🇮🇳 National News
The 8th International Solar Alliance (ISA) Assembly convened in New Delhi, where India unveiled key global solar initiatives aimed at fostering a just, inclusive, and innovation-driven energy transition.
The assembly emphasized India’s leadership role in advancing sustainable solar technologies, focusing on the circular economy, AI-powered innovation, and equitable access to renewable energy.
- SUNRISE (Solar Upcycling Network for Recycling, Innovation & Stakeholder Engagement) – Promotes solar waste upcycling by converting expired solar panels into sustainable materials and green jobs, fostering a circular innovation ecosystem.
- OSOWOG (One Sun One World One Grid) – Aims to link solar grids across Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and Africa, facilitating 24/7 solar energy trade and reducing global carbon dependency.
- Global Capability Centre (GCC) – Envisioned as a research and innovation hub, promoting startups and developing a “Silicon Valley for Solar” in India.
On the occasion of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s 150th birth anniversary, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a ₹150 commemorative coin and a special postage stamp at a ceremony in Kevadia, Gujarat.
The releases pay tribute to Sardar Patel’s historic role in integrating over 500 princely states after India’s independence — an achievement that earned him the title “Iron Man of India.”
PM Modi also inaugurated and laid foundations for multiple development projects totaling ₹1,219 crore, aimed at boosting infrastructure, eco-friendly transportation, and tourism around the Statue of Unity.
Namitbir Singh Walia from Jalandhar, Punjab, has earned the title of International Master (IM) in chess, becoming the second-ever IM from Punjab after Dushyant Sharma.
He achieved his final IM norm at the 3rd Annemasse International Masters Tournament held in France, where he secured 4th position overall.
This marks a significant achievement for Punjab’s chess community, celebrating his dedication and international recognition.
💼 Business & Economy
In October 2025, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) published the provisional results of the 2024–25 Annual Census on Foreign Liabilities and Assets (FLA).
The data revealed that the United States (USA) and Singapore together contributed over one-third of India’s total Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) during the fiscal year 2024–25.
- The FLA Census includes data on cross-border assets and liabilities of Indian entities such as companies, LLPs, AIFs, and partnership firms involved in inward or outward direct investment (DI).
- Out of the 45,702 participating entities, a total of 41,517 reported FDI and/or ODI in their balance sheets as of March 2025.
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has issued a consultation paper proposing a comprehensive restructuring of the mutual fund fee framework to make it simpler, more transparent, and investor-friendly.
The proposal aims to streamline regulations, increase clarity, and reduce costs for investors under the SEBI (Mutual Funds) Regulations, 1996.
- Taxes and government levies such as STT, GST, and stamp duty will no longer be included within the Total Expense Ratio (TER). These will be displayed separately and charged directly to investors.
- SEBI plans to eliminate the additional temporary charge of 5 basis points (bps) currently levied by Asset Management Companies (AMCs) on their Assets Under Management (AUM).
- To balance this change, SEBI has proposed a 5 bps increase in the base TER slabs for open-ended active mutual fund schemes.
On 29 October 2025, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued a draft circular introducing major reforms in cross-border payment processing to enhance speed and transparency.
- Banks must credit incoming foreign remittances on the same business day if received during forex market hours. Transfers received after market hours should be credited by the next business day.
- The framework mandates Straight-Through Processing (STP) — an automated system designed to minimize manual intervention, errors, and delays.
- Banks must perform Nostro account reconciliations in near real-time, with intervals of no more than 30 minutes.
- Institutions are encouraged to create digital platforms for customers to upload documents and track remittance status online.
The U.S. Federal Reserve has cut its benchmark interest rate for the second time in 2025, lowering it to the 3.75%–4.00% range.
The decision aims to support the cooling labor market while managing persistent inflation, which continues to remain above the 2% target despite signs of moderation.
- The rate cut was influenced by weaker labor data, including slower job growth and rising unemployment claims, suggesting a potential economic slowdown.
- The ongoing U.S. government shutdown has caused a “data drought”, delaying key releases such as employment and inflation reports.
