NATIONAL NEWS
14th edition of children's festival begins
The 14th edition of international children's theatre festival, 'JashneBachpan', was inaugurated in New Delhi with folk dance performances from Assam, Rajasthan, Punjab, Manipur among other states.
- The nine-day theatre festival will see performances from Switzerland, Sri Lanka and Indonesia along with their Indian counterparts. The festival will come to a close on November 25.
- Organised by the National School of Drama (NSD), the opening ceremony of the theatre festival saw "Udaan", an act comprising of four presentations by groups - Thangata Pung Cholam (Manipur), Kalboliya (Rajasthan), Gotipua (Odisha) and Bhangra/folksong (Punjab).
RBI's new body to look into PCA issues
The Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) Central Board decided to constitute a Board for Financial Supervision (BFS) of the Central bank to examine the framework for banks under Prompt Corrective Action (PCA).
- The decision was taken after the RBI's Central Board meeting in Mumbai. The Board decided to constitute an expert committee to examine the ECF, the membership and terms of reference of which will be jointly determined by the Government of India and the RBI.
Indo-US joint military exercise 'Vajra Prahar' commences in Jaipur
The 12-day long joint military exercise between India and the United States known as 'Vajra Prahar' commenced in Jaipur. A contingent of the United States Pacific Commander arrived at Mahajan Field Firing Ranges for undertaking Joint training with the Indian Special Forces.
- The United States Special Forces will carry out rigorous joint training in semi-desert and rural terrain to enhance the interoperability of the two armed forces and further the military to military co-operation.
Malaria cases declined by 24% in India: WHO report
The World Health Organisation (WHO) in a report stated that India is the only country to have recorded a substantial decline in malaria cases in 2017 out of the 11 highest burden countries worldwide.
- India accounted for 4 percent of global malaria cases in 2017 and has made significant progress in bringing down its malaria burden since.
- As reflected in this year's World malaria report, the country registered a 24 percent reduction in cases over 2016, largely due to substantial declines of the disease in the highly malarious state of Odisha, home to approximately 40 percent of all malaria cases in the country.
Nanak's 550th birth anniversary, PM constitutes NIC
Prime Minister Narendra Modi constituted a National Implementation Committee (NIC), under the Chairmanship of Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh with Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and Minister of State for Culture as Members, to commemorate 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak in the country and abroad.
- As per the central government, commemorative coin and postage stamps will be released by the Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance and Department of Posts.
- An international seminar on the life and teachings of Guru Nanak in New Delhi will also be organised by the Ministry of Culture as part of the celebration.
- UNESCO will be requested to translate and publish an anthology of Guru Nanak Dev's writings in world languages and publication of Gurbani in different Indian languages will be made by National Book Trust (NBT).
Civil Aviation Ministry launches AirSewa 2.0 portal, app
The Ministry of Civil Aviation has introduced the upgraded version of AirSewa 2.0 web portal and mobile app to provide superior user experience with enhanced functionalities to air travellers. The improved version operates through an interactive web portal as well as through a mobile app for both android and iOS platforms.
- The Ministry had introduced AirSewa 1.0 web portal and mobile app in November 2016. It has helped a significant number of air passengers to get their concerns resolved, with 92% closure rate for grievance solutions. In addition to grievance redressal, AirSewa also provides real-time flight status and flight schedules.
- Meanwhile, Chennai airport bagged the champion award for achieving 100% timely closure of grievances in one year.
India and World Bank Sign $310 million Loan Agreement For Jharkhand
The Centre and the Jharkhand government signed a pact with the World Bank under which the multilateral agency will advance a loan of $310 million to boost the state's power system, mainly transmission infrastructure.
- The Jharkhand Power System Improvement Project will help build new power transmission infrastructure as well as put in place systems to improve the technical efficiency and commercial performance of the state power sector utilities.
AP CM launches Bhu-Seva land reforms programme
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu launched Bhu-Seva programme. Under the programme, each land in the state would be allotted a unique 11 digit identity number, which would be called 'Bhudhar'. All revenue land-related transactions, like mutation, registration etc, will be carried out through the Bhudhar card.
- As a part of this project, all the integrated services of government departments related to lands will be available through Bhu Seva.
Hookah bars permanently banned in Punjab, becomes 3rd state to do so
Hookah bars have been permanently banned in Punjab as President Ram Nath Kovind has given assent to a Bill from the state to check use of tobacco. Punjab is the third state in the country after Gujarat and Maharashtra where hookah bars or lounges were banned through law.
- The President has given assent to the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) (Punjab Amendment) Bill, 2018 recently.
