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Daily & Latest Current Affairs in 2024

Current Affairs is a very important part of the overall preparation strategy for various Competitive Entrance and Government Recruitment Exams. Free Time Learning offers Today Current Affairs provides latest and Best Daily Current Affairs for UPSC, IAS/PCS, UPPSC, IBPS, SBI, RBI, SSC, CGL, Railway, APPSC, TSPSC, KPSC, TNPSC, TPSC, UPPSC, MPSC, RPSC, BPSC, MPPSC, UKPSC, MPSC, and other competitive exams.

1 .
Who flagged off Gujarat's first heritage train?
A)
Narendra Modi
B)
Amit Shah
C)
Ratan Tata
D)
Rajnath Singh

Correct Answer :   Narendra Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has flagged off Gujarat's first heritage train that will run from Ekta Nagar to Ahmedabad, bringing tourists to the Statue of Unity, the memorial to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The three-coach heritage train will be hauled by an electric engine that has been designed to look like a steam locomotive, replete with foggers to produce exhaust fumes and sound system to produce the sound of a steam locomotive. "The train is a blend of heritage and modern facilities," Modi said, flagging off the train during Ekta Divas celebrations here. Ekta Nagar, also known as Kevadiya, is in Narmada district



Ekta Nagar-Vadodara Heritage Train Features :

The three coaches have 48 seats each and tourists can enjoy a cup of tea and snacks in the 28-seater AC restaurant dining car with teak wood dining tables and two seater cushioned sofas. "The train will ply as a weekly service on Sundays from November 5. The frequency will be increased after taking into account the response to the service," Jitendra Kumar Singh, Divisional Railway Manager, Vadodara, said. All the coaches have teak wood interiors designed at the Integral Coach Factory at Perambur, Chennai.


Vadodara has a rich heritage of railways with the first attempt to run rail services being made in 1862 by Khanderao Gaekwad, the then ruler of Baroda State. Back then the trains were hauled by oxen on a eight-mile track between Dabhoi and Miyagam. Locomotives were used regularly on the route by 1880.


Ekta Nagar-Vadodara Heritage Train Timing & Fare :
The train will depart Ahmedabad at 6:10 am and reach Ekta Nagar, the railway station at Kevadia, which is home to the Statue of Unity in the reservoir of the Sardar Sarovar dam, at 9:50 am. On the return journey, the train will depart from Ekta Nagar at 8:23 pm and reach Ahmedabad at five minutes past midnight. The fare for one-way journey will be Rs 885. The train will not have any stoppage during the 182-km journey between Ekta Nagar and Ahmedabad..

Source : Zeenews

Published On : October 31, 2023
2 .
Climate change expert Professor Saleemul Huq has passed away, he was a resident of which country?
A)
Japan
B)
India
C)
Pakistan
D)
Bangladesh

Correct Answer :   Bangladesh

Famous climate change expert Professor Saleemul Huq, director of International Centre for Climate Change and Development, passed away on Saturday (28th Oct 2023) night at his residence in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
 
Saleemul Huq was Professor at the Independent University Bangladesh (IUB). He was an expert in adaptation to climate change in the most vulnerable developing countries and a lead author of the third, fourth and fifth assessment reports of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

He also advised the Least Developed Countries (LDC) group in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
 
 

Prof Huq was affiliated with the UN Food System Summit for 2021 as co-chair of the Action Track 5 on Building Resilience to Vulnerabilities, Shocks & Stress.
 
He was an associate of the International Institute on Environment and Development (IIED) of the United Kingdom. He was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2022 New Year Honours for services to combating international climate change.
 
In addition, he was the Chair of the Expert Advisory Group for the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) and Senior Adviser on Locally Led Adaptation with Global Centre on Adaptation (GCA), headquartered in the Netherlands..

