comprise a seminar on Disaster Management, a ‘Multi Agency Exercise’ involving static and flying displays of various HADR assets, and a ‘Tabletop Exercise’.

16.INS Mormugao: Second Ship of Project 15B Delivered to Indian Navy

INS Mormugao is the second ship of Project 15B stealth destroyers being built at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL). INS Mormugao was delivered to the Indian Navy on 24th November 2022. Project 15B was signed on 28th January 2011, which is a contract of four ships.

This project is a follow-on of the Kolkata class (Project 15A) destroyers Commissioned in the last decade and the lead ship of the project-INS Visakhapatnam had been commissioned into the Indian Navy on 21st November 2021.

Science and Technology News

17.Europe announces name of world’s first disabled astronauts

The European Space Agency has named the first ever “parastronaut” in a major step towards allowing people with physical disabilities to work and live in space. The 22-nation agency said it had appointed British Paralympic sprinter John McFall to take part in a feasibility study during astronaut training to assess the conditions needed for people with disabilities to take part in future missions.

McFall, who lost his right leg due to a motorcycle accident at the age of 19, won a bronze medal in the 100 metres at the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

European Space Agency Headquarters: Paris, France;

European Space Agency Founded: 30 May 1975, Europe;

European Space Agency CEO: Josef Aschbacher.

Awards News

18.Rajendra Pawar honoured Lifetime Achievement Award 2022 by FICCI

The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI), felicitated Rajendra Singh Pawar, Chairman & Founder, NIIT with ‘Lifetime Achievement Award 2022’ at the 8th FICCI Higher Education Excellence Awards ceremony. The award recognises Pawar for his immense contribution and exemplary work in the field of education as well as creating the IT Training industry.

The selection of Award was done by a high-level jury panel, Chaired by Dr R. A. Mashelkar, Indian National Research Professor and Chancellor, Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai and former Director General of CSIR.

Sports News

19.Tamil Nadu batter Narayan Jagadeesan breaks world record for highest ever List A score

Tamil Nadu batter Narayan Jagadeesan broke the world record for the highest individual score in men’s List A cricket by hammering 277 off 141 balls against Arunachal Pradesh in the Vijay Hazare Trophy at the Chinnaswamy in Bangalore.

Tamil Nadu became the first team to breach the 500- mark in List A cricket before winning the Group C match by 435 runs, making it the highest victory margin at this level. The previous record was Somerset’s 346-run win over Devon in 1990.

20.Telangana’s Bhukya and Odisha’s Patri Held National U-13 Badminton Titles

Telangana’s Nishanth Bhukya and Odisha’s Tanvi Patri became the boys and girls’ singles’ champions at the 34th Under-13 National Badminton Championships, notching contrasting wins at the UP-Badminton Academy.

Fourth-seeded Bhukya came from behind to beat Andhra Pradesh’s Akhil Reddy Boba 19-21, 21-12, 22-20 in 44 minutes whereas Patri took just 22 minutes to brush aside local challenger and 15th-seeded Divyanshi Gautam 21-7, 21-10.

Patri won her maiden National U-13 Ranking Tournament in Maharashtra earlier this month, and Patri was in sublime touch against Agra’s Gautam.

Tossing and placing the shuttle well, Patri kept Gautam on her toes with cross-court volleys to take the first game.

Important Days

21.International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women 2022: 25th November

The International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women is observed on November 25, every year. It is a day to pay tribute to the Mirabal sisters, the Dominican Republic activists who were murdered at the order of Rafael Trujilllo in 1960.

The United Nations aims to raise awareness about gender-based violence against women. This year’s campaign is a 16-day initiative starting on International Day for the Elimination of Violence against women and concluding on International Human Rights Day on December 10. Here is everything you need to know about this day.

The 2022 theme of International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women is ‘UNITE! Activism to End Violence against Women and Girls.’

Miscellaneous News

22.Prasar Bharati celebrates its Silver Jubilee or 25 years of its establishment

Prasar Bharati celebrated the silver jubilee or 25 years of its establishment on 23 November, 2022. It was on this day in 1997, that it came into being as a statutory autonomous body set up by an Act of Parliament. It comprises the Doordarshan and All India Radio. Prasar Bharati CEO Gaurav Dwivedi said, Prasar Bharati has stood firmly with the people during the challenges faced by the country and the world.

It is the largest statutory autonomous public broadcasting agency in India which was established in 1997.

It was established under an Act of Parliament and consists of Doordarshan Television Network and All India Radio.

In September 1990, the Parliament passed the Prasar Bharati (Broadcasting Corporation of India) Act.

This act made provision for the establishment of a Broadcasting Corporation of India named Prasar Bharati.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

Prasar Bharati Head quarters: New Delhi;

Prasar Bharati CEO: Gaurav Dwivedi.

23.Lieutenant Governor Inaugurates ‘Sonzal-2022’ at Kashmir

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha inaugurated the Annual Youth Festival ‘Sonzal-2022’ at the University of Kashmir. The Lt Governor said that the annual festival is a great opportunity for young artists to showcase their talents and ‘Sonzal’ provides them a much-needed platform to achieve the dream of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’.

Sonzal means rainbow, which is a symbol of hope, inspiration, and good fortune.

The Lt Governor entrusted on the Educational Institutions to discharge their responsibility to ensure freedom, creativity, and engagement for them to become multi-achievers, and acquire knowledge & skills to thrive and shape their future.