Daily GK Updates - 22nd November, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1.  Gujarat launches an intensive project to conserve Gir lions : The Gujarat government has launched Rs. 351-crore project for the conservation of the Gir lions.The project is launched in the backdrop of the Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) outbreak that claimed 23 Asiatic lion lives in their only dwelling Gir National park in Saurashtra.This intensive project will also include an emergency ambulance van akin to the 108 emergency services.

 2. J&K Assembly dissolved after rival alliances stake claim to form govt : Jammu and Kashmir Governor ‘Satyapal Malik’ dissolved the State Assembly after rival alliances staked claim to form the government.Earlier, the state assembly was kept in suspended animation so that political parties could explore the possibility of forming a new government.The Governor's rule was imposed in the state on 19th June for a 6-month period following the collapse of the PDP-BJP oalition government after BJP withdrew its support.The State will now be placed under President's rule on December 20 after the six months tenure of Governor's rule comes to an end.

3. Union HRD Minister launches ‘Institution’s Innovation Council (IIC)’Program of MHRD’s : The Union HRD Minister Shri Prakash Javadekar has launched (through video conferencing) the ‘Institution’s Innovation Council (IIC) program under Innovation cell of MHRD in New Delhi.It is a significant step in institutionalising innovation and developing a scientific temperament in the country.The HRD ministry has established an “Innovation cell” at AICTE with a purpose to systematically foster the culture of Innovation in all Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) across the country.The objective of the formation of a network of Institution’s Innovation Councils (IICs) is to encourage, inspire and nurture young students by exposing them to new ideas and processes resulting in innovative activities in their formative years.

4. PM Modi laid the foundation stones of City Gas Distribution projects : Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stones of City Gas Distribution (CGD) projects in 129 districts from New Delhi.It will herald the availability of convenient, environment-friendly and cheaper natural gas for almost half of the country's population spread across 26 States and Union Territories.Till September 2018, 96 cities and in different parts of the country were covered for development of CGD networks.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. South Korean Kim Jong-yang elected as Interpol president : South Korea Kim Jong Yang has been elected as the Interpol President for a two-year term.The decision was taken at the 87th General Assembly of the Agency in Dubai (first time) UAE.He replaced Meng Hongwei (Deputy Minister of Public Security of China) who is alleged to have resigned via an undersigned postal letter (in October 2018) after his detention and disappearance by Chinese authorities on corruption charges.

2.  President Kovind meets Australian PM Scott Morrison in Sydney :President Ram Nath Kovind met Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison in Sydney to facilitate bilateral investment flow in both countries.Five MoUs were exchanged in the field of disability sector, education, trade-investment, scientific cooperation, agriculture and on higher education focussing on PhD by both nations.The MoUs were exchanged by High Commissioner of India to Australia Ajay M Gondane and High Commissioner of Australia to India Harinder Sidhu.

3. ConMac 2018 starts in Kathmandu : Nepal’s Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Raghubir Mahaseth has inaugurated an exhibition of construction equipment and technology- ‘ConMac 2018’ at Bhaktapur (near Kathmandu) in Nepal.The Embassy of India in Nepal and CII (Confederation of Indian Industry) jointly organized this exhibition of construction equipment and technology- ‘ConMac 2018’.The objective of the exhibition is to further enhance high-level engagements between construction industry of the two countries.

OTHER UPDATES:

BANKING/FINANCE:

1. Centra Government and the World Bank sign USD 310 million loan agreement for JPSIP : The Union Government of India and the World Bank have signed a USD 310 million Loan Agreement for Jharkhand Power System Improvement Project (JPSIP) to provide reliable, quality, and affordable 24x7 electricityto the citizens of Jharkhand.The Project is part of the Government of India’s Power for All program launched in 2014.The plan envisages addition of over 4.5 GW generation capacities by 2022 (including a significant share of 1.5 GW from solar energy), through a mix of Private and Public-sector investments.

DEFENCE:

1. India-USA joint military exercise ‘Vajra Prahar’ commences in Jaipur : India, US Joint Special Forces Exercise 2018 named ‘Vajra Prahar’ commenced at Mahajan Field Firing Range (MFFR), Bikaner in Rajasthan.The 12 days exercise was called between Special Forces of both countries to deal with operations for counter-terrorism and is being done at the unit as well as sub-unit levels.US Army is represented by the contingent of one officer and 10 Other Ranks from Special Forces Group of United States Pacific Command.

