Ladakh Cycling Challenge

 Ladakh Cycling Challenge

Ultimate Ladakh Cycling Challenge was  flagged off .

At an altitude of over 17 thousand feet this is one of the toughest cycling challenges in the world.

On various routes, the cyclists peddle a total of 263 kilometres in the four-day event.

On 3rd and 4th Day the cyclists have to climb the world’s 3rd highest Taglang La and the highest motorable road Khardung La that test the stamina, endurance and the will power of a cyclist. 

Top national and local cyclists are taking part in the challenge. Winners will be awarded 10 lakh rupees as prize.

Japan to achieve zero carbon emissions by 2050

 Japan to achieve zero carbon emissions by 2050

 Japan  has said that the country will achieve zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Japan intends to make a sustainable economy a pillar of his growth strategy and put maximum effort into achieving a green society.

As per Japan’s current energy plan, 56 per cent of its energy reqirements come from fossil fuels.

International Animation Day

 International Animation Day

October 28, the International Animation Day was an international observance proclaimed in 2002 by the ASIFA as the main global event to celebrate the art of animation.

This day commemorates the first public performance of Charles-Émile Reynaud's Théâtre Optique at the Grevin Museum in Paris, 1892

the event has been observed in more than 50 countries with more than 1000 events

A New Species of flowering plant discovered in Western Ghats, Maharashtra, India

 A New Species of flowering plant discovered in  Western Ghats, Maharashtra, India

The new species Echinops sahyadricus is discovered and described from northern Western Ghats, India. It is endemic to the Maharashtra state and probably restricted to few high mountain peaks in Western Maharashtra.

A paper on the discovery has been published in the international journal 'Nordic Journal of Botany'.

 Echinops sahyadricus is distributed in the northern Western Ghats from Salher  in Nashik district in the north to Kolhapur district  in the south.

 According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) (2019), Echinops sahyadricus should be categorised as 'Least Concern' (LC)

 

Portuguese Grand Prix 2020

Portuguese Grand Prix 2020

The Portuguese Grand Prix is a motorsports event held for several years, mostly in the 1950s and then in the 1980s and 1990s.

 It was revived in 2020 for a one-off, with the location changing from Lisbon to Algarve.

 The race was held on 25 October 2020 and was the first Grand Prix for this venue.[4]

The race saw Lewis Hamilton score his 92nd Grand Prix win breaking Michael Schumacher's previous record for most Formula One Grand Prix wins

75th anniversary of the United Nations

 The year 2020 marks the 75th anniversary of the United Nations and its founding Charter.

24 October has been celebrated as United Nations Day since 1948.

 In 1971, the United Nations General Assembly recommended that the day be observed by the Member States as a public holiday.

To commemorate the 75 years of the United Nations, Member States hold a high-level event on 21 September 2020, where they reaffirmed and recognized that our challenges are interconnected and can only be addressed through reinvigorated multilateralism.

Lee Kun-hee chairman of the Samsung Group

 Lee Kun-hee

Lee Kun-hee was a South Korean businessman who served as chairman of the Samsung Group from 1987 to 2008 and from 2010 to 2020.

He was also a member of the International Olympic Committee

The Samsung Group is a South Korean multinational conglomerate headquartered in Samsung Town, Seoul.

 It comprises numerous affiliated businesses, most of them united under the Samsung brand, and is the largest South Korean chaebol.

Samsung was founded by Lee Byung-chul in 1938 as a trading company.

Founder: Lee Byung-chul

Founded: 1 March 1938, Seoul, South Korea

Headquarters: Seoul, South Korea

Snow Leopard Day

Snow Leopard Day

International Snow Leopard Day is observed on October 23 to raise awareness on protection of snow leopards which are endangered.

The snow leopard (Panthera uncia), also known as the ounce, is a large cat native to the mountain ranges of Central and South Asia.

It is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List because the global population is estimated to number less than 10,000 mature individuals and is expected to decline about 10% by 2040.

The day was initiated by the countries that encompass the snow leopard’s range. They include Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Russia, Pakistan, Mongolia, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, India, China, Bhutan, and Afganistan.

On the 23rd of October, in 2013, these countries signed the Bishkek Declaration regarding the conservation of the snow leopard  in the capital of Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek, at the very first Global Snow Leopard Forum. 

IMF downgrades Asia’s growth forecast for 2020

IMF downgrades Asia’s growth forecast for 2020

the IMF mentioned in its Asia Pacific economic outlook, Asia’s economy will contract by 2.2%, 0.6 percentage points lower than its June forecast

China said its economy grew 4.9% in the third quarter ended September 30.

