NATIONAL NEWS
India, Australia held second 2+2 dialogue in Canberra, Australia
India and Australia held the second ‘2+2’ secretary-level dialogue in Canberra during which key issues related to their strategic and defence ties were discussed and the two countries underlined the need for a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region.
- Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale and Defence Secretary Sanjay Mitra held the Foreign Secretaries and Defence Secretaries dialogue with their Australian counterparts Secretary of Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Frances Adamson and Secretary of Defence Greg Moriarty.
- Extra info.:
Australia Capital: Canberra
Currency: Australian dollar
India slips to sixth position out of 123 countries in global RTI rating
India has slipped four positions in the last seven years, to settle at the sixth rank in the latest global index on Right to Information.
- Afghanistan topped the list followed by Mexico while Austria was placed at the bottom.
- The Right to Information Rating is a programme founded by Access Info Europe (AIE) and the Centre for Law and Democracy (CLD).
Anil Kumble’s startup Spektacom Technologies launches Microsoft AI-enabled ‘Power Bat’
Former India captain Anil Kumble's technology start-up Spektacom Technologies launched the "Power Bat" - a unique tool powered by Microsoft's Azure Cloud platform and its Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) services.
- The Power Bat can provide real-time data on a player's performance based on different parameters such as speed of the ball on impact, twist on impact and quality of the shot.
- Spektacom and Microsoft roped in Star India as the broadcasting partner to provide fans and viewers with a new way to engage with the sport.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Malaysia to abolish death penalty
Malaysia's cabinet has agreed to abolish the death penalty and halt pending executions, a move that has been hailed by International Human Rights groups and foreign diplomats.
- More than 1,200 people are on death row in Malaysia, which mandates hanging as punishment for a wide range of crimes including murder, kidnapping, drug trafficking and treason, among others.
- Extra info.:
Malaysia Capital: Kuala Lumpur
Currency: Malaysian ringgit
Prime minister: Mahathir Bin Mohamad
New World Bank fund to insure against climate disasters
The World Bank launched a new $150 million fund intended to help insure vulnerable countries against natural disasters and the increasing risk of climate change-linked crises.
- The announcement follows a string of recent natural disasters across the world including record storms and a series of deadly quakes in Indonesia, where the Bank and International Monetary Fund are currently meeting.
- The so-called Global Risk Financing Facility (GRiF), set up with money from Germany and Britain, will finance the creation of disaster insurance and other risk mechanisms so funds are available immediately when crises hit.
SPORTS
Turtle ‘Olly’ named official mascot for the Odisha Men’s Hockey World Cup
Turtle ‘Olly’ has been declared as the official mascot for the Odisha Men’s Hockey World Cup, scheduled to be held at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar from November 28 to December 16, 2018.
- 'Olly' represents the endangered Olive Ridley sea turtles that travel thousands of miles in the ocean and arrive in millions every year on Odisha’s Rushikulya and Gahirmatha beaches for their annual nesting.
Prithvi Shaw youngest Indian to hit a century on Test debut
Teenager Prithvi Shaw became the youngest Indian to make a century on his Test debut on day one of the first Test against West Indies in Rajkot.
- Shaw, 18, reached his hundred off just 99 balls to surpass the record of Abbas Ali Baig.
- The opener is also the fourth youngest player of all time to hit a debut ton and the second youngest Indian to make a Test century after Sachin Tendulkar.
AWARDS
Sikkim to get 100 pc organic state UN award in Rome
The “100 per cent organic state” Sikkim, the first in the world, will get the “Oscar for best policies” at a UN ceremony in Rome and it bolsters efforts to attain the Sustainable Development Goals.
- Sikkim beat out 51 other nominees from 25 countries for the Future Policy Award 2018 the world’s best laws and policies promoting agro-ecology which will be presented during the World Food Week at headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
- This year’s award is co-organised by the FAO, the World Future Council (WFC) and IFOAM – Organics International.
- Brazil, Denmark and Quito shared the silver award.
- Extra info.:
FAO HQ: Rome, Italy
Maryse Conde wins New Academy Prize in Literature
Guadeloupean novelist Maryse Conde has been announced as the winner of the New Academy prize in literature, a one-off award intended to fill the void left by the cancellation of this year’s scandal-dogged Nobel prize for literature.
- The winner was announced at a Stockholm library a stark contrast to the baroque splendour of the Swedish Academy after a three-fold judging process.
- Extra info.:
Guadeloupe Capital: Basse-Terre
Currency: Euro
IMPORTANT DAYS
World Migratory Bird Day 2018
The World Migratory Bird Day is now celebrated twice a year, on the second Saturday of May and in October. The day is observed in order to raise awareness and highlight the need for protecting migratory birds and their habitats.
- Every year International Migratory Bird Day has a new conservation theme with corresponding artwork, educational materials, and activities. The theme for this year is "Unifying our Voices for Bird Conservation".
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