Daily GK Updates - 21st November, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Kerala Congress MP MI Shanavas passes away : Kerala Lok Sabha MP (from Wayanad) MI Shanavas (67-year) passed away at a private hospital in Chennai.He was elected to the Lok Sabha in 2009 and again in 2014.Current, He was working president of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC).He was one of the three working presidents of Congress party

2. Suresh Prabhu launches AirSewa 2.0 : The Union Ministers Suresh Prabhu and Jayant Sinha jointly launched the upgraded version of AirSewa 2.0 web portal and mobile app in New Delhi.It is an upgraded version of AirSewa1.0 to provide a superior user experience with enhanced functionalities.The upgrade version of AirSewa will offer passengers a convenient and hassle-free air travel experience.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. President Ram Nath Kovind arrives in Australia on a maiden state visit : President Ram Nath Kovind arrived in Australia on a four-day visit after concluding his Vietnam tour.Mr Kovind visited the Anzac memorial at Hyde Park (Sydney), becoming the first Indian President to visit Australia.Anzac memorial was constructed in 1934 in remembrance of the Australian Imperial Force in World War I.

2. APEC fails to reach consensus as US-China divide deepens : The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit ended with its leaders failing to agree on a formal joint statement.All 21 APEC leaders at the annual meeting in Papua New Guinea were in agreement except China.The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) is a regional economic forum established in 1989 to leverage the growing interdependence of the Asia-Pacific. APEC has 21 members.

3. World Fisheries day is being observed today : The World Fisheries Day (WFD) is being celebrated throughout the world by the fisherfolk communities to highlight the importance of maintaining the world's fisheries.The Day helps in highlighting the critical importance to human lives, of water and the lives it sustains, both in and out of the water. According to Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh, the Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund of 7,522 crore rupees will augment production and create more jobs.

4. World Television Day : United Nations (UN) General Assembly proclaimed 21st November as World Television Day commemorating the date on which the first World Television Forum was held in 1996.The day recognizes that television plays a major role in presenting the different issue that affects people.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

1. Lakshya Sen wins the bronze medal at World Junior Badminton Championship 2018 : India’s shuttler Lakshya Sen (17-years) has won bronze medal at Li Ning BWF World Junior Badminton Championships 2018 at Markham, Canada.This was overall India’s fifth boy's singles bronze medal at BWF World Junior Championships.Earlier, RMV Gurusaidutt (2008), B Sai Praneeth (2010), HS Prannoy (2010) and Sameer Verma (2011) have won bronze medal.Siril Verma (2015) is India’s only boy's singles silver-medalist at World Junior Championships.

OBITUARIES:

1. Padma Shri awardee saint Narayan Das Maharaj passes away : Revered saint Narayan Das Maharaj (93 years) of Triveni Dham passed away in Jaipur.He was awarded Padma Shri in January 2018.He founded Sanskrit University and then handed it over to the Rajasthan government.

Daily GK Updates - 20th November, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Punjab becomes 3rd state to ban hookah bars : 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.Punjab is the third state in the country after Gujarat and Maharashtrawhere hookah bars or lounges were banned through law.

2.  UIDAI head Ajay Bhushan Pandey to be next Revenue Secretary : The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has appointed the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) CEO Ajay Bhushan Pandey (1984 batch - IAS officer of Maharashtra cadre) as the new revenue secretary.He will succeed current Finance and Revenue Secretary Hasmukh Adhia.

3.  Jalaj Srivastava appointed new IWAI Chairman : Jalaj Srivastava (IAS – officer 1984 batch) has been appointed as chairman of the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI).Currently, Mr Srivastava is working as Additional Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture.The IWAI comes under the Union Ministry of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1.49th International Film Festival of India begins in Goa : The 49th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) has begun at the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Stadium in Bambolim, Panaji (Goa).The 9-day event will showcase 212 films from 68 countries.Indian Panorama will showcase 26 feature films and 21 non-feature films.Malayalam movie Olu (directed by Shaji Karun) will be the opening movieof the feature film section of Indian panorama.World Panorama section will present 67movies including 15 OSCAR nominated films from different countries.Israel is the focus country, Jharkhand is the focus state this year.

2.14th edition of international children’s theatre festival held in New Delhi :The 14th edition of JashneBachpan (theatre festival for children) was held at the Sammukh, Abhimanch, Abhikalp and Little Theatre Group(LTG) auditorium in New Delhi.The main aim of conducting Jashnebachpan is to bring theatre into prominence.The JashneBachpan has been organized by the National School of Drama.

