Current Affairs Daily Digest – November 22 2019
1. Avian Botulism-Reason behind birds’ death in Sambhar Lake
The Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) on November 21, 2019, confirmed that a neuro muscular illness called Avian Botulism is the reason for mass mortality of migratory birds in Sambhar Lake in Rajasthan. The doctors say that the birds were suffering from Avian Botulism that was caused due to a toxin produced by bacterial strain.
On November 12, 2019, thousands of migratory birds died in Sambhar lake that sent shock waves throughout the country.
2. Lieutenant Shivangi: 1st woman pilot of Indian Navy to join Naval operations
Lieutenant Shivangi become first woman pilot of Indian Navy will join Naval operations. She will join after naval operations on completion of operational training at the Southern Naval Command in Kochi, Kerala on December 2, 2019 two days ahead of Navy Day (observed on December
3. Cabinet approves Industrial Relations Code, 2019
On November 21, 2019, the Union Cabinet approved the introduction of Industrial Relations Code, 2019. This is the third code under labor reforms. Under the new code, forty-four laws are to be amalgamated into four codes. The four codes include wage rates, social security, industrial relations and industrial security and labor welfare.
4. NIA hosts the first counter terrorism exercise for Quad Countries
The National Investigation Agency will host the first “Counter Terrorism Exercise” between November 21, 2019 and November 22, 2019. The CT-TTX, Counter Terrorism Table Top Exercise will exercise the Quad countries namely India, Japan, US and Australia.
5. Andhra Pradesh launched YSR Matsyakara Bharosa
Andhra Pradesh State government launched YSR Matsyakara Bharosa on 21 November. The scheme will extend the benefits of the scheme to fishermen who have already benefited from Rythu Bharosa, Vahana Mitra and pension schemes.
6. GeM signed an MoU with NCT of Delhi
Government e-Marketplace (GeM) signed an MoU with the Government of the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi. The MoU aims to facilitate buyer organizations of Delhi towards a market-based procurement. The move is because Delhi has been consistently among the top buyers on GeM. The MoU was signed by Rajeev Kandpal, CFO & Joint Secretary of GeM and Neeraj Bharati, Special Secretary Finance of Government of NCT of Delhi.
7. CM BS Yediyurappa inaugurated the Kalaburagi airport
Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa is to inaugurate the Kalaburagi airport in Kalaburagi, Karnataka. CM Yediyurappa laid the foundation stone for building the airport on 14 June 2018. The state government had entered into an agreement with Maytas Infra for 30 years for the implementation of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
8. ISSF World Cup Final: Manu Bhaker, Elavenil Valarivan, Divyansh Panwar win gold
Shooting sensations Manu Bhaker, Elavenil Valarivan and Divyansh Singh Panwar, bagged their maiden ISSF World Cup Final gold medals in women’s 10m Air Pistol , 10m Air Rifle and men’s 10m Air Rifle respectively, at the Chinese Shooting and Archery Administration Center in Putian, China.
Elavenil bettered her Qualification ranking to finish at the top of the leaderboard with 250.8 points, pipping Chinese Taipei’s Lin Ying-Shin by 0.1 points. Romania’s Laura-Georgeta Coman won bronze.
9. Union Min to inaugurate Destination North East Festival at Varanasi tomorrow
The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Dr Jitendra Singh will inaugurate the ‘Destination North East’ Festival at IIT BHU grounds in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh on 23 November 2019. The festival is being organised by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Government of India. The Secretary (DoNER)Inderjit Singh and Secretary (NEC) K Moses Chalai will also attend the event.
10. Tech Mahindra, Business Finland ink MoU for R&D in 5G, 6G technology
Tech Mahindra, Indian IT services major, said it has signed an agreement with Business Finland for research and development in 5G and 6G technology. Tech Mahindra will develop, pilot and implement state-of-the-art digital products and services to foster growth, productivity and innovations in the area of 5G and 6G, a statement said.
11. OECD projects 2.9% global growth for 2019, 2020
The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) expected the world economy to expand at slowest pace of a decade in 2019 and 2020. World economic growth is estimated to hit 2.9% for both this year and next year, and 3 for 2021, the OECD November Economic Outlook report revealed. The projection for 2020 was downgraded from 3% in its previous report.
12. US okays sale of naval guns worth $1 bn to India, focus on supremacy in Arabian Sea
The US has approved the sale of 13 naval guns and related equipment worth $1 billion to India to help it “meet current and future threats, according to the Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA).
The DSCA said that the State Department approved the sale of the anti-surface warfare and anti-air defence MK 45 5 inch/62 calibre (MOD 4) naval guns and the agency notified Congress about it on Tuesday clearing the way for the deal to go through.
13. Bangalore, Delhi, Mumbai make it on new global prosperity index
Bangalore emerged as India’s highest ranked city at No. 83 in a new index of the world’s 113 cities in terms of economic and social inclusivity, topped by Zurich in Switzerland.
The first-ever Prosperity & Inclusion City Seal and Awards (PICSA) Index, released in the Basque Country capital of Bilbao in northern Spain evening, is designed to showcase not only the quantity of economic growth of a city but also its quality and distribution across populations.
14. India ranks third in terms of mobile VPN downloads: Report
India has emerged as the country with the third-highest number of VPN downloads, after Indonesia and the US, as per a Top10VPN report. From October 2018 till September 2019, the VPN downloads in India grew the most globally by 405% to 57 million. Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) allow users to hide their IP address to bypass geo-blocks and government censorship.
