The opposition Umbrella for Democratic Change party candidate, Duma Boko, was elected as the sixth President of Botswana. This was announced by Botswana's Chief Justice, Terence Rannowane. The victory of the Umbrella for Democratic Change party in the parliamentary election also ended the 58-year rule of the Botswana Democratic Party in the country.
Botswana is one of the few countries in Africa that has been democratic and has held regular elections since its independence. The President is indirectly elected and is both the head of the state and the head of the government. The President is elected by the Botswana parliament, also known as the National Assembly.
ILO's 352nd Governing Body Meeting in Geneva
The 352nd Governing Body meeting of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) is being held in Geneva. This important gathering began on October 28 and will run until November 7, bringing together representatives from member countries to discuss key labour issues and strategies for improving working conditions globally.
Sumita Dawra, Labour and Employment Secretary of India, presented India's initiatives and progress in improving living standards and employment.
The Governing Body serves as the Executive Body of the ILO, meeting three times a year (in March, June, and November) to make decisions on, ILO policy, Agenda for the International Labour Conference and ILO Programme and Budget.
ILO was created in 1919, as part of the Treaty of Versailles that ended World War I, to reflect the belief that universal and lasting peace can be accomplished only if it is based on social justice.
In 1946, the ILO became a specialised agency of the newly formed UN.
India Secures ISA Presidency Again, Ashish Khanna New Director General
India and France have been re-elected as the president and co-president of the International Solar Alliance (ISA), respectively, at the seventh ISA assembly held in New Delhi. During the inaugural day of the assembly, Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi announced that India would continue to hold the presidency until 2026.
The ISA comprises 120 member and signatory countries. It has mobilised resources and facilitated solar project deployments, particularly in Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The alliance has completed 21 out of 27 demonstration projects.
Significant Rise Himalayan Glacial Lakes Increase 10.81% from 2011 to 2024
According to a government report, glacial lakes and water bodies in the Himalayan region have experienced a 10.81% increase in area from 2011 to 2024, primarily driven by climate change. This expansion raises concerns about the heightened risk of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs). The report, accessed by PTI from the Central Water Commission (CWC), highlights that lakes in India have seen an even more significant growth, with a surface area increase of 33.7%.
The total area of glacial lakes in India grew from 1,962 hectares in 2011 to 2,623 hectares in 2024, marking a 33.7% increase.
A total of 67 lakes in India experienced over 40% increase in surface area, categorising them as high-risk for GLOFs.
The most notable expansions were recorded in Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh.
Overall, glacial lakes across the Himalayan region increased from 533,401 hectares in 2011 to 591,108 hectares in 2024.
India Commits to 30% Protected Areas in Updated Biodiversity Plan
India unveiled its updated National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) during the 16th UN Biodiversity Conference in Cali, Colombia, committing to protect at least 30% of its terrestrial, inland water, and coastal marine areas by 2030. This ambitious target aligns with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KM-GBF), adopted at the previous conference in 2022, which aims for global protection of 30% of land and ocean areas while restoring degraded ecosystems crucial for providing clean water and air.
India Yamaha Motor appointed Itaru Otani as its new Chairman, a significant move aimed at enhancing the company's presence in India's dynamic two-wheeler market. With over 30 years of experience at Yamaha Motor Company, Otani brings a wealth of expertise from leadership positions in diverse global markets, including Australia, Brazil, and Japan. His appointment signals a strategic shift to align Yamaha's offerings with the evolving preferences of Indian consumers, focusing on innovative and stylish products that cater to local demands.
Prior to his new role, Otani served as the Chief General Manager of the Land Mobility Business Operations in Japan, where he led crucial initiatives that shaped Yamaha's global strategy in the motorcycle segment.
NSE Launches Multilingual Mobile App and Website
The National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) to mark its 30th anniversary, launched its official mobile app, NSEIndia, and expanded its corporate website to support a total of 12 languages. This initiative aims to create a more inclusive financial ecosystem for millions of investors across India, allowing them to access market information in their preferred regional languages.