Japanese and Indian economies are projected to contract by 5.3% and 10.3% in the full year.

Global economy may contract by 4.4% in 2020, better than the 4.9% contraction forecast in June.

India will host third India-US 22 Ministerial Dialogue on Oct 27

 India will host third India-US 22 Ministerial Dialogue on Oct 27

India will be hosting the Third India-US 22 Ministerial Dialogue on 27th of October in New Delhi.

United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Secretary of Defence Mark T. Esper will be visiting India to participate in the dialogue.

From the Indian side, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar will lead the delegation.

The first 22 Ministerial Dialogue was held in New Delhi in September 2018 and followed by the second in Washington DC in 2019.

The agenda for the third dialogue will cover all bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest.

World Osteoporosis Day

 World Osteoporosis Day is observed annually on October 20th, and launches a year-long campaign dedicated to raising global awareness of the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis and metabolic bone disease.

Organized by the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF), the World Osteoporosis Day campaign is accompanied by community events and local campaigns by national osteoporosis patient societies from around the world with activities in over 90 countries.

World Osteoporosis Day was launched on October 20th 1996 by the United Kingdom’s National Osteoporosis Society and supported by the European Commission. Since 1997, the awareness day

world Trauma Day

 world Trauma Day

Every year, 17th October is celebrated as World Trauma Day.

This day highlights the increasing rate of accidents and injuries causing death and disability across the world and the need to prevent them.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), trauma is a major cause of death and disability across the world

The purpose of World Trauma Day lies in generating awareness on the importance of adopting various precautionary measures and averting deaths and disabilities caused by accidents or trauma.

Indian and Sri Lankan navies to begin their annual exercise 'SLINEX'

Indian and Sri Lankan navies to begin their annual exercise 'SLINEX'

The 8th annual joint exercise between Indian and Sri Lankan navies - SLINEX-20 - will begin today off Trincomalee coast.

The 3-day exercise will continue till 21st of October.

The Sri Lanka Navy will be represented by SLN Ships Sayura and Gajabahu led by Rear Admiral Bandara Jayathilaka, the Flag Officer Commanding Naval Fleet, Sri Lanka Navy.
 
Indigenously built ASW corvettes Kamorta and Kiltan  will represent the Indian Navy.

Indian Navy Advanced Light Helicopter and Chetak helicopter embarked onboard IN ships, and Dornier Maritime Patrol Aircraft will also be participating.

 SLINEX-20 aims to enhance inter-operability, improve mutual understanding and exchange best practices and procedures for multi-faceted maritime operations between both navies.
 
 

India, Chile hold first joint commission meeting

India, Chile hold first joint commission meeting

India and Chile held their first joint commission meeting yesterday and agreed to add new momentum to their relations in a wide range of fields including trade and commerce, agriculture, health and social security, defence and space.

The meeting held virtually was co-chaired by External Affairs Minister o f India and his Chilean counterpart .

 Chile is a long, narrow country stretching along South America's western edge, with more than 6,000km of Pacific Ocean coastline.

Capital: Santiago
President: Sebastián Piñera
Currency: Chilean peso
 

India will deliver a Kilo Class submarine INS Sindhuvir to Myanmar

 India will  deliver a Kilo Class submarine INS Sindhuvir to Myanmar Navy as part of defence cooperation.

This will be the first submarine of Myanmar Navy.

cooperation in the maritime domain is an important part of India's enhanced engagement with Myanmar.

it is in accordance with India's vision of SAGAR and in line with build capacities and self-reliance in all the neighbouring countries.

International Day of Rural Women

 International Day of Rural Women

The first International Day of Rural Women was observed on 15 October 2008.

This new international day, established by the General Assembly in its resolution 62/136 of 18 December 2007, recognizes “the critical role and contribution of rural women, including indigenous women, in enhancing agricultural and rural development, improving food security and eradicating rural poverty.”

the resolution urges the Member States, in collaboration with the organizations of the United Nations and civil society to implement measures that could improve rural women's lives, including the ones in indigenous communities.

International E-Waste Day

October 14 marks the  International E-Waste Day. Founded by the WEEE (waste electrical and electronic equipment) Forum, the day aims to raise the public profile of responsible e-waste recycling and encourage consumers to recycle their e-waste with the resulting increase in recycling rates on the day itself and into the future.

International E-Waste Day has been developed by the WEEE Forum, an international association of e-waste collection schemes, and its members.

