# PM modi US visit

• Prime minister Narendra Modi kicked off his first visit to the US in two years, with meetings with CEOs of fortune 500 companies.

• PM modi met with the CEOs of five companies that have invested in India or have significant investment potential : semiconductor and wireless technology manufacturer Qualcomm, renewable energy company first solar, software company Adobe, energy systems and arms manufacturer General atomics and investment management company the Blackstone group.

• PM modi will also meet Joe biden and also attend Quad summit.

 # IS sleeper cells

• The arrest of several persons from Kerela by the National investigation agency in connection with terror related cases recently has raised concerns about suspected sleeper cells of the Islamic state operating in the state.

• Many suspected terrorist recruiter are arrested for running Islamic state propaganda channels on Social media platforms.

• After fall of IS in Iraq and Syria some have gone to Kashmir to wage Jihad.

# Army

• The defense ministry on Thursday placed an order with the heavy vehicles factory (HVF), Avadi, for the supply of 118 indigenous Arjun Mk-1A main battle tanks for the army at a cost of 7523 crore.

• The state of the art MBT Mk-1A is a new variant of Arjun tank designed to enhance fire power, mobility and survivability.

• The MBT Arjun Mk-1A was designed and developed by the Combat vehicles Research and development Establishment (CVRDE).

# COWIN

• No concern whatsoever has been expressed by the government of the United Kingdom on the certification process of Cowin.

• The technical teams of both countries have been in touch since early september.

# Pfizer booster

• The United states on Wednesday authorised the use of boosters of Pfizer covid-19 vaccine for people aged over 65 as well as adults at high risk of severe disease.

• The announcement means a significant part of the population – amounting to tens of millions of Americans – are now eligible for a third shot six months after their second.