Hello and welcome to exampundit . Here are the important Daily Current Affairs Update from 18th to 22nd November, 2016. These are important for the upcoming IBPS RRB Mains, IPPB and NICL Mains.
Current Affairs at a Glance – 18 to 22 November, 2016
- In a big step towards fighting
black money stashed overseas, Switzerland on Tuesday agreed to automatic sharing of
information with India on Swiss bank accounts of Indians as of September 2018
and onwards. They will not share details about accounts held prior to that
period, while the first such exchange will happen in September 2019. - HCL Infosystems on Monday announced its foray into Oman after signing
a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Omantel,
a significant player in telecom and related services in the Arab nation. - Mehbooba Mufti, Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir, on 14
November 2016 formally launched the World Bank-funded Jhelum-Tawi flood recovery project in
Srinagar. - Prime Minister Narendra Modi on
20 November 2016 formally launched the Housing for All scheme in rural areas under to
provide an environmentally safe and protected pucca house to every rural
household by 2022. The scheme is also
named as the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana (Gramin). - India on Tuesday successfully test-fired its indigenously built nuclear
capable Agni-I ballistic missile, which can
hit a target 700 km away, as part of a user trial by Army from a test range
off Odisha coast. - Guided Missile Destroyer INS Chennai was on 21 November 2016 commissioned into the
Indian Navy by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar at the Naval Dockyard, Mumbai. - The Union Minister of Information
& Broadcasting, M Venkaiah Naidu inaugurated a multimedia exhibition with
the theme ‘Aazadi 70 Saal, Yaad Karo Kurbani’ at the 47th International Film Festival of India in Panaji on
21 November 2016. - Mahesh Bhalla, former Executive
Director of Dell’s Consumer & SMB business in India, has been appointed
as Chief Mentor of StartupsClub India. - Germanwatch and Climate Action
Network Europe released the Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) 2017 on 16
November 2016. The index ranks
India at the 20th position and
says that countries like India are making efforts in fields of renewable and
energy efficiency. - PV Sindhu on 20 November 2016 won the 700000 US dollars China Open badminton tournament.
This was the first Super Series Premier title for the Indian Olympic silver
medallist and two-time bronze medallist at World Championship. - Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, Princess
of Thailand, on 21 November 2016 was conferred with the first World Sanskrit
Award. She was honoured for her exemplary contribution for the promotion
of Sanskrit language for the year 2015. - Captain Radhika Menon on 21 November 2016 was bestowed with the 2016 International Maritime Organization (IMO)
Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea at IMO Headquarters in London, United
Kingdom. - Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan was awarded the prestigious Mother Teresa
International Award by the Mumbai-based NGO Harmony Foundation. - The United Nations’ (UN) World Television
Day was observed in countries
across the world on 21 November 2016. - The World Day of Remembrance for Road
Traffic Victims was observed
globally on 20 November 2016. - Universal Children’s Day was observed across the globe on 20 November
2016. - World Toilet Day was observed on 19 November.
Finance/Banking/Economy –
India and Switzerland sign bank information sharing deal
- In a big step towards fighting
black money stashed overseas, Switzerland on Tuesday agreed to automatic
sharing of information with India on Swiss bank accounts of Indians as of
September 2018 and onwards. - They will not share details about
accounts held prior to that period, while the first such exchange will happen
in September 2019. - The ‘Joint Declaration’ for
implementation of AEOI signed today between India and Switzerland provides that
both countries will start collecting data in accordance with the global
standards in 2018 and exchange it from 2019 onwards. - While Switzerland has conformed
to the global standards on automatic exchange of information with the signing
of the declaration, India, on its part, has promised to safeguard the
confidentiality of the data.
HCL Infosystems forays into Oman with MoU with Omantel
- HCL Infosystems on Monday
announced its foray into Oman after signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
with Omantel, a significant player in telecom and related services in the Arab
nation. - Under the terms of the MoU,
Omantel and HCL Infosystems will collaborate to facilitate IT transformation
involving a range of services including enhancing Internet of Things (IoT) and
Machine to Machine (M2M) infrastructure, delivering e-services, portal content
management, and enhanced levels of network optimization and security. In
addition, HCL Infosystems will also become Omantel’s strategic partner to
execute the Company’s IoT business objectives and will assist in skills
training for Omani nationals. - This MoU is part of Omantel’s
strategy to increase business agility and deliver innovative offerings and
e-Government solutions to support growth in the Oman economy.