It is used to encourage users to consider repairing their appliances or correctly dispose of them with the resulting increase in re-use, recovery and recycling rates.

more than 50 organisations from over 40 different countries worldwide were involved and organised many different types of promotional activities, ranging from conferences and workshops, school and street collection campaigns to social media competitions and campaigns, and online guides and games.

2020 French Open

 The 2020 French Open was a Grand Slam tier tennis tournament played on outdoor clay courts. It was held at the Stade Roland Garros in Paris, France.

Men's Singles
    Spain Rafael Nadal def. Serbia Novak Djokovic, 6–0, 6–2, 7–5

Women's Singles
    Poland Iga Świątek def. United States Sofia Kenin, 6–4, 6–1

Men's Doubles
    Germany Kevin Krawietz / Germany Andreas Mies def. Croatia Mate Pavić / Brazil Bruno Soares, 6–3, 7–5

Women's Doubles
    Hungary Tímea Babos / France Kristina Mladenovic def. Chile Alexa Guarachi / United States Desirae Krawczyk, 6–4, 7–5

International Day of the Girl Child

 International Day of the Girl Child

International Day of the Girl Child is an international observance day declared by the United Nations; it is also called the Day of Girls and the International Day of the Girl.

October 11, 2012, was the first Day of the Girl Child.

The observation supports more opportunity for girls and increases awareness of gender inequality faced by girls worldwide based upon their gender.

This inequality includes areas such as access to education, nutrition, legal rights, medical care, and protection from discrimination, violence against women and forced child marriage.

 a delegation of women and girls made presentations in support of the initiative at the 55th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women.

On December 19, 2011, the United Nations General Assembly voted to pass a resolution adopting October 11, 2012 as the inaugural International Day of Girls

Nihal Sarin is winner of Chess.com's 2020 Junior Speed Online Championship

  Nihal Sarin is winner of Chess.com's 2020 Junior Speed Online Championship

In Chess, Young Indian player Nihal Sarin emerged winner in the Chess.com's 2020 Junior Speed Online Championship in Chennai, beating Russia's world junior No. 6 Alexey Sarana 18-7 in the final.

The title win earned the 16-year old Sarin 8,766 US Dollars and enabled him to qualify for the 2020 Speed Chess Championship Final which will feature the world's best players.


Sarin had beaten American Andrew Tang, Australia's Anton Smirnov and Armenian Haik Martirosyan en route the title. Sarin, a former world Under-10 champion, will join the Indian men's team that is taking part in the Asian Online Nations (Regions) Cup Team Championship which began yesterday.

World Mental Health Day

World Mental Health Day

World Mental Health Day is an international day for global mental health education, awareness and advocacy against social stigma.

 It was first celebrated in 1992 at the initiative of the World Federation for Mental Health, a global mental health organization with members and contacts in more than 150 countries.

This day, each October, thousands of supporters come to celebrate this annual awareness program to bring attention to mental illness and its major effects on peoples' lives worldwide.

In some countries this day is part of an awareness week, such as Mental Health Week in Australia

Nobel Peace Prize 2020

Nobel Peace Prize  2020

This year's Nobel Peace Prize has been given to the U.N. World Food Programme for its efforts to fight hunger and to prevent the use of starvation as a weapon of war.

The World Food Programme is one of the largest aid organizations in the world.

The WFP, the 101st winner of a prize now worth 10m Swedish krona ($1.1m; £875,000), said it was "deeply humbled" to have won.

Some 107 organisations and 211 individuals were nominated for the award this year.

2020 Nobel Prize in Physics

  2020 Nobel Prize in Physics

A mathematical physicist and two astronomers have won the 2020 Nobel Prize in Physics for discoveries relating to the most massive and mysterious objects in the Universe

British mathematical physicist Roger Penrose, 89, receives half the prize for theoretical work that showed how Albert Einstein’s general theory of relativity should result in black holes, which have a gravitational pull so strong that even light cannot escape.

US astronomer Andrea Ghez, 55, and German astronomer Reinhard Genzel, 68, share the other half of the 10-million-kronor (US$1.1-million) award for their discovery of the Universe’s most famous black hole — the supermassive object at the centre of the Milky Way.

Nobel Prize in Chemistry

  Nobel Prize in Chemistry

France's Emmanuelle Charpentier and U.S.'s Jennifer A. Doudna were awarded the 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences announced.

The 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry has been awarded to Emmanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer A. Doudna, the Royal Swedish Academy of Science announced on Wednesday in Stockholm, Sweden.