3.20th November: Universal Children's Day : The Universal Children's Day has been observed across the world on 20th November each year to promote international togetherness, awareness among children worldwide, and improving children's welfare.The theme of 2018 is ‘Children are taking over and turning the world blue’.The intergovernmental organisation is asking individuals, schools and corporates worldwide to 'Go Blue' this Universal Children’s Day to help build a world where every child goes to school and is safe from harm.

4. Fuego volcano of Guatemala erupted for 5th time this year : Fuego volcano of Guatemala has erupted for the fifth time this year, sending bursts of ash and lava down the mountain.According to Disaster Management Agency, a red has been issued and some 4,000 people were taken to temporary shelters as a precaution.A column of ash rose about a kilometre above the crater and areas around the volcano, near Guatemala City, were under a barrage of gas-ash and fiery rocks.

OTHER UPDATES:

BANKING/FINANCE:

1. RBI to set up an expert panel to look into issues on capital surplus : At the crucial meeting of the RBI board, The board has decided to set up a high-powered committee to examine issues related to the surplus capital of Rs 9.69 lakh crore with the central bank.The Board for Financial Supervision (BFS) of the RBI would examine the issues concerning the bank's health under Prompt Corrective Action(PCA) framework and the Economic Capital Framework (ECF) of RBI.On the capital framework issue, RBI will form an expert panel to study if RBI has surplus reserves and whether the same should be transferred to the government.The Reserve Bank and the Finance Ministry will decide the committee’s composition.

Daily GK Updates - 19th November, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1.Kundli-Manesar section inaugurated : Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Kundli-Manesar section of the Kundli-Manesar-Palwal (KMP) western peripheral expressway on 19 November 2018.The expressway will decongest the road traffic from Delhi, especially reducing the number of trucks entering Delhi.Besides, the project will also provide a high-speed link between northern Haryana and southern districts.

2. New online platform launched by NSE : National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) launched a mobile application and web-based platform named ‘NSE goBID’ 19 November 2018.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.It will also allow investors to make payments directly from their bank accounts.

3. Hookah bars permanently banned in Punjab : Hookah bars have been permanently banned in Punjab as President Ram Nath Kovind has given his assent to the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Bill, 2018 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 Punjab assembly had passed the Bill in March 2018.

4.Ustad Amjad Ali Khan given a lifetime award : Sarod master, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan was presented the ‘Sumitra Charat Ram Award for Lifetime Achievement’ on 17 November 2018.He was awarded for his immense contribution to the enrichment and promotion of the Indian classical music.The award was presented to him by former diplomat Lalit Mansingh. He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 2001.

5. AB Pandey appointed as new Revenue Secretary : The central government appointed UIDAI CEO Ajay Bhushan Pandey as new Secretary Revenue.He will replace Hasmukh Adhia, who will retire on 30 November 2018.He will continue to hold additional charge of CEO of UIDAI and also Chairman of GST Network.

6. CSE won Indira Gandhi peace prize : ‘Centre for Science and Environment’ (CSE) has won Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development 2018.The award is conferred by Indira Gandhi Trust every year on the late Indira Gandhi’s birth anniversary.The international jury for the awards was headed by former President Pranab Mukherjee.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Two new satellites to BeiDou Navigation System : China has added two more satellites to its BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS).The satellites were launched into space on a ‘Long March-3B’ rocket carrier.With the successful launch, the basic BDS constellation deployment is complete.It will be the fourth global satellite navigation system after the US GPS system, Russia’s GLONASS and the European Union’s Galileo.

2. Definition of kilogram changed : The world’s standard definition of the kilogram, the ampere, the kelvin and the mole has been changed.The definition of the kilogram is based on 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.The new definition of Kilogram will be replaced by the Planck constant.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

1. Shubhankar won ‘Rookie of the year’ honours : Indian golfer Shubhankar Sharma became the first Indian to emerge as the ‘Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year 2018’ on the European Tour.He follows Jon Rahm (2017), Wang Jeunghun (2016), Byeong Hun An (2015) and Brooks Koepka (2014) who have been the four Rookies before him.He is the third Asian in last four years to get this honour, after Byeong Hun An (2015) and Wang Jeunghun (2016).

