Current Affairs - October 1, 2023 Current Affairs

The Indian government has exempted the payment of Integrated Goods and Services Tax (IGST) on ocean freight services from October 1, 2023. This means that importers will no longer need to pay IGST on the cost of shipping goods from overseas. The exemption is expected to reduce the cost of imports for businesses, making Indian products more competitive in the global market. It is also expected to boost trade and investment in the country.

Argentina's Congress has approved a bill that would abolish income tax. The bill is now expected to be approved by the Senate, which is also controlled by the Peronists. The bill would eliminate income tax for all Argentines, regardless of their income level. It would also eliminate taxes on capital gains and dividends. The government argues that the bill will help to boost economic growth and create jobs.

San Diego recently shut down two popular beaches, Point La Jolla and Boomer Beach, to protect the local sea lion population. The beaches are home to a large colony of sea lions, and the city has been concerned about the increasing number of people who have been harassing and harming the animals.

World Habitat Day is observed on the first Monday of October each year. It is a day to reflect on the state of our habitats and to emphasize the fundamental right of every individual to have access to adequate shelter. This year, World Habitat Day is being celebrated under the theme "Resilient Urban Economies: Cities as Drivers of Growth and Recovery." This theme highlights the importance of cities in driving economic growth and recovery, and the need to make cities more resilient to shocks and challenges.

Sankalp Saptaah is a week-long initiative launched by the Prime Minister of India (on 30th September 2023 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi) to improve governance at the block level. The program aims to bring about positive change in the lives of people living in aspirational blocks.

The ADB's capital reforms will unlock $100 billion in funding for Asia and the Pacific over the next decade. This funding will be used to support the region's development efforts, including addressing climate change and other challenges.

The inflation rate in the Eurozone fell to 4.3% in September, from 5.2% in August. This is the lowest level of inflation in the Eurozone since October 2021. The ECB is expected to continue raising interest rates to bring inflation back to its target level of 2%.

An Se-young of South Korea won the gold medal in the women's singles event at the 2023 World Badminton Championships, defeating Carolina Marín of Spain in the final, 21-12, 21-10. An Se-young, aged 21, became the first woman from South Korea to win the world singles title. She had a dominant tournament, winning all of her matches in straight games, including victories over Olympic champion Chen Yufei and two-time world champion Akane Yamaguchi.

The International Day of Older Persons is celebrated on October 1st every year. It is a day to recognize the contributions of older persons and to examine issues that affect their lives. The theme for the International Day of Older Persons in 2023 is "Resilience of Older Persons in a Changing World." This theme highlights the resilience of older persons in the face of challenges such as climate change, pandemics, and conflict.

St. Francis Church in Kerala is the largest and oldest European church in India. It was built in 1524 by the Portuguese and is located in the town of Fort Kochi. The church is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is known for its beautiful architecture and historical significance.

G. Kishan Reddy, the Minister of Development of North East Region (DoNER), Tourism, and Culture, launched India's first 5G Training Labs and 5G health applications in all eight North Eastern States on October 1, 2023.

The International Day of Non-Violence is celebrated on October 2nd each year, the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi. This day is an occasion to disseminate the message of non-violence, including through education and public awareness, and reaffirm the desire for a culture of peace, tolerance, understanding and non-violence. Unlike some other observances, the International Day of Non-Violence does not have a specific theme for 2023.

The Thar Desert is the largest in India and covers an area of over 77,000 square miles.

The RBI has extended the deadline to deposit or exchange ₹2,000 notes till October 7, 2023. The deadline was earlier set to expire on September 30.