The two female laureates won the prize "for the development of a method for genome editing," the academy said.

Gene editing has been widely applied across the world. It can directly change the DNA of a lifeform and has the potential of leading to beneficial results.

One of the most convenient method of gene editing is called CRISPR/Cas9, which was discovered by the two Nobel laureates. The method enabled scientists to cut a sequence of DNA into two pieces, allowing nature to "repair" it. During the repair process, errors will be introduced to create a different sequence of DNA, thus resulting into an edited gene.

The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2020

 The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2020

his year’s Nobel Prize is awarded to three scientists who have made a decisive contribution to the fight against blood-borne hepatitis, a major global health problem that causes cirrhosis and liver cancer in people around the world.

Harvey J. Alter, Michael Houghton and Charles M. Rice made seminal discoveries that led to the identification of a novel virus, Hepatitis C virus.

Prior to their work, the discovery of the Hepatitis A and B viruses had been critical steps forward, but the majority of blood-borne hepatitis cases remained unexplained.

The discovery of Hepatitis C virus revealed the cause of the remaining cases of chronic hepatitis and made possible blood tests and new medicines that have saved millions of lives.

World Teacher's Day

 World Teacher's Day

World Teachers' Day, also known as International Teachers Day, is an international day held annually on 5 October.

Established in 1994, it commemorates the signing of the 1966 UNESCO/ILO Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers,  which is a standard-setting instrument that addresses the status and situations of teachers around the world.

This recommendation outlines standards relating to education personnel policy, recruitment, and initial training as well as the continuing education of teachers, their employment, and working conditions.

World Teachers' Day aims to focus on "appreciating, assessing and improving the educators of the world" and to provide an opportunity to consider issues related to teachers and teaching.

New Caledonia is a French territory comprising dozens of islands in the South Pacific.

 New Caledonia is a French territory comprising dozens of islands in the South Pacific.

It's known for its palm-lined beaches and marine-life-rich lagoon, which, at 24,000-sq.-km, is among the world's largest.

A massive barrier reef surrounds the main island, Grand Terre, a major scuba-diving destination.

The capital, Nouméa, is home to French-influenced restaurants and luxury boutiques selling Parisian fashions.

Visnu Shivaraj Pandian wins gold in 10 meter air rifle event of International Online Shooting Championship

 Visnu Shivaraj Pandian wins gold in 10 meter air rifle event of International Online Shooting Championship

India's Visnu Shivaraj Pandian won the 10m air rifle event at the fifth edition of the International Online Shooting Championship yesterday. The 16-year-old Visnu shot 251.4 to win the title by a clear margin of two points.

The second place was won by world no. 27 Etienne Germond of France while Olympic quota winner Martin Strempfl of Austria took the third place.

Shooters from 15 countries are participating in the two-day competition. The 10m air pistol event will be held today. Leading India's challenge will be Olympic quota winner Yashaswini Singh Deswal.

International Day of Non-Violence

International Day of Non-Violence

The International Day of Non-Violence is observed on 2 October, the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi.

On 15 June 2007 the United Nations General Assembly voted to establish 2 October as the International Day of Non-Violence

The resolution by the General Assembly asks all members of the UN system to commemorate 2 October in "an appropriate manner and disseminate the message of non-violence, including through education and public awareness"

International Day for Older Persons

 International Day for Older Persons

The International Day of Older Persons is observed on October 1 each year.

On December 14, 1990 the United Nations General Assembly voted to establish October 1 as the International Day of Older Persons as recorded in Resolution 45/106.

The holiday was observed for the first time on October 1, 1991.

International Translation Day

 International Translation Day

International Translation Day is an international day celebrated every year on 30 September

The celebrations have been promoted by International Federation of Translators ever since it was set up in 1953.

 In 1991 International Federation of Translators launched the idea of an officially recognized International Translation Day to show solidarity of the worldwide translation community in an effort to promote the translation profession in different countries.

The United Nations General Assembly has passed on May 24, 2017, a resolution declaring September 30 as International Translation Day, an act to recognise the role of professional translation in connecting nations

Eleven countries  Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, Paraguay, Qatar, Turkey, Turkmenistan, and Vietnam  are the signatories of Draft Resolution A/71/L.68.

In addition to the International Federation of Translators, several other organisations have been advocating for this resolution to be adopted International Association of Conference Interpreters, Critical Link International, International Association of Professional Translators and Interpreters, Red T, World Association of Sign Language Interpreters