2. Lakshya won bronze medal in badminton : India’s Lakshya Sen settled for a bronze medal in the World Junior Badminton Championship on 17 November 2018.He was defeated by Kunlavut Vitidsarn of Thailand in the men’s singles semifinals. Saina Nehwal is the only Indian to have won a gold in the ‘World Junior Badminton Championship’ during the 2008 Pune edition.

Daily GK Updates - 18th November, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. President Kovind to inaugurate ‘CII Agro Tech’ fair : President Ram Nath Kovind will inaugurate the ‘CII Agro Tech 2018’ in Chandigarh on 1 December 2018.CII Agro Tech 2018 is a biennial four-daagro-technologygy and business fair.It is organised by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).The theme for the 2018 is ‘Technology in Agriculture: Increasing Farmer’s Income’

2. Kerala Introduces New Open Online Learning Programme: ‘KOOL’ : The Kerala Infrastructure and Technology for Education (KITE) has rolled out– KOOL, its Online Open Learning training platform. The platform can be used to train teachers, students and the general public. With the state’s schools going Hi-Tech, requiring teachers and students to be trained on different domains simultaneously, it was decided to launch KOOL. KOOL has been designed in a MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) model.

3. Jalaj Srivastava Appointed New IWAI Chairman : Jalaj Srivastava, a 1984 batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, has been appointed the chairman of the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI). The IWAI comes under the Union Ministry of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways, currently headed by Nitin Gadkari. Srivastava is presently working as Additional Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture.

4.  UIDAI CEO Ajay Bhushan Pandey Appointed New Revenue Secretary : The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet appointed Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) CEO Ajay Bhushan Pandey as the new revenue secretary. He will succeed current Finance and Revenue Secretary Hasmukh Adhia. Mr Adhia is retiring on November 30. Mr Pandey will continue to hold the charge as the CEO of UIDAI and GSTN Chairman until further orders.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. WDoR is observed on 18 November :The World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims (WDoR) is observed on the third Sunday of November each year.The slogan for 2018 is ‘Roads have Stories’.The World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims was started by RoadPeace in 1993.On 26 October 2005, the United Nations endorsed it as a global day to be observed every third Sunday in November each year.

2. INDO-Russian Joint Exercise INDRA 2018 Held in Jhansi : The joint military exercise between India and Russia EXERCISE INDRA 2018 on combating insurgency under the aegis of United Nations (UN) was conducted at Babina Military Station in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh. The aim of the exercise is to practice joint planning and conduct to enhance interoperability of the two Armies in the peacekeeping /enforcement  environment under the aegis of the UN. This is the tenth series of Exercise INDRA. 

OTHER UPDATES:

BANKING/FINANCE:

1. Karnataka Bank launches CASA campaign 'KBL SB - TASC' : Karnataka Bank has launched a special campaign for opening current account and savings accounts   (CASA).   The campaign will remain in force for a period of three-and-a-half months from November 15 to February 28. It has been introduced as introduced as a new SB scheme 'KBL SB - TASC' a specialized product for  Trusts/Associates/Societies/Clubs . Bank intends to open more than 4.18 lakh Current & Savings accounts by the active involvement of its 8000 plus workforce in all the 823 branches across India.

SPORTS:

1. Alexander Zverev Won ATP World Tour Finals in London : Alexander Zverev has won ATP World Tour finals in London. Alexander Zverev defeated world number one Novak Djokovic in straight sets to claim the season-ending ATP Finals and earn the biggest victory of his career. Zverev also became the first player to beat both Djokovic and Federer in the same ATP Finals.The 21-year-old Zverev became the youngest champion of the season-ending event since Djokovic claimed the first of his five titles a decade ago and the first from Germany since 1995. 

Daily GK Updates - 17th November, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Human ancestor fossil discovered in Kutch : Scientists have discovered a fossilised upper jaw of an eleven million-year-old human ancestor in Kutch, Gujarat.The find significantly extends the southern range of ancient apes in the Indian Peninsula.Apes, or hominoids, are a group of primates from Africa and Southeast Asia that includes the gibbons and the great apes: chimps, orangutans, gorillas, and humans.

2. Odisha govt announced new Biotechnology Policy : Odisha government announced a new ‘Biotechnology Policy 2018’ to attract investments in the sector at the Make in Odisha Conclave on 15 November 2018.As per the policy, all biotechnology units shall be allotted land at a concessional rate as per the Industrial Policy Resolution of the state government.An additional subsidy of 25% shall be available to reputed anchor tenants.