Mehbooba Mufti launches World Bank funded Jhelum-Tawi Flood Recovery
Project
Project
- Mehbooba Mufti, Chief Minister of
Jammu & Kashmir, on 14 November 2016 formally launched the World
Bank-funded Jhelum-Tawi flood recovery project in Srinagar. - The project seeks reconstruction
and rehabilitation of infrastructure post-2014 floods in the state. - The project was conceptualised
and pursued by former Chief Minister Mufti Muhammad Sayeed in the aftermath of
devastating floods of 2014 in the state. - In January 2016, the Government
of Indian and the World Bank had signed a 250 million US dollar credit
agreement under the Jhelum and Tawi Flood Recovery Project. - The project is funded by credit
from the International Development Association, the World Bank’s concessionary
lending arm, with a maturity of 25 years, including a 5 year grace period. - The project aims at
reconstructing and recovering support in flood-affected areas in which public
infrastructure and livelihoods were impacted severely. - The project also focuses on
restoring critical infrastructure disrupted by the floods using international
best practice. - The infrastructure will be
designed to improve resilience to future flooding and landslide, as well as
seismic risk. - It will focus on the 20
flood-affected districts in the state. They are Anantnag, Baramula, Budgam,
Bandipora, Ganderbal, Kupwara, Kulgam, Pulwama, Shopian, Srinagar, Jammu,
Samba, Kathua, Reasi, Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban, Poonch, Rajauri and Udhampur. - Apart from reconstruction, the
project will focus on disaster risk mitigation.
PM Narendra Modi launches Housing for All scheme in rural areas
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi on
20 November 2016 formally launched the Housing for All scheme in rural areas
under to provide an environmentally safe and protected pucca house to every rural
household by 2022. - The scheme is also named as the
Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana (Gramin). - In the first phase, the target is
to complete one crore houses by March 2019. - A minimum support of around 1.5
lakh rupees to 1.6 lakh rupees is now available to a household. - If the beneficiary desires, there
is also a provision of Bank loan of up to 70000 rupees. - All the beneficiaries are
selected through a completely transparent process using the Socio Economic
Census 2011 data. - It provides for skilling 5 lakh
Rural Masons by 2019 and allows over 200 different housing designs across the
country based on housing typologies, environmental hazards and the household
requirements.
Supreme Court asked Union Government to frame rules for consumer courts
- The Supreme Court (SC) of India
on 21 November 2016 directed the Union Government to frame model rules
prescribing objective norms for the administration of consumer courts. It
should be done within four months. - The direction was passed by the
three-judge bench comprising of Chief Justice TS Thakur and Justices DY
Chandrachud and L Nageswara Rao. The bench expressed its concern over the
working of consumer courts including the National Consumer Disputes Redressal
Commission. It said that a systematic overall of the infrastructure is
necessary if the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 is not to become a dead letter. - In its directions, the apex court
clarified the role, functions and powers of the National Consumer Commission,
State consumer commissions and district consumer fora. This was done to ensure
that the mechanism to protect the consumer from unfair trade practices is
strengthened.
Union Government announces new set of measures to ease demonetisation
policy
policy
- The Union Government on 17
November 2016 announced another set of measures to ease the impact of demonetisation
policy on the people. - PM Narendra Modi on 8 November
2016 banned the currency notes of 500 and 1000 rupees and replaced them with
new currency notes.
Highlights of the Measures
- Relief for farmers, traders:
Farmers will be permitted to draw up to 25000 rupees per week in cash from
their KYC compliant accounts only. These cash withdrawals will be subjected to
the normal loan limits and conditions. This facility will also apply to the
Kisan Credit Cards (KCC). - Traders registered with APMC
markets/mandis will be permitted to draw up to 50000 rupees per week in cash
from their KYC compliant accounts. This will enable them to pay wages and
facilitate easy loading, unloading and other activities at the mandis. - Moreover, the government also
extended the last date for payment of Crop Insurance Premium by 15 days. - Relaxation for weddings: The
government has now decided to permit families celebrating weddings to draw
maximum of 250000 rupees in cash from their own bank accounts that are KYC
compliant. The amounts can be drawn only by either of the parents or the person
getting married. - Only one of them will be
permitted to draw this amount. This limit of 250000 rupees will apply
separately to the girl’s and boy’s family. The person withdrawing such amount
has to show the PAN details. - Moreover, a self-declaration is
also required by the person to the effect that only one person from the family
is drawing the amount. Any misuse of this facility will invite appropriate
action. - Limit for exchange reduced: After
thorough observations, the government has decided to reduce the limit of
exchange of old 500 and 1000 rupees notes from 4500 rupees to 2000 rupees. The
decision came in after officials observed that the same persons are going back to
the counter again and again. - This facility will now be
available only once per person. - Withdrawal of money from petrol
pumps: The public sector oil marketing companies, in association with State
Bank of India, will now dispense cash up to 2000 rupees per day per person.
