National Women Premier Chess Championship

International chess master Padmini Rout won the National Women Premier Chess Championship for the third time. She was representing Petroleum Sports Promotion Board (PSPB) and to secure a hat-trick of title wins after hard fought draw with her PSPB teammate Eesha Karavade.

S Vijayalakshmi of Air India won silver medal.

Eesha Karavade of PSPB bagged bronze medal.

The victory has ensured that Padmini will be a part of the Indian women team in the next World team chess championship. The other two confirmed members of the team are Grandmasters Koneru Humpy and D Harika.

New INTERPOL President

Meng Hongwei, a politician of People’s Republic of China, has been elected as the new President of International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL). With this, he becomes first Chinese citizen to hold the four-year post.  He was elected at the INTERPOL’s 85th annual general assembly held in Bali, Indonesia and succeeds Mireille “Ballen” Ballestrazzi.

INTERPOL:

Interpol is the 2nd-largest international organization after the United Nations in terms of international representation. The headquartered of INTERPOL is located at Lyon, France. Its work focuses on public safety and battling terrorism, crimes against humanity, environmental crime, genocide, war crimes, etc.

Japan has signed a civil nuclear cooperation deal with India

Japan has signed a historic civil nuclear cooperation deal with India, opening the door for collaboration between their industries in the field even as the countries signed nine other agreements in various areas to bolster bilateral ties. With this, India has become the first non-NPT country with which Japan has signed a Civil Nuclear Agreement. The civil nuclear agreement between the two countries was not realized so far manly because India did not fit into Japan’s ‘Hikaku San Gensoku’ or three non-nuclear principles. These principles adopted in a resolution by Japanese parliament provide that Japan would neither possess nor manufacture nuclear weapons, nor shall it permit their introduction into Japanese territory.

2016 Golden Peacock Award for Corporate Governance

'Maharatna' firm, Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) has won the prestigious 2016 Golden Peacock Award for Corporate Governance. The award was received by Ashwini Kumar, CEO of Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP) on behalf of SAIL during the 16th London Global Convention on Corporate Governance and Sustainability in London, UK. SAIL was presented the award on account of its exemplary performance in the field of corporate governance that is for balancing the interests of all the stakeholders of the company -- shareholders, management, customers, suppliers, financiers, government and the community.

About Golden Peacock Award:

Golden Peacock Awards, instituted by the Institute Of Directors (IOD), India in 1991, are now regarded as a benchmark of Corporate Excellence worldwide.

Golden Peacock Awards, established now for over 25 years, excel. Golden Peacock Awards for Corporate Leadership and Institutional Excellence, over the time, have become a hallmark of excellence, both locally and globally. No award has achieved such respectability and admiration from the industry as the ‘Golden Peacock Awards’, which today receives around 1000 applications for various Awards each year. This is largely due to its transparent and 3-Tier evaluation process, based on internationally recognized criteria. Besides recognition & Award, mere preparation of information and compilation of data required for ‘Self-Appraisal Report’, helps to align & inspire the entire workforce and rapidly accelerates the pace of systems improvement in an organization. Award winners are eligible to use the Golden Peacock Awards Logo with year on all printed and promotional materials, which evidences the highest accolade received by the organisation.

World Science Day

To raise awareness of benefits of science in our daily life,10 November 2016 is observed as World Science Day for Peace and Development.

2016 Theme:

“Celebrating Science Centres and Science Museums”. It highlights the importance of science centres and museums for capacity building and to send strong messages about the importance of science for sustainable development. To mark the day, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) had organised special campaigns, visits to science museums for school children, etc.

Director-General(DG) of the International Labour Organisation

Guy Ryder was re-elected as the Director-General(DG) of the International Labour Organisation(ILO)for another five term. He was elected by the Governing Body of the International Labour Organization (ILO) and received 54 of the 56 votes. Ryder is the 10th DG of ILO and was elected for the first time in May 2012. He has some 35 years of experience in the world of work.

About ILO:

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) is a United Nations Agency dealing with Labour Issues. It has 187 state members. In 1969,the organisation received the Nobel Peace Prize for improving peace among classes,pursuing decent work and justice for workers and proving technical assistance to other developing countries. The ILO register complaints against entities that are violating international rules.

APEC meeting

Peru is scheduled to host the 2016 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Meeting,from November 19 to 20, 2016. The theme of the summit is “Quality Growth and Human Development” and the official logo is the architecture of the ancient city of Caral. It will be the second time Peru hosting to the APEC Summit, previously it had hosted the event in 2008. The 2016 summit will gather leaders from the world’s 21 most important member economies, as well as over 1,500 investors and entrepreneurs.

Agenda

Four priority areas were laid out as topics to be discussed for the 2016 APEC summit. These are Human Capital Development, Upgrading SMEs, Regional Food Market, and Regional Economic Integration Agenda. These subjects were chosen to build upon on the discussions from the previous APEC summit in the Philippines.

