Hello and welcome to exampundit.in. Here are the important Current Affairs Today 4th November 2020. These are important for the upcoming Exams. Candidates who were preparing for the examination can use these current affairs and also you can download the same as PDF.
Current Affairs Today – 4th November 2020
NEWS AT A GLANCE
- In order to develop the sports infrastructure at the National Centre of Excellence in Itanagar, an MoU was signed between the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and Arunachal Pradesh government.
- HDFC ERGO General Insurance, India’s third-largest non-life insurance company in the private sector, announced the launch of the AI tool IDEAS (Intelligent Damage detection Estimation and Assessment Solution) for motor claim settlements.
- Government is set to offer 10% shares in the country’s largest non-life insurance company New India Assurance through an offer for sale to the public.
- The Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sharad Arvind Bobde and Justice DY Chandrachud of the Supreme Court, jointly inaugurated India’s first-ever E-resource centre and virtual court called “Nyay Kaushal” at Judicial Officers Training Institute in Nagpur.
- As of November 3, 2020, around 15 State Governments have identified districts to implement the Fortification of Rice Scheme.
- The Chief Minister of Assam Sarbananda Sonowal laid the foundation stone of Indo-Israeli Centre of Excellence for Vegetables Protected Cultivation at Khetri on the outskirts of Guwahati on 2nd November 2020.
- The Health Minister of Maharashtra, Rajesh Tope on November 3, 2020, announced that Rs. 57 crores have been released by the state government for ASHA workers.
- Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao inaugurated the State’s first Rythu Vedika in Jangaon agriculture cluster.
- In the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, Mahila Shakti Kendra, Rajouri launched Selfie with Daughter Campaign in the district to celebrate the pride of having daughters under the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
- In Dehradun, the Municipal Corporation has launched an initiative named Plastic Lao MASK LE JAO to fight against the menace of plastic waste and contain the spread of Covid-19.
- Portugal has won the elections for the post the President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), the voting of which was held on 2nd November 2020.
- Indian-origin New Zealand politician Priyanca Radhakrishnan has created history by becoming the first Indian-Kiwi woman to become a minister in New Zealand.
- The United States recently approved 600 million USD armed drones’ sale to Taiwan.
- The 13th Urban Mobility India (UMI) Conference is being organized by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs on 9th November 2020.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair the Virtual Global Investor Roundtable (VGIR) on 5th November, 2020.
- All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) is organizing a webinar on 5th November 2020 in association with Western Sydney University on the theme “Yoga and Ayurveda Medicine for Mental Wellness”.
- India and UAE held the High-Level Joint Task Force on Investments.
- The World-Wide Fund Water Risk Filter Report says that nearly 30 Indian cities are likely to face acute water risks.
- Six women led startups have won COVID-19 Shri Shakti Challenge organized by MyGov in collaboration with UN Women.
- The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the appointment of Rajiv Jalota (IAS) as the new Chairperson of Mumbai Port Trust, under the Ministry of Shipping on 31st October 2020.
- Harpreet A De Singh, the first woman pilot of Air India, has been appointed as the chief executive officer (CEO) of Alliance Air, a subsidiary of the national carrier.
- As a part of Mission Sagar-II, the Indian Naval Ship (INS) Airavat reached Sudan on 2nd November 2020 with 100 tonnes of food aid
- The former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson has announced retirement from all forms of cricket on 2nd November 2020.
- West Indies batsman, Marlon Samuels has announced his retirement from professional cricket.
- Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Shri Kiren Rijiju virtually inaugurated Sports Authority of India’s (SAI) new Regional Centre in Zirakpur.
- IIT Madras Alumni Association (IITMAA) is launching a ‘Masterclass’ series to help Indians in this COVID-19 pandemic era.
- The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is targeting to launch US-European ocean-monitoring satellite – Sentinel-6- on November 21, 2020.
- The book, titled “Till We Win”, has been co-written by leading public policy and health systems expert Chandrakant Lahariya and renowned vaccine researcher and virologist Gagandeep Kang.
- Hollywood legend, Sir Sean Connery, the Scottish star who was best known for his portrayal of James Bond, has passed away. He was 90.
- Noted actor, filmmaker and voiceover artiste, Ashish Kakkad, has passed away after suffering a massive cardiac arrest. He was 49.
- Former Chief Minister and Socialist of Bihar, Satish Prasad Singh passed away.