This facility will be initially available at 2500 petrol pumps across the
country. - Only petrol pumps of Indian Oil
Corporation, Bharat Petroleum and Hindustan Petroleum will offer such facility. - Advance salary to Central
Government Employees: Central Government employees of Group C including
equivalent levels in the defence and para military Forces, railways and central
public sector enterprises will be allowed to draw salary advance of 10000
rupees in cash. - This amount will be adjusted in
their salary for November 2016.
India –
India test-fires nuclear-abled, indigenous Agni-I ballistic missile
- India on Tuesday successfully
test-fired its indigenously built nuclear capable Agni-I ballistic missile,
which can hit a target 700 km away, as part of a user trial by Army from a test
range off Odisha coast. - The surface-to-surface missile,
powered by solid propellants, was test-fired from a mobile launcher at 10.10 AM
from launch pad-4 of the integrated test range (ITR) at Abdul Kalam Island
(Wheeler Island), defence officials said. - Describing the trial as
successful, they said the launch of the intermediate range single-stage missile
was “part of training exercise by Strategic Forces Command of Indian
Army”, they said. - Agni-I missile is equipped with
sophisticated navigation system which ensures it reaches the target with a high
degree of accuracy and precision. - The missile, which has already
been inducted into armed forces, has proved its excellent performance in terms
of range, accuracy and lethality, they said.
Guided Missile Destroyer INS Chennai inducted into Indian Navy
- Guided Missile Destroyer INS
Chennai was on 21 November 2016 commissioned into the Indian Navy by Defence
Minister Manohar Parrikar at the Naval Dockyard, Mumbai. - The ship was indigenously designed
by the Indian Navy’s Directorate of Naval Design and was constructed by Mazagon
Dock Limited, Mumbai. - INS Chennai is the last of the
Project 15 A class Destroyers. - It will be placed under the
operational and administrative control of the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief,
Western Naval Command. - It measures 163m in length, 17.4m
in breadth with a displacement of 7500 tonnes. - It is propelled by four powerful
Gas Turbines, in a Combined Gas and Gas (COGAG) configuration which makes it
capable of achieving speeds in excess of 30 knots. - It also has enhanced stealth
features resulting in a reduced Radar Cross Section (RCS) which is achieved
through efficient shaping of hull, plated masts and radar transparent materials
on exposed decks. - It contains contemporary and
refined weapons and sensors such as Surface to Surface Missile and Surface to
Air Missiles.
Naidu Inaugurates Multimedia Exhibition- Aazadi 70 Saal, Yaad Karo
Kurbani
Kurbani
- The Union Minister of Information
& Broadcasting, M Venkaiah Naidu inaugurated a multimedia exhibition with
the theme ‘Aazadi 70 Saal, Yaad Karo Kurbani’ at the 47th International Film
Festival of India in Panaji on 21 November 2016. - The exhibition was organised by
National Film Archives of India (NFAI) to celebrate 70 years of India’s
Independence and its depiction through films.
Haryana: Fitment of auto-dippers mandatory in vehicles
- Haryana Government in November
2016 made the fitting of auto-dippers mandatory in four-wheel transport
vehicles as a road safety measure. It was done in accordance with the terms of
Rule 106 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989. - The State Transport Department
informed that no four wheeled transport vehicles would be registered by the
Registering authorities or authorised dealers unless the auto-dippers
compatible with head lamps are fitted. - All registered four-wheeled
transport vehicles would be fitted with the auto-dipper compatible with the
head lamp. - The auto-dipper to be fitted
should be approved by the Transport Department on the basis of the technology
under license from the National Research Development Corporation (NRDC).
