18th November 2024 Current Affairs (Daily GK Update)

National News

US Returns $10 Million Worth of Looted Antiques to India

In a major development, the United States has returned over 1,400 looted artifacts worth $10 million to India as part of an ongoing initiative to repatriate stolen cultural items from South and Southeast Asia. Among the returned artifacts is a celestial dancer sandstone sculpture, which had been illegally smuggled from central India to London before being sold to a patron of the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

International News

Typhoon Man-yi Strikes Northern Philippines

Super Typhoon Man-yi, locally known as Pepito, has made a second landfall on the Philippines’ main island of Luzon, bringing severe winds, torrential rains, and life-threatening storm surges. The powerful storm has caused widespread damage, particularly in Cantanduanes, where it uprooted trees, destroyed buildings, and disrupted power supplies. 

State News

University of Wollongong Opens India Campus at Gujarat’s GIFT City

In a significant move to expand its global presence, Australia’s University of Wollongong (UOW) has officially inaugurated its India campus at Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) in Gandhinagar. The new campus, offering Master’s degrees in Financial Technology and a Graduate Certificate in Financial Technology, marks a strategic entry into the Indian educational landscape, aligning with India’s rapidly growing fintech sector. This development comes on the heels of Deakin University’s opening of its own campus in GIFT City earlier in July 2024.

Odisha’s 24 Coastal Villages Recognised as ‘Tsunami Ready’ by UNESCO

In a major achievement for Odisha, 24 coastal villages from six districts have been officially recognised as ‘Tsunami Ready’ by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO. This recognition was granted during the 2nd Global Tsunami Symposium in Indonesia on November 11, 2024, marking a significant milestone in the state’s efforts to improve disaster preparedness and community resilience in tsunami-prone areas.

Defence News

India’s Hypersonic Missile Test A Leap in Defense Technology

India has successfully conducted the flight trial of its first long-range hypersonic missile, a significant achievement in the country’s defense capabilities. This development places India in an exclusive group of nations with the technology to deploy hypersonic weapons.

Banking News

Karnataka Bank Launches Innovative Financial Products for Students

Karnataka Bank Ltd. has introduced two student-focused financial products, ‘KBL Peak’ and ‘KBL Genius’, aiming to support students in achieving their academic goals and managing their finances efficiently. These products, launched on World Prematurity Day, enhance the bank’s commitment to contributing to India’s educational and economic growth by providing financial freedom to students. With ‘KBL Peak’ offering education loans up to ₹2 crore and ‘KBL Genius’ featuring a student savings account with free cyber insurance, the bank strengthens its ties with educational institutions across the country.

Business News

Moody’s Optimistic About India’s Economic Growth Despite Volatility

Moody’s Ratings has projected steady growth for India, maintaining its forecast of 7.2% GDP growth for 2024, despite some signs of slowdown in urban demand and mixed corporate results in Q2. The global rating agency highlighted positive economic indicators, including strong household consumption, increased rural demand, robust investment, and manufacturing activity. These factors, combined with government infrastructure spending and rising capacity utilization, support the outlook for the country’s economy.

Galaxy Health Insurance Launches ‘Galaxy Promise’ to Tackle Rising Healthcare Costs

Galaxy Health Insurance has launched its first product, ‘Galaxy Promise’, offering comprehensive family health coverage with flexible sum insured options ranging from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 1 crore. This product is aimed at providing affordable healthcare solutions amidst rising medical costs, with various plans catering to different customer needs.

Tata Acquires Majority Stake in Pegatron’s iPhone Plant in Tamil Nadu

Tata Electronics has secured a deal to acquire a 60% stake in Pegatron’s only iPhone plant in India, located in Tamil Nadu. This partnership strengthens Tata’s position as a major Apple supplier and marks a significant shift in the geopolitical supply chain dynamics, with India becoming a key hub for iPhone manufacturing. The joint venture will involve Tata handling day-to-day operations, while Pegatron provides technical support. The plant, which employs around 10,000 people, currently produces 5 million iPhones annually. This acquisition places Tata at the forefront of Apple’s efforts to diversify its manufacturing away from China.

Important Days News

World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week (WAAW), 18-24 November

World AMR Awareness Week (WAAW) is an annual global campaign observed from 18-24 November. Its primary objective is to raise awareness and understanding of AMR and encourage best practices to mitigate the emergence and spread of drug-resistant infections.

