UPSC Daily Current Affairs| One Liners 03-11-2026

One Liners 03-11-2026

Geography

Cyclone Murasu – First Tamil Name for a Tropical Cyclone

• Murasu became the first Tamil name assigned to a tropical cyclone since cyclone naming over the North Indian Ocean began in September 2004.
• It is a severe cyclonic storm over the Bay of Bengal.
• Suggested by – Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), Chennai.
• Meaning – Murasu is a traditional Tamil percussion instrument.
• Historically used to:
  • Disseminate information.
  • Alert people about natural disasters.
  • Produce thunderous sounds as warning signals.

Murasu was the third Indian-suggested name after Gati and Tej in the second list.

• Cyclone Naming Mechanism. Click here

International Relations and Issues

Emerging Science, Technology and Innovation Conclave (ESTIC) 2026

Prime Minister inaugurated ESTIC 2026.

• Held at – Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
• Theme – "Creative Minds, Catalyzing Science, Empowering Technologies"
• Participation of – 300+ invited delegates from India and abroad.
• Major Thematic Areas – It covers 12 thematic areas, including:
  • Artificial Intelligence (AI).
  • Biotechnology.
  • Advanced Materials.
  • Advanced Manufacturing.
  • Healthcare.
  • Energy.
  • Climate Science.
  • Ocean Sciences.

UN Ends Political Mission in Somalia (2026)

UN ended its political mission in Somalia on 31 October 2026, following a two-year transition, concluding over three decades of UN political operations.

• Evolution of Mission:
  • 1995 – UN Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS) established.
  • 2013 – UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) established by UN Security Council.
  • 2024 – Renamed UN Transitional Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNTMIS) for a two-year transition.
  • 2026 – UNTMIS closed; responsibilities transferred to Somali institutions and UN Country Team.
• Objectives – To support democracy, rule of law, political reconciliation, institution-building and peacebuilding.
• Continuing Challenges
  • Al-Shabaab, an Al-Qaeda-linked terrorist organisation, controls parts of central Somalia.
  • International funding cuts threaten counter-terrorism operations.
  • Political disputes and insecurity threaten elections scheduled for May 2027.

UN Peacekeeping Mission in Western Sahara Ends (2026)

UN Secretary-General António Guterres announced the closure of the 35-year-old MINURSO mission after the UN Security Council failed to renew its mandate.

MINURSO

• Full Form – UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara.
• Established in – 1991 by the UN Security Council.
• Objectives
  • Monitor ceasefire between Morocco and Polisario Front.
  • Organise a referendum on self-determination.
  • Referendum remained unheld due to disagreements over voter eligibility.

Recent Developments

• November 1, 2026 – Liquidation phase began.
• Mission assets to be returned to contributing countries.
• Morocco's autonomy proposal under its sovereignty was recognised by a 2025 Security Council resolution as the most feasible solution.
• Morocco welcomed the decision; Polisario Front expressed concern.

Environment

New Fungal Species – Mollisia sokpayensia

Discovery

• A team led by a Manipur microbiologist discovered a new fungal species, Mollisia sokpayensia.
• Location – Sikkim Himalaya – Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hotspot.
• Research significance – Associated with the rhizome of a rare medicinal plant.

Host Plant – Panax sokpayensis

• A rare and high-value medicinal plant native to the Sikkim Himalaya.
• Its rhizomes are traditionally used for medicinal purposes.
• Species belonging to the genus Panax are commonly known as Ginseng.

Fungal Endophytes

• Microorganisms that inhabit the internal tissues of healthy plants without causing visible disease symptoms.
• They may produce bioactive compounds with potential applications in:
  • Medicine and drug discovery.
  • Agriculture.
  • Biotechnology.

Characteristics of Mollisia sokpayensia

• Exhibited slow growth under laboratory conditions at 28°C.
• Its colonies changed colour from brown to blackish-brown.

Important Caveat

• Its medicinal properties and potential applications have not yet been scientifically investigated.

