Current Affairs - October 28, 2023 Current Affairs

The Indian Army's first Vertical Wind Tunnel (VWT) is located at the Special Forces Training School (SFTS) in Himachal Pradesh. It was inaugurated in October 2023. The VWT is a state-of-the-art facility that provides military trainees with a controlled environment to enhance their Combat Free Fall (CFF) skills by simulating real-life free fall conditions. This will allow the special forces to prepare for contemporary battlefields more effectively.

Robert Fico has become Slovakia's new prime minister for the fourth time. He is a nationalist politician who has promised to prioritize Slovakian interests, reduce military aid to Ukraine, and curb immigration. His election has raised concerns among EU leaders regarding potential obstructionist policies. Fico's victory is a sign of the growing popularity of nationalist sentiment in Slovakia. It is also a reminder of the challenges facing the European Union as it tries to maintain a united front in the face of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Italy is experiencing a severe demographic crisis, with the number of births hitting a new low this year. According to preliminary data from the national statistics bureau ISTAT, there were 3,500 fewer births between January and June of this year compared to the same period in 2022. In 2022, the total number of births fell by 1.7% to 393,000, marking the 14th consecutive annual drop and reaching the lowest level since Italy's unification in 1861. The decline in births is attributed partly to the challenges faced by Italian women in balancing work and motherhood. The Italian government has allocated approximately 1 billion euros ($1.05 billion) to tackle this crisis, which it considers a national emergency for the country, the third largest economy in the Eurozone.

According to Statista, India ranks third in the number of fintech unicorns worldwide, with 17 unicorns. The United States leads the pack with 134 unicorns, followed by the United Kingdom with 27 unicorns. Fintech unicorns are startups in the financial technology sector that have a valuation of over $1 billion. Fintech startups are playing an increasingly important role in the global financial system, and India is at the forefront of this innovation.

China launched its youngest-ever space crew in 2023 on the Shenzhou 17 mission. The crew consists of Tang Hongbo, Tang Shengjie, and Jiang Xinlin, with an average age of 38. This makes them the youngest team on a space station construction mission. Tang Hongbo, a seasoned astronaut, previously led a 2021 space mission for three months.

The RBI has directed credit bureaus to resolve customer complaints within 30 days or risk incurring a daily fine of ₹100. This is a significant move to protect the interests of consumers and ensure that their credit information is accurate and up-to-date. The fine will be imposed for each day that the complaint remains unresolved beyond the 30-day deadline. This will incentivize credit bureaus to resolve complaints quickly and efficiently.

Deep Narayan Nayak, a dedicated teacher from West Bengal, was named a finalist for the Global Teacher Prize 2023. He is one of the top 10 finalists from around the world who are competing for this prestigious award, which celebrates exceptional educators. Nayak's selection is a testament to his outstanding contributions to the field of education. He is known for his innovative teaching methods and his unwavering commitment to helping underprivileged children succeed. He has made a significant impact on the lives of his students and their communities, and his work is an inspiration to us all.

Muzaffarpur is a city in the Indian state of Bihar. It is known for its abundant production of litchis, a tropical fruit known for its sweet and succulent taste. Muzaffarpur is also home to several other historical and religious sites, making it a popular tourist destination.

Indian Oil Corporation (IndianOil) introduced India's first reference fuel in 2023. Reference fuels are highly specialized fuels that are used to calibrate and test vehicles. They are essential for ensuring the accuracy of emission measurements and the performance of vehicles. The main difference between 'reference' fuel and regular or premium fuel is their octane numbers. Regular fuel has an octane number of 87, premium fuel has an octane number of 91, while 'reference' fuel has an octane number of 97.

The Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi launched the "Jai Bhim Mukhyamantri Pratibha Vikas Yojna" in 2023. This initiative aims to provide free coaching for various competitive examinations and entrance tests to students belonging to SC/ST/OBC/EWS categories. The yojna is a significant step towards promoting social justice and equity in education. It will help students from disadvantaged backgrounds to achieve their academic goals and compete for opportunities on an equal footing.