CURRENT AFFAIRS 21/11/2017

CURRENT AFFAIRS 21/11/2017

1.India’s Nominee Dalveer Bhandari Re-elected to ICJ

i. India’s nominee to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) Dalveer Bhandari was re-elected to the fifth and the last seat of the world court after Britain withdrew its candidate from the election.

ii. Mr. Bhandari received 183-193 votes in the General Assembly and secured all the 15 votes in the Security Council after separate and simultaneous elections were held at the UN headquarters in New York.

2. Universal Children's Day: 20 November

i. The United Nations Universal Children's Day is celebrated every year on November 20 to promote international togetherness and improve children's welfare around the world.

ii. The theme of UCD 2017 is 'Kids Take Over'.  The special day established in the year 1954, offers an opportunity for communities around the globe to promote children's rights in order to create a better world for kids.

3. India Signs Loan Agreement with World Bank for “Shared Infrastructure for Solar Parks Project”

i. A Guarantee Agreement for IBRD/CTF loan of USD 98 million and Grant Agreement for USD 2 million for the “Shared Infrastructure for Solar Parks Project” was signed with the World Bank.

ii. The project consists of two components viz.

1. Shared Infrastructure for Solar Parks (estimated total project cost of USD 100 million, including USD 75 million in IBRD loan and USD 23 million in CTF Loan) and 

2. Technical Assistance (USD 2 million in CTF Grant). 

iii. The objective of the project is to increase solar generation capacity through establishment of large-scale parks in the country.

4. Nagaland, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu Sign MoU with GoI under UDAY Scheme

i. On the 2nd Anniversary of Ujwal DISCOM Assurance Yojana (UDAY), the Government of India signed four MoUs under the Scheme with the State of Nagaland and with Union Territories (UTs) of Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Dadra & Nagar Haveli & Daman & Diu for operational improvements.

ii. An overall net benefit of approximately Rs. 551 crores, Rs. 18 crores, Rs. 13 crores and Rs. 10 crores respectively would accrue to the State of Nagaland & UTs of Andaman & Nicobar, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu.

5. Radha Mohan Singh Inaugurated World Fisheries Day Celebrations 2017

i. On 21st November 1997, the working fishermen and women representing World Forum of Fish Harvesters & Fish Workers from 18 countries met at New Delhi.

ii. To commemorate this occasion, every year 21st November is celebrated all over the world as World Fisheries Day.  Shri Radha Mohan Singh, Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare inaugurated the World Fisheries Day Celebrations. This year’s theme is “2022 Ka Hai Sapna … Kisan Ki Aay Ho Dugna - Sankalp Se Siddhi”.

6. S African Indian-origin Appointed UNAIDS Special Ambassador

i. Acclaimed South African Indian-origin AIDS researcher Professor Quarraisha Abdool Karim has been appointed as a UNAIDS Special Ambassador for Adolescents and HIV.

ii. Professor Abdool Karim is one of the world's leading AIDS researchers and has made pioneering contributions to understanding the HIV epidemic among young people, especially among young women.

7. Nabaneeta Dev Sen Presented Big Little Book Award 2017

i. Sahitya Akademi awardee Bengali writer Nabaneeta Dev Sen has been declared winner of the Big Little Book Award for year 2017 in the "Author in Bengali Language" category for her contribution to the children's literature.

ii. The award, given out by Parag initiative of Tata Trusts to recognise and honour authors and illustrators of children's literature, focused on the writers in Bengali language in its second edition. Chennai-based illustrator Proiti Roy received the award in the illustrator category.

8. Veteran Journalist Manik Banerjee Gets IMF Award

i. Veteran journalist Manik Banerjee, who is also an acclaimed mountaineer was presented with the 'Life Time Achievement Award' by the Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF).

ii. Banerjee was presented the award in recognition of his achievements in mountaineering over a period of four decades.

9. World's Biggest Toilet Pot Model Unveiled In Haryana's 'Trump Village'

i. The world's biggest toilet pot model was unveiled at Marora, popularly known as the "Trump village", in Haryana on the World Toilet Day (19 November) in a bid to create awareness towards sanitation and use of toilets.

ii. A mega toilet pot measuring 20x10 feet was unveiled to inspire action to tackle the global sanitation crisis.

10. Ministry of Defence Scraps $500 million Israeli Missile Deal

i. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has decided to cancel the $500 million deal for Spike ATGM with Israel. MoD has asked the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to indigenously develop and produce a Man-Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM) for the Army.

ii. The decision to cancel the deal was based on the consideration that importing a foreign ATGM at this stage would adversely impact the program for indigenous development of the weapon system by DRDO. 

11. Beyonce Named 2017's Highest-Paid Woman in Music- Forbes

i. American singer Beyonce has been named the highest-paid woman in music in 2017 by the Forbes. Her earnings, mainly from album 'Lemonade' and Formation World Tour, have been estimated to be $105 million (Rs682 crore).

ii. Adele, with earnings of $69 million came second while Taylor Swift, with earnings of $44 million, was ranked third on the list.

12. India-Russia Signed Pact for Visa Free Entry of Flight Crew

i. India and Russia have agreed to implement the general declaration for visa free entry of the crew of chartered and scheduled flights between the two countries.

ii. The agreement will facilitate visa free entry, stay and exit of crew of aircraft of the designated airlines as well as other aircraft companies operating chartered and special flights in the respective territories on reciprocal basis.

13. Tencent Becomes First Chinese Tech Firm Valued over $500 Billion

i. Tencent has become the first Chinese company to be valued at more than $500 billion in Asia.