3. Indian Navy completes refit of Maldivian ship : Maldivian Coast Guard Ship (MCGS) Huravee successfully completed refit at the naval dockyard Visakhapatnam.The MCGS Huravee was originally commissioned as INS Tillanchang, a Trinkat-class patrol vessel built by the Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers, Kolkata in March 2001.It was gifted to the Maldives by the Government of India in April 2006.

4. India’s 1st elephant hospital opens in Mathura : India’s first specialised hospital for elephants was formally opened in Mathura on 16 November 2018.The hospital is located close to the elephant conservation and care centre and is designed to treat injured and sick elephants.The unique medical centre offers wireless digital X-ray, laser treatment, dental X-ray, thermal imaging, ultrasonography, hydrotherapy and quarantine facilities.

5. Justice Amareshwar sworn in as CJ of Patna HC : Justice Amareshwar Pratap Sahi sworn in as the Chief Justice of Patna High Court on 17 November 2018.Bihar Governor Lalji Tandon administered the oath of office to Justice Sahi.Justice Sahi was a judge of the Allahabad High Court before his appointment as the Chief Justice  of Patna High Court.

6. Asim Kumar Roy appointed Bengal Lokayukta : Retired Calcutta High Court judge Asim Kumar Roy was appointed the Lokayukta of West Bengal on 16 November 2018.He is the 2nd Lokayukta in the state after Samaresh Banerjee, who had served in the post between 2006 and 2009.The West Bengal Assembly had in July 2018 passed the Lokayukta (Amendment) Bill, 2018.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. 9th Annual Defence & Security Dialogue held : India and China held the ‘9th Annual Defence and Security Dialogue’ in Beijing on 13 November 2018.The Indian delegation was headed by Defence Secretary Sanjay Mitra and Chinese delegation was headed by Deputy Chief of Joint Staff Department of the Central Military Commission. Both sides agreed on enhancing defence exchanges and interactions at different levels between the two militaries.

2. President Kovind to visit Vietnam & Australia : President Ram Nath Kovind will visit Vietnam and Australia from 18 to 24 November 2018 with an aim to strengthen ties with the Indo-Pacific nations.He will be in Vietnam in the first leg of his trip.The President’s second leg of the visit will be in Australia from 21 to 24 November 2018.This is the first visit by an Indian President to Australia.

OTHER UPDATES:

BUSINESS/ECONOMY:

1. Adobe CEO in Business Person of the Year list : Shantanu Narayen, the Chief Executive Officer of Adobe has been named by Fortune in its ‘2018 Business Person of the Year’ list.In the list, Shantanu Narayen is at 12th position.The list has been topped by the CEO of insurance company ‘Progressive Tricia Griffith’.In choosing Fortune’s ‘Business Person of the Year’, the publication weighs 10 financial metrics like profits and revenue.

BANKING/FINANCE:

1. India’s first interactive credit card launched : IndusInd Bank has announced the launch of ‘IndusInd Bank Nexxt Credit Card’.The card empowers customers with a choice of payment options such as EMI, Reward Points or Credit at the push of a button, on the card, at the point of sale (POS).The bank claims it to be the nation’s first interactive credit card with buttons.

2. India & ADB signed $105 Million Loan agreement : The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of India signed a $105 million loan agreement on 16 November 2018.The loan amount will be used for financing the power transmission system upgrades in Himachal Pradesh.The loan is part of the $350 million multi-tranche financing facility (MFF) for Himachal Pradesh Clean Energy Transmission Investment Program

SPORTS:

1. Gukesh, Savitha won gold medals in Chess : Gukesh D and Savitha Shri B won gold medals in U-12 Open and girls category respectively at the World Cadets Chess Championship in Spain on 16 November 2018.The Championship was held for the age groups U-8, U-10 and U-12, girls and Open.The 2nd and 3rd places were won by Murzin Volodor of Russia and Chasin Nico of the USA in the open category.

Daily GK Updates - 16th November, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. National Press Day observed on 16 November : National Press Day is observed on 16 November every year.On this day, Press Council of India (PCI) started functioning as a moral watchdog.The PCI was first set up in the year 1966 by the Parliament on the recommendations of the ‘First Press Commission’.The PCI has been mandated by Parliament to improve the standards of journalism and maintain its freedom.