The launch of the NSE mobile app and the updated website aligns with NSE's commitment to enhancing investor accessibility.
The NSE website now supports eight additional Indian languages: Assamese, Bengali, Kannada, Malayalam, Oriya, Punjabi, Tamil, and Telugu, in addition to English, Hindi, Marathi, and Gujarati. This multilingual approach is designed to help investors from diverse regions better understand market information, fostering greater participation in financial markets.
The newly launched NSE mobile app offers a user-friendly, secure platform for investors to stay updated on market trends.
ISRO Begins Groundbreaking Analogue Space Mission in Leh
ISRO announced the launch of its analogue space mission in Leh, Ladakh. This innovative mission aims to simulate life in an interplanetary habitat, addressing the challenges associated with establishing a base station beyond Earth. Through this initiative, ISRO seeks to gather insights and prepare for future space exploration endeavours.
The mission is developed through a partnership involving, Human Spaceflight Center, ISRO, AAKA Space Studio, University of Ladakh, IIT Delhi and Supported by the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council.
The mission aims to replicate environmental conditions similar to those found on Mars and the Moon, considering Ladakh's unique climate and geography.
It focuses on the extreme temperatures of the region, which range from 3 to 35 °C in summers and −20 to −35 °C in winters, with heavy snowfall in winter months.
Germany's Alexander Zverev won the Paris Masters by defeating home hope Ugo Humbert 6-2, 6-2 in a dominant display by the new world number two.
Zverev now boasts seven ATP 1000-level titles over the course of his career, following two wins in Rome and Madrid, as well as victories in Montreal and Cincinnati.
Turkey's Zeynep Sonmez Clinches Maiden WTA Title in Merida
Zeynep Sonmez of Turkey roared past American Ann Li 6-2, 6-1 and captured the first WTA title of her career in Merida, Mexico. Sonmez became the first Turkish player to lift a WTA trophy since Cagla Buyukakcay won in Istanbul in 2016 and became the first champion from the country.
Wriddhiman Saha Announces Retirement from All Forms of Cricket
Indian wicketkeeper-batter Wriddhiman Saha announced his retirement from all formats of cricket, marking the end of an illustrious career that spanned nearly two decades. Known for his exceptional wicketkeeping skills and steady presence with the bat, Saha has been a prominent figure in Indian cricket, especially in the Test arena.
He played in every IPL season since its inception in 2008.
Saha represented multiple franchises: Kolkata Knight Riders, Chennai Super Kings, Punjab Kings, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Gujarat Titans.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar formally inaugurated an Indian Consulate in Brisbane in Australia.
Apart from the High Commission at Canberra, the Australian capital, India has consulates at Melbourne, Sydney and Perth. The new one at Brisbane in Queensland will be the fourth.
The 16th Finance Commission Team in Nagaland on Three Day Visit
Members of the 16th Finance Commission arrived in Nagaland on a three-day visit.
The Finance Commission team comprising Chairman Arvind Panagriya and members Ajay Narayan Jha, Annie George Mathew and Manoj Panda was received at Dimapur Airport by Deputy Chief Minister Y. Patton and Chief Secretary J. Alam.
During the three-day stay, the Finance Commission team would hold a closed-door meeting with the chief minister.
Other than the funds provided to the state through Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS), the state government is likely to present to the Commission, demands for grants-in-aid for the next five years, amounting to nearly Rs. 1 trillion on various sectors.
Speaker Nominates Three MLAs as Panel Chairmen for J-K Assembly
The Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Abdul Rahim Rather named three legislators as panel chairmen for the ongoing session of Legislative Assembly (LA).
The three MLAs are Mubarak Gul of ruling National Conference, Muhammad Yousuf Tarigami (CPI-M), and Sujeet Singh Salathia as panel chairman for the Assembly.
A joint exercise by the militaries of India and Vietnam aimed at enhancing capabilities for deployment of engineering and medical teams to undertake tasks as part of a UN contingent in peacekeeping operations is underway in Haryana. The fifth edition of 'VINBAX 2024', which will conclude on November 23 at Ambala and Chandimandir, marks a significant increase in scope with bi-service level participation for the first time by personnel of the army and the air force from both countries.