Donald Trump, new American president

Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th President of United States. He will be the first President of USA without political experience since Dwight D. Eisenhower (34th President). Besides, he is the oldest first term President of USA. He will succeed Barack Obama and is scheduled to take office as the President of the USA on 20 January 2017. In the 2016 Presidential elections, Donald Trump gained 48% of the votes and 279 votes in the Electoral College to defeat Democrat Party opponent Hillary Clinton who gained 47% votes. Hillary Clinton had created history in this election by becoming the first woman to top the presidential ticket of a major US political party.

Trump who addressed the nation from the US capitol has promised to rebuilt the nation. He also promised to bring back their dreams wherein America First will be the key to his governance.

Surya Kiran-X

Indo-Nepal Joint Military Exercise Surya Kiran-X commenced at Army Battle School, Saljhandi, Nepal. It is the tenth in the series of such exercise between the two nations and is scheduled from 31 October to 13 November 16. The Surya Kiran series of Exercises are being conducted annually, alternatively in Nepal and India. Notably in the series of military training exercises undertaken by India with various countries, Surya Kiran series with Nepal is the largest in terms of troop’s participation.

         

            Indian Army is represented by the elite Kumaon Regt, while Jabar Jung Battalion of Nepal Army is participating in this edition of the joint exercise on behalf of Nepal Army. The aim of this exercise is to conduct battalion level joint training with emphasis on Counter Terrorism in mountainous terrain. Aspects of Disaster Management have also been included in the exercise.

The Joint Battalion Level Exercise will enhance defence co-operation and relations between the two nations.  It is an ideal platform for the contingent of both nations to share their experience and gain mutually. The Exercise will be yet another step towards taking traditional friendship between the two nations to greater heights.

Paris agreement

The Paris agreement entered into force on 4 November 2016. The agreement deals with greenhouse gases mitigation,adaption and finance. 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. At present, 94 parties have ratified the convention,India was 62nd country to ratify it.

About Paris Agreement:

It is an agreement within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change(UNFCCC). It was opened for signature on 22 April 2016 in a ceremony in New York city. As on November 2016, 193 UNFCCC members has signed the treaty,97 of which had ratified it.

Objectives(Agreement on Climate Change):

It is an international climate deal to combat climate change. It facilitates enforcement of global GHGs reduction measures in the post-2020 i.e. in post Kyoto Protocol scenario. 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. It empowers countries to determine how to cut their emissions but mandates that they report transparently on those efforts.

SAMPRITI 2016

As part of the ongoing India Bangladesh defence cooperation, a joint military training exercise SAMPRITI 2016 is being conducted at Tangail, Dhaka, Bangladesh from 05 to 18 November 2016. Exercise SAMPRITI is an important bilateral defence cooperation endeavour between India and Bangladesh and will be the sixth edition of the exercise which is hosted alternately by both countries.

The joint exercise SAMPRITI 2016 will simulate a scenario where both nations are working together in a Counter Insurgency and Counter Terrorism environment under the UN Charter. The exercise curriculum is progressively planned where the participants will initially get familiar with each other’s organizational structure and tactical drills. Subsequently, the training will advance to joint tactical exercises wherein the battle drills of both the armies will be practiced. The training will culminate with a final validation exercise in which troops of both armies will jointly practice a Counter Terrorist Operation in a controlled and simulated environment.

2016 Asian Champions Trophy

Indian Women’s hockey team has won the 2016 Asian Champions Trophy by defeating China by 2-1 goals.Hockey tournament was held in singapore. The first goal for India was scored by Deep Grace Ekka in the 13th minute which was equalised by China’s Zhong Mengling in the 44th minute. The second and winning goal was scored by Deepika Thakur that gave the India formidable lead to win the tournatment.

AIBA Youth World Boxing Championship

Rising boxer Sachin Singh,won gold medal in the finals of AIBA Youth World Boxing Championship in St. Petersburg. With this he became the third Indian boxer ever to win gold medal in the AIBA Youth World Championships. Others are Thokchom Nanao Singh (2008) and Vikas Krishan (2010). India won with one gold medal and a bronze medal, marking improvement from the solitary bronze medal won in the 2014 edition. Naman Tanwar had to settle for a bronze medal after losing in the semifinal in the 91 kg category.

UNCITRAL golden jubilee celebrations

India hosted the golden jubilee 50th anniversary celebrations of United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) in New Delhi. President Pranab Mukherjee gave the opening address. UNCITRAL was established by the UN General Assembly (UNGA) in 1966 to promote the progressive unification and harmonisation of international trade law. India is a founding member of UNCITRAL. India is only one of eight countries which have been a member of UNCITRAL since its inception. It has a membership of 60 States selected from among States Members of the UN. In 2015, India was re-elected for a term of six years (2016-2022). Out of total 60 members, 14 are Asian states, 14 are African, 10 Latin  American & Caribbean states, 8 Eastern European and 14 Western European and other States.

