Latest Current Affairs – November 18 & 19 2018

1. Alexander Zverev beats world no. 1 Djokovic to win ATP Finals title

Alexander Zverev of Germany defeated world number one Novak Djokovic to win his maiden ATP World Tour Finals title on Sunday. The 21-year-old won with a scoreline of 6-4, 6-3 and became the youngest player to win the tournament since Djokovic himself in 2008. Further, Zverev became the first German to win the season-ending tournament since Boris Becker in 1995.

2. PM Modi inaugurates Western Peripheral Expressway in Gurugram

The Kundli-Manesar-Palwal expressway, also known as Western Peripheral Expressway, became fully operational after PM Narendra Modi inaugurated its Kundli-Manesar stretch in Gurugram. It’ll bring down travel time from Sonipat to Manesar to about 45 minutes. Along with Eastern Peripheral Expressway, the six-lane expressway is expected to divert over 50,000 heavy vehicles away from Delhi.

3. Ankita, Karman win their maiden WTA title in Taipei

Ankita Raina and Karman Kaur Thandi, India’s top two women’s tennis players, won their first doubles title together as they lifted the OEC Open trophy in Taipei on Sunday. This was also the first WTA title, singles or doubles, for both the Indian players. The all-Indian pair’s opponents Olga Doroshina and Natela Dzalamidze were forced to retire in the final.

4. India’s 1st engine-less train conducts trial run successfully

India’s first indigenously developed engine-less train “Train 18” successfully conducted its first trial run on tracks at Moradabad-Rampur section of Northern Indian Railways. The train was made to run at different speeds and its braking was also checked during its trial run. The train comprises of as many as 16 coaches including the driving coach.

5. India-Maldives agree on renewing ties, peace in Indian Ocean

PM Narendra Modi and Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih expressed confidence in renewal of bilateral ties and maintaining security and peace in the Indian Ocean, a joint statement after Solih’s swearing-in ceremony read. PM Modi assured Solih of India’s firm commitment in helping Maldives achieve sustainable economic development. This was PM Modi’s first Maldives visit since assuming office.

6. Maldives cabinet approves to rejoin Commonwealth

Maldives cabinet has approved to rejoin the Commonwealth, two years after withdrawing from the 53-nation grouping. President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has pledged to rejoin the Commonwealth after taking over on Saturday and 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. The new government under Solih has begun to reset several decisions and policies of the previous administration.

7. Nongkrem Dance Festival Celebrated In Meghalaya

Nongkrem dance festival, an annual event during which prayers are offered for good harvest, peace, and prosperity of the community was celebrated with great zeal and enthusiasm by the inhabitants of the Khasi Hills in Shillong, Meghalaya. The unique dance is performed by the members of Hima Khyrim, a sub-tribe of the indigenous Khasi tribe.

8. Gukesh won World u 12 Open chess championships

International Master, D.Gukesh, with 10 points, won the World u-12 open chess championships in Santiago de Compostela, Spain. Around 851 participants from 86 federations took part in the Championship event.

Volodar Murzin of Russia finished second by securing 8.5 points and Nico Chasin of USA settled for third place by securing 8.5. India stood second with two golds, while China and USA took the 1st and 3rd spot.

9. World Bank provides US$155.7 million to Nepal

The World Bank is providing US$155.7 million in loan and grant to Nepal to build and maintain bridges, and improve food security of vulnerable households and communities. Two Agreements to these effects were signed between the Washington, DC-based multilateral financial institution and the government of Nepal in Kathmandu.

The first credit will finance the US$133 million Second Bridges Improvement and Maintenance Program targeting approximately 477 bridges along Nepal’s Strategic Roads Network. Under the second agreement, the multi-donor Global Agriculture and Food Security Program (GAFSP) will provide a US$22.7 million grant to support the Food and Nutrition Security Enhancement Project.

10. Second Mega Food Park in Maharashtra inaugurated in Aurangabad

Union Minister for Food Processing Industries Harsimrat Kaur Badal inaugurated 2nd Mega Food Park in Maharashtra, in Wahegaon and Dhangaon village in Paithan taluka of Aurangabad district. It was launched under Mega Food Park Scheme and is promoted by Paithan Mega Food Park Pvt Ltd.