The exercise is a sequel to the bilateral exercise in Vietnam in 2023 and a major milestone in strengthening the bilateral relations between India and Vietnam.
CDS General Chauhan Signs Key Defence Pact with Algeria
India and Algeria formalised their commitment to strengthening bilateral defence ties with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on defence cooperation. The agreement was signed by Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan and Said Chanegriha, the Chief of Staff of the Algerian People's National Army. This significant development occurred during Gen. Chauhan's official visit to Algeria from October 31 to November 3. The agreement represents a significant advancement in bilateral military cooperation and sets the stage for long-term collaboration across multiple sectors.
World Tsunami Awareness Day (WTAD) is observed every year on November 5 to promote tsunami awareness and preparedness worldwide. The observance aims to bring together experts, government bodies, and communities to spread knowledge about the causes, impact, and prevention strategies related to tsunamis.
World Tsunami Awareness Day was established by the United Nations in 2015, inspired by Japan's historical experiences with tsunamis.
Uttar Pradesh Boosts Veterinary Services with New Policy
The Uttar Pradesh government announced a new policy to enhance veterinary services by introducing diploma and certificate courses in animal husbandry and para-veterinary medicine. This decision, taken during a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, aims to address the shortage of veterinarians in the state, where only 8,193 are available compared to the national total of about 34,500. By training more para-veterinarians, the government seeks to empower rural communities with essential animal health services, addressing the challenges posed by the current lack of resources and adequate training.
Animal Husbandry Minister Dharampal Singh emphasised the critical role of para-veterinarians in rural areas, where they often perform tasks like vaccination and first aid under the supervision of veterinarians due to a limited number of licensed professionals. The new policy will facilitate the training of para-vets in various aspects of animal health care, thereby improving the quality of services provided in rural communities.
Collins Dictionary Names "Brat" 2024 Word of the Year
In a reflection of evolving social attitudes and pop culture influences, Collins Dictionary announced "brat" as its Word of the Year for 2024. The word, redefined by British singer Charli XCX and popularised through her album of the same name, has come to represent a "confident, independent, and hedonistic attitude." Originally used to describe a misbehaving child, "brat" now embodies a culturally resonant spirit of self-expression and rebellion that resonates globally, with notable support from US presidential candidate Kamala Harris.
Other contenders for Word of the Year, like "brainrot" (referring to the inability to think clearly), "looksmaxxing" (attempting to enhance physical attractiveness), and "delulu" (slang for delusional), also underscore society's engagement with escapism and self-improvement. The shortlist included words influenced by other pop stars, such as "era," a nod to Taylor Swift's Eras Tour. Terms like "anti-tourism" and "romantasy" highlighted cultural shifts toward introspection, anti-commercialism, and fantasy as coping mechanisms for an uncertain world. Collins noted that while some of these words are not entirely new, their resurgence reflects contemporary anxieties and values.
ICMR Announces 'First in the World Challenge'
Aimed at encouraging Indian scientists to come up with innovative ideas for finding solutions to difficult health problems, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) announced a new initiative called "First in the World Challenge".
The Council, which is the apex body in India for the formulation, coordination and promotion of biomedical research and is one of the oldest medical research bodies in the world, said that the scheme proposes to foster novel, out of the box, futuristic ideas, new knowledge generation, discovery/development of breakthrough health technologies (vaccines, drugs/ therapeutics, diagnostics, interventions etc.), which has never been thought, tested or tried in the world till date.
Oscars 2025: Kannada Short Film 'Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know' Qualifies
Indian film 'Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know' qualified for Oscars 2025 in the Live Action Short Film category. The Kannada short film is produced by the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII).
Interestingly, the short film 'Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know' won first prize earlier this year (2024) at the Cannes Film Festival's La Cinef Selection. The film which is 16-minutes long is inspired from Indian folk stories and traditions.