Current Affairs Daily Digest – November 15 2019
1. 2nd Joint India-China Capacity Building Programme for Afghan Diplomats
The 2nd Joint India-China Capacity Building Programme for Afghan Diplomats is being held at External Affairs Ministry’s Foreign Service Institute (FSI) in New Delhi from 11-23 November as part of both countries efforts to work together for development of war-torn Afghanistan. India-China are also looking at other areas to cooperate in Afghanistan.
2. UNESCO’s World Heritage Week
World Heritage Week is celebrated by UNESCO between November 19, 2019 and November 25, 2019. The Objective of celebrating World Heritage Week is to increase awareness among people about safety and preservation of cultural heritages and monuments.
3. Andhra Pradesh launches ‘Nadu-Nedu’ programme
Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has launched the ‘Nadu-Nedu’ programme which seeks to transform government schools into vibrant and competitive institutions. The programme is set to turn a new leaf over education sector and will provide opportunities to weaker sections and underprivileged.
4. UNICEF Report: India Second largest in Pneumonia deaths
On November 14, 2019, United Nations’ new report on Pneumonia stated that India has the second largest deaths of children under the age of five due to Pneumonia in 2018. Globally more than 800,000 children died due to Pneumonia under the age of 5.
The report stated that though the disease is preventable through vaccines, more than 10 million die annually due to the disease
5. Indo-French collaboration: Largest FDI project of Indian Railways
The Indian Railways and Alstom came together in the intention of transforming the freight transportation of India. In line with the collaboration, the MELPM-Madhepura Electric Locomotive Private Limited has been established. MELPM will now manufacture 800 electric locomotives for freight services with the foreign investment of 3.5 billion Euros.
6. 11th Maitree Diwas: North East Industrial Corridor to be set up
Defense Minister on November 14, 2019 addressed at the 11th Maitree Diwas in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh. During his address, he announced several new plans of the government to develop the region
Maitree Diwas
Maitree Diwas is a 2-day socio-military cultural program that is jointly organized by Tawang Civil Administration and Indian Army. The program is organized to celebrate special relationship between the people of Tawang and the Indian army. This year, the theme was-Theme: Know your army.
7. Delhi was the most polluted major city in the world on Friday: AirVisual data
Delhi was the most polluted major city in the world with an air quality index (AQI) of 527, as per data by AirVisual on the World AQI rankings. Six of the 10 most polluted cities fall in the Indian sub-continent including Delhi, Lahore, Karachi, Kolkata, Mumbai and Kathmandu. Mumbai is in ninth place with AQI of 153.
8. Bribery Risk Index: Bangladesh has highest risk in South Asia
Bangladesh has been identified as the “country with the highest risk” in terms of bribery threats in South Asia, according to the latest Global Bribery Risk Index. In the updated index report titled Trace Bribery Risk Matrix, Bangladesh scored 72 out of 100 this year, which is two points higher than last year. The global average score is 51.
9. Wholesale inflation eases to 0.16 per cent in October
Wholesale prices based inflation eased further to 0.16 per cent in October, as against 0.33 per cent in September. Government data showed subdued prices of non-food articles and fall in prices of manufactured items.
10. Irdai calls for wellness features in health insurance plans
In order to popularise wellness and preventive features in health insurance, the insurance regulator has issued draft guidelines suggesting insurers offer outpatient consultations or treatments, health check-up diagnostics and redeemable vouchers to obtain protein supplements.
11. Tobacco Board gets Golden Leaf award in Netherlands
The Tobacco Board of India was awarded the Golden Leaf award 2019 in the ‘Public Service Initiative’ category for its efforts in undertaking various ecological initiatives towards Flue-Cured Virginia (FCV) tobacco cultivation in India. Executive director K Sunitha received the award on behalf of the company at Tab Expo 2019 in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
12. CCI approves Adani’s 23.5% stake-buy in Mumbai International Airport
The competition watchdog approved the acquisition of 23.5% stake in Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL) by Adani Properties Private Limited (APPL). APPL is set to acquire 13.5% stake in MIAL from Bid Services Division (Mauritius) Limited and 10% stake from ACSA Global Limited.
13. Maths wizard Vashistha Narayan Singh dies at 78
Renowned mathematician Vashishtha Narayan Singh died at a hospital in Patna after a prolonged illness. A native of Basantpur under Ara muffasil police station, he had been suffering from schizophrenia for several years. Born on April 2, 1942, Singh became a legend as a student when he was allowed by Patna University to appear in the two-year course of B.Sc (Hons) in Mathematics in its very first year.
