Today's Current Affairs 4th November 2023

INTERNATIONAL

Minuteman III missile test launched by US air force

• The U.S. Air Force said on Wednesday it had blown up a Minuteman III missile over the Pacific Ocean after an anomaly was detected following its launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
• The nuclear-capable Minuteman III, made by Boeing, is key to the U.S. military’s strategic arsenal. The missile has a range of 6,000-plus miles (9,660-plus km) and can travel at a speed of about 15,000 miles per hour (24,000 kph).

About USA:

President: Joe Biden 

Capital: Washington, D.C.

 NATIONAL

Prime Minister Narendra Modi as Elected Chairman of Shree Somnath Trust for Five-Year Term

• At the 122nd meeting of the SST’s board of trustees held at Raj Bhavan in Gandhinagar.
• Keshubhai Patel had served as the SST chairman since 2004.

Sarbananda Sonowal flags off domestic sailing of the first International Cruise Liner in India

• Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways and AYUSH, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, flagged off the maiden voyage of Costa Serena, India’s first International Cruise Liner from Mumbai.
• Driven by the visionary “Dekho Apna Desh” initiative of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.

 IMPORTANT DAYS

International Day for Biosphere Reserve 2023: 3rd November

• On November 3, the world celebrates the International Day for Biosphere Reserves, a day established by UNESCO during its 41st General Conference in 2022.
• UNESCO recognizes 738 biosphere reserves in 134 countries, including 22 transboundary sites.

About UNESCO:

Headquarters: Paris, France

Founded: 16 November 1945, London, United Kingdom

Head: Audrey Azoulay; (Director-General)

 SUMMITS AND MOU’S

NITI Aayog held Workshop on India-AU Collaboration

• NITI Aayog, in partnership with the Observer Research Foundation (ORF), organized a workshop in New Delhi.

About NITI Aayog:

Formed: 1 January 2015

Headquarters: New Delhi

Founder: National Democratic Alliance

India and UAE pen MoU to foster education connect between two countries

• Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan expressed his gratitude for the UAE’s support to Indian curriculum schools.

About UAE:

President: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan 

Capital: Abu Dhabi

India and Italy sign Mobility and Migration Partnership Agreement to facilitate movement of workers, students

• India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, held a productive meeting with Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Antonio Tajani, in Rome.

About Italy:

Prime Minister: Giorgia Meloni

Capital: Rome

Telecommunication engineering centre and ITI LTD signs MoU on AI

• Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC), technical arm of Department of Telecommunications (DOT), Ministry of Communications, Government of India, and the Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology, Delhi (IIITD) united to drive innovation.
• Underlining their commitment to pioneering advancements in Responsible AI, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on November 3, 2023.

BANKING AND ECONOMY

NBA ropes in Bhaane to drive its e-commerce platform in India

• The National Basketball Association (NBA) and Bhaane, a leading contemporary clothing brand, have joined forces in a multi-year partnership to introduce NBAStore.in.
• Anand Ahuja, founder & CEO of Bhaane, expressed excitement about partnering with the NBA, emphasizing the global significance of the league.

About National Basketball Association:

Founded: 6 June 1946, New York United States

Headquarters: New York, United States

Inaugural season: 1946–47

Most recent champion(s): Denver Nuggets; (1st title)

Most titles: Boston Celtics; Los Angeles Lakers; (17 each)