The Paithan Mega Food Park Park has been set up in 102 acre of land at a cost of Rs. 124.52 crore. The first park was inaugurated in Satara district in March 2018. Third mega food park has been sanctioned by Union Ministry of Food Processing Industries in Maharashtra in Wardha district.

11. Australia’s John Hastings retires from International Cricket

Australia all-rounder John Hastings announced retirement from all forms of cricket due to a lung disease. Hastings had already retired from ODI and Test cricket last year but continued to play T20 cricket.

Hastings played one Test, 29 ODIs and nine Twenty20 internationals for Australia before retiring from Tests and ODIs a year ago to become a T20 specialist.

12. World Toilet Day is observed on 19 November

The World Toilet Day is organized around the world on 19th of November. The day is about inspiring action to tackle the global sanitation crisis. The theme for WTD 2018 is ‘When Nature Calls’.

13. Padma Shri awardee ad filmmaker Alyque Padamsee passes away at 90

Alyque Padamsee is also known for portraying Muhammad Ali Jinnah in the 1982 film ‘Gandhi’. A renowned theatre personality, Padamsee had also received a Sangeet Natak Akademi Award. He was Chairman of the London Institute of Corporate Training and also served as an adviser to Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu.

14. Dr. Saroj Suman Gulati conferred with Global Education Leaders Award 2018

Dr. Saroj Suman Gulati was awarded in recognition of her remarkable contribution to ‘K-12 education and promotion of Art and Culture’. The award was conferred by Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, member of the Cabinet and Minister of State for Tolerance, United Arab Emirates. Mr. Ashish Gulati, Vice-chairman, Blue Bells Group of Schools, received the award on her behalf. She was among the 9 Indian educationists who were awarded the Global Education Leaders Award.

15. Asab won gold in the 62nd National Shotgun championship

Mohd. Asab and Ahvar Rizvi defeated Ankur Mittal, the reigning World champion, and won the double trap gold and silver in the 62nd National Shotgun championship held at Jaipur, Rajasthan. Asab shot 134 to beat Ahvar by one point and Ankur shot 128.

16. Government of India and ADB signed $300 Million Loan to support IIFCL in India

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of India signed a $300 million Loan Agreement to support lending by India Infrastructure Finance Company Limited (IIFCL) in New Delhi.

The Project entails:

• Long-term finance for PPP projects,
• Improvement of the operational capacity of IIFCL, and
• Expansion of the portfolio of infrastructure financing instruments available to IIFCL.

17. Ustad Amjad Ali Khan presented lifetime achievement award in Delhi

One of India’s greatest Sarod Master Ustad Amjad Ali Khan was presented “Sumitra Charat Ram Award for Lifetime Achievement” at Kamani Auditorium, New Delhi for his immense contribution to the enrichment and promotion of Indian Classical Music.

He already received a fellowship of Sangeet Natak Akademi, UNESCO Award, UNICEP National Ambassadorship, Fukuoka cultural Grand price of Japan & ‘Commander of the Order of Arts and Letters’ of France.

18. Cabinet approved extension reservation for Maratha community

The Maharashtra Cabinet approved the decision to extend reservation to the Maratha community. The reservation was extended by creating a new category called Socially and Educationally Backward Class. The category creation was based on the recommendations of the State Backward Class Commission. The announcement was made by the Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis during the eve of the winter session of the State legislature.

19. Tenth Indra 2018: India, Russia joint military exercise held in Jhansi, UP

The 10th joint military exercise between Indian and Russia– EXERCISE INDRA, under the United Nations (UN) started at Babina Field Firing Ranges, Babina Military Station, in Jhansi in Uttar Pradesh.

The main aim is to combat insurgency.

The main focus will be upon:

• Training on enhancing team building,
• Special tactical level operations such as Cordon and Search,
• To share best practices and
• For peacekeeping/ enforcement environment.