Daily Current Affairs- 15 October 2024

Daily Current Affairs- 15th October 2024

INTERNATIONAL

India and US to finalize ₹32,000 crore deal for 31 predator drones and MRO facility

• India and the United States are set to sign a ₹32,000 crore agreement on Tuesday for the acquisition of 31 Predator drones and the establishment of a Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility in India. 

NATIONAL

Jaishankar & Mandaviya launch e-Migrate portal and mobile app

• External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Union Minister of Labour and Employment Mansukh Mandaviya launched the e-Migrate portal and mobile app. 

India launches first indigenous multi-purpose vessel – Samarthak

• The Indian Navy marked a significant milestone with the launch of Samarthak, the first vessel under the two Multi-Purpose Vessel (MPV) project being constructed by L&T Shipyard at Kattupalli. This event highlights India’s progress in indigenous shipbuilding, aligning with the government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives. 

PM Modi to inaugurate World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly 2024 in New Delhi

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA) 2024 (15 October) at 10 AM at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. During the same event, he will also launch the 8th edition of the India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2024. 

IMPORTANT DAYS

World Students’ Day

• In India, World Students' Day is celebrated on 15 October, the birthday of the 11th President of India, A. P. J. Abdul Kalam. Although named "World Students' Day", the day does not have any recognition outside India 

Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day

• Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day is an annual day of remembrance observed on October 15 for pregnancy loss and infant death, which includes miscarriage, stillbirth, SIDS, ectopic pregnancy, termination for medical reasons, and the death of a newborn. 

International Day of Rural Women

• International Day of Rural Women was implemented by the United Nations General Assembly, and is celebrated every year on October 15, with the aim of highlighting the role and situation of women in rural areas. 

APPOINTMENS & RESIGNATIONS

Omar Abdullah to take oath as J&K chief minister on October 16

• National Conference (NC) leader Omar Abdullah is set to be sworn in as the new Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir on October 16. Abdullah shared the news on X, posting a photo of the letter handed to him by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha’s Principal Secretary. 

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

Nobel economics prize goes to inequality researchers

• Three U.S.-based academics won the 2024 Nobel Economics Prize for their research into why global inequality persists, especially in countries dogged by corruption and dictatorship.
• Simon Johnson and James Robinson, both British-American, and Turkish-American Daron Acemoglu were commended for their work on “how institutions are formed and affect prosperity”, - the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences   

RANKING

Fortune Reveals the 2024 100 Most Powerful Women in Business

• The 27th edition of the Fortune Most Powerful Women in business list recognizes 100 impressive leaders, including women calling the shots at Fortune Global 500 companies and some at emerging players.

The top 10 Most Powerful Women in business 2024 are:

1. Mary Barra, Chair and CEO, GM (U.S.)
2. Karen S. Lynch, President and CEO, CVS Health (U.S.)
3. Jane Fraser, CEO, Citigroup (U.S.)
4. Julie Sweet, Chair and CEO, Accenture (U.S.)
5. Emma Walmsley, CEO, GSK (U.K.)
6. Ruth Porat, President, CIO, CFO, Alphabet and Google (U.S.)
7. Safra Catz, CEO, Oracle (U.S.)
8. Lisa Su, Chair and CEO, AMD (U.S.)
9. Kathryn McLay, President and CEO, Walmart International (U.S.)
10. Grace Wang, Co-founder, Chairwoman, Luxshare Precision (China) 

BANKING AND ECONOMY

Payments major PhonePe launches firecracker insurance policy for Diwali

• Payments major PhonePe on Monday said it has tied up with Bajaj Allianz General Insurance to offer affordable insurance coverage against firecracker-related accidents during Diwali for a limited period.