NEWS IN DETAILS
IMPORTANT DAYS AND THEMES
MoU signed between SAI and Arunachal Pradesh government
- In order to develop the sports infrastructure at the National Centre of Excellence in Itanagar, an MoU was signed between the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and Arunachal Pradesh government.
- According to the MoU, SAI would develop ‘state-of-the-art’ sports facilities including sports infrastructure, training centres and multi-purpose hall.
Extra Shots:
SAI
- Headquarters location: New Delhi
- Founder: Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
- Founded: 1982
HDFC ERGO implements AI enabled solution to automate motor claim settlements
- HDFC ERGO General Insurance launch of the AI tool IDEAS (Intelligent Damage detection Estimation and Assessment Solution) for motor claim settlements.
- The IDEAS module uses Neural Network image processing and Analytics, Machine Learning and Natural Language that supports instant damage detection as well as calculation of the claims estimate for the surveyors to help in motor claims settlement in real-time.
Extra Shots:
HDFC ERGO General Insurance
- CEO: Ritesh Kumar
- Headquarters: Mumbai
- Founded: 2002
Govt set to divest 10% in GIC, New India
- Government is set to offer 10% shares in the country’s largest non-life insurance company New India Assurance through an offer for sale to the public.
- The Centre may also do a similar dilution in the General Insurance Corporation (GIC Re).
- The government had divested close to 15% stakes in both New India and GIC in 2017.
- The disinvestment of GIC Re resulted in a mop-up of Rs 11,370 crore and New India’s IPO raised Rs 9,600 crore.
Extra Shots:
GIC
- Founded: 22 November 1972
- Headquarters: Mumbai
- Owner: Government of India
NATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS
Virtual court “Nyay Kaushal” inaugurated in Nagpur
- The Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sharad Arvind Bobde and Justice DY Chandrachud of the Supreme Court, jointly inaugurated India’s first-ever E-resource centre and virtual court called “Nyay Kaushal” at Judicial Officers Training Institute in Nagpur.
- The Nyay Kaushal will facilitate electronic-filling of cases in the Supreme Court, any High Court as well as district courts across the country to enable speedy justice for litigants, by utilising technology.
- The virtual court will be working from Katol in Nagpur district of Maharashtra.
Fortification of Rice Scheme to be implemented in 15 states
- As of November 3, 2020, around 15 State Governments have identified districts to implement the Fortification of Rice Scheme.
- The State Governments have identified the districts where the scheme is to be implemented and have notified the same to the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.
- The Department of Food and Public Distribution, Government of India has been implementing the “Centrally Sponsored Pilot Scheme on Fortification of Rice and its distribution through Public Distribution System”.
- The scheme is to be implemented for a period of three years between 2019-20 and 2022-23. The total estimated budget of the scheme is Rs 174.6 crores.
- The scheme was launched to take the country towards nutritional security.
STATE CURRENT AFFAIRS
Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal lays foundation stone of Indo-Israeli Centre of Excellence for Vegetables Protected Cultivation at Khetri near Guwahati
- The Chief Minister of Assam Sarbananda Sonowal laid the foundation stone of Indo-Israeli Centre of Excellence for Vegetables Protected Cultivation at Khetri on the outskirts of Guwahati on 2nd November 2020.
- The Indo-Israeli Centre of Excellence for Vegetables Protected Cultivation is estimated to be set up at an investment of Rs 10.33 Crore.
Extra Shots:
Assam
- Capital: Dispur
- Chief Minister: Sarbananda Sonowal
- Governor: Jagdish Mukhi
- National Park: Dibru-Saikhowa NP, Kaziranga NP, Manas NP, Nameri NP, Rajiv Gandhi Orang NP, Dehing Patkai
Maharashtra releases Rs. 57 crores for ASHA workers
- The Health Minister of Maharashtra, Rajesh Tope on November 3, 2020, announced that Rs. 57 crores have been released by the state government for ASHA workers.
- The amount is provided towards the payment of an increase in the allowance ASHA workers under the National Rural Health Mission.
- The amount will be disbursed to some 70,000 ASHA workers in Maharashtra who are the backbone of the Health Mission.
Extra Shots:
- ASHA- Accredited Social Health Activists are a key component for the implementation of the National Rural Health Mission.
- These activists also work as an interface between the community and the public health system.
