VINTAGE

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF NOVEMBER 3rd   2019

              IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF NOVEMBER 3rd  2019 

1.     Russia's "sovereign Internet" law came into effect from today. 

a.      This law lets the country's government cut off its network from the rest of the World Wide Web.

2.     Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is on a 3 day visit to Tashkent (capital of Uzbekistan)

a.      During this visit, he held bilateral consultations with his Uzbekistan counterpart Major General Bakhodir Nizamovich Kurbanov.

b.      Both the countries signed 3 MoUs to enhance cooperation in Military Medicine and Military Education.

c.      Note : This was the 1st visit by an Indian Defence Minister to Uzbekistan in about 15 years.

3.     The 9th round of India Bangladesh Friendship dialogue concluded in Cox's Bazar (Bangladesh) with a call to build a strategic space between the two countries based on learning and experience of the past and expectations and aspirations for the future.

a.      It also appealed for greater collaboration between North-Eastern states of India and Bangladesh to enhance bilateral trade.

b.      The event was jointly organised by India Foundation and Bangladesh Foundation for Regional Studies.

4.     2 days after Union Territories of J&K and Ladakh came into effect following bifurcation of J&K state, the government today released the New political map of India. 

a.      According to Home Ministry, the new union territories of Ladakh consists of 2  districts of Kargil and Leh and the rest of the districts of erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir are in the newly created union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

b.      Important Points to Note :

i)      India now has 28 states and 9 Union Territories. 

ii)    RK Mathur was sworn-in as the 1st Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh.

iii) GC Murmu was sworn-in as the 1st Lieutenant Governor of J&K.

5.     Agra is going to host the 1st-ever Global Taj International Film Festival from November 15-17 .

a.      Films from around 10 countries will be showcased at the festival.

6.     The government is going to set up Anti-human trafficking units in all districts with the help of the Nirbhaya Fund.

a.      Women and Child Development Minister : Smriti Irani 

7.     The 4-day celebrations of Chhath Puja concluded this morning with devotees offering prayers to the rising sun in different parts of the country.

a.      After offering prayers to Sun God, devotees broke their 36-hour fast and Prasad was distributed among the people.

b.      In Bihar, devotees had started gathering at Ghats of various rivers including Ganga, Kosi, Gandak and Sone early this morning.

8.     Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan has dedicated to the nation the Robotic Surgery Facility at the Safdarjung Hospital in New Delhi.

a.      This latest facility is free of cost for all poor patients of euro-oncological cancers like prostate, kidney, bladder cancers and kidney failures. 

b.      Robotic surgery has the advantage of providing minimally invasive surgery, reducing significantly the morbidity and mortality of critically ill, cancer and kidney failure patients.

9.     To recover $500 billion of black money stashed abroad, Surjit Bhalla-led High-Level Advisory Group has recommended issuing a type of government bond to those declaring undisclosed wealth. 

a.      People declaring undisclosed income could pay 15% tax and compulsorily park 40% of it in Elephant Bonds, it suggested. 

b.      The money raised via Elephant Bonds would only be used to fund infrastructure projects.

10.According to a recent report by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) South America's Guyana will experience the world's fastest economic growth in 2020 driven by ExxonMobil's discovery of oil.

11.Justice Ajay Kumar Mittal was sworn in as the Chief Justice of Madhya Pradesh High Court today. 

a.      Governor Lalji Tandon administered him the oath of office at Raj Bhavan.

12.South Africa lifted the Rugby World Cup 2019 title after defeating England in the final at Yokohama today. 

a.      This is the 3rd time that the South African team has won the trophy equalling New Zealand's record. 

b.      Siya Kolisi became the 1st black captain from South Africa to lift rugby's Webb Ellis Cup.

13.The Indian men's hockey team qualified for the 2020 Olympics after beating Russia at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar. 

a.      The Indian women's hockey team has also qualified for 2020 Tokyo Olympics despite a 1-4 loss to the US in the second leg of the qualifier which was played at the Kalinga Stadium in Odisha.