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Daily Current Affairs 28th October 2025 Daily GK Update
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National News
Reliance and Meta launch ₹855-crore joint venture to develop enterprise AI products in India
- Reliance Industries and Meta have announced a new ₹855-crore joint venture focused on developing enterprise-grade AI products in India.
- The collaboration aims to create AI solutions tailored for Indian businesses, enhancing automation, analytics, and digital operations.
- This partnership leverages Reliance’s digital infrastructure and Meta’s AI and cloud technologies to accelerate AI adoption across industries.
- The venture aligns with India’s vision of becoming a global AI innovation hub, fostering job creation and technological advancement.
Kerala Joins PM SHRI Scheme After Months of Debate, Secures ₹1,500 Crore Central Aid for School Development
- Kerala signed an MoU with the Central Government to join the Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI) scheme, marking a major policy shift after months of political debate and hesitation.
- The state had earlier opposed the scheme, fearing it might indirectly introduce the National Education Policy (NEP) in Kerala, but later decided to proceed despite objections from the Communist Party of India (CPI).
- Under the PM SHRI scheme, the Centre plans to upgrade two schools per block nationwide, providing each selected school ₹1 crore annually for five years to improve infrastructure and quality.
- Kerala’s Education Minister V. Sivankutty confirmed the move, stating it was essential to secure the Centre’s pending ₹1,500 crore for the state’s various educational programmes.
Cyclone Montha likely to intensify into a severe storm
- The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that Cyclone Montha is expected to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by October 28, bringing heavy rainfall across Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala.
- The name ‘Montha’, meaning a beautiful or fragrant flower, was contributed by Thailand, and names are selected from a rotating list of neutral, non-political, and culturally sensitive names given by 13 member countries under the WMO/ESCAP Panel.
- IMD, one of the six Regional Specialised Meteorological Centres (RSMCs) worldwide, provides cyclone and storm surge advisories to 13 countries including India, Bangladesh, Oman, and UAE. The next cyclones after Montha will be named Senyar (UAE), Ditwah (Yemen), Arnab (Bangladesh), and Murasu (India).
India rises to 9th rank globally in forest area, maintains 3rd position in annual forest gain: FAO report
- India improved its global forest area rank to 9th position in the 2025 Global Forest Resource Assessment (GFRA) by the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), up from 10th earlier, while retaining the 3rd spot in annual net forest gain.
- The GFRA 2025, released in Bali, found that global deforestation, though slowed, still occurs at an alarming rate of 10.9 million hectares per year, with fire, insects, and weather damaging millions of hectares annually.
- India’s forest cover stands at 72.7 million hectares (about 2% of the world’s total), with Asia being the only region to record an increase in forest area between 1990 and 2025—mainly due to gains in China and India.
- According to India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2023, the country’s forest cover stands at 71.5 million hectares. Globally, Russia has the highest forest cover (832.6 million hectares) followed by Brazil (486 million hectares), Canada (368.8 million hectares), the USA (308.8 million hectares), China (227 million hectares), Congo (139 million hectares), Australia (133.5 million hectares), Indonesia (96 million hectares), India (72.7 million hectares) and Peru (67 million hectares).
International News
Saudi Arabia Abolishes 50-Year-Old Kafala System
- Saudi Arabia has officially abolished its 50-year-old Kafala (sponsorship) system, a major labour reform announced in June 2025, impacting nearly 13 million migrant workers—mainly from South and Southeast Asia.
- The Kafala system, introduced in the 1950s, tied workers’ residency and employment to their employers (kafeel), often leading to exploitation, abuse, and restricted job mobility, as workers required employer consent for job changes or travel.
- Under the new contractual employment model, workers can change employers without approval, leave the country without exit visas, and gain legal protections, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 reform agenda to modernize its economy and labor rights framework.
- The reform is hailed as a historic step in advancing labor rights in the Gulf region, expected to reduce exploitation, improve working conditions, and empower migrant workers with greater freedom, fairness, and dignity.
