19th November, 2024

1. Finance Minister Launches MSME Cluster Outreach and Opens SIDBI Branches
2. Defense Space Agency Conducts First “Exercise Antariksha Abhyas 2024”
3. India Donates Two Water Jet Propelled FICs to Mozambique
4. Tata Power and IndusInd Bank Offer Collateral-Free Solar Loans for MSEs
5. Cashfree Payments Gets PPI License from RBI
6. Samantha Harvey Wins 2024 Booker Prize for Fiction
7. Rachel Gupta from India Wins Miss Grand International 2024
8. Navinchandra Ramgoolam Becomes Mauritius’ New Prime Minister
9. Alix Didier Fils-Aime Sworn in as Interim Prime Minister of Haiti
10. Praveena Rai Appointed CEO and MD of MCX
11. HDFC Life Buys ₹90 Crore Worth of PNB Housing Finance Shares
12. India Wins Bronze at Sultan of Johor Cup U21 Hockey Tournament
13. World Quality Week 2024: November 11-15
14. West Bengal Wins 4th National Finswimming Championship
15. Gabon Approves New Constitution in Referendum
16. Jyothi Surekha Wins Gold, Abhishek Verma Secures Silver at GT Open 2024
17. Mithali Raj Named Mentor for ACA Women’s Cricket Operations
18. Odisha Claims First Gold at 14th Senior National Hockey Championship
19. Magnus Carlsen Wins Tata Steel Chess India Blitz Title
20. K Sanjay Murthy Appointed as New CAG
21. National Integration Day 2024 Celebrates Indira Gandhi’s Legacy
22. SpaceX Deploys ISRO’s GSAT-N2 Communication Satellite
23. SBI Raises $500 Million via Five-Year Bonds
24. Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Declared India’s 56th Tiger Reserve
25. World Day to Prevent and Heal from Child Exploitation and Abuse 2024
26. Harbhajan and Sania Mirza Named Dubai Sports Council Ambassadors
27. World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week 2024: November 18-24

State News

1. Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Declared 56th Tiger Reserve
   • What:
     • The Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve in Chhattisgarh has been officially notified as the 56th tiger reserve in India.
   • Tell me more:
     • It comprises the Guru Ghasidas National Park and Tamor Pingla Wildlife Sanctuary, with an additional buffer zone of 780.15 square kilometers.
     • This reserve is now the third largest tiger reserve in India, following Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve in Andhra Pradesh and Manas Tiger Reserve in Assam.
       Source: NOA

International News

1. Gabon’s New Constitution
   • Gabonese voters have approved a new constitution with 91.8% support in a recent referendum.
   • The new constitution aims to promote democratic governance and limit dynastic leadership in Gabon.
     Source: TOI

Banking and Economy

1. Tata Power and IndusInd Bank Launch Solar Financing
   • What:
     • Tata Power Renewable Energy Limited (TPREL) and IndusInd Bank have signed an agreement to provide collateral-free solar financing for Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs).
   • Why:
     • The initiative aims to boost solar energy adoption among small businesses by making financing accessible and affordable.
   • Tell me more:
     • Loans will range from ₹10 lakh to ₹2 crore, subject to credit approval.
     • The loans require a 20% margin and offer competitive interest rates with repayment terms of up to seven years.
     • This partnership supports India’s goal of achieving Net Zero emissions by 2070.