UP CM Akhilesh Yadav launched integrated emergency services UP-100
- The Chief Minister of Uttar
Pradesh Akhilesh Yadav launched state-wide integrated emergency services
UP-100. The service was launched on 19 November 2016 from Lucknow. - UP-100 is the official name of
the Police Emergency Management System of Uttar Pradesh. Earlier, it was known
as dial 100 Project. The state government has allocated 2200 crore rupees for
the project.
Indore-Patna Express derails in train accident near Kanpur: Over 120
people killed
people killed
- Indore-Patna Express derailed on
20 November 2016 at Pukhrayan in Kanpur Dehat district of Uttar Pradesh. - Over 120 people were killed and
more than 200 injured when the 14 coaches of the Indore-Patna Express derailed.
The incident took place at early morning 3:00 AM when most of the passengers
were sleeping. The train was travelling with more than 500 passengers. - Four sleeper coaches of the train
S1, S2, S3, S4 were badly damaged in the accident. The tragedy could have been
caused due to a rail fracture. - The Commissioner of Railway
Safety, Eastern, P K Acharya was given the responsibility to probe the accident
and to look into the possibility of a fracture in the tracks as a possible
cause of the accident.
Union Government sets up inter ministerial committee to look into
concerns of tourists, NRIs
concerns of tourists, NRIs
- The Union Government on 17
November 2016 constituted the inter-ministerial committee to look into the
areas of concern expressed by NRIs and tourists from abroad and foreign
missions over demonetisation of 500 and 1000 rupees notes. - This committee will be headed at
the level of an additional secretary. A senior joint secretary from the
Ministry of External Affairs is also a member of the committee. - The committee was formed after
people from foreign missions sought the intervention of Ministry of External
Affairs to facilitate smooth collection of consular and visa fee. They have
also asked for access to more funds and money exchange associations.
Union Government bans Zakir Naik’s controversial NGO
- The Union Government has declared
Zakir Naik’s NGO, Islamic Research Foundation (IRF), as an ‘unlawful
organisation’ and banned it for five years on 15 November 2016. - ‘Unlawful organization means any
organization that conducts or gets involved in any activity deemed punishable
under Section 153A or 153B of the Indian Penal Code. These two sections are
provisions that deal with threat to social and communal harmony.’ - The ban was imposed under the
Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) after a final go-ahead at a Union
Cabinet meeting presided over by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A formal
notification for the same will be soon issued by the Home Ministry. - Provocative speeches by Zakir
Naik: In many speeches compiled by the Intelligence Bureau (IB), Naik can be
heard praising Osama Bin Laden, justifying suicide bombings and making
objectionable comments against Hindus, their religious places and gods. - Naik’s suspicious relationship
with Peace TV: A lot of the International Islamic Channel, Peace TV’s content
is formed from Naik’s hate speeches. - Criminal cases filed against
Naik: FIRs have been filed against Naik and other members of IRF in two police
stations of Mumbai, one in Kerala and two in Sindhudurg under Section 153A or
153B of the Indian Penal Code.
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Appointments –
Mahesh Bhalla appointed as Chief Mentor of StartupsClub India
- Mahesh Bhalla, former Executive
Director of Dell’s Consumer & SMB business in India, has been appointed as
Chief Mentor of StartupsClub India. - StartUpsClub is the largest
community for such ventures in India with over 10,000 plus entrepreneurs on its
board, the Bengaluru—headquartered company said. - Bhalla is a 20-year-industry
veteran, having held leadership positions across various companies including
Uber, India, a StartupsClub release said. - StartupsClub is an initiative
that helps entrepreneurs build an ideal platform to create a conducive
environment for starting an enterprise, it said. - Startupsclub is founded by Salma
Moosa and Vivek.
Zak Brown appointed as Executive Director of McLaren Technology Group
- The McLaren Technology Group on
21 November 2016 announced the appointment of Zak Brown as its Executive
Director. - Brown is chosen for the position
after Ron Dennis was forced out as Chairman and Chief Executive of McLaren in
November 2016.
Jagdish Singh Khehar appointed Executive Chairman of National Legal
Services Authority
Services Authority
- The Union Government on 18
November 2016 announced the appointment of Jagdish Singh Khehar as the
Executive Chairman of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA). - Khehar, a judge of the Supreme
Court, will succeed Anil R. Dave.