About Saudi Arabia
- Capital- Riyadh
- Currency- Saudi riyal
- Prime minister- Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud
Timor-Leste Joins ASEAN as 11th Member at 47th Summit in Kuala Lumpur
- Timor-Leste officially became the 11th member of ASEAN during the 47th ASEAN Summit held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, marking the bloc’s first expansion since 1999.
- The inclusion was confirmed through a formal signing ceremony attended by Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão and ASEAN leaders, symbolizing the nation’s entry into the regional alliance.
- ASEAN, established in 1967 in Bangkok, originally had five founding members — Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand — and now focuses on the theme “Inclusivity and Sustainability” under Malaysia’s 2025 chairmanship.
About ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations)
- Formation– 8 August 1967
- Headquarters– Jakarta, Indonesia
- Member Countries– 11 (after inclusion of Timor-Leste in 2025)
- Objective– To promote regional peace, stability, and economic growth.
- To foster cooperation and cultural development among Southeast Asian nations.
- To act as a collective economic and political voice on the global stage.
- Founding Members– Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand
- Formed through the Bangkok Declaration (1967).
- Motto– “One Vision, One Identity, One Community.”
- ASEAN Secretariat is headed by the Secretary-General (5-year term).
- India participates in the East Asia Summit (EAS), an ASEAN-led
Airbus, Leonardo, and Thales unite to create a leading European space company
- Airbus, Leonardo, and Thales have announced a major joint venture to merge their satellite and space operations, aiming to build a “leading European player in space” and offer a homegrown alternative to Elon Musk’s Starlink.
- The new entity will combine complementary technologies and employ around 25,000 people across Europe, with Airbus holding a 35% stake and Leonardo and Thales owning 32.5% each; space launcher development will not be part of its operations.
Banking & Financial News
Blackstone to invest ₹6,196 crore in Federal Bank
- Blackstone, through its affiliate Asia II Topco XIII Pte Ltd, will invest ₹6,196.51 crore in Federal Bank via a preferential issue on a private placement basis, making it the largest shareholder.
- The bank will issue 272.97 million warrants, each convertible into one equity share at ₹227 per share, which will give Blackstone a 9.99% stake post-conversion, subject to approval.
- Blackstone will initially pay 25% of the issue price, with the remaining 75% payable upon conversion, and will gain the right to nominate one non-executive director if it maintains at least a 5% stake.
PNB sells 10% stake in Canara HSBC Life Insurance for ₹1,007 crore
- Punjab National Bank (PNB) has divested 10% of its stake in Canara HSBC Life Insurance Company Ltd, reducing its shareholding from 23% to 13%, through an Offer for Sale (OFS) during the insurer’s IPO.
- The sale generated approximately ₹1,007 crore for PNB from the sale of 9.5 crore shares at ₹106 per share, with buyers being public investors, not related parties.
- This divestment is part of PNB’s capital optimization strategy, aimed at unlocking value in non-core assets while retaining a strategic presence in financial services; the bank recently reported a 14% YoY profit rise to ₹4,904 crore for the September quarter.
Appointments
Manish Gupta Appointed as India’s Next Ambassador to Ireland, Strengthening Bilateral Ties
- Manish Gupta, currently serving as India’s High Commissioner to Ghana, has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to Ireland and is expected to take up the assignment shortly.
- India-Ireland relations have deep historical roots, with formal diplomatic ties established in 1947 and India opening its Embassy in Dublin in 1951; a significant Indian community of around 80,000 people resides in Ireland, contributing to healthcare, IT, engineering, and management sectors.
About Ireland
- Capital – Dublin
- Currency – Euro
- Continent – Europe
- President – Catherine Connolly
- Prime Minister – Micheál Martin
Catherine Connolly Becomes Ireland’s 10th President with Record Landslide Victory
- Catherine Connolly was elected as Ireland’s 10th President after securing a record 63% (914,143) of first preference votes, defeating Fine Gael’s Heather Humphreys in a landslide victory.
- The 68-year-old independent from Galway, supported by left-wing parties, pledged to be “an inclusive president for all” and emphasized peace, neutrality, and climate action in her speech.
