IMPORTANT DAYS

United Nations Day 2024 observed on 24 October

• United Nations Day is observed annually on October 24, marking the UN's establishment in 1945.

• The day commemorates the adoption of the UN Charter, symbolizing a post-WWII commitment to global peace.

• The official creation of the United Nations took place on October 24, 1945, after the Charter's approval in June of that year.

• In April 1945, representatives from 50 countries gathered in San Francisco to draft the UN Charter.

• October 24 was recognized as United Nations Day in 1948, three years after the UN's founding.

• In 1971, the UN General Assembly encouraged member nations to observe October 24 as a public holiday.

• Former US President Franklin D. Roosevelt first used the term "United Nations" in the 1942 Declaration.

• Since its inception with 51 members, the UN has expanded to include 193 member states.

• United Nations Day highlights the organization's ongoing role in promoting peace, cooperation, and development worldwide.

World Polio Day 2024 observed on 24 October

• World Polio Day is observed globally on October 24 each year.

• Polio, a serious disease caused by the poliovirus, has been targeted for eradication since 1988 by the World Health Assembly.

• In 2002, the WHO declared the European Region polio-free.

• Vaccination is crucial in the worldwide fight to eliminate polio.

• Two main types of polio vaccines are used: the inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) and the oral polio vaccine (OPV).

• Since 1978, India has exclusively used the OPV for polio prevention.

• World Polio Day raises awareness and support for a polio-free future.

LEGAL NEWS

Supreme Court upheld the States’ right to regulate industrial alcohol.

• The Supreme Court upheld the authority of states to regulate industrial alcohol.

• A nine-judge Constitution bench ruled 8:1 in favor of the states’ rights over this regulation.

• Entry 8 of the State List grants states the power to control the production, transport, sale, and other aspects of intoxicating liquor.

• The Court ruled that ‘intoxicating liquor’ under Entry 8 includes industrial alcohol.

• Entry 8 in List II extends beyond just potable alcohol, covering industrial forms as well.

• The Supreme Court clarified that Entry 8 is both industry- and product-oriented within the State List. make the pointers of above in different way do not copy as it is form new sentence will correct grammar and make 9 pointers in short point make short which look good while reading

• The Chief Justice emphasized a broad interpretation of ‘intoxicating liquor’ in Entry 8.

• This decision followed multiple state challenges to the Centre’s exclusive control claims over industrial alcohol.

• The ruling reinforces states' rights to regulate industries related to intoxicating liquors independently.

APPOINTMENTS

Justice Yahya Afridi has been elected as the next Chief Justice of Pakistan.

• Justice Yahya Afridi has been chosen as the next Chief Justice of Pakistan.

• A special parliamentary committee selected him from the three senior-most Supreme Court judges.

• This selection process follows the recent passage of the 26th Constitutional Amendment.

• The amendment has brought notable reforms to Pakistan’s judicial system.

• Justice Yahya Afridi was chosen over Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, who was previously next in line.

• The committee's decision will be sent to the prime minister and then the president for final approval.

• This appointment marks a significant shift in the judiciary under the new amendment.

• Justice Afridi’s elevation reflects changes intended by the revised judicial selection process.

STATE NEWS

RTI museum foundation stone has been laid in Beawar, Rajasthan.

• The foundation stone for the Right to Information Museum was laid in Beawar, Rajasthan, the birthplace of the RTI movement.

• A stone slab with the Preamble of the Constitution in Hindi and English was installed on the museum grounds.

• This museum aims to be a key resource center for information on rights-based movements.

• It will archive documents, materials, and film footage from MKSS and other related organizations.

• Approximately 13.5 lakh pensioners in Rajasthan are awaiting the release of their pensions.

• Many pensions were recently canceled due to errors labeling people as ‘dead’ or ‘out of State.’

• The Right to Information Act was officially notified in India on June 21, 2005.

• Tamil Nadu was the first state to enact an RTI law.

• The museum will serve as a learning hub and reference point for those interested in RTI and related movements.

DEFENCE

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated 2nd edition of the Chanakya Defence Dialogue in New Delhi.

• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the 2nd Chanakya Defence Dialogue in New Delhi.

• This Dialogue serves as India’s premier international defence seminar.

• Singh also launched the Indian Army’s Green Initiative 1.0 and Digitisation of IA 1.0.

• In his keynote on ‘India’s Vision for Development and Security,’ he stressed the need for comprehensive security to achieve Viksit Bharat by 2047.

• Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi addressed the gathering as well.

• The two-day event unites policymakers, defence experts, scholars, and strategic thinkers from around the world.

• Renowned speakers from the US, Russia, Israel, and Sri Lanka are participating in this year’s dialogue.

• Discussions will focus on India’s strategies towards realizing Viksit Bharat in 2047.

• The dialogue includes six expert-led sessions, each tackling key areas of comprehensive security.

RANKING AND INDEX

According to the 'Travel Trends Report', Shillong surpasses Baku as the most popular destination for Indian travellers in 2025.

• Skyscanner's 'Travel Trends Report' reveals Shillong as the top destination for Indian travelers in 2025, surpassing Baku.

• Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya, is the only Indian city featured in this year’s report.

• According to the report, 66% of Indians plan to "travel more" in the coming year.

• Known as the "Scotland of the East," Shillong ranks above Baku, Azerbaijan, and Langkawi, Malaysia.

• Other featured destinations include al-Ula (Saudi Arabia), Tromso (Norway), and Tashkent (Uzbekistan).

• The report also includes a "Best Value Destinations" category, highlighting destinations with the most airfare reductions.

• Almaty, Kazakhstan, leads this list with flight costs down by 44%.

• Jakarta, Indonesia, is second with a 27% decrease in fares, followed by Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, with a 19% drop.

• These trends point to exciting travel opportunities and value for Indian travelers in 2025.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Israel has joined Asian Development Bank (ADB) as 69th member.

• Israel has become the 69th member of the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

• It joins as the latest non-regional member, following approval by ADB’s board of governors in April 2022.

• Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich will serve as the nation’s representative to the ADB.

• With Israel’s inclusion, the ADB now has 69 members in total.

• Japan and the United States are the bank’s primary contributors.

• The ADB was founded in 1966 as a regional development bank.

• Its headquarters is located in Mandaluyong, Philippines.

• Masatsugu Asakawa is the current President of the Asian Development Bank.

SPORTS

India will host the 16th Women’s Indian Open in Gurugram.

• India is set to host the 16th Women’s Indian Open in Gurugram, Haryana.

• A total of 114 players from 31 countries, including 27 from India, will compete.

• The Women’s Indian Open, India’s premier women’s golf event, was established in 2007.

• Aditi Ashok became the first Indian to win this tournament in 2016.

• Indian players like Hitaashee Bakshi, Vani Kapoor, Gaurika Bishnoi, Amandeep Drall, and Ridhima Dilawari are participating.

• The tournament highlights India's growing stature in the international women’s golf scene.