IMPORTANT DAYS

Public Service Broadcasting Day 2024 observed on November 12.

• Public Service Broadcasting Day is observed annually on November 12th.

• It commemorates Mahatma Gandhi's only visit to the All India Radio (AIR) studio in 1947.

• Gandhi addressed displaced refugees who had settled in Kurukshetra, Haryana, after the Partition.

• He was originally scheduled to visit Kurukshetra on November 12, 1947, but could not due to unforeseen circumstances.

• To reach the refugees, a live broadcast was arranged from the All India Radio studio.

• The broadcast connected Gandhi with around 2.5 lakh refugees who were temporarily living in camps.

• All India Radio (AIR) was established in 1936, initially as the Indian State Broadcasting Service.

• AIR was later renamed Akashvani in 1956 to reflect its national identity.

SUMMIT AND CONFERENCE

The 25th SATRC conference commenced on November 12, 2024, in New Delhi.

• 25th South Asian Telecommunication Regulators Council (SATRC) conference held in New Delhi.

• The two-day event focused on developing new regulatory strategies for the telecom sector.

• SATRC gathers telecom regulators from across South Asia on a unified platform.

• The conference aims to foster collaboration among telecom, internet, and satellite service providers.

• A key goal is to shape a cohesive regulatory agenda for the region.

• Attendees will collaborate on setting a new regulatory agenda for the next two years.

• The event is organized by the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT).

• The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is hosting this year’s conference.

APPOINTMENTS

Tayyab Ikram re-elected President of the International Hockey Federation.

• Tayyab Ikram was re-elected as President of the International Hockey Federation (FIH) during the 49th FIH Statutory Congress in Muscat, Oman.

• Ikram’s re-election secures his first full four-year term after taking over in 2022 for a two-year term following Narinder Batra’s resignation.

• Ikram, originally from Pakistan, has been leading the FIH since 2022, after stepping in mid-term to replace Batra.

• Danae Andrada (URU), Alberto Daniel Budski (ARG), and Erik Cornelissen (NED) were re-elected to the FIH Executive Board.

• Katrin Kauschke (GER) was elected as a new ordinary member of the FIH Executive Board.

• The FIH is the global governing body for both indoor and field hockey.

• The FIH is headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland.

• The 49th FIH Statutory Congress was held in Muscat, Oman, where the elections took place.

RANKING AND INDEX

Hindalco ranked as the world's most sustainable aluminium company.

• Hindalco Industries Ltd. has been named the World’s Most Sustainable Aluminium Company for the fifth consecutive year.

• In the 2024 S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA), Hindalco topped the aluminium sector, securing the highest position.

• Hindalco achieved 87 points as of October 30, 2024, improving by 9 points compared to 2023.

• The company is 22 points ahead of its closest competitor in the aluminium sector.

• Hindalco is included in the DJSI World Index, which recognizes the top 10% of the largest 2,500 companies by market capitalization.

• The DJSI ranking is based on long-term economic performance and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors.

• Hindalco achieved the 100th percentile in most ESG categories, reflecting its strong commitment to sustainability.

• Hindalco is the only aluminium company to rank at the top in the S&P Global rankings.

Dubai topped the Middle East and rose to fifth place globally in the '2024 Global City Index

• Dubai ranked as the highest city in the Middle East and Africa in the 2024 Global City Index by Brand Finance.

• The city surged to 5th place globally, moving ahead of cities like Singapore, Los Angeles, Sydney, San Francisco, and Amsterdam.

• Dubai maintained its position as the top-ranked city in the region for the second consecutive year.

• Global Top 3: London, Paris, and New York City retained their spots in the top three positions in the 2024 Global City Index.

• Dubai made a notable improvement in work opportunities, rising from 24th to 4th place for local and remote jobs.

• Dubai’s role as a global trade hub and strong economic performance earned it the title of the second most important city worldwide.

• Scoring 86 out of 100, Dubai demonstrated economic resilience and a strategic long-term vision.

• Dubai's performance across key indicators highlights its position as a leading global city with a robust economy.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Russian Business centre will open in New Delhi.

• The Russian Embassy in India will soon open the Russian Business Center in New Delhi.

• The center is a joint effort by the Business Council for Cooperation with India and Synergy Corporation, New Delhi.

• It aims to strengthen business ties between India and Russia, promote export cooperation, and provide a platform for business communities to engage.

• The center will feature a co-working space for events, regional business missions, forums, conferences, and seminars.

• The plenary session of the Russian-Indian Business Forum will take place in Mumbai, focusing on enhancing economic ties.

• Over the past two years, trade between India and Russia has exceeded the USD 30 billion target set for 2025.

• The International North-South Transport Corridor and the Chennai-Vladivostok Eastern Maritime Corridor are pivotal in improving connectivity between the two countries.

• The initiative underscores the growing economic and business collaboration between India and Russia.