2. Cashfree Payments Receives PPI License from RBI
   • What:
     • Cashfree Payments has received the Prepaid Payment Instrument (PPI) license from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
   • Why:
     • The PPI license allows Cashfree Payments to offer digital payment solutions such as mobile wallets, prepaid cards, and vouchers, enhancing payment accessibility for customers.
   • Tell me more:
     • Cashfree Payments was founded in 2015 by Akash Sinha and Reeju Datta.
     • The company is backed by investors including Y Combinator, Apis Partners, and State Bank of India.
     • Cashfree Payments has launched products in eight other countries, including the US, Canada, and UAE.
       Source: ET
3. HDFC Standard Life Buys Shares in PNB Housing Finance
   • What:
     • HDFC Standard Life Insurance Company has purchased shares of PNB Housing Finance worth ₹90 crore through an open market transaction.
   • Tell me more:
     • HDFC Standard Life acquired a little over 10 lakh shares, which represents a 0.4% stake in PNB Housing Finance.
     • The shares were bought at an average price of ₹900 each, totaling ₹90 crore for the transaction.
     • A foreign investor, Asia Opportunities V (Mauritius) Ltd, sold shares of PNB Housing Finance at the same price, reducing its stake from 1.34% to 0.94%.
       Source: ET
4. SBI Issues $500 Million in International Bonds
   • What:
     • State Bank of India (SBI) has issued $500 million in senior unsecured fixed-rate notes with a coupon rate of 5.125%, maturing in five years.
   • Why:
     • The bond issuance aims to support SBI’s funding requirements for its international branches and general corporate purposes.
   • Tell me more:
     • The bonds will be listed on the Singapore Stock Exchange and the India International Exchange at GIFT City.
     • This is SBI’s third international bond issuance in 2024.
     • Earlier this year, SBI raised $600 million in five-year bonds at a 5.1% coupon and $100 million in three-year floating rate notes at SOFR + 95 basis points.
     • The proceeds from these bonds will help enhance SBI’s operational capabilities abroad.
       Source: ET

Defence News

1. India’s First Space Warfare Exercise Conducted
   • The Defence Space Agency of Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff conducted the Space Table Top Exercise Antariksha Abhyas 2024 from November 11 to 13, 2024.
   • The exercise aimed to enhance the strategic readiness of the Indian Armed Forces for space warfare and strengthen India’s space-based operational capabilities.
     Source: BS
2. India Gifts Fast Interceptor Craft to Mozambique
   • What:
     • India has gifted two water-jet propelled Fast Interceptor Craft (FIC) to Mozambique as part of its capacity-building initiatives in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
   • Why:
     • The purpose of this gift is to assist the Government of Mozambique in combating maritime terrorism and addressing ongoing insurgency issues in the Cabo Delgado province.
   • Tell me more:
     • This initiative follows earlier support from India, which included gifting two large interceptor vessels in 2019 and two similar FICs in January 2022.

Source: ET

Science and Technology

1. SpaceX Launches ISRO’s GSAT-N2 Satellite Successfully
   • What:
     • SpaceX successfully launched ISRO’s GSAT-N2 communication satellite from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
   • Tell me more:
     • This launch marks the first collaboration between SpaceX and ISRO.
     • The GSAT-N2 satellite is part of India’s ongoing efforts to develop satellites based on service demand as outlined in the government’s 2020 space sector reforms.
     • The satellite was placed into a Geo-synchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) approximately 30 minutes after launch.
       Source: TOI

Awards

1. Samantha Harvey Wins 2024 Booker Prize for Orbital
   • What:
     • British author Samantha Harvey has won the 2024 Booker Prize for her novel “Orbital,” the first space-themed book to receive this prestigious award.
   • Tell me more:
     • Harvey received £50,000 (approximately Rs 5,450,000) as part of her award and plans to use some of it to buy a new bicycle.
     • This year’s Booker Prize shortlist featured five women among six finalists, marking the highest representation of women in the prize’s 55-year history.
     • The other nominees included works by Percival Everett, Rachel Kushner, Anne Michaels, Yael van der Wouden, and Charlotte Wood.
     • Samantha Harvey is the first woman to win the Booker Prize since 2019.
       Source: BS
2. Rachel Gupta Wins Miss Grand International 2024
   • What:
     • Rachel Gupta, a 20-year-old from Punjab, has made history by winning the Miss Grand International 2024 title on October 25, becoming the first Indian to achieve this honor.
   • Tell me more:
     • Gupta also received the Grand Pageants Choice Award, joining the ranks of renowned Indian beauty queens like Lara Dutta.
     • Rachel previously won the Miss Grand India title in August and has experience in international pageantry, having won “Miss Super Talent of the World” in 2022.
     • The Miss Grand International pageant featured contestants from over 70 countries this year.
       Source: IT

Important Days

1. World Quality Week 2024 – November 11-15
   • Theme: Quality: from compliance to performance
     Source: WQW
2. National Integration Day – October 30
   • National Integration Day was commemorated on October 30, 2024, at the National Commission for Minorities (NCM)
   • National Unity Day is observed on October 31 to honor the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
     Source: PIB PIB
3. World Day for the Prevention of and Healing from Child Sexual Exploitation, Abuse
   and Violence – November 18
   • Theme: Prevention, protection, and healing
     Source: UN

