Today's Current Affairs -19th November 2022

INTERNATIONAL

Ukraine, Russia extend Black Sea grain deal for 120 days

• Russia and Ukraine have agreed to extend a UN-brokered grain export deal for another 120 days, officials announced. World leaders praised the breakthrough for helping “avoid global food shortages” at a crucial time.
• Ukrainian Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov said that the Black Sea grain deal between Ukraine and Russia will be extended for another 120 days.
• He said continuing the grain export agreement brokered by Turkey with the UN was “another important step in the global fight against the food crisis.”
• Russia’s Foreign Ministry also confirmed that the deal would be extended “without changes in terms of scope” to the current agreement.
• UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed the agreement “by all parties to continue the Black Sea Grain Initiative to facilitate the safe navigation of export of grain, foodstuffs and fertilizers from Ukraine.”
• Guterres also emphasized the necessity to remove remaining obstacles to export food and fertilizer from Russia. “Both agreements signed in Istanbul three months ago are essential to bring down the prices of food and fertilizer and avoid a global food crisis,” Guterres said.

 NATIONAL

INS Trikand Participation in The Combined Maritime Forces Focused Operation - Sea Sword 2

• INS Trikand has participated in the Combined Maritime Forces led Operation “Sea Sword 2” in the Northwest Arabian Sea. The operation was held to prevent narcotics trade & stop smuggling entities from using the seas for their nefarious activities. Earlier, the 26th edition of the multinational maritime exercise “MALABAR 22” culminated in Japan on November 15th.
• This edition also marked the 30th anniversary of the exercise and was hosted by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). This effort is part of the Indian Navy’s commitment to ensuring the safety of the seas and collective security in the region as espoused by the SAGAR vision of the Honourable Prime Minister of India.
• The ship participated with other multinational forces and regional partner navies to counter terrorism, prevent narcotics trade and stop smuggling entities from using the seas for their nefarious activities. The Indian Navy’s long range maritime patrol aircraft also participated in the operation and provided air support. This effort is part of the Indian Navy’s commitment to ensuring safety of the seas and collective security in the region as espoused by the SAGAR vision of the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India.

 SPORTS

Vice president Dhankhar to attend FIFA world cup inauguration in Qatar

• Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar will attend the FIFA World Cup opening ceremony in Qatar. The two-day visit is as per the invitation of the ruler of Qatar, Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. The Ministry of External Affairs stated that Dhankhar will visit Qatar on November 20-21.
• After attending the opening ceremony of the World Cup, he will interact with the Indian diaspora in Qatar. The Ministry of External Affairs explained that it should be an opportunity to acknowledge the role and support played by Indians in the World Cup. The Ministry said that India-Qatar relations are strong in the fields of trade, energy, security, health, culture, education and defence.
• 2023 will mark 50 years of India-Qatar diplomatic relations. Qatar plays a major role in India’s energy sector. India is a major partner in the food security of the Gulf countries.

 SCIENCE & TEHNOLOGY

India's first privately built rocket, Vikram-S, launched by ISRO

• Vikram-S Rocket, India’s first privately developed rocket launched from the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) at the Sriharikota launchpad. The launch of Vikram-S Rocket by ISRO is a historic moment.
• The Vikram-S Rocket is developed by Hyderabad-based start-up Skyroot Aerospace Private Limited, and it is a 6-meter gall and hits a peak altitude of 89.5 kilometers. After five minutes of launch, the Vikram-S Rocket splashed into the Bay of Bengal. The mission was titled Prarambh.
• The Vikram-S Rocket is a single-stage solid fuelled, sub-orbital rocket developed over two years by incorporating advanced technologies that include carbon composite structures and 3D printer components.
• The Vikram-S Rocket is equipped with a gross lift-off mass of 545kg, and a payload mass of 80kg. Vikram-S carried three customer payloads which will map the measurement and validation of certain flight parameters and payload integration processes.
• The Skyroot firm was launched in June 2018 by two engineers Pawan Kumar Chandana and Naga Bharath Daka. The firm aims to open space for all, he is pushing the boundaries of today’s techno. It is working towards a future where space becomes a part of our lives and claims that such a transition will transform humankind like never before.
• Initially, Skyroot built ticket components to send satellites into space. After the Indian government opened the sector to private firms, it promptly signed up with ISRO, which allows the such players to use the agency’s launching facilities. The start-up formally entered the space and technology industry with an agreement with ISRO in September 2011.

 OBITURY

Veteran Punjabi actress Daljeet kaur khangura passed away

• Daljeet Kaur, a veteran actor well-known for her lead roles in several superhit Punjabi movies, died in Punjab's Ludhiana district on Thursday.
• The 69-year-old was suffering from brain tumour for the past three years and was in a deep coma for the last one year, according to her cousin, Harinder Singh Khangura.
• Daljeet was one of the most famous faces of Pollywood. She took a break from acting after she lost her husband Harminder Singh Deol in a tragic road accident. After several years, in 2001, she decided to step back into the industry, and it didn’t take long before she again turned everyone’s favourite with her work.

