IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF NOVEMBER 24, 2016

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF NOVEMBER 24, 2016

• Thailand On November 23, 2016 halved its visa on arrival fees, to 1000 baht (around ₹1900), for tourists from India and 18 other countries. 
• The move, intended to boost tourist arrivals, comes less than two months after Thailand increased its visa fees to 2000 baht. 
• Thailand also extended its long-stay visa, for foreigners aged above 50, from one to ten years.
• Boudhanath Stupa, a UNESCO heritage site in Kathmandu that was severely damaged in the 2015 Nepal earthquake, reopened to the public On November 23, 2016 after its reconstruction was completed. 

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF NOVEMBER 22, 23, 2016

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF NOVEMBER 22, 23, 2016

• India On November 22, 2016 became an Associate Member of the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN), the world's largest nuclear and particle physics laboratory. 
• CERN's Director General said that India's membership will open opportunities for Indian industries to participate directly in CERN projects. 
• Note : As a member nation, CERN requires India to make an annual contribution of approx ₹77 crore.
• India was placed at the 20th rank among the 58 countries on the 2017 Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI). 
• The index was released by Germanwatch, an independent German NGO and Climate Action Network Europe.

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF NOVEMBER 20, 21, 2016

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF NOVEMBER 20, 21 ,2016

• On November 21, 2016 World Hello Day was observed.
• Aim : To express that conflicts should be resolved through communication rather than the use of force.
• This day began in 1973 in response to the conflict between Israel and Egypt and since then over 180 countries have taken part in the event.
• On November 21, 2016 World Television Day was observed.
• The United Nations has designated this day, recognising that television plays a major role in presenting different issues that affect people. 
• It seeks to celebrate the philosophy of television, a tool which represents a symbol for communication and globalisation in the contemporary world. 
• 21st of November has been chosen for this day because on November 21-22, 1996 the UN held the first World Television Forum.

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF NOVEMBER 18, 2016

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF NOVEMBER 18, 2016

• On November 17, 2016 World Philosophy Day was observed.
• This day was was introduced in 2002 by UNESCO to honour philosophical reflection in the entire world by opening up free and accessible spaces.
• Pakistan conducted Raad ul Barq (Strike of Thunder) military exercise in a strategically located area in Punjab province, bordering India. 
• It was the comprehensive joint exercise carried out jointly by Pakistan Army and Air Force to reflect the preparedness of our armed forces to respond to any threat to its national security.
• Indian government On November 17, 2016 announced that over 12 lakh houses have been sanctioned for urban poor under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY).

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF NOVEMBER 17, 2016

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF NOVEMBER 17, 2016

• On November 16, 2016 International Day for Tolerance was observed.
• This day is an annual observance declared by UNESCO in 1995 to generate public awareness of the dangers of intolerance.
• The aim of this day is to enhance the awareness about dangers of intolerance and its implications in maintaining the peace among people.
• Theme of 2016 : Promoting Tolerance
• Over 20 countries, including Brazil and France, have become signatories to the framework agreement of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) – launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Paris Climate summit last year. 

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF NOVEMBER 15, 16, 2016

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF NOVEMBER 15, 16, 2016

• Russia has detained Economy Minister Alexei Ulyukayev for allegedly receiving over $2 million (around ₹13.5 crore) in bribes, over an acquisition by state oil company Rosneft. 
• The deal worth $5 billion (₹33 thousand crore) involved Rosneft purchasing a stake in oil producer Bashneft, with the deal being opposed by several government officials believing Bashneft should go to private investors.
• Jharkhand is celebrating the birth anniversary of noted freedom fighter Birsa Munda & 17th State Formation Day.

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF NOVEMBER 14, 2016

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF NOVEMBER 14, 2016

• On Novemer 13, 2016 World Kindness Day was observed.
• This day was introduced in 1998 by the World Kindness Movement a coalition of nations kindness NGOs, aiming for more kindness in the world.
• This day encourages individuals to overlook boundaries, race and religion.
• The India-China Joint Training Exercise "Hand in Hand 2016" is scheduled to be held in Pune from November 15-27. 
• This would mark the 6th annual joint training exercise between the Indian Army and the People's Liberation Army of China. 

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF NOVEMBER 12, 2016

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF NOVEMBER 12, 2016

• G Mahalingam is SEBI’s new Full-Time Member
• Gurumoorthy Mahalingam took charge as Full-Time Member of SEBI on 10th November. 
• He will be responsible for leading the Integrated Surveillance Department, Investment Management Department, Enforcement Department (ED), Foreign Portfolio Investors and Custodians, Collective Investment Schemes, and Department of Economic and Policy Analysis, among others.

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF NOVEMBER 10, 2016

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF NOVEMBER 10, 2016

• Billionaire-turned-politician Donald Trump of Republican Party was elected the 45th President of the United States. 
• He secured the support of 276 of the 538 members of the electoral college, beating Democratic party rival Hillary Clinton. 
• He will formally take charge of the Oval Office on January 20, 2017, dubbed as the 'Inauguration Day'.
• Trump, aged 70, will become the oldest president ever to assume office. 
• This record was earlier held by Republican President Ronald Reagan who assumed office in 1981 when he was 69-years-old. 
• Note : US presidents serve a four-year term and can serve a maximum of two terms.

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF NOVEMBER 11,2016

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF NOVEMBER 11, 2016

• On November 10, 2016 World Science Day for Peace and Development (WSDPD) / World Science Day was observed.
• This day is annually observed on November 10 to raise awareness of the benefits of science worldwide.
• World Science Day for Peace and Development 2016 Theme : “Celebrating Science Centres and Science Museums”
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi left on a 3 day visit to Japan On November 10, 2016's morning. 
• During this visit, he will attend the India - Japan Annual Summit. 
• The summit will be an occasion for Mr. Modi and his counterpart Shinzo Abe for an in-depth exchanges on bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest to further deepen the broad-based and action-oriented partnership between the two countries. 