2. Tribunal to decide on ban on 2 militant groups : The Government of India has set up a tribunal for adjudicating whether or not two Tripura-based militant outfits should be declared banned organisations under the law.The two militant outfits are National Liberation Front of Tripura and All Tripura Tiger Force.The tribunal will be headed by Delhi High Court Judge Justice Suresh Kait.

3. Food Park in Aurangabad district inaugurated : Union Minister for Food Processing Industries Harsimrat Kaur Badal inaugurated the second Mega Food Park in Maharashtra on 15 November 2018.The Food Park is located in Paithan Taluka of Aurangabad district, Maharashtra.The first Food Park was inaugurated on 1st March 2018 in Satara district, Maharashtra.The Mega Food Park Scheme is implemented by Ministry of Food Processing Industries

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. China builds an ‘artificial sun’ : China has built an ‘artificial sun’ that reaches temperature six times that of the core of the sun.The reactor named ‘Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak’ (EAST) is designed to replicate the processes of the sun as part of a project to turn hydrogen into cost-effective green energy.

It involves fusion of hydrogen atoms together to form heavier elements, such as helium

2. Tajikistan launched a hydro-electric project : Tajikistan inaugurated a US$ 3.9 billion ‘Rogun hydro-electric project’ on 16 November 2018.It has been built on the Vakhsh River in southern Tajikistan.The project will enable Tajikistan to eliminate domestic energy shortages and export electricity to Afghanistan and Pakistan.The first of six turbines in the Rogun hydroelectric dam went online on 16 November 2018.

3. Africa’s first ever high speed train unveiled : French President Emmanuel Macron and Morocco’s King Mohammed VI have inaugurated Morocco’s first high-speed rail line, the first ever such line in Africa.The king Mohammed VI named the first line as ‘Al Boraq’.It will connect the economic hubs of Tangier and Casablanca.The $2 billion project was launched in September 2011.

4. World Tolerance Summit inaugurated in Dubai : The two-day summit to mark the World Tolerance Day was inaugurated in Dubai on 16 November 2018.The theme of the Summit was ‘Prospering from Pluralism: Embracing Diversity through Innovation and Collaboration’.The summit is expected to focus on the crucial role of women and the youth in spreading tolerance in their societies.

5. JICA to fund Bengal power project : Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) will extend Rs. 5,000-crore loan to a 1,000 MW Turga pumped storage project in West Bengal.The project is coming up in the Ayodhya Hills in Purulia district, West Bengal.The project is scheduled for completion by 2027.A pumped storage power plant works as a large storage battery which generates power during peak periods

6. International Day for Tolerance : 16 November : The ‘International Day for Tolerance’ is annually observed on 16 November.The aim of the day is to educate people about the need for tolerance in the society and to help them understand the negative effects of intolerance.The United Nations has launched a new global campaign named ‘TOGETHER’ to promote tolerance, respect and dignity across the world.

7. Toxic’ declared Oxford Word of the Year : Oxford Dictionary has declared the adjective ‘toxic’ as the Word of the Year 2018.The adjective toxic is defined as ‘poisonous’ and first appeared in English in the mid-seventeenth century from the medieval Latin ‘toxicus’.The Oxford Word of the Year is a word or expression that is judged to have lasting potential as a term of cultural significance.

OTHER UPDATES:

BUSINESS/ECONOMY:

1. Exports grew by 17.86% in October 2018 : According to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, India’s exports grew by 17.86% to 26.98 billion dollars in October 2018.India’s exports stood at 22.89 billion dollars in October 2017.The sectors which recorded healthy growth includes petroleum, engineering, chemicals, pharma and gems and jewellery sector.

BANKING/FINANCE:

1. World Bank provides US$155.7 million to Nepal : The World Bank provided over US$ 155 million in financial assistance to Nepal on 14 November 2018. The first project comprising a credit of US$ 133 million will finance the improvement & maintenance programme targeting around 477 bridges along Nepal’s strategic roads network.The second project in the form of a grant of US$ 22.7 million to support the Food & Nutrition Enhancement Project.

2. Sunil Mehta panel formed ‘Sashakt India AMC’ : Sunil Mehta panel has formed an Asset Management Company (AMC) for resolving large bad loans.The AMC will be called as ‘Sashakt India Asset Management’.The panel is now working towards identifying potential investors for an Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) which will fund the AMC.Sunil Mehta panel is working for the faster resolution of stressed assets in public sector banks.