Source : Ddnews

Published On : October 30, 2023
3 .
Which country has recently been removed by the Financial Action Task Force from its 'grey list'?
A)
Myanmar
B)
Pakistan
C)
Albania
D)
Malaysia

Correct Answer :   Albania

Albania is no longer on the Financial Action Task Force ‘grey list’, which names countries where concerns about money laundering and terrorist financing are not adequately addressed by the authorities but stakeholders say the impacts of money laundering are still felt in the economy.
 
The FATF is a global body responsible for tackling financial crimes, and those who make the grey list are subject to monitoring. Countries on the list often face heightened controls internationally, with financial institutions increasing scrutiny on transactions coming from, or going to them.
 
“This decision brings a number of positive outcomes, both in terms of reputation and in easing the costs of financial transactions in the banking system at home and abroad,” Finance Minister Ervin Mete said after announcing Albania’s three-year tenure on the list had come to an end.
 
Albania made a substantial commitment to cooperate with the FATF and the Council of Europe’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing evaluation body, Moneyval, in February 2020, following its re-inclusion in the grey list. Since then, the country has seen a notable rise in money laundering cases leading to indictments.
 
 

In the summer, the Council of Europe upgraded Albania’s compliance with FATF recommendations from partially compliant to largely compliant. They continued that the country took several measures “which addressed important shortcomings” and improved measures for regulating and supervising notaries and real estate agents.
 
“Overall, Albania has made progress in addressing most of the technical compliance shortcomings identified in its 2018 Mutual Evaluation Report,” the Council of Europe stated, noting Albania must report back in two years on all matters and any further progress.
 
However, concerns remain, at least locally, over money laundering. During the summer, the value of the euro decreased significantly against the lek due to a glut of the EU currency on the local market. While much was attributed to tourism and increased foreign investment, some remain sceptical and suspect foul play.
 
“Some strengthening (of the lek) has come from non-formal economic factors or in Albanian: informal or criminal economy,” said analyst and political commentator Neritan Sejamini.
 
He added the government and the Bank of Albania could help resolve the issue by lowering lek interest rates, raising the level of obligatory banking reserves in the currency, increasing public spending and lowering taxes. But this is not happening.
 
Gjergi Erebara, a journalist with BIRN, also believes that the presence of black money in the economy is behind the current state of affairs..

Source : Euractiv

Published On : October 30, 2023
4 .
Where was the 4th annual conference of the Indian Association for Economics and Allied Sciences held?
A)
Patna
B)
Srinagar
C)
Jaipur
D)
Varanasi

Correct Answer :   Srinagar

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha inaugurated the fourth annual conference of the Indian Economics & Allied Sciences Association at the University of Kashmir, Srinagar, with a valedictory ceremony held on Sunday (29th Oct 2023).

The conference delved into themes including Atmanirbhar Bharat and infrastructure development, J&K and Ladakh economy, health reforms and educational reforms such as NEP-2020 among others.

The primary objective of the conference was to introduce young researchers and students to the latest advancements in the field of economics and encourage in-depth discussions on various aspects of the Indian economy.

Following the presentations, an academic discussion took place where experts from various academic and research institutions across India reviewed the research and offered their insights on the discussed themes.

The participants and members of IEASA were felicitated and certificates were distributed to recognise their contributions.

While speaking on the valedictory function KU Vice Chancellor, Prof Nilofer Khan said, "We have witnessed the exchange of ideas, the presentation of groundbreaking research and the fostering of new collaborations during the last few days," adding that there is tremendous intellectual capacity within our community to advancing the field of economics and allied sciences.

 

MD & CEO, J&K Bank, Baldev Prakash talked about the bank’s role in J&K economy and ensured his full support under CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) to the university and other programmes which directly or indirectly contribute to the development of the nation.

Head, Department of Economics, KU Prof Imtiyaz ul Haq expressed his well-wishes for the participants' future endeavours.

KU Registrar, Dr Nisar Ahmad Mir; Commissioner, State Tax Department, Dr Rashmi Singh; MD & CEO, J&K Bank, Mr. Baldev Prakash and other prominent economists from across India attended the valedictory function.