- Connolly succeeds Michael D. Higgins, who completed two terms; voter turnout was 46%, with a record 213,738 spoiled votes — the highest in Irish presidential election history.
Newly Appointed Prime Ministers & Presidents
- First Female PM of Japan – Sanae Takaichi (from Liberal Democratic Party)
- Interim PM of Nepal – Sushila Karki (first woman Chief Justice of nation from 2016–2017)
- President of Guyana – Irfaan Ali
- PM of France – Sebastien Lecornu
- Deputy PM of UK – David Lammy (replace Angela Rayner)
Sports
Olympic Gold Medallist Abhinav Bindra Chosen as Torch-Bearer for Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics
- Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra has been selected as a torch-bearer for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, scheduled from February 6–22, 2026, in Italy.
- Bindra, who won gold in the 10m air rifle event at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, expressed his honour and excitement on social media, highlighting the Olympic flame as a symbol of dreams, perseverance, and unity.
- The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games will be the fourth Winter Olympics hosted by Italy, featuring 116 medal events across 16 disciplines, which is an increase from Beijing 2022.
Awards
Nilgiris Scientist Dr Ashokkumar Veeramuthu Named Among World’s Top Scientists for Third Consecutive Year
- Dr Ashokkumar Veeramuthu from Nilgiris has been listed among the World’s Top Scientists by Stanford University and Elsevier Publishers for the third consecutive year (2023, 2024, and 2025).
- His research focuses on linking science with society, addressing issues like environmental protection, waste management, and human health through sustainable solutions.
- Ashokkumar has developed microalgae-based clean fuels, plastic-to-useable material technologies, and received the “Brain Pool: Visiting Global Scientist Award” from the National Research Foundation of Korea for his global contributions to sustainable research.
Defence
Indian Coast Guard Launches Advanced Fast Patrol Vessels ICGS Ajit and ICGS Aparajit, Boosting Maritime Security
- Indian Coast Guard (ICG) launched two advanced Fast Patrol Vessels (FPVs), ICGS Ajit and ICGS Aparajit, at Goa Shipyard Limited, enhancing India’s maritime security capabilities.
- These vessels are the seventh and eighth in a series of eight indigenously built FPVs, highlighting India’s growing self-reliance in defence shipbuilding.
- Designed entirely by GSL, the 52-metre-long vessels displace 320 tonnes and feature Controllable Pitch Propellers (CPP), offering superior manoeuvrability and propulsion efficiency.
- The FPVs are multi-mission capable, intended for fisheries protection, coastal patrol, anti-smuggling, anti-piracy, and search and rescue operations, particularly around India’s island territories and Exclusive Economic Zone
Science and Tech
ISRO to launch 6.5-tonne BlueBird-6 satellite for AST SpaceMobile on LVM3 rocket
- BlueBird-6, one of the heaviest commercial satellites weighing 6.5 tonnes, arrived in India from the US, to be launched by ISRO from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre using its LVM3 rocket.
- The mission, led by AST SpaceMobile, aims to provide direct-to-device mobile broadband connectivity, helping bridge the digital divide in areas with limited terrestrial networks.
- The satellite was flown to Chennai aboard the world’s largest cargo aircraft, the Antonov, and transported by road to Sriharikota for integration, fuelling, and pre-launch checks.
- The launch, handled by NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), marks a significant milestone in ISRO’s commercial operations, with future satellites BlueBird-7 to BlueBird-16 planned for launch between 2025 and 2026.
Obituary
Former Union Minister Yogendra Makwana Passes Away at 92
- Former Union Minister and Congress leader Yogendra Makwana passed away in Ahmedabad at the age of 92 due to age-related issues.
- Makwana served in the Rajya Sabha from 1973 to 1989 and held key positions in the Union cabinet under Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, managing portfolios like Home Affairs, Planning, Communications, Steel and Mines, Health, and Agriculture.
- A champion for Scheduled Castes and marginalized communities, he was appointed chairman of the AICC Scheduled Caste Department in 2006, promoting welfare initiatives such as the Social Component Plan.
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