Maharashtra:
- Capital: Mumbai
- Chief Minister: Uddhav Thackeray
- Governor: Bhagat Singh Koshyari
- National Parks: Chandoli National Park, Nawegaon National Park, Gugamal National Park, Pench National Park, Sanjay Gandhi (Borivilli) National Park, Tadoba National Park
- Wildlife Sanctuaries: Amba Barwa WLS, Bor WLS, Great Indian Bustard WLS,
- Lonar WLS, Melghat WLS, Gangewadi New Great Indian Bustard WLS, etc.
Telangana CM K. Chandrasekhar Rao inaugurates state’s 1st Rythu Vedika
- Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao inaugurated the State’s first Rythu Vedika in Jangaon agriculture cluster.
- The farmers’ centre was built at a cost of ₹22 lakh.
- Each of the clusters would be managed by an agriculture extension officer, and the centres would soon be equipped with audio-visual system and manned with required staff.
- The state government intends to set up 2,601 Rythu Vedika platforms across Telangana and has set aside a budget of Rs 572.22 crore for the same.
Extra Shots:
Telangana
- Statehood day:2 June 2014
- Capital:Hyderabad
- Chief Minister: Kalvakuntla Chandrashekhar Rao
- Governor: Tamilisai Soundararajan
- Literacy Rate: 66.46%
Mahila Shakti Kendra, Rajouri launches Selfie with Daughter Campaign
- In the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, Mahila Shakti Kendra, Rajouri launched Selfie with Daughter Campaign in the district to celebrate the pride of having daughters under the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
- The aim of the campaign is to motivate the society to feel proud to be parents of a girl child which in turn should help in improving the child sex ratio.
Extra Shots:
Jammu & Kashmir:
- Capitals- Jammu (Winter), Srinagar (Summer)
- Lt Governor- Manoj Sinha
- National Parks: City Forest (Salim Ali) National Park, Dachigam National Park, Hemis National Park, Kishtwar National Park
- Wildlife Sanctuaries: Baltal-Thajwas WLS, Changthang Cold Desert WLS, Gulmarg WLS, Jasrota WLS, Karakoram (Nubra Shyok) WLS etc
Dehradun Municipal Corporation launched Plastic Lao MASK LE JAO initiative
- In Dehradun, the Municipal Corporation has launched an initiative named Plastic Lao MASK LE JAO to fight against the menace of plastic waste and contain the spread of Covid-19.
- It has distributed Five thousand face masks in exchange for plastic waste.
INTERNATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS
Portugal’s Duarte Pacheco elected as President
- Portugal has won the elections for the post the President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), the voting of which was held on 2nd November 2020.
- Duarte Pacheco of Portugal has been elected as the new President of IPU. The term of the Duarte Pacheco will be from 2020-2023.
- He will be the 30th President of the IPU, and will succeed Mexican MP Gabriela Cuevas Barron who completed the tenure in October 2020.
- Candidates from four countries were in the race for elections. The other three participants were Pakistan’s Muhammad Sanjrani, Uzbekistan’s Akmal Saidov and Canada’s Pakistani origin Salma Ataullahjan.
Priyanca Radhakrishnan becomes first Indian-origin minister of New Zealand
- Indian-origin New Zealand politician Priyanca Radhakrishnan has created history by becoming the first Indian-Kiwi woman to become a minister in New Zealand.
- On 2 November 2020, Radhakrishnan was appointed as Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector, Minister for Diversity, Inclusion and Ethnic Communities, Minister for Youth and Associate Minister for Social Development and Employment in Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s cabinet
- The 41-year-old was one of five new ministers inducted into the Cabinet.
- Radhakrishnan was born in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
Extra Shots:
New Zealand (Capital/Currency): Wellington/ New Zealand dollar
- Prime Minister: Jacinda Ardern
US approves 600 million USD armed drones’ sale to Taiwan
- The United States recently approved 600 million USD armed drones’ sale to Taiwan.
- By the end of October 2020, US approved the sale of Harpoon missile systems to Taiwan.
Extra Shots:
Taiwan (Capital/Currency): Taipei/ New Taiwan dollar
- President: Tsai Ing-wen
SUMMITS AND CONFERENCES
Hardeep S. Puri to inaugurate 13th Urban Mobility India Conference 2020
- The 13th Urban Mobility India (UMI) Conference is being organized by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs on 9th November 2020.