Pertinently, Lieutenant Governor, Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha inaugurated the conference on Friday, emphasising India's development strategy of Aatma Nirbhar Bharat, development issues of J&K, Ladakh and the tribal population in India.

The Lt Governor commended the contributions of the Indian Economics and Allied Sciences Association in enhancing the understanding of India's development process and economic policies.

President, IEASA, Prof Sudhakar Panda; Secretary, IEASA, Dr Alok Kumar also spoke during the inaugural session emphasising the key features of the annual conference.
The Lt Governor also released the Conference Souvenir during the event.

KU Vice Chancellor, Prof Nilofer Khan; KU Registrar, Dr Nisar Ahmad Mir; Conference President IEASA, Prof Pulin B Nayak; Member Secretary, ICSSR, Prof Dhananjay Singh; Conference Chief Coordinator, Prof G M Bhat; educationists, economists, experts, heads of various KU departments, research scholars and students were present at the inaugural ceremony..

Source : Brighterkashmir

Published On : October 30, 2023
5 .
Which city will host Beautyworld Middle East 2023?
A)
Muscat
B)
Dubai
C)
Abu Dhabi
D)
Kuwait City

Correct Answer :   Dubai

Dubai will host Beautyworld Middle East 2023, the leading international trade show that redefines the landscape of the beauty and wellness industry, from October 30 - November 1, 2023, at the Dubai World Trade Centre, at the Dubai World Trade Centre. An impressive assembly of 1,750 exhibitors from 57 countries spanning across 15 halls, boasting an astounding 20 per cent expansion in size over the previous edition.
 
Local, regional and international exhibitors will launch new products, innovations, trends and services to a highly engaged audience of over 50,000 industry attendees. Participants at the largest international trade fair for the beauty and wellness industry will experience an exhilarating array of sessions encompassing market intelligence, emerging trends, and revolutionary technologies reshaping the beauty sector on both regional and global scales.
 
 

Popular features include Next in Beauty, a platform for high-profile industry figures to share insights into global trends, beauty tech developments, sustainable practices and cosmetics regulations. Signature Scent sees several top international fragrance houses create their own interpretation of a signature scent, while Quintessence is an exclusive platform dedicated to artistic and niche fragrances.
 
Beauty Tech is another key feature and will showcase the sector's game-changing solutions and future developments. Premium Club, meanwhile, will connect senior buyers and key decision-makers..

Source : Devdiscourse

Published On : October 30, 2023
6 .
Who has been appointed by State Bank of India as its new brand ambassador?
A)
MS Dhoni
B)
Virat Kohli
C)
Rohit Sharma
D)
Sachin Tendulkar

Correct Answer :   MS Dhoni

The State Bank of India (SBI), the nation’s largest lender, has appointed the legendary cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni as its official Brand Ambassador. Dhoni, who is widely regarded as one of India’s greatest cricket captains, will assume a crucial role in various marketing and promotional campaigns for SBI. This development reflects SBI’s commitment to engaging with a younger, more diverse customer base. List of companies and products androse by MS Dhoni such as Oreo, India Cements, Dream11 and Reebok in 2023.
 
The Trend of Sporting Icons as Brand Ambassadors in Banking : SBI is not the only public sector bank to capitalize on the appeal of popular sports personalities. Other banks, such as Bank of Baroda (BOB) and Punjab National Bank (PNB), have also leveraged the star power of athletes in their brand endorsement strategies. Bank of Baroda notably enlisted former cricketer Rahul Dravid as its brand ambassador, while BOB’s lineup of brand ambassadors includes badminton players P V Sindhu and K Srikanth, along with cricketer Shafali Verma. Punjab National Bank had earlier signed on the renowned cricketer Virat Kohli as its brand ambassador, underlining the growing trend of using sports icons to connect with the masses.
 