- The objective of bringing the law is to check the use of tobacco in various forms and prevent diseases caused by the use of the tobacco products.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Definition of kilogram changed after 130 years
The world's standard definition of the kilogram, the ampere, the kelvin and the mole has been changed, after representatives from 60 countries voted to redefine the International System of Units (SI) for weight, current, temperature and amount of chemical substance.
- The definition of the kilogram for more than 130 years, the International Prototype of the Kilogram(IPK), a cylinder of a platinum alloy stored at the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM) in France, will now be retired.
- It will be replaced by the Planck constant, the fundamental constant of quantum physics. While the stability of the IPK could only be confirmed by comparisons with identical copies, a difficult and potentially inaccurate process, the Planck constant is ready for use everywhere and always.
- The decision, made at the General Conference on Weights and Measures in Versailles, France, which is organised by BIPM, means that all SI units will now be defined in terms of constants that describe the natural world.
- The changes, which will come into force on May 20 next year, will bring an end to the use of physical objects to define measurement units.
BOOKS & AUTHORS
Maha DGP launches novel penned by former IB official
Maharashtra Director General of Police Datta Padsalgikar unveiled "The Velvet Gloves", a novel written by former Intelligence Bureau (IB) officer Balakrishna Kamath, at a function in Mumbai.
- The plot of "The Velvet Gloves" is about behind-the-curtains tussle between Indian intelligence agencies and the US law enforcement agency FBI.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
NSE launches online platform for retail investors to buy G-sec
National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) launched a mobile application and web-based platform for retail investors to buy government securities. The new app NSE goBID, was launched by Sebi chairman Ajay Tyagi.
- The platform will allow retail investors to invest in treasury bills (T-Bills) of 91 days, 182 days and 364 days and various government bonds from one year to almost 40 years.
- The app will be available to all the registered investors with NSE's trading members and will also facilitate members to acquire new retail investors.
SPORTS
Maldives cabinet approves to rejoin Commonwealth
The Maldives cabinet has approved to rejoin the Commonwealth, two years after withdrawing from the 53-nation grouping. New President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih made the announcement, saying that the proposal will be sent to Parliament for ratification.
- The country left the Commonwealth during former President Abdulla Yameen's administration in October 2016, amid mounting pressure over corruption and deteriorating human rights.
APPOINTMENTS
Bainimarama sworn in for second term as Fiji PM
Incumbent Fijian Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama was sworn in for a second term after his ruling Fiji First party won this year's general elections. Bainimarama was sworn in by President Jioji Konrote in the presence of representatives and high officials of the executive, legislative and judicial arms of the government.
- Bainimarama's party received 50.02 per cent of the total vote, almost 10 per cent less than the 2014 polls, and secured 27 of the 51 seats in the parliament.
- Extra info.:
Fiji Capital: Suva
Currency: Fijian dollar
AWARDS
UASG confers Universal Acceptance Thought Leader award on R'sthan CM
Global internet Body The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN)-supported Universal Acceptance Steering Group (UASG) conferred "Universal Acceptance Thought Leader award" on Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje for enabling email service for citizens of the state in local script.
- The technology for the project was developed by Rajasthan based firm Data XGen Technologies.
- Extra info.:
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) is a no-profit organisation and manages rules around website access over Internet.
UASG is working towards achieving truly multi-lingual Internet, one in which users around the world can navigate entirely in local languages. The body is supported by ICANN.
Mexico's highest honour for Indian academic
In a first for an Indian academic, Professor S.P. Ganguly, a well-known Hispanist who headed the Centre for Spanish and Latin American Studies at the Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi, has been awarded the Mexican Order of the Aztec Eagle, the highest civilian honour given to a foreigner by Mexico.
- The award was in recognition of his outstanding work in the study and dissemination of the Spanish language and Mexican culture.
CSE bags Indira Gandhi peace prize for environment protection
Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) was awarded this year’s Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development for its pioneering work in the field of environmental education and protection and also for keeping the issue of environmental sustainability at the forefront of national attention and public policy.
- The award was announced by an international jury headed by ex-President Pranab Mukherjee.
OBITUARIES
Padma Shri awardee saint Narayan Das Maharaj passes away
Padma Shri awardee and revered saint Narayan Das Maharaj of Triveni dham near Jaipur passed away. The nonagenarian breathed his last at the ashram. He was awarded the Padam Shri in January this year for social service.
IMPORTANT DAYS
Universal Children’s Day
The United Nations' (UN) Universal Children's Day, which was established in 1954, is celebrated on November 20 each year to promote international togetherness and awareness among children worldwide.
- UNICEF, the United Nations Children's Fund, promotes and coordinates this special day, which also works towards improving children's welfare.
- 'Children are taking over and turning the world blue' is the theme of Universal Children's Day, 2018 as announced by the United Nations.
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