- The day-long Conference will be held on-line through Video Conference/Webinar.
- The main theme of this year’s event is “Emerging Trends in Urban Mobility”.
Objective:
- focus on innovative measures taken at national and international level to address the challenges posed by Covid-19 pandemic to provide accessible and convenient transport to the people.
PM Narendra Modi to chair Virtual Global Investor Roundtable on 5th November
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair the Virtual Global Investor Roundtable (VGIR) on 5th November, 2020.
- The VGIR is being organized by the Ministry of Finance, Government of India, and National Investment and Infrastructure Fund.
- It is an exclusive dialogue between leading global institutional investors, Indian business leaders and the highest decision makers from the Government of India and Financial Market Regulators.
- Union Finance Minister, Union Minister of State for Finance, RBI Governor and other dignitaries will also be present on the occasion.
- VGIR 2020 will focus on discussions around India’s economic and investment outlook, structural reforms and the government’s vision for the path to a USD 5 trillion economy.
International Webinar on “Yoga and Ayurveda Medicine for Mental Wellness”
- All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) is organizing a webinar on 5th November 2020 in association with Western Sydney University on the theme “Yoga and Ayurveda Medicine for Mental Wellness”.
- The webinar is a collaborative activity focused on the opportunities for mental wellness through the strengths of Ayurveda and Yoga.
- This will further promote international collaborations in scientific research related to Yoga and Ayurveda.
India-UAE High Level Joint Task Force on Investments
- India and UAE held the High-Level Joint Task Force on Investments.
- The task force was created in 2012.
- The task force discussed upon the following
- The positive outcomes achieved by the Joint Task Force were discussed
- The India and UAE sectors with potential for economic growth were identified
- The existing UAE Plus (a special desk) and the Fast Track Mechanism created in 2018 to resolve challenges faced by the UAE investors in India were reviewed.
- India and UAE are implementing a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement.
- India and UAE recently strengthened their Defence Cooperation.
- This will help India achieve its target of 5 billion USD of defence exports in five years.
Extra Shots:
UAE (Capital/Currency): Abu Dhabi/ United Arab Emirates dirham
- President: Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan
RANKS AND INDICES
World Wide Fund Water Risk Filter Report
- The World-Wide Fund Water Risk Filter Report says that nearly 30 Indian cities are likely to face acute water risks.
- This includes Jaipur, Amritsar, Indore, Srinagar, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Mumbai, Vishakhapatnam and Kozhikode.
- Of these cities Jaipur topped the list. It was followed by Indore, Thane, Mumbai, Kolkata and Delhi.
- The report defines “water risk” as battling between flooding and droughts.
- The report estimates that hundreds of millions of people all over the world will face increased water risks.
- The number of cities affected with water risks will increase to 100 by 2050.
- Bottom-line, more than 51% of world population is to face high-water risk.
- Currently, the global population at the risk of high-water risk is 17%.
NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL AWARDS
Six women led startups win COVID-19 Shri Shakti Challenge organized by MyGov
- Six women led startups have won COVID-19 Shri Shakti Challenge organized by MyGov in collaboration with UN Women.
- MyGov launched the COVID-19 Shri Shakti Challenge in April this year in collaboration with UN Women.
Objective
- to encourage and involve women led startups to come up with innovative solutions that can help in the fight against COVID-19.
APPOINTMENTS IN NEWS
Rajiv Jalota Appointed as Chairman of Mumbai Port Trust
- The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the appointment of Rajiv Jalota (IAS) as the new Chairperson of Mumbai Port Trust, under the Ministry of Shipping on 31st October 2020.
- Jalota has been appointed for a period up to September 30, 2024.
- He replaces Sanjay Bhatia (IAS), who superannuated from the services on July 31.
Extra Shots:
Mumbai Port Trust
- Owner: Government of India
- Location: Mumbai, Maharashtra
Harpreet A De Singh appointed CEO of Alliance Air
- Harpreet A De Singh, the first woman pilot of Air India, has been appointed as the chief executive officer (CEO) of Alliance Air.
- She has become the first woman ever to head an Indian carrier.
- The Captain Nivedita Bhasin, a senior commander flying Boeing 787 Dreamliner, will be new ED (flight safety) and replace Harpreet.