 

Dhoni’s Remarkable Career and Recent Brand Endorsements : Mahendra Singh Dhoni, a former Indian cricket captain, is a revered figure in Indian cricket. He recently revealed an interesting insight during an event in Bengaluru, where he shared that he had a premonition of his retirement from international cricket during the 2019 ICC Men’s ODI World Cup semifinal, which turned out to be his last match for Team India. Beyond his association with SBI, Dhoni has also taken up the role of brand ambassador for Reliance Industries Limited’s JioMart. His list of brand endorsements for 2023 includes well-known companies and products such as Oreo, India Cements, Dream11, and Reebok.
 
State Bank of India’s Impressive Financial Portfolio : State Bank of India, a financial powerhouse in the Indian banking sector, boasts an impressive financial portfolio. As of June 2023, the bank’s home loan portfolio has surged past ₹6.53 lakh crore, highlighting its dominant position in the housing finance market. SBI’s deposit base stands at a staggering ₹45.31 lakh crore, with a Current Account Savings Account (CASA) ratio of 42.88%. Furthermore, the bank’s advances have crossed ₹33 lakh crore, cementing its role as a key player in the lending landscape. In addition, SBI commands a substantial market share of 33.4% in home loans and 19.5% in auto loans, reinforcing its prominence in retail banking.
 
The association between MS Dhoni and State Bank of India marks an exciting chapter in the bank’s branding journey, as it seeks to resonate with a younger and more diverse audience, leveraging the charisma of one of India’s most beloved sports figures

Published On : October 30, 2023
7 .
Who Launches 'Swayampurna e-bazaar' in Goa?
A)
Digambar Kamat
B)
Vijai Sardesai
C)
Bhupendrabhai Patel
D)
Pramod Sawant

Correct Answer :   Pramod Sawant

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday (26th Oct 2023) launched Swayampurna e-bazaar, an online platform that supports self-help groups.

Chief Minister Sawant said that his government launched this online platform to give market to different kinds of products made by self-help groups and women.

“We have launched the Swayampurna e-bazaar on the occasion of Dussehra. We launched this e-bazaar to give market to different kinds of products made by self-help groups and women. These products will be available for people across India,” Pramod Sawant said.

The Swayampurna e-bazaar is an extension of the successful Swayampurna Chavath Bazar. The Chaturthi e-Market, another platform, also received a good response, said officials.

The Chavath e Bazaar is an online portal integrated with the Swiggy app for seamless ordering. Goan entrepreneurs and self-help groups can contact 9262626262 to join this platform and sell their products online, One can also shop via www.goaebazaar.com, thereby supporting rural Goans’ artisans and craftsmanship..

Source : The Statesman

Published On : October 28, 2023
8 .
Who has been elected as the next King of Malaysia?
A)
Al-Sultan Ibrahim
B)
Al-Sultan Abdullah
C)
Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar
D)
None of the above

Correct Answer :   Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar

Malaysia's royal families elected the powerful and outspoken Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar from the southern state of Johor to be the country's next king.

The king plays a largely ceremonial role in Malaysia, but the monarchy has become more influential in recent years due to prolonged political instability that has prompted the incumbent king to wield rarely used discretionary powers.

Malaysia has a unique system in which the heads of its nine royal families take turns to be monarch for a five-year term. The Southeast Asian country is a parliamentary democracy, with the monarch serving as head of state.

Sultan Ibrahim will take over from current King Al-Sultan Abdullah on Jan. 31, 2024, the keeper of the rulers' seal said in a statement on Friday (27th Oct 2023).


Unlike other traditional Malaysian rulers, Sultan Ibrahim has been outspoken about politics and has said he has a good relationship with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

The sultan, who is known to have a big collection of luxury cars and motorcycles, has wide-ranging business interests from real estate to mining.

King Al-Sultan played an unusually active role in Malaysian politics, picking the country's last three prime ministers.

