Current affairs : November 19, 2016 for all competitive exams
World Toilet Day: 19 November
World Toilet Day is observed
on 19 November every year with an aim to motivate millions across the world on
issues of sanitation.
- The theme for 2016 World Toilet Day is ‘toilets and jobs’.
- The theme, toilets and jobs, focuses on how sanitation or the lack of it can impact livelihoods of people.
Navy inducts four indigenously developed sonars systems
Navy has formally inducted four types of indigenously developed sonars that
will boost its underwater surveillance capability.
- The systems have been designed and developed by
NPOL, a Kochi based laboratory of DRDO.
The newly inducted systems include:
1. Abhay – compact hull mounted sonar for shallow water
crafts.
2. Humsa UG – upgrade for the Humsa sonar system.
3. AIDSS – Advanced Indigenous Distress sonar system
for submarines.
4. NACS – Near-field Acoustic Characterisation System.
Revised DTAA Agreement signed between India and Cyprus
A revised Agreement between India and Cyprus for the Avoidance of Double
Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal evasion (DTAA) with respect to taxes on
income, along with its Protocol, was recently signed in Nicosia.
- The agreement will replace the existing DTAA that
was signed by two countries in June 1994.
- New DTAA provides for source based taxation of
capital gains arising from alienation of shares, instead of residence
based taxation provided under the existing DTAA.
- However, a grandfathering clause has been provided for investments made prior to 1st April, 2017, in respect of which capital gains would continue to be taxed in the country of which taxpayer is a resident.
India and UK Sign three Bilateral Advance Pricing
Agreements
The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has signed three Bilateral Advance
Pricing Agreements (APAs) with UK taking the total number of APAs signed [both-
bilateral and unilateral] so far to 111.
- The newly signed Agreements cover international transactions in the nature of payment of intra-group service charges and pertain to the telecom industry. They also have a roll-back provision.
UD Ministry begins approval of long term investment plans
Seeking to ensure timely implementation of basic urban infrastructure
projects and achieve mission targets by 2019-20, the Ministry of Urban
Development, in a paradigm shift has begun approving investments in water
supply, sewerage networks etc., for the next three financial years under Atal
Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT).
- In this regard, an Inter-Ministerial Apex Committee of AMRUT recently approved investments of Rs.5,815 cr during 2017-20 in the States of Gujrat, Rajasthan, Punjab, Bihar and Tripura.
World Internet Conference 2016
concludes in Wuzhen, China
The 2016 World Internet
Conference concluded on 18 November 2016 in Wuzhen, China.
- The theme of the 3rd World Internet Conference, which commenced on 16 November 2016, was Innovation-driven Internet Development for the Benefit of All – Building a Community of Common Future in Cyberspace.
Marrakech Action Proclamation sends out a strong
signal on climate
The nearly 200 nations
attending the UN climate summit here, adopted the Marrakech Action
Proclamation, sending out a strong signal to the world on climate action.
- Responding to an invitation to this end by the King of Morocco, Mohammed VI, heads of state from close to 90 countries and delegations from other UN member countries issued this proclamation, a key document emerging from the negotiations at COP22, to signal a shift towards a new era of implementation and action on climate and sustainable development.
Tata Trusts unveils tie-up with Yunus
Nobel Peace Prize winner
Prof. Muhammad Yunus’s social business accelerator, Yunus Social Business
(YSB), and Tata Trusts unveiled the Indian Corporate Action Tank (ICAT), the
country’s first incubator for large organisations to create social businesses that
will address problems in areas like healthcare, nutrition and sanitation in a
financially sustainable manner.
- Prof. Yunus was conferred the Nobel for his work in the social sector, including setting up Grameen Bank, a microfinance organisation in Bangladesh.
Khehar made NALSA executive chairman
The Union government has announced that Jagdish Singh Khehar, a judge of
the Supreme Court, will be the new Executive Chairman of the National Legal
Services Authority (NALSA). He succeeds Anil R. Dave.
- NALSA has been constituted under the Legal Services
Authorities Act, 1987, to provide free legal services to weaker sections
of society.
Quami Ekta Week:
With a view to foster and reinforce the spirit of Communal Harmony,
National Integration and pride in vibrant, composite culture and nationhood,
the “Qaumi Ekta Week” (National Integration Week) is being observed all over
the country for one week.
- The observation of the ‘Quami Ekta Week’ will help to highlight the inherent strength and resilience of our nation to withstand actual and potential threats to the eclectic and secular fabric of our country, and nurture a spirit of communal harmony in its widest sense.
Donald Trump picks Michael
Flynn as NSA
United States
president-elect Donald Trump has named Michael Flynn, an ex-army general as his
National security adviser.
- Flynn served as Mr Trump's top military advisor
during the Presidential campaign.
- Mr Trump chose Republican Senator Jeff Sessions as
his Attorney General and Congressman Mike Pompeo as Director of the
Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
Ami Bera has been re-elected
to the US House of Representatives for a 3rd consecutive term in a close
election.
- This is the first time that the House would have 4
Indian-American members.
- Another Indian-American Kamala Harris has been elected to the US Senate.
Latin Grammy Awards 2016
The 17th annual Latin
Grammys has been announced at the T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada, US.
The nominations were
announced on September 21, 2016. Latin Grammy Award is given by The Latin
Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences to recognize outstanding achievement
in the Latin music industry.
List of Winners:
1. Record of the Year-Carlos
Vives & Shakira, "La Bicicleta
2. Best Rock Album-Los
Fabulosos Cadillacs, La Salvación De Solo Y Juan
3. Best Pop/Rock
Album-Julieta Venegas, Algo Sucede
4. Best Singer-Songwriter
Album-Manuel Medrano, Manuel Medrano
5. Best Regional
Song-"Ataúd," Erika Ender, Manu Moreno & Mónica Vélez,
songwriters (Los Tigres Del Norte).
Pt Hari Prasad Chourasia gets
lifetime achievement award for classical music
Noted flautist Pt Hari
Prasad Chourasia has been conferred this year’s Sumitra Charat Ram Award for
lifetime achievement in the field of Indian classical music.
- The Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan awardee has also worked as a music director for Indian films, besides collaborating with several international musicians.
Tata Consultancy Services and
Vedanta wins ACES awards
Two leading Indian
companies, Tata Consultancy Services and Vedanta have been awarded for their
leadership in sustainability, corporate social responsibility,
eco-consciousness and community care at the third annual Asia Corporate
Excellence and Sustainability Awards (ACES).
- TATA Consultancy Services (TCS) was named Industry
Champions in the Leadership category.
- India’s Vedanta Limited was named “Top Companies to Work For in Asia.”