Security

Sample Russian Submarine Generalissimus Suvorov – Bulava ICBM Launch

• Russia's nuclear-powered submarine Generalissimus Suvorov launched a Bulava Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) as part of combat training.
• Target – Chizha test range, Arkhangelsk region, Russia.
• Fleet – Russian Pacific Fleet.
• Significance – Demonstrates the readiness of Russia's nuclear forces and its strategic deterrence capabilities.

Generalissimus Suvorov Submarine

• Project – Project 955A Borei-A.
• Type – Nuclear-powered strategic missile submarine (SSBN).
• Built at – Sevmash shipyard, based on a design developed by Rubin Design Bureau.
• Construction began – 26 December 2014.
• Naval flag raised – 29 December 2022.
• Belongs to the fourth generation of Russian nuclear-powered submarines.

Bulava Missile (R-30)

• A Russian three-stage, submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM).
• Designed for – Project 955 Borei-class nuclear-powered submarines.
• Development began – 1995; entered service around 2017–18.
• Key Features
  • Propulsion:
    • First and second stages – Solid propellant.
    • Third stage – Liquid propellant.
• It can be launched at an inclined angle while the submarine is underway.
• Guidance – Hybrid system combining celestial navigation and GLONASS satellite navigation.
• Equipped with – Decoys and manoeuvrable re-entry vehicles to penetrate missile defence systems.

Science

India's First Public Sector Proton Beam Therapy Centre – Assam

Assam government signed an MoU with Ion Beam Applications (IBA) Particles, Belgium, to establish India's first public-sector proton beam therapy centre

Proton Beam Therapy (PBT)

• Advanced form of radiation therapy used for cancer treatment.
• Uses positively charged particles (protons) to destroy cancer cells.
• Delivers radiation with high precision to tumours.
• Minimises damage to surrounding healthy tissues.
• Particularly beneficial for suitable cases involving children and tumours near critical organs.

Significance

• Reduces dependence on expensive private healthcare.
• Improves access to advanced cancer treatment.
• Strengthens public healthcare infrastructure.

Index

National Organ Transplant Games 2026

• Organised by – Renal Care Foundation
  Sir Ganga Ram Hospital.
• Associated with –
  • National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO),
  • Government of India,
  • Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (Technical Partner).
• Theme – Promoting organ donation as 'Mahadaan' (greatest gift).
• Key highlights
  • 570 transplant recipients and donors performed Tadasana, setting a world record.
  • Felicitated medal winners of World Transplant Games 2025 (Dresden, Germany).
  • Released Zindagi Dobara Calendar and administered the organ donation pledge.

National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO)

• A national-level organisation coordinating organ and tissue donation and transplantation activities in India.
• Nodal Ministry – Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
• Aim – To promotes awareness, coordination and transparency in organ transplantation.

Miscellaneous

World Vegan Day 2026

• Celebrated annually on – 1^st November.
• Key objectives
  • To promote awareness of veganism and encourage people to adopt plant-based food choices.
  • To promote animal welfare and protection.
  • To encourage people to understand the origin of their food and consider sustainable dietary choices.
• History and Origin
  • 1944 – The Vegan Society was founded by Donald Watson (the world’s oldest vegan charity).
  • 1944 – The term ‘vegan’ was coined.
  • 1994 – World Vegan Day was established by Louise Wallis, former chair of The Vegan Society.
  • 1994 – First celebration marked the 50th anniversary of The Vegan Society.

International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists

• Observed annually on – 2^nd November
• First proclaimed in – 2013, commemorates the assassination of two French journalists in Mali on 2 November 2013
• Declared by – UN General Assembly
• Aim – To highlight violence against journalists and emphasise the need for accountability for crimes committed against them.
• Key facts
  • UNESCO's 2026 report identifies the Arab States as having the highest number of journalist murders.
  • Since 1993, over 1,700 journalists have been killed worldwide.
  • In 9 out of 10 cases, perpetrators go unpunished.
  • 73% of women journalists surveyed reported online threats, intimidation, and insults related to their work.
  • These attacks include murder, kidnapping, torture, physical violence, harassment, and online threats.