- The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) showed significant internal disagreement — Stephen Miran pushed for a larger half-point cut, while Jeffrey Schmid opposed any reduction.
- Fed Chair Jerome Powell acknowledged these “strongly differing views”, hinting at policy uncertainty before the upcoming December 2025 meeting.
At India Maritime Week (IMW), held from 27–31 October 2025 in Mumbai, the Visakhapatnam Port Authority (VPA) inked Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) worth a total of ₹39,216 crore.
These agreements underline Andhra Pradesh’s growing influence in India’s maritime economy and blue economy initiatives.
A major MoU was signed between the Government of Andhra Pradesh and VPA for developing a mega port-cum-shipbuilding and repair cluster at Dugarajapatnam, involving an investment of ₹29,662 crore.
🌐 International News
Dictionary.com has chosen “67” — a number rather than a traditional word — as its Word of the Year 2025, marking the first numeric selection in the award’s history.
The number has become a symbol of Gen Z’s internet humor and meme culture, embodying absurdist comedy and the idea that “vibe” outweighs meaning in modern communication.
- Pronounced as “six-seven” (not sixty-seven), the term serves as a reaction or expression of mood, similar to a shrug, inside joke, or punchline.
- Its origin traces to Skrilla’s 2024 hit “Doot Doot (6 7)”, references to NBA player LaMelo Ball (6′7″), and a viral “67 Kid” basketball video that spread across TikTok and gaming circles.
- Falling under “brainrot slang”, “67” typifies random, meaningless humor that defines online culture in 2025.
- Mentions of the term reportedly increased sixfold in October 2025 compared to the entire year of 2024.
- This is the first time a non-word interjection has been recognized, reflecting a linguistic evolution where memes, numbers, and emotion shape digital communication.
🔬 Science & Technology
In October 2025, researchers initiated the AmazonFACE project to explore how the Amazon rainforest will respond to rising atmospheric CO₂ levels.
The project, situated near Manaus, Brazil, is managed by the National Institute for Amazon Research (INPA) with backing from the Universidade Estadual de Campinas.
- Uses FACE (Free-Air CO₂ Enrichment) technology, which increases CO₂ in open-air conditions without using enclosed chambers.
- Six steel rings have been erected above the forest canopy, each encircling 50–70 mature trees.
- In three rings, CO₂ levels will be elevated to simulate 2050–2060 climate conditions, while the other three remain as control plots.
- Sensors record environmental data every 10 minutes, monitoring CO₂ absorption, oxygen and water vapor release, and responses to weather patterns.
- The study aims to determine whether the Amazon will continue functioning as a carbon sink or lose that capacity under future climate scenarios.
Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed the successful testing of the nuclear-powered Poseidon Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV) — dubbed a “super weapon” due to its uninterceptable design.
Poseidon, also known to NATO as Kanyon (formerly Status-6):
- Dimensions: 20 meters long, 8 meters wide
- Weight: Around 100 tonnes
- Operational Range: 10,000 km (6,200 miles)
- Speed: Up to 185 km/h
Making it one of the most advanced underwater systems in existence.
In October 2025, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Russia’s PJSC-United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) in Moscow to produce the Superjet 100 (SJ-100) commuter aircraft in India.
The MoU grants HAL exclusive manufacturing rights for Indian domestic customers, marking a major milestone in India-Russia civil aviation collaboration.
The partnership supports the government’s UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) initiative to improve regional and short-haul connectivity across the country.
📅 Important Days
World Vegan Day 2025 was celebrated on 1st November worldwide.
The theme for 2025 emphasizes “veganism and its positive impact on the planet, animals, and human health.”
- The Vegan Society organizes community events like new vegan food stalls, potluck dinners, and awareness drives to promote sustainable living and ethical eating.
- The Vegan Society was founded in 1944 by Louise Wallis, while the term “vegan” was coined by Donald Watson and Dorothy Morgan in the same year.
- World Vegan Day commemorates the anniversary of the Vegan Society’s founding and celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1994, continuing its mission to promote plant-based lifestyles globally.
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