Lists/Indexes –
Climate Change Performance Index 2017 released, India ranked 20
- Germanwatch and Climate Action
Network Europe released the Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) 2017 on 16
November 2016. The CCPI confirms that there is a boost for renewable energy and
positive developments in energy efficiency. - The index ranks India at the 20th
position and says that countries like India are making efforts in fields of
renewable and energy efficiency.
Sports –
Olympic Champion Eliud Kipchoge Wins Delhi Half Marathon
- As expected, Eliud Kipchoge,
Kenya’s reigning Olympic marathon champion bagged the winner’s title in Delhi
Half Marathon on 20 November 2016. While he was declared winner in men’s
category, Ethiopia’s Worknesh Degefa claimed the women’s title. - Kipchoge, who won the gold medal
at Rio Olympics in August 2016, is considered to be one of the greatest marathon
runners of all times. - The race was flagged off by Union
Sports Minister, Vijay Goel and Adille Sumariwalla, President of Athletics
Federation of India and Council member of IAAF. The race witnessed
participation from nearly 34000 people spread across different categories. - Kipchoge completed the 21.097km
course in 59:44, unable to beat the course record of 59:06 set by Ethiopia’s
Guye Adole in 2014.
PV Sindhu wins China Open Super Series title
- PV Sindhu on 20 November 2016 won
the 700000 US dollars China Open badminton tournament. This was the first Super
Series Premier title for the Indian Olympic silver medallist and two-time
bronze medallist at World Championship. - In the summit clash that lasted
for an hour and nine minutes, Sindhu defeated Sun Yu of China 21-11, 17-21,
21-11. The final was played at Fuzhou, China. - With this win, she also became
the third non-Chinese woman to win the title. The previous two winners were
Malaysia’s Wong Mew Choo (2007) and India’s own Saina Nehwal (2014).
NADA bans sprinter Dharambir Singh for eight years
- Haryana sprinter Dharambir Singh
in the third week of November 2016 was handed an eight-year ban by the National
Anti-Doping Agency (NADA). - As it was Singh’s second
dope-related offence, the NADA Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel slapped him a
lengthier ban of eight years. - The International Olympic
Committee stripped ten athletes of their medals from 2008 Olympics. The move
came after these athletes were tested positive for various banned steroids
during the retest of their samples from the games. - Among the ten athletes, nine
belong to former Soviet Union countries. - None of them were gold medalists.
- Three were silver medalists:
Wrestlers Vitaly Rahimov and Khasan Baroev from Azerbaijan and Russia
respectively and weightlifter Irina Nekrasova from Kazakhstan. - Two were bronze medalists: Triple
jumper Chrysopigi Devetzi from Greece and pole vaulter Denys Yurchenko from
Ukraine. - These results take the total of
weightlifting medalists tested positive for banned substances in 2008 Olympics
to 22. - Apart from them, six athletes who
did not win any medal during the 2008 games were also disqualified. - One among the disqualified six is
Russia’s Elena Slesarenko-women’s high jump gold medalist in 2004- who came
fourth in 2008 games and Ukraine’s Vita Palamar, who came fifth.
Awards & Honors –
Thai Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn conferred first World Sanskrit
Award
Award
- Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, Princess
of Thailand, on 21 November 2016 was conferred with the first World Sanskrit
Award. She was honoured for her exemplary contribution for the promotion of
Sanskrit language for the year 2015. - On the other hand, American
linguist and Indologist Professor George Cardona was also honoured with the
award for the year 2016. - Princess Sirindhorn and Professor
Cardona were bestowed with the award by Vice President Hamid Ansari at a
function held in New Delhi. - The World Sanskrit Award was
instituted by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR).
Six Winners of Infosys Prize 2016 Announced
- The Infosys Science Foundation
declared the names of six individuals as the winners of Infosys Prize 2016 on
18 November 2016. The prize, which is given to recognize and celebrate the
talent and contribution of some of the best researchers and scientists today,
is running into its eighth consecutive year. - The winners were selected from 6
categories including the field of Engineering and Computer Science, Humanities,
Life Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, Physical Sciences and Social Sciences.
The prize for each category included a winning amount of 65 Lakh Rupees, a 22 karat
gold medallion and a citation certificate. - Six people were chosen from a
total of 250 nominations by an esteemed jury panel including renowned
scientists and professors such as Prof. Pradeep K Khosla, Prof. Amartya Sen,
Prof Shrinivas Kulkarni, Dr. Inder Verma, Prof Srinivasa S R Varadhan and Prof Kaushik
Basu.