The federal constitution grants the monarch only a few discretionary powers, with the king largely required to act upon the advice of the prime minister and cabinet.

It also allows the king to appoint a prime minister who he believes has a parliamentary majority, a power never utilised until 2020, as the premier is typically picked through an election.

King Al-Sultan used those powers during a period of political instability triggered by the defeat of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), which had governed Malaysia uninterrupted since independence until 2018.

The king also has the power to pardon convicted people. In 2018, Al-Sultan's predecessor, Sultan Muhammad V, pardoned Anwar, who was then imprisoned on sodomy and corruption charges that he says were politically motivated.

Former prime minister Najib Razak, jailed last year on a graft conviction linked to a scandal over state fund 1MDB, has applied for a royal pardon, a request that could be reviewed by the new king..

Source : Reuters

Published On : October 28, 2023
9 .
In which state did Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan launch 124 PM-Shri schools?
A)
Haryana
B)
Assam
C)
Gujarat
D)
Uttar Pradesh

Correct Answer :   Haryana

Union Minister for Education and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Dharmendra Pradhan, along with Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, launched 124 PM-Shri schools in the state.

The schools have been designed with smart classrooms and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) labs.

Mr Pradhan and Mr Khattar also launched the Accreditation of the Schools app and mobile application for NIPUN, books and learning materials for Balvatika-3.

The event showcased presentations on PM-Shri schools, E-Adhigam and MIS platform, online transfer policy and foundational literacy and numeracy - NIPUN Haryana Mission.

Addressing the event, the Union minister said that the launch is aimed at ensuring a bright future for the children of Haryana through advanced and quality education by bringing features of New Education Policy (NEP) on the ground.

He added that PM-Shri Schools will act as a symbol of excellence with 21st century modern education based on skill-based, people-life-culture and mother tongue.

Mr Pradhan also said that the launch of PM Shri School will increase the potential of school education in the state and the children will benefit with the initiative..

Source : NDTV

Published On : October 28, 2023
10 .
The Union Cabinet has approved the Jamrani Dam Project, it belongs to which state?
A)
Rajasthan
B)
Uttarakhand
C)
Maharashtra
D)
Madhya Pradesh

Correct Answer :   Uttarakhand

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on Wednesday (25th Oct 2023) approved the incorporation of Jamrani Dam Multipurpose Project in Uttarakhand under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana-Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (PMKSY-AIBP), at an estimated cost of ₹2,584 crore.

The project envisages the construction of a dam near near Jamrani village on the Gola river, a tributary of river Ganga, in Uttarakhand's Nainital district. Once constructed, the dam will feed the existing Gola barrage with its 40.5 km canal and a 244-km long canal system, which was completed in 1981.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur said that the CentrE would contribute ₹1,557.18 crore towards the project, aiming for completion by March 2028.

The project will see setting up of two feeder canals, refurbishing 207 km of existing canals, and introducing 278 km of solid field channels. On the energy front, the dam is expected to generate 14 MW of hydropower and deliver 42.70 million cubic meters of potable water to over 10.65 lakh residents in Haldwani and its vicinities.

A substantial part of the irrigation benefits of the project would flow to the neighbouring state of Uttar Pradesh, and cost or benefit sharing between the two states will be done as per a memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in 2017.

 However, drinking water and power benefits shall be available entirely to Uttarakhand, according to an official release.

The PMKSY, initiated in 2015-16 to improve farm water accessibility and foster sustainable water conservation methods, has a projected outlay of ₹93,068.56 crore until 2026. As a component of PMKSY, the accelerated irrigation benefits programme (AIBP) aims to foster irrigation potential through large-scale projects.

To date, 53 projects have been finalized under PMKSY-AIBP, leading to additional irrigation across 25.14 lakh ha. With the Jamrani Dam project's inclusion, the number of projects post the inception of PMKSY 2.0 in 2021-22 reaches seven..

Source : Mint

Published On : October 28, 2023