Current Affairs November 10, 2017

NATIONAL

Delhi govt signs twin city agreement with Seoul:

 The Delhi government signed a twin city agreement with the Seoul Metropolitan Government for strengthening cooperation in the fields of e-governance, transportation, climate change and smart city.

The agreement – Establishment of Friendship City Relationship – was signed between Seoul (South Korea) Metropolitan Government led by Mayor Park Won Soon and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

First Ever Nordic-Baltic Youth Film Festival in India:

The Nordic-Baltic embassies will host the first ever youth film festival of the European nations in Delhi showcasing movies from the region.

The Nordic-Baltic countries Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, and Sweden or NB8 are tied together geographically and historically through trade, culture, and many common value systems.

Radha Mohan Singh inaugurates three-day Organic World Congress 2017:

Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister, Shri Radha Mohan Singh will inaugurate the three-day Organic World Congress – 2017 being organized at India Expo Centre in Greater Noida. The Organic World Congress (OWC) is organized once every three years in a different country and this time it is being organised in India. The last edition of the Organic World Congress took place in Istanbul, Turkey, in 2014.

Vizag to host first international agriculture hackathon from November 15:

The Coastal city is all set to host the first ever agriculture hackathon being organized by Andhra Pradesh government. The three-day conclave will begin from November 15 where farmers, agriculture experts, and several stakeholders will participate in the deliberations.

On this occasion, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu will inaugurate the international convention. On the other hand, Microsoft Corporation co-founder Bill Gates will attend the concluding session of the international summit co-hosted by Confederation of Indian Industry. Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh will also present on the second day of the hackathon.

Andhra Pradesh

• Capital: Amaravati
• Chief Minister: Chandrababu Naidu
• Governor: E. S. L. Narasimhan

Central Government approves National Highway project to connect two sacred places:

Central Government has given its principle approval for linking historical religious places of Sri Fatehgarh Sahib and Sri Chamkaur Sahib with the National Highway paving way to connect the sacred places of younger Sahibzadas – Baba Zorawar Singh and Baba Fateh Singh, and elder Sahibzadas – Baba Ajit Singh and Baba Jujhar Singh.The national highway would be constructed at the cost of Rs 500 crores for connecting both the religious places.

---

 

INTERNATIONAL

15th ASEAN-India Summit and 12th East Asia Summit in Manila, Philippines:

 Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will attend the 15th ASEAN-India Summit and the 12th East Asia Summit to be held in Manila, Philippines on 14 November 2017, at the invitation of H.E. Mr. Rodrigo Roa Duterte, President of the Republic of the Philippines.

Apart from the 10 ASEAN Member states, East Asia Summit includes India, China, Japan, Republic of Korea, Australia, New Zealand, United States and Russia.

India, being a founding member of the East Asia Summit, is committed to strengthening the East Asia Summit and making it more effective for dealing with contemporary challenges.

At the 12th East Asia Summit, Leaders will discuss matters of regional and international interest and concern including maritime security, terrorism, non-proliferation, irregular migration, etc.

Philippines

• Currency: Philippine peso
• Capital: Manila

US-China signs trade contract worth $220 billion:

US President Donald Trump’s 1st visit to China, both nations signed business contracts worth $220 billion. US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross signed 19 agreements. This is a sign of both the nations moving towards a healthy relationship.

The contracts signed included the Chinese purchase of Boeing jets for US$37 billion, mobile phone chipsets from Qualcomm for US$12 billion, US$1.6 billion of soybeans and vehicles and parts from General Motors and Ford for a total of US$11.7 billion.

USA

• President of the United States: Donald Trump
• Currency: United States Dollar
• Capital: Washington, D.C.

China

• Currency: Renminbi
• Capital: Beijing
• Prime minister: Li Keqiang
• President: Xi Jinping

India re-elected member of UNESCO’s executive board:

 India was re-elected as the member of the UNESCO’s executive board, its top decision- making body.

The election was held at the 39th session of the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation in Paris.

US grants $500k to promote religious freedom in India, Sri Lanka:

 The US has announced a grant of nearly USD 500,000 for organisations which can come up with ideas and projects to promote religious freedom in India and Sri Lanka.

Srilanka

• Currency: Sri Lankan rupee
• Capitals: Colombo, Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte
• Prime minister: Ranil Wickremesinghe

Hong Kong is World’s Top City for International Visits:

 Hong Kong remains the world’s most visited city by international travellers in spite of strained relations with neighbouring China.

In a report on the top 100 city destinations that highlights the growth in Asian tourism market research firm Euromonitor International approved 25.7 million arrivals are expected in Hong Kong in 2017.

‘EX BLUE FLAG-17’- kicks off with India for the first time:

 ‘EX BLUE FLAG-17’ kicked off along with air forces from nine countries – the largest aerial exercise ever held by the Israel Defence Forces. For the first time, the Indian Air Force or IAF is participating in Blue Flag 2017. A 45-member contingent of the Indian Air Force touched down Uvda Air Force Base in southern Israel for exercise ‘Blue Flag-17’.

Teams from India, the United States, Greece, Poland, France, Italy and Germany are taking part in the exercise, along with Israel and an eighth country unidentified by the IDF. The Indian Air Force sent a C-130J transport plane.

BANKING & BUSINESS

Dubai based Emirates NBD bank begins operations in India:

 Emirates NBD, the UAE’s second-largest lender, has started operations in India with an aim to invest USD 100 million capital into its Indian operations.

The Mumbai branch marks the bank’s fifth international branch outside of its UAE network.

The branch will offer a range of services to corporate, SME and institutional clients including trade finance, treasury services, bilateral and syndicated loans in addition to supporting NRI (non-resident Indian) customers looking for cross-border wealth management solutions.

IDFC Bank Partners with MobiKwik:

On the first anniversary of demonetisation, IDFC Bank has entered a “strategic alliance” with mobile wallet major MobiKwik to launch a co-branded virtual Visa prepaid card for customers of MobiKwik.

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNS

Ravinder Singh elected first Sikh mayor of US city:

Ravinder Bhalla has become the first ever Sikh mayor of New Jersey’s Hoboken city after a stiff competition.

 Bangladesh cricket coach Chandika Hathurusingha resigns:

Chandika Hathurusingha, the head coach of Bangladesh’s national cricket team has resigned, the sport’s board said.

 Bangladesh

• Capital: Dhaka
• Currency: Bangladeshi taka

AWARDS

Natalie Portman has been awarded Israel’s 2018 Genesis Prize:

Natalie Portman has been awarded Israel’s 2018 Genesis Prize in recognition of her commitment to social causes and deep connection to her Jewish and Israeli roots, organizers of the prize announced.

The $1 million award, known as “the Jewish Nobel Prize,” is granted each year to a person recognised as an inspiration to the next generation of Jews through professional achievement and commitment to Jewish values.

Israel

• Currency: Israeli new shekel
• Capital: Jerusalem

OBITUARY

Former India Test Cricketer A G Milkha Singh passes away at 75:

Former India cricketer A G Milkha Singh passed away at 75.

 HISTORIC EVENT OF THE DAY

World science day for peace & development: November 10

Celebrated every 10 November, World Science Day for Peace and Development highlights the important role of science in society and the need to engage the wider public in debates on emerging scientific issues. It also underlines the importance and relevance of science in our daily lives.

This year’s theme is ‘Science for Global Understanding’.

click here for previous current affairs