Global wealth report

The total quantum of wealth in India is rising but disparity between rich and poor is also rising as per a report on global wealth published by Credit Suisse. The uneven growth has left 96 per cent of the adult population in India at the base of the wealth pyramid. Further, wealth in India is dominated by property and other real estate that make up 86 per cent of its estimated household assets, according to the global financial services major. However, a small fraction of the adult population (0.3%) has net worth of more than $100,000.

Indian Scenario: The wealth in India is mostly dominated by property and other real estate. It makes up 86% of its estimated household assets. The wealth in India in local currency terms increased 5.1% in 2016 but due to adverse currency exchange movements. India’s household wealth fell by 0.8% to $3 trillion in dollar terms. The annual growth of wealth per adult in rupees has averaged 6% between 2000 and 2016. The number of millionaires remained flat at 1.78 lakh with $973 billion in wealth. Among these, ultra high-networth individuals increased by 5.2% to 2,260, including 1,040 with more than $100 million. The number of millionaires in India is projected to increase by 9.5% in the next five years to 2.8 lakh in 2021. Meanwhile, the personal debts are estimated to be 9% of gross assets in India which is much lower than in most developed countries.

Global Scenario:Overall growth in wealth remained limited in 2016. It is continuing the trend that had emerged in 2013 and is contrasting sharply with the double-digit growth rates witnessed before the global financial crisis of 2008. The total global wealth in 2016 edged up by 1.4% or $3.5 trillion to a total of $256 trillion, a rise in line with the increase in the world’s adult population.

India in CERN

India became an associate member of the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN), the world’s largest nuclear and particle physics laboratory.  The agreement was signed by Dr. Sekhar Basu, Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) and CERN Director General Dr. Fabiola Gianotti in Mumbai, Maharashtra. As an associate member, India can take part in meetings of the CERN Council and its committees (Scientific Policy Committee and Finance Committee). However India will not have voting rights on decisions of the council. It will open up new avenues for Indian scientists to engage with their counterparts in front line research in physics and engineering It will help to boost India’s science credentials and give access to high end scientific technology. It will also make Indian scientists eligible for staff appointments in CERN.India will formally become member of CERN around January 2017 after depositing an instrument of ratification.

China Open badminton tournament

Olympic silver medalist PV Sindhu clinched her maiden Super Series Premier title after edging out Sun Yu of China in the final of the $700,000 China Open badminton tournament.In the summit clash held in Fuzhao, Sindhu (World No 11) defeated China’s Sun Yu (World No 9) by 21-11, 17-21, 21-11 score In the Rio Olympics, she became the first Indian woman shuttler to clinch the silver medal.

2016 Nobel Prize in medicine

Japanese cell biologist Yoshinori Ohsumi,has won the 2016 Nobel Prize in medicine for discoveries on how cells break down and recycle their own components. Ohsumi,,will receive the prestigious 8m Swedish kronor (£718,000) award for uncovering “mechanisms for autophagy”, a fundamental process in cells that scientists believe can be harnessed to fight cancer and dementiaWith this he becomes the 23rd Japanese national to win a Nobel prize and overall the sixth Japanese medicine Nobel laureate. Mr. Ohsumi had received a PhD from the University of Tokyo in 1974. Currently, he is a professor at the Tokyo Institute of Technology (TIT).

Nobel prize in physics

Three British scientists David Thouless, Duncan Haldane and Michael Kosterlitz have won the Nobel prize in physics for their work on exotic states of matter that may pave the way for quantum computers and other revolutionary technologies. They will share the 8 million Swedish kronor prize. These trio physicists had worked in the field of condensed matter physics and have discovered totally unexpected behaviours of solid materials. Based on their individual discoveries they came up with a mathematical framework in the field of topology to explain these weird properties. The discoveries have paved the way for designing new materials with all sorts of novel properties that have significant potential revolutionize advances in electronics and future quantum computers.

David J Thouless: He is Emeritus Professor at the University of Washington, Seattle, US.

Duncan M. Haldane: He is the Eugene Higgins Professor of Physics at Princeton University, US.

Michael Kosterlitz: He is the Harrison E. Farnsworth Professor of Physics at Brown University, US.

International Astronautical Federation 'Hall of Fame' award

Former ISRO Chairman and space scientist Prof Udupi Ramachandra Rao became the first Indian to be given the 'Hall of Fame' award by the International Astronautical Federation ( IAF ). The award has been given for his "outstanding contribution to the progress of astronautics within the framework of the IAF activities''. He was inducted during the closing ceremony of the 67th IAF Congress 2016 held at Guadalajara, Mexico.

Under his guidance, ISRO had designed more than 20 satellites including India’s first satellite Aryabhatta. Under his leadership, India had initiated the development of the geostationary launch vehicle GSLV and the development of cryogenic technology in 1991.He also had served as the first Chairman of Antrix Corporation, the commercial arm of the ISRO. He has published more than 260 scientific and technical papers in various journals. He had played pivotal role in promoting the use of space technology for broadcasting, meteorology, education, disaster warning and remote sensing.