Transfer of Chagos Islands Sovereignty to Mauritius agreed by UK

• The UK and Mauritius finalized an agreement to transfer sovereignty of the strategically important Chagos Islands to Mauritius on October 5, 2024.
• Allowing Mauritius to regain control while ensuring the U.S. military base on Diego Garcia remains operational.
• Negotiations for this agreement began in 2022 under former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, involving 11 rounds with the previous government and 2 rounds with the current administration to finalize the terms.
• This agreement addresses a long-standing dispute between Mauritius and the UK, securing the future operations of the military base and closing a potential route for illegal migration.
• The agreement marks a significant political step in the relationship between the two countries regarding the sovereignty of the Chagos Archipelago, including Diego Garcia.

Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu thrives with Butterfly Migration (Environment and Ecology)

• Tamil Nadu experienced a significant migration of butterflies from the Danainae sub-family, particularly species known as 'tigers and crows' as of October 5, 2024.
• This movement was observed as these butterflies migrated from the Eastern Ghats to the Western Ghats.
• The Danainae sub-family includes popular butterflies like the Blue Tiger, Dark Blue Tiger, Double-branded Crow, and Common Crow.
•  These butterflies follow a two-phase migration pattern: they first ascend to the hills before the northeast monsoon and then return to the plains after the southwest monsoon.
• The Nature and Butterfly Society (TNBS) has monitored this phenomenon since 2013, noting a surge of butterflies emerging in the last week of September.

4th Generation VSHORADS successfully tested by DRDO (Defence)

• The DRDO conducted three successful tests of the ‘Very Short Range Air Defence System’ (VSHORADS) in Pokhran, Rajasthan on October 5, 2024.
• VSHORADS is a 4th generation, portable missile system designed to protect against low-flying aerial threats, including drones and aircraft, within a range of 5-20 km.
• It employs surface-to-air missiles guided by infrared, radar, or optical systems for target tracking and engagement.
• The tests primarily aimed to evaluate VSHORADS's performance in intercepting targets at maximum range and altitude, as well as its effectiveness against fast-moving threats in various combat scenarios.
• The missile system demonstrated high accuracy, with a “hit-to-kill” capability, allowing it to directly destroy targets approaching, receding, or moving sideways, highlighting its adaptability and reliability in different conditions.

15th Irani Cup Title won by Mumbai

• The Irani Cup title won by Mumbai after a 27-year gap on October 5, 2024.
• The reigning Ranji champion team, led by Ajinkya Rahane, drew the match against the Rest of India, securing victory based on their first-innings lead.
• The Irani Cup, officially known as the IDFC First Bank Irani Trophy due to sponsorship, is an annual First-Class cricket match organized by the BCCI.
• It features the reigning Ranji Trophy champions facing a multi-state Rest of India team composed of players from various state teams.
• The inaugural match took place in March, 1960 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Ranji Trophy and was originally intended as a one-off event.
• However, it became an annual fixture starting in the 1962–63 season, named after Zal R. Irani, a key figure in the BCCI.

Angad Cheema won Vizag Open Title for Golf

• Angad Cheema triumphed at the Vizag Open 2024 on October 5, 2024, marking the end of an 11-year wait for a championship title.
•  In an exhilarating final match, Angad Cheema competed against Aman Raj after both players finished the tournament tied at 16-under par.
• Aman Raj impressed with a remarkable round of 6-under 65, forcing Angad Cheema into a playoff.
• However, he secured his victory in the first playoff hole by making a crucial birdie.

Asian Youth Archery Championship 2024

• Indian archer Vaishnavi Pawar achieved remarkable success by winning a silver medal in the recurve U-18 women’s team category at the Asian Youth Archery Championship 2024 held in Taipei City on October 5, 2024.
• As the first shooter for the three-member Indian team, which included Pranjal Tholiya and Jannat, Vaishnavi demonstrated exceptional skill and composure throughout the competition.
• Her team faced a challenging semi-final match against South Korea, where they triumphed in a tense shoot-off.
• Vaishnavi's performance not only showcased her talent but also highlighted the strength of the Indian archery contingent in the championship.

Singapore Bids Farewell to Horse Racing after 181 years

• After 181 years of horse racing, Singapore hosted its final race at the Singapore Turf Club on October 5, 2024.
• The decision to close the club, driven by the growing population exceeding six million, reflects the city-state’s shift in prioritizing land for housing over recreational activities.
• Around 10,000 fans, including seasoned bettors and socialites, attended the event, which concluded with the Grand Singapore Gold Cup, won by South African jockey Muzi Yeni.
• The 120-hectare Turf Club site will be returned to the government by 2027 to meet housing demands.
•  Established in 1842 by Scottish merchant William Henry Macleod Read, the Singapore Sporting Club held its first race in 1843.

AI-Enhanced Command and Control Centre unveiled by Ahmedabad Police

• Ahmedabad Police announced the establishment of a cutting-edge Command and Control Centre aimed at enhancing public security through advanced technologies on October 5, 2024.
• This initiative reflects a growing trend in urban policing that leverages modern technology for better operational effectiveness and crime management.
• Each officer will have access to 3 monitors to simultaneously survey 3 different locations, improving the monitoring of criminal activities via CCTV.
•  A significant feature of this centre is the incorporation of Artificial Intelligence (AI), which will help track social media for potential threats and quickly identify suspects.
• The AI will monitor suspicious activities in real-time and employ video analytics to recognize vehicle license plates, thereby improving crime prevention efforts.

Banjara Virasat Museum Inaugurated in Mumbai

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Banjara Virasat Museum in Pohardevi, Washim, Maharashtra, highlighting the rich heritage of the Banjara community on October 5, 2024.
•  This four-story museum features 13 galleries showcasing the Banjara legacy, including portraits of community leaders and significant moments from the Banjara movement.
• The Prime Minister addressed a gathering in Washim to launch various initiatives worth approximately ₹23300 crores.
• It will be focused on agricultural and animal husbandry sectors, alongside Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, among other dignitaries.