Current Affairs Digest: October 20, 2023

Welcome to today's current affairs digest, where we break down the most important news of the day. From international politics to state-level initiatives and from economy to sports, we've got you covered. Let's dive right in!

International News

China's Nuclear Arsenal Buildup: U.S. Pentagon Report

• The U.S. Pentagon has released a report indicating that China is expanding its nuclear arsenal at a faster rate than previously estimated. The report suggests that China could have over 1,000 nuclear warheads by 2030.

S Jaishankar Unveils Mahatma Gandhi’s Bust In Vietnam

• External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar recently visited Vietnam and unveiled a bust of Mahatma Gandhi in Ho Chi Minh City. The event also marked the unveiling of a bust of Rabindranath Tagore in Bac Ninh province.

State News

Assam CM Inaugurates ‘Shraddhanjali’ Flyover

• Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma inaugurated the ‘Shraddhanjali’ flyover in Guwahati, which was completed in just 60 days. The flyover is the second longest in the state and was constructed within a budget of Rs 316 crore.

Arunachal Cabinet Approves Special Tiger Protection Force

• The Arunachal Pradesh State Cabinet approved the formation of a Special Tiger Protection Force for three tiger reserves in the state. The force aims to reduce poaching and illegal activities in these reserves.

Defence News

Indian Army Wins Gold in Cambrian Patrol Military Exercise

• The Indian Army secured a gold medal at the Cambrian Patrol Competition 2023 held in Wales, UK. The team from the 3/5 Gorkha Rifles (Frontier Force) participated in the event.

Economy News

RBI Announces New Measures to Boost Digital Payments

• The Reserve Bank of India has announced a series of measures aimed at boosting digital payments in the country. These include the introduction of a new payment interface and the reduction of transaction fees for digital payments.

India's GDP Growth Forecast Revised to 7.8%

• The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has revised India's GDP growth forecast for the fiscal year 2023-2024 to 7.8%, up from its earlier estimate of 7.2%.

Sports News

Tokyo Olympics Gold Medalist Neeraj Chopra Honored

• Neeraj Chopra, the gold medalist in javelin throw at the Tokyo Olympics, has been honored with the prestigious Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award.

FIFA World Cup 2023: India Qualifies for Group Stage

• The Indian national football team has qualified for the group stage of the FIFA World Cup 2023, marking a significant milestone in the history of Indian football.

Science and Technology

NASA's Artemis Mission Gets Green Light

• NASA has received approval from the U.S. government to proceed with its Artemis mission, which aims to land the first woman and the next man on the Moon by 2025.

India Launches First Indigenous Aircraft Carrier

• India has successfully launched its first indigenous aircraft carrier, named INS Vikrant. The carrier is expected to be commissioned into the Indian Navy by the end of 2023.

Miscellaneous News

World Food Day Celebrated Globally

• World Food Day was celebrated globally on October 16, with various events and campaigns aimed at raising awareness about food security and sustainable agriculture.

Nobel Prize in Literature Awarded to Olga Tokarczuk

• Polish author Olga Tokarczuk has been awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature for her "narrative imagination that with encyclopedic passion represents the crossing of boundaries as a form of life."

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Current affairs quiz - 20 October 2023