The winners of the prize are:
- Prof. V. Kumaran for Engineering
and Computer Science - Prof. Sunit Amrith for Humanities
- Dr. Gagandeep Kang for Life
Sciences - Prof. Akshay Venkatesh for
Mathematical Sciences - Dr. Anil Bhardwaj for Physical
Sciences - Prof. Kaivan Munshi for Social
Sciences
Radhika Menon awarded IMO Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea
- Captain Radhika Menon on 21
November 2016 was bestowed with the 2016 International Maritime Organization
(IMO) Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea at IMO Headquarters in London,
United Kingdom. - Menon was honoured with the
prestigious award for her role in the rescue of seven fishermen from a sinking
fishing boat in the Bay of Bengal in June 2015. - With this, Captain Menon became
the first female to receive the IMO Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea.
Akshaya Mukul wins Shakti Bhatt First Book Prize 2016
- Senior journalist Akshaya Mukul
on 21 November 2016 won the Shakti Bhatt First Book Prize 2016 for his book
Gita Press and the Making of Hindu India. - The judges, authors Samanth
Subramanian, Mahesh Rao and Janice Pariat, chose Mukul’s book for its
“eye-opening and captivating exploration into a parallel literary culture that
can often feel at a great remove from English-speaking metropolitan India”. - Mukul had also won the best
non-fiction book prize for Gita Press and the Making of Hindu India at the
Ramnath Goenka awards. However, he boycotted the event. - The Shakti Bhatt First Book Prize
was set up in 2008 to encourage authors from the sub-continent.
Al Nahyan granted Mother Teresa International Award
- Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al
Nahyan was awarded the prestigious Mother Teresa International Award by the
Mumbai-based NGO Harmony Foundation. - Shaikh Abdullah, UAE Minister of
Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, was conferred with the award for
his contribution in promoting peace and stability in the West Asia. - He is responsible for
establishing institutions that protect youth from being radicalised and
indoctrination from terrorist groups and people who look forward to propagating
violence against innocent people.
SSP Chawrasia wins 2016 Resorts World Manila Masters
- Indian golfer SSP Chawrasia on 13
November 2016 won his first Asian Tour title outside the country. He won the 1
million US dollar Resorts World Manila Masters. - Chawrasia birdied the 18th
play-off hole twice to emerge victorious over Sam Chien of the United States
and Malaysia’s Nicholas Fung. - The 2016 Resorts World Manila
Masters was Chawrasia’s fourth Asian Tour triumph and his first one outside
India.
Days –
World Television Day Observed on 21 November
- The United Nations’ (UN) World
Television Day was observed in countries across the world on 21 November 2016.
The day is aimed at recognizing the important role television plays in
presenting issues that affect people globally. - It is also meant to honor the
role Television plays as the pillar of freedom of expression and as a promoter
of cultural diversity.
World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims 2016 observed
globally
globally
- The World Day of Remembrance for
Road Traffic Victims was observed globally on 20 November 2016 with the theme
Vital post-crash actions: Medical Care, Investigation, Justice!. - The Day is observed on every
third Sunday of November by an increasing number of countries on every
continent around the world. It is observed to remember millions who were killed
or injured in road crashes. - The Day has also become an
important means to reduce road casualties.
Universal Children’s Day observed on 20 November
- Universal Children’s Day was
observed across the globe on 20 November 2016. The day is observed with an aim
to promote the ideals and objectives of the United Nation’s Charter and the
welfare of the children of the world. - 20 November is the day when UNGA
adopted the declaration of the Rights of the Child in 1959. On 14 December
1954, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) recommended all countries
should institute a Universal Children’s Day, which will be observed as a day of
the worldwide fraternity to understand children. - 20 November also marks the day on
which, in 1989, the UNGA adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
World Toilet Day observed with theme ‘toilets and jobs’
- World Toilet Day was observed on
19 November 2016 with an aim to motivate millions across the world on issues of
sanitation. The theme for 2016 World Toilet Day is ‘toilets and jobs’. - The theme, toilets and jobs,
focuses on how sanitation or the lack of it can impact livelihoods of people.
The day also calls for action to help about 2.4 billion people who live without
a toilet.