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF OCT 26, 2016

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF OCT 26, 2016

• Taiwan has announced a simplified group visa policy to encourage tourist groups from Southeast Asian countries, including India and Indonesia, to visit the nation. 
• The group visa is free of cost for five or more people and is aimed at promoting Taiwan as a destination for exhibitions and conferences. 
• Indian Air Force (IAF) chief Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha began his 6-day visit to Russia On Oct 25, 2016.
• The visit comes after India and Russia announced deals worth over $12 billion.
• Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin is on a visit to North Korea.
• This is the first visit by a high-ranking Chinese official since February.

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF OCT 20, 2016

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF OCT 20, 2016

• Mumbai has been ranked 39th in the 2016 Global Power City Index report, which was released by the Mori Memorial Foundation’s Institute for Urban Strategies. 
• The report ranks 42 cities across six key measures of economy, research and development, culture, accessibility, environment, and livability. 
• Note : London topped the rankings for the fifth consecutive year while New York stood second.
• India and Myanmar On Oct 19,2016 agree to enhance engagement in several areas includingAgriculture, Renewable energy & Power sector.

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF OCT 19, 2016

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF OCT 19, 2016

• US President Barack Obama has invited Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi as the guest of honour for the last state dinner that Obama will host at the White House. 

• Brazil On Oct 18, 2016 announced that it will work with member countries of Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) to facilitate India's entry into the group that controls global trade in the atomic field. 
• Brazil's support was conveyed by its President Michel Temer to Prime Minister Narendra Modi during their meeting.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the first National Tribal Carnival in Delhi on 25th October 2016.

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF OCT 18, 2016

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF OCT 18, 2016

• On Oct 17, 2016 International Day for the Eradication of Poverty was observed.
• This day has been observed every year since 1993, when the United Nations General Assembly, by resolution  designated this day to promote awareness of the need to eradicate poverty and destitution in all countries.
• Fighting poverty remains at the core of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the development of the post-2015 development agenda.
• Theme of the year 2016 : “Moving from humiliation and exclusion to participation: Ending poverty in all its forms”

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF OCT 16, 17, 2016

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF OCT 16,17, 2016

• On Oct 16, 2016 World Food Day was observed.
• This day is celebrated every year around the world on 16th October in honor of the date of the founding of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in 1945.
• World Food Day 2016 Theme : Climate is changing. Food and agriculture must too
• Note : Themes of World food day 2016 and International Day of Rural Women 2016 are same.
• On Oct 16, 2016 is World Spine Day.
• Theme of World Spine Day 2016 : Straighten Up and Move
• Finland has been declared the safest country in the world according to the 'Global Travel and Terrorism Report' by the World Economic Forum. 

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF OCT 14, 15, 2016

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF OCT 14, 15, 2016

• On Oct 14, 2016 World Standards Day / International standards day was observed.
• This day was initially launched in 1970, and is now recognized and celebrated by nations around the globe.
• This day honors the efforts of the thousands of experts who develop voluntary standards within standards development organizations such as the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), International Organization for Standardization (ISO), International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF).

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF OCT 13, 2016

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF OCT 13, 2016

• The 28th India and Indonesia Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT) and Second Bilateral Maritime Exercise have commenced at Belawan, Indonesia in the Andaman Sea. 
• The 17-day-long bilateral exercise will demonstrate India’s commitment to its ties with Indonesia and to maritime security in Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
• China and Russia will hold their second anti-missile drills in 2017.
• This comes after South Korea and the US announced their plans to deploy the USTerminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD)system in South Korea to protect against any North Korean threats. 
• Note : North Korea conducted its fifth and biggest nuclear test recently.
• The World Health Organisation has asked all countries to introduce a sugary drinks tax (around 20%) as a way of curbing the obesity rate, especially in children. 

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF OCT 7, 2016

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF OCT 7, 2016

• ISRO successfully launches GSAT-18 from Kourou in French Guiana
• India's latest communication satellite GSAT-18 has been successfully launched by a heavy duty rocket of Arianespace from the spaceport of Kourou in French Guiana. 
• GSAT-18, built by the ISRO, aims at providing telecommunications services for the country by strengthening ISRO's current fleet of 14 operational telecommunication satellites.
• J&K Bank appoints Parvez Ahmed as Chairman & CEO
• Jammu and Kashmir Bank today appointed Parvez Ahmed as Chairman and CEO of the bank.

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF OCT 6, 2016

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF OCT 6, 2016

• World Teachers’ Day: 5 October
• The World Teachers’ Day (WTD) 2016 is being observed across the world on 5th October. 
• The theme for the World Teachers’ Day 2016 is Valuing Teachers, Improving their Status.
• Important Union Cabinet approvals
• Cabinet approves India-EU MoU on water cooperation
• Cabinet approves amendments to HIV/AIDS bill
• Cabinet approves setting up of country’s first Medipark

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF OCT 4,5, 2016

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF OCT 4,5,2016

• RBI announces 4th Bi-monthly Policy Statement
• RBI's 24th Governor Urjit Patel, who has been recently appointed, has announced his first and country's 4th Bi-monthly Policy Statement for the  year 2016-17.
• The RBI has reduced the policy Repo Rate under the liquidity adjustment facility (LAF) by 25 basis points from 6.5% to 6.25% with immediate effect. 
• Three researchers share 2016 Nobel prize in physics
• The Nobel Prize in Physics for 2016 has been awarded to scientists - David J Thouless, who receives half the prize, and Duncan M. Haldane and J. Michael Kosterlitz, who share the other half.