 IMPORTANT DAYS

World Toilet Day 2022: 19^th November

• The United Nations observes World Toilet Day on November 19 annually. The main aim is to raise public awareness of broader sanitation systems such as wastewater treatment, stormwater management, and hand washing. The 2022 campaign ‘Making the invisible visible’ explores how inadequate sanitation systems spread human waste into rivers, lakes and soil, polluting underground water resources.
• The central message of World Toilet Day 2022 is that safely managed sanitation protects groundwater from human waste pollution. Currently, the world is seriously off track to meet the promise of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6.2: to ensure safe toilets for all by 2030.
• The 2022 theme is ‘Making the Invisible Visible’ and explores how inadequate sanitation systems spread human waste into rivers, lakes and soil, polluting underground water resources.

 SUMMIT'S & MOU's

Union Home Minister Amit Shah chairs first session on ‘Global Trends in Terrorist Financing and Terrorism’ theme of the 3rd 'No Money for Terror' Ministerial Conference in New Delhi  

• Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired the first session of the 3rd 'No Money for Terror' Ministerial Conference on ‘Global Trends in Terrorist Financing and Terrorism’ theme in New Delhi today. In his opening address, the Union Home Minister said that terrorism is, undoubtedly, the most serious threat to global peace and security, but, the financing of terrorism is more dangerous than terrorism itself, because the 'Means and Methods' of terrorism are nurtured from such funding. Furthermore, the financing of terrorism weakens the economy of countries of the world.
• Shri Amit Shah said that India condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and we believe that no reason can justify an act, such as taking innocent lives. While expressing his sympathy for the victims of terrorist attacks all over the world, he said that we should never compromise with this evil.
• Union Home Minister said that India has been a victim of terrorism for several decades, which is sponsored from across the border. He said that Indian security forces and civilians have had to deal with incidents of extremely serious terrorist violence perpetrated in a sustained and coordinated manner. Shri Shah said that the international community has a collective approach that terrorism must be condemned in all its forms, but, the forms and manifestations of terrorism are continuously evolving due to technological revolution.
• He said that today, terrorists and terrorist groups understand the nuances of modern weapons & information technology, and the dynamics of the cyber & financial space very well, and use them. He said that this transformation of terrorism from "Dynamite to Metaverse" and "AK-47 to Virtual Assets" is definitely a matter of concern for the countries of the world, and, we all have to work together to formulate a common strategy against it.

 AWARDS & RECOGNITION

NTPC Quality Control Team from Unchahar ABHYUDAYA received the “GOLD” award

• NTPC’s QC Team from Unchahar ABHYUDAYA has won the “GOLD” award in the 47th International Convention on Quality Control Circle (ICQCC-2022). The convention is being held from 15th-18th November in Jakarta. The theme for ICQCC-2022 was “Built Back Better through Quality Efforts”. NTPC QC Team presented on “Frequent Choking of Collecting tanks of AHP-IV”.
• Shri Reyaz Ahamad (Facilitator), Shri Mahesh Chandra, Shri Virendra Kumar Yadav and Shri Laxmi Kant worked relentlessly towards providing unique, pragmatic, and quality solutions to the problem at hand.
• In March 2022, NTPC had been declared the “Dream Employer of the Year” at the 30th Session of the World HRD Congress. NTPC’s efforts to create a future-ready workforce were recognized when NTPC was selected as a 2022 ATD BEST award winner by The Association for Talent Development (ATD), USA. The awards and recognitions are a testimony that people practices at NTPC are at par with the best companies in the world.

 BOOKS & AUTHOR

A Book nalanda until meet again launched by Ruskin Bond

• Gautaam Borah, a senior management professional and the author of the widely acclaimed book ‘Monetising Innovation’, launches his new book ‘Nalanada – Until we meet again’ on November 13, 2022.
• The book was launched by legendary writer Ruskin Bond. With his new book, Gautaam delivers a movie like experience that includesaction, adventure, romance, passion, grit & intuition and mystery. The book will lead you to travel through all these in a jaw dropping race.
• ‘Nalanda- until we meet again’ is a gripping story of romance, vengeance, and an age-old mystery. It’s a story of Neil and Aanchal. Neil meets Aanchal at the iconic University of Oxford and they fall in love. Back in India, Aanchal joins an NGO and Neil a telecom company. Neil is propelled into a ruthless journey when he becomes a victim of corporate politics. Aanchal’s politician father charters a different path for her and she disappears.

 BANKING AND ECONOMY

Maximum tenure of PSU banks' MD and CEO raised to 10 years

• Government has decided to provide longer tenure to Managing Director and other whole-time directors of the public sector banks. Now the appointment can be made initially for up to 5 years, which can be extended for the 5 more years.
• The amendment would be called Nationalised Banks (Management and Miscellaneous Provisions) Amendment Scheme, 2022.
• Earlier, the MD or executive director of a public sector undertaking (PSU) bank was eligible for a maximum tenure of 5 years or 60 years whichever was earlier. This is also applicable for whole-time directors of all Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs). Now, The term for the appointment has been extended to 10 years, from the earlier 5 years, subject to superannuation age of 60 years, as per government notification of 17 November.
• A whole-time director, including the managing director, shall devote his whole time to the affairs of the nationalised bank and shall hold office for such initial term not exceeding five years and extendable up to a total period, including the initial term, not exceeding 10 years, as the central government may, after consultation with the Reserve Bank, specify and shall be eligible for re-appointment,” the notification said.