04 November 2017 Current Affairs
India successfully tests its first fully indigenous Glide Bomb
The Union Government announced that an indigenously developed lightweight ‘Glide’ bomb was successfully tested in Chandipur in Odisha. The development marks a major milestone in developing such weapons. The bomb – SAAW (Smart Anti Airfield Weapon) – was dropped from an Indian Air Force aircraft at the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur.
Deen Dayal SPARSH Yojana launched to promote philately
The Union Ministry of Communications has launched Deen Dayal SPARSH Yojana, a pan India scholarship program for school children to increase the reach of Philately. The SPARSH stands for Scholarship for Promotion of Aptitude & Research in Stamps as a Hobby. Under the scheme, annual scholarships will be awarded to children of Standard VI to IX having good academic record and also pursuing Philately as hobby through competitive selection process in all postal circles. Government will award 920 scholarships to students pursuing Philately as hobby.
President of Armenia on a three-day visit to India
President of Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan arrived in New Delhi on a three-day visit to India. He attended the World Food India Conference 2017. The visiting dignitary also met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and called on President Ramnath Kovind. Bilateral dialogue between India and Armenia is conducted through the mechanisms of Foreign Office Consultations and Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technological, Cultural and Educational Cooperation.
Air New Zealand wins Airline Excellence Award for the 5th time
Air New Zealand has been crowned “2018 Airline of the Year” by leading international aviation. The award marks the 5th consecutive year Air New Zealand has received the top honour in its Airline Excellence Awards. It is followed by Qantas Airways, Singapore Airlines, Virgin Australia and Virgin Atlantic. Meanwhile, Etihad Airways, All Nippon Airways, Korean Air, Cathay Pacific and Japan Airlines are also featured on the list.
7th Asia Ministerial Energy roundtable held in Bangkok
The Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan was on an official visit to Bangkok, Thailand to participate in the IEF 7th Asian Ministerial Energy Roundtable (AMER7). India is the current chair of International Energy Forum (IEF) which is promoting the AMER – a biennial event bringing together Energy Ministers and experts from Asian countries.
Technical Education can not be provided through correspondence courses- SC
The Supreme Court has ruled that technical education cannot be provided through correspondence courses. The Apex Court restrained educational institutions from providing courses in technical education like engineering through distance learning programme. Two years ago, the Punjab and Haryana high court had ruled that a degree in ‘computer science’ obtained through distance mode could not be considered at par with one attained by attending regular classes.
Trump will make his first official visit to Japan on November 5
U.S. leader Donald Trump will travel to Asia in November for the first time since becoming president, stopping in Japan, South Korea, China, Vietnam and the Philippines on a trip expected to be dominated by the North Korea nuclear threat. His visit will include attending two major summits, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Vietnam and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations conclave in the Philippines.
Tamil Nadu’s Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple wins UNESCO award
The Sri Ranganathaswamy temple at Srirangam in Tamil Nadu has won UNESCO Asia-Pacific award for cultural heritage conservation programme in the Awards of Merit category. It is first temple from Tamil Nadu to grab the prestigious honour from the UN body. The temple won the award in recognition of its efforts for protecting and conserving cultural heritage. The traditional method of renovating temple premises as well as re-establishment of rainwater harvesting and historic drainage system in preventing flooding were two key parameters that earned temple the award.
India sets Guinness Record for cooking 918 kgs of Khichdi
A team of 50 chefs in a government-led initiative created a world record by cooking 918 kg “khichdi” live at the World Food India 2017 event. According to the organisers, their attempt to prepare Brand India khichdi using 800 kg of grains has entered the Guinness World Records. Famous chef Sanjeev Kapoor led the team for the preparation of khichdi. Multi-grains such as rice, bajra, ans ragi, as well as pulses, vegetables and spices were used in the khichdi.
India to be high-middle income country by 2047: World Bank CEO
Lauding India’s increasing per capita income, World Bank CEO Kristalina Georgieva said she has no doubt that India will be a high-middle income country by 2047 when it completes its centenary year of independence. Georgieva praised India for its sudden jump of 30 ranks in 2017, the biggest leap ever, in the history of the ease of doing business. She hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his “high-level ownership” efforts and “championship of reforms” that led to achieve India such a ranking in ease of doing business.
ONGC to acquire HPCL
The Cabinet approved ONGC for acquiring majority 51.11 % stake in HPCL (Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited). ONGC’s acquisition of 51.11 % stake in HPCL is in line with the government’s plan to create an integrated energy major with businesses spread across the hydrocarbon value chain. The government’s stake in HPCL is sold to ONGC for an amount of Rs 26,000 crore to Rs 30,000 crore.
Turkey President Erdogan signs contentious religious marriages law
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has signed into law a controversial legislation to let state- approved clerics conduct marriage ceremonies. The law allows “muftis” as well as state-appointed civil servants to perform and register marriages. The new law will open the way for child marriages. The law has been a priority for the government and in October, Erdogan told the opposition that the law would pass “whether you like it or not”.
Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri resigns
Lebanon’s prime minister Saad al-Hariri resigned, citing an assassination plot against him and accusing Iran and its Lebanese ally Hezbollah of sowing strife in the Arab world. His father, former Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri, was assassinated in 2005.