03 November 2016 Current Affairs
Paris climate agreement becomes international law
The Paris Agreement to combat climate change officially entered into force after 55 parties to the convention accounting for at least 55% of total GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions ratified it. The threshold for entry into force of the Paris Agreement was achieved on 5th October 2016. 94 parties have ratified the convention.India was 62nd country to ratify it on 2 October 2016. It is an international climate deal to combat climate change. It facilitates enforcement of global GHGs reduction measures in the post-2020 Under it, all countries must pursue to keep global temperature rising below 2°C by 2100 above pre-industrial levels with an ideal target of keeping temperature rise below 1.5°C.It forces developed countries to provide 100 billion dollars annually to the developing counterparts beginning in 2020 to deal with climate change.
Chinese scholar Xuan Zang stayed in Vijayawada to study Buddhist scriptures
Seventh century Chinese Buddhist pilgrim and scholar Xuan Zang (also spelled Hsuan Tsang) stayed a couple of years in Bezawada (the old name of Vijayawada) to copy and study Buddhist scriptures. In 630 AD, Xuan Zang came to India through Kashmir after visiting Central Asia, Iran and Afghanistan through the SilkRoute. During his stay, he had studied and copied the Abhidhammapitakam, the last of the three pitakas (Pali for baskets) constituting the Pali canon, the scriptures of Theravada Buddhism.
India’s first titanium project starts test production in Odisha
The first titanium project of India has started its test production Ganjam district of Odisha.The project has been established by Saraf Group.This is first of its kind titanium plant and the only one in the country. During the test run, one of its four furnaces became functional. After inception, this plant is expected to produce 36,000 tons of titanium slag and 20,000 tons of pig iron per year.
Maharashtra first to launch cyber police stations in all districts
Maharashtra has become the first state in the country to have a cyber-police station in each district to take on cyber criminals. In this regard, state government is converting 42 state-of-the-art cybercrime labs into cyber police stations simultaneously. These cyber police stations will also be set up at police commissionerate and Range IG offices. Any offence related to cybercrime will be registered in these police stations at district level. Besides, additional cyber police stations will also be set up in some cities.
Saudi Arabia awards water prize to 8 scientists
Saudi Arabia has awarded eight scientists the Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz International Prize for Water at a ceremony at the United Nations headquarters in New York.The ceremony was hosted on 3 November by UN. Friends of Water and presided over by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon along with the prize committee chairman Prince Khalid Bin Sultan Bin Abdulaziz. The bi-annual prize, established in 2002, aims to provide recognition to scientists and others whose work creatively addresses the problem of water scarcity.
NASA completes construction of James Webb Space Telescope
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has completed the construction of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) after more than 20 years of work. JWST is the largest-ever space telescope is expected to launch in 2018 following the in-depth testing. It is bigger and more powerful than NASA’s operational Hubble Space Telescope. It is a 8.8 billion US dollars worth space observatory built to observe the infrared universe like never before.
South Korea names new PM and finance minister amid scandal
South Korea’s presidential office on 03 November 2016 named a new prime minister and finance minister. Kim Byong-joon, a senior former presidential secretary is expected to replace Hwang Kyo-ahn as prime minister. The Blue House named Financial Services Commission Chairman Yim Jong-yong as finance minister and deputy prime minister.