The campaign involves stakeholders from the One Health sectors, which include human health, animal health, plant health, and environmental health.

World Day for the Prevention of and Healing from Child Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Violence 2024

World Day for the Prevention of and Healing from Child Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Violence Observed on November 18, this day emphasizes raising awareness about the widespread and devastating issue of child sexual abuse and violence. It aims to promote global action to prevent abuse, provide healing, and uphold the rights and dignity of affected children.

Appointments News

Harbhajan & Sania Mirza Named Dubai Sports Council Ambassadors

The Dubai Sports Council has appointed four global sports icons as its Sports Ambassadors, including former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh and renowned tennis player Sania Mirza. This initiative aims to enhance Dubai’s reputation as a global sports destination and strengthen its sports ecosystem by attracting prestigious international events, nurturing local talent, and promoting sports tourism.

Valdecy Urquiza Elected New Secretary General of Interpol

Brazilian Federal Police Commissioner Valdecy Urquiza has been elected as the new Secretary General of Interpol at the organization’s 92nd General Assembly, held in Glasgow, Scotland, from November 4 to 7, 2024. Urquiza will take over the role from the outgoing Secretary General, Jurgen Stock, on November 7, 2024, marking a significant leadership transition in the world’s largest police organization.

Summits and Conferences News

UAE Unveils Energy Efficiency Alliance at COP29

The UAE has announced the establishment of the Global Energy Efficiency Alliance at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan. This initiative aims to double annual global energy efficiency rates by 2030, aligning with the UAE’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable resource use. Building on the historic ‘UAE Consensus’ established at COP28, this alliance seeks to foster international collaboration and innovation in energy efficiency, emphasizing the role of knowledge sharing, partnerships, and investment in achieving sustainability goals.

Awards News

Victoria Kjaer Theilvig Becomes Denmark’s First Miss Universe

The 73rd Miss Universe pageant held in Mexico marked a historic milestone for Denmark as Victoria Kjaer Theilvig was crowned the nation’s first-ever Miss Universe. The 21-year-old from Søborg outshone 125 participants, including India’s Rhea Singha, and became a global sensation. With her blend of intelligence, elegance, and advocacy, Victoria made history and inspired millions worldwide.

PM Honored with “Grand Commander of the Order of Niger”

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi was conferred the prestigious national award, “Grand Commander of the Order of Niger”, by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, H.E. Mr. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, at the State House. This honor celebrates Prime Minister Modi’s visionary leadership, transformative governance, and significant contributions to fostering stronger India-Nigeria ties and the aspirations of the Global South.

Science and Technology News

NASA Partners with Microsoft to Simplify Access to Earth Science Data

NASA and Microsoft have collaborated to create “Earth Copilot,” an AI-driven chatbot aimed at democratizing access to complex Earth Science data. Earth Copilot leverages Microsoft’s Azure cloud and advanced AI capabilities to make NASA’s extensive geospatial data repository accessible to a broader audience. Traditionally complex and requiring expert knowledge, this data can now be retrieved using simple, plain-language queries, such as assessing the impact of hurricanes or monitoring climate change effects.

SpaceX to Launch India’s Communication Satellite GSAT-20

India’s heavy communication satellite GSAT-20, weighing 4,700 kg, will be launched from Cape Canaveral, USA, by Elon Musk’s SpaceX on November 19, 2024. The satellite, developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), will provide essential communication services, including internet connectivity to remote areas. This marks a significant milestone in India’s space endeavors, as the satellite is too heavy for India’s own launch vehicle, the LVM-3 “Bahubali.”

Sports News

FIFA Unveils NASA-Inspired Trophy for Expanded 2025 Club World Cup

FIFA has revealed the new 2025 Club World Cup trophy, a golden masterpiece created in collaboration with Tiffany & Co. The trophy, which will be awarded at the first-ever 32-team tournament in June and July 2025, boasts a 24-carat gold-plated finish and intricate engravings symbolizing football’s past and future. Inspired by NASA’s Voyager missions, the periodic table, and astronomical maps, it signifies a new chapter in the sport’s history. Despite backlash over the tournament’s expansion, FIFA envisions the trophy as a prestigious symbol for the future of club football.