World –
NASA launches Next Generation Weather Satellite GOES-R
- The National Aeronautic and Space
Administration (NASA) on 20 November 2016 launched the highly advanced
geostationary weather satellite Geostationary Operational Environmental
Satellite-R (GOES-R). - The Satellite was launched by
NASA on behalf of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
It was launched on board of Atlas 5 rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force
Station in Florida. - It will boost the weather
observation capabilities of the US, leading to more accurate and timely
forecasts, watches and warnings. - It will be into the operations
within a year after undergoing testing and validation of new instruments
including the first operational lightning mapper in geostationary orbit. - Its primary instrument Advanced
Baseline Imager will provide images of Earth’s weather, oceans and environment
with 16 different spectral bands. - It is also first satellite to
carry a lightning mapper instrument to geostationary orbit. - It will photograph lightning
activity throughout Western Hemisphere about 200 times every second.
India elected as Vice Chair of Kimberly Process Certificate Scheme 2018
- India was on 19 November 2016
elected as Vice Chair of Kimberly Process Certificate Scheme (KPCS) 2018 and as
the Chair for 2019 of KPCS. The announcement was made during the KP Plenary
Meeting 2016 at Dubai. - Earlier, this position of KP
Chair was held by India in 2008. - The Kimberley Process
Certification Scheme imposes widespread requirements on its members to enable
them to certify shipments of rough diamonds. - India is one of the founding
members of Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS). - The Department of Commerce under
Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry administers the scheme. - The Gem and Jewellery Export
Promotion Council (GJEPC) is the Import and Export Authority within the meaning
of Section IV(b) of the Scheme.
World Internet Conference 2016 concludes in Wuzhen, China
- The 2016 World Internet
Conference concluded on 18 November 2016 in Wuzhen, China. - The theme of the 3rd World
Internet Conference, which commenced on 16 November 2016, was Innovation-driven
Internet Development for the Benefit of All – Building a Community of Common
Future in Cyberspace. - On the other hand, the World
Internet Conference Internet Culture Forum was held in the Wuzhen Internet
International Conference and Exhibition Center on 17 November 2016. The theme
of the Forum was Mutual-learning among Civilizations and Development of the
Internet Culture.
China’s Sunway TaihuLight named world’s fastest supercomputer
- China’s Sunway TaihuLight was
recently declared the world’s fastest supercomputer. The revelation was made in
the latest edition of the semi-annual TOP500 Supercomputer list that was
released on 14 November 2016. - It is the eighth time in a row
that a Chinese-made computer has taken the semi-annual TOP500 crown. It is also
the first time a Chinese supercomputer has won without any U.S. processors or
technology. - The TOP500 list is considered one
of the most authoritative rankings of the world’s supercomputers. It is
compiled on the basis of the machines’ performance on the Linpack benchmark by
experts from U.S. and Germany.
Russia withdraws from International Criminal Court
- Vladimir Putin, President of
Russia signed an order on 16 November 2016 withdrawing Russia’s signature from
the International Criminal Court treaty (ICC). - Russia signed Rome statute, the
founding treaty of the International Criminal Court in 2000 but its capital
Moscow never made it officially valid, which means Russia was never its member
and could not be subjected to its jurisdiction. - This move came on the opening day
of the general assembly of member states. - On 14 November 2016, ICC passed a
ruling calling Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 an international armed
conflict. This action angered Moscow, as it claims Crimea joined Russia after a
popular vote. - Russia is facing a lot of
criticism for its air strikes in Syria in support of current Syrian President
Bashar al-Assad. - The court is also looking into
allegations of war crimes committed by forces of Russia and Georgia during
their conflict in 2008. - Russia does not see ICC as a
genuine independent authoritative organ of international justice. - Russia claims that in 14 years,
the ICC has just given four verdicts and spent nearly 1 billion US Dollars.
Obituaries –
Former J&K Governor Lt Gen SK Sinha died
- Former Jammu and Kashmir Governor
Lt Gen Srinivas Kumar Sinha died on 17 November 2016 at the Army Research and
Referral (R&R) hospital, New Delhi. He was 92. - Earlier on 1 November 2016, he
was admitted to the hospital with a fracture in his femur bone and ribs. Later,
he was shifted to R&R hospital after some complications. - He is survived by his wife, son YK
Sinha who is an IFS officer and three daughters. At present, YK Sinha is Indian
Ambassador to Sri Lanka and is moving for his new posting to the UK.
Regards
Team ExamPundit