- Harpreet was appointed as the first woman commercial pilot of Indian Airlines in 1988.
Extra Shots:
Alliance Air
- Parent organization: Air India Limited
- Headquarters: Mumbai
- Founded: 1996, Delhi
DEFENCE CURRENT AFFAIRS
Indian Naval Ship ‘Airavat’ reaches Port Sudan under ‘Mission Sagar-II’
- As a part of Mission Sagar-II, the Indian Naval Ship (INS) Airavat reached Sudan on 2nd November 2020 with 100 tonnes of food aid
- Under Mission Sagar-II, INS Airavat will deliver food aid to Sudan, South Sudan, Djibouti and Eritrea amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The government of India has launched this initiative to provide assistance to friendly foreign countries to overcome natural calamities and COVID-19 pandemic.
SPORTS CURRENT AFFAIRS
Former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson announces retirement from all forms of Cricket
- The former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson has announced retirement from all forms of cricket on 2nd November 2020.
- With this, he ends his 20 yearlong illustrious career during which he was one of the world’s premier white-ball all-rounders.
West Indies batsman M. Samuels retires from all forms of cricket
- West Indies batsman, Marlon Samuels has announced his retirement from professional cricket.
- The 39-year-old had informed Cricket West Indies (CWI) about his retirement in June this year, having last played for his country in December 2018 against Bangladesh.
Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju inaugurates SAI Regional Centre in Zirakpur
- Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Shri Kiren Rijiju virtually inaugurated Sports Authority of India’s (SAI) new Regional Centre in Zirakpur.
- The virtual launch ceremony was attended by over 300 participants including Punjab Sports Director Shri DPS Kharbanda, Director General SAI, Shri Sandip Pradhan, Secretary SAI, Shri Rohit Bhardwaj, various SAI regional directors, coaches and athletes, among others.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY CURRENT AFFAIRS
IIT Madras Alumni Association Launches Free ‘Masterclass’ Series to Upskill Indians in the Pandemic Era
- IIT Madras Alumni Association (IITMAA) is launching a ‘Masterclass’ series to help Indians in this COVID-19 pandemic era.
- These Masterclasses are being offered completely free of cost.
- These initiatives are part of the Association’s Annual Flagship global event ‘Sangam 2020,’ which will be held virtually from 1st to 6th December 2020. Under the theme ‘Driving the New Normal’.
NASA targeting to launch US-European ocean-monitoring satellite on November 21
- The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is targeting to launch US-European ocean-monitoring satellite – Sentinel-6- on November 21, 2020.
- The satellite would be launched aboard Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.
- The Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich satellite will accurately measure extremely small variations in sea level and monitor the height of the ocean for nearly the entire globe.
Extra Shots:
NASA
- Headquarters: Washington, D.C., United States
- Founder: Dwight D. Eisenhower
- Founded: 1 October 1958, United States
BOOKS & AUTHORS
” Till We Win”: Book on COVID-19 by AIIMS director
- The book, titled “Till We Win”, has been co-written by leading public policy and health systems expert Chandrakant Lahariya and renowned vaccine researcher and virologist Gagandeep Kang.
- This book is all about how to deal with the Corona and this pandemic in these days.
OBITUARY
James Bond Fame Actor Sir Sean Connery passes away at 90
- Hollywood legend, Sir Sean Connery, the Scottish star who was best known for his portrayal of James Bond, has passed away. He was 90.
- He was the first actor to portray fictional British secret agent James Bond in film, and had appeared in seven Bond films between 1962 and 1983.
Filmmaker-actor Ashish Kakkad passes away at 49
- Noted actor, filmmaker and voiceover artiste, Ashish Kakkad, has passed away after suffering a massive cardiac arrest. He was 49.
- He was one of the most prominent artists from Gujarati film industry.
- As a filmmaker, Ashish was known for his Gujarati projects namely Better Half (2010) and Mission Mummy (2016).
6th CM of Bihar Satish Prasad Singh passes away
- Former Chief Minister and Socialist of Bihar, Satish Prasad Singh passed away.
- He was born on January 1, 1936, in Korchakka(now known as Satish Nagar) Village, Khagaria district, Bihar.
- Satish Prasad Singh, the leader of Soshit Samaj Dal became the 6th and the shortest- served CM of Bihar for 5 days (28 January to February 1, 1968) with the support of Indian National Congress (INC).
