Today's Current Affairs 31^st October 2023

INTERNATIONAL

IAF Deploys Three S-400 Missile Units Along China And Pakistan Borders

• India along with China and Pakistan by deploying three out of the five agreed-upon S-400 air defense missile squadrons.
• In 2018-19, India entered into a crucial defense agreement with Russia to procure S-400 missiles worth ₹35,000 crore.

About IAF:

Founded: 8 October 1932, India

Headquarters: New Delhi

NATIONAL

Manipur Celebrates Mera Houchongba 2023

• In this year’s Mera Houchongba celebrations in Imphal on 28th October 2023.
• The festival is observed and celebrated during the month of ‘Mera,’ which typically falls in September or October.

About Manipur:

Chief Minister: N. Biren Singh

Governor: Anusuiya Uikey

Kerala Becomes First State With Hallmarking Centers In Every District

• Kerala, the southern state of India has inaugurated hallmarking centre in Idukki.
• This achievement has solidified Kerala’s position as the first state in India to establish hallmarking centres in all of its 14 districts.

About Kerala:

Chief Minister: Pinarayi Vijayan 

Governor: Arif Mohammed Khan

Aligarh Muslim University To Launch Its Own Satellite, Gets Nod From IN-SPACe

• Approved by the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe).
• November 2021: Project initiation under AMU Robo Club’s guidance.
• January 2023: Formal submission to IN-SPACe for approval, registration, frequency allocation, and launch.
• September 2023: Approval received from IN-SPACe’s Student Satellite Committee after design review.

SPORTS

Lionel Messi wins eighth Ballon d’Or 2023

• Lionel Messi and Aitana Bonmati have been honored as the 2023 Ballon d’Or recipients.
• Messi secures his eighth Ballon d’Or, setting a new record.

Jyothi Yarraji Clinches Gold in 100m Hurdles in Record Time

• At the 37th National Games, Hangzhou Asian Games silver medallist Jyothi Yarraji, and Tejas Shirse displayed their athletic prowess, smashing National Games records in the 100m and 110m hurdles events.
• Jyothi Yarraji, a remarkable athlete, broke her own record by finishing the 100m hurdles in just 13.22 seconds.
• Vithya Ramraj of Tamil Nadu secured the gold medal in the 400m event, finishing in just 52.85 seconds. 

Max Verstappen Dominates Mexico City Grand Prix, Sets New Season Victory Record

• Max Verstappen’s win at the Mexico City Grand Prix was his third consecutive victory at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.
• Lewis Hamilton secured the second position in the race, continuing his consistent performance.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

India Submits ‘Letter of Request’ To France For 26 Rafale-M Naval Fighter Jets

• This formal communication signifies India’s intent to acquire 26 Rafale Marine fighter aircraft.

OBITUARY

Renowned Bangladeshi Scientist Saleemul Huq Passed Away At 71

• Saleemul Huq, a Bangladeshi-British scientist who gained renown as a “climate revolutionary” for his efforts.
• Huq attended all 27 Conference of the Parties (COP) talks of the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change.
• Last year, Dr. Huq was honored with the Order of the British Empire for his efforts.

About Bangladesh:

Prime Minister: Sheikh Hasina 

Capital: Dhaka

Currency: Bangladeshi taka

BANKING AND ECONOMY

PM Narendra Modi releases three books at Tulsi Peeth in Chitrakoot

• PM Modi made his way to Tulsi Peeth in Chitrakoot, Madhya Pradesh.
• The books unveiled were ‘Ashtadhyayi Bhashya,’ ‘Ramanandacharya Charitam,’ and ‘Bhagwan Shri Krishna ki Rashtraleela.’
• Tulsi Peeth, established by Jagadguru Rambhadracharya in 1987.

About Madhya Pradesh:

Chief Minister: Shivraj Singh Chouhan

Governor: Mangubhai Chhaganbhai Patel 

IMF Forecasts Global Growth Slowdown To 2.9% In 2024

• The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has recently unveiled latest prediction 3 percent in 2023 and further decline to 2.9 percent in 2024.

About IMF:

Founded: July 1944, Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, United States

Founders: John Maynard Keynes, Harry Dexter White