4. World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week 2024: November 18-24
   • Theme: Educate. Advocate. Act now
     Source: WHO

Sports

1. India Wins Bronze at Sultan of Johor Cup
   • India secured the bronze medal at the Sultan of Johor Cup junior men’s hockey tournament by defeating New Zealand.
   • Great Britain won the gold by defeating Australia in Johor Bahru, Malaysia.
   • The Sultan of Johor Cup is an international junior men’s hockey tournament held annually.
     Source: HI
2. West Bengal Dominates National Finswimming Championship
   • What:
     • West Bengal swimmers won the team championship at the 4th National Finswimming Championship 2024, securing a total of 151 medals.
   • Tell me more:
     • West Bengal’s medal tally included 67 gold, 43 silver, and 41 bronze medals.
     • Karnataka finished as the runners-up with 50 medals, including 17 gold, while Uttarakhand secured third place with 21 medals.
     • The event took place at the Syama Prasad Mookeerjee Swimming Pool Complex in New Delhi.

3. Indian Archers Shine at Indoor Archery World Series
   • What:
     • Indian archers Jyothi Surekha Vennam and Abhishek Verma won gold and silver medals at the GT Open in Luxembourg.
   • Tell me more:
     • Abhishek Verma became the first Indian to score a perfect 600 in the qualification round and reached the final against Mike Schlosser of the Netherlands, ultimately finishing with a silver medal.

4. Mithali Raj Becomes Mentor for Andhra Women’s Cricket
   • What:
     • Former Indian women’s cricket captain Mithali Raj has been appointed as the Mentor of Women’s Cricket Operations for the Andhra Cricket Association (ACA).
   • Why:
     • The appointment aims to scout and develop young cricket talent in Andhra Pradesh, providing a new direction for women’s cricket in the state.
   • Tell me more:
     • Mithali has signed a three-year contract with the ACA to oversee talent development.
     • A High Performance Academy will be established in Anantapur, initially selecting 80 girls for year-round training that combines academics and cricket.
     • The academy will include qualified support staff and medical personnel to support the players’ development.
     • Regular matches will be organized for under-15 girls against state teams and boys to enhance their skills and confidence.
       Source: TH
5. Odisha Wins 14th Hockey India Senior Men Championship
   • The Hockey Association of Odisha has won the 14th Hockey India Senior Men National Championship by defeating Hockey Haryana at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium in Chennai.
     Source: ANI

6. Magnus Carlsen Wins Blitz Title at Tata Steel Chess
   • Magnus Carlsen won the blitz title at the Tata Steel Chess India tournament in Kolkata.
   • Carlsen secured the title with a victory over Vidit Gujrathi in the final round after defeating Arjun Erigaisi in the penultimate round.
   • In the women’s section, three-time world blitz champion Kateryna Lagno won.
     Source: NOA HT
7. Harbhajan Singh Appointed Sports Ambassador for Dubai
   • Former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh has been appointed as a brand ambassador for sports by the Dubai Sports Council (DSC).
     Source: TH

Appointments

1. Navin Ramgoolam Sworn in as Prime Minister Again
   • Navin Ramgoolam has been sworn in as the Prime Minister of Mauritius for his fourth term on November 13, 2024.
     Source: RT
2. Haiti’s New Prime Minister
   • Alix Didier Fils-Aime was sworn in as Haiti’s new prime minister.
     Source: ANI
3. Praveena Rai Appointed CEO and MD of MCX
   • Praveena Rai has assumed office as its Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director for a five-year term in Multi Commodity Exchange of India Limited.
   • Prior to joining MCX, Rai served as the CEO at National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).
     Source: TH
4. K Sanjay Murthy Appointed as New CAG of India
   • What:
     • K Sanjay Murthy has been appointed as the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India by President Droupadi Murmu.
   • Why:
     • The appointment is part of the constitutional process to ensure effective oversight of government finances in India.
   • Tell me more:
     • K Sanjay Murthy is an IAS officer from the Himachal Pradesh cadre and will assume office on November 21, 2024.
     • He is currently serving as the Secretary for Higher Education in the Central Cabinet.
     • His predecessor, Girish Chandra Murmu, will complete his term on November 20, 2024.

Source: TOI

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