2020 Bahrain Grand Prix

 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix

 
The 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race that took place over 57 laps on 29 November 2020 on the 'Grand Prix Circuit' configuration at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain.

The race was the fifteenth round of the 2020 Formula One World Championship.

This race was the first of two back to back Formula One races scheduled to be held in Bahrain.

The second race, named the Sakhir Grand Prix, is due to take place at the same venue on 6 December, but will be held on a different circuit layout.

4th NSA-level meeting held between India, Sri Lanka and Maldives

4th NSA-level meeting held between India, Sri Lanka and Maldives

The fourth National Security Advisor Level Meeting on Trilateral Maritime Security Cooperation was held between India, Sri Lanka and Maldives in Colombo .

The participants took stock of the current maritime security environment in the region.

They have discussed mutual cooperation in an array of areas including Maritime Domain Awareness, Humanitarian Assistance, Disaster Relief, Joint Exercises and Maritime pollution.

Exchanging views on common security threats, India, Sri Lanka, and Maldives have agreed to broad base cooperation on a host of maritime security related issues.

New Zealand's Greg Barclay elected as new chairman of International Cricket Council

New Zealand's Greg Barclay elected as new chairman of International Cricket Council

New Zealand's Greg Barclay has been elected as the new independent chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC).

The head of the New Zealand Cricket team, NZC, Barclay beat Imran Khwaja in the second round of voting.

Imran was interim chairman after Shashank Manohar stepped down from the post in July this year.

In the first round of voting last week, Barclay had 10 votes to Khwaja's six, and needed 11 votes for a two-thirds majority of the 16-person ICC Board. That vote arrived from Cricket South Africa in a second round of voting. Barclay is the second independent chairman of the world body, after Shashank Manohar of India.

A commercial lawyer by trade, Barclay has served as a director of NZC since 2012. He was a director of 2015 Men's World Cup, held in Australia and New Zealand. He is also an experienced company director holding board positions with various New Zealand and Australian companies.

Constitution Day

Constitution Day

Constitution Day, also known as National Law Day, is celebrated in India on 26 November every year to commemorate the adoption of the Constitution of India.

On 26 November 1949, the Constituent Assembly of India adopted the Constitution of India, and it came into effect on 26 January 1950.

The Government of India declared 26 November as Constitution Day on 19 November 2015 by a gazette notification. 

Diego Armando Maradona

 Diego Armando Maradona was an Argentine professional football player and manager.

Widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, he was one of the two joint winners of the FIFA Player of the 20th Century award.

Maradona was the first player in football history to set the world record transfer fee twice, first when he transferred to Barcelona for a then-world record £5 million, and second, when he transferred to Napoli for another record fee £6.9 million

He played for Argentinos Juniors, Boca Juniors, Barcelona, Napoli, Sevilla and Newell's Old Boys during his club career.

In his international career with Argentina, he earned 91 caps and scored 34 goals. Maradona played in four FIFA World Cups, including the 1986 World Cup in Mexico where he captained Argentina and led them to victory over West Germany in the final, and won the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player.

Maradona became the coach of Argentina's national football team in November 2008. He was in charge of the team at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa before leaving at the end of the tournament

China’s moon mission

  China’s moon mission

China launched an ambitious mission on Tuesday to bring back rocks and debris from the moon’s surface for the first time in more than 40 years

this undertaking that could boost human understanding of the moon and solar system.

The Long March-5, China’s largest carrier rocket, blasted off at 4:30am Beijing time  in a launch from Wenchang Space Launch Center on the southern Chinese island of Hainan carrying the Chang’e-5 spacecraft.

The Chang’e-5 mission, named after the ancient Chinese goddess of the moon, will seek to collect lunar material to help scientists understand more about the moon’s origins and formation.

The mission will test China’s ability to remotely acquire samples from space, ahead of more complex missions.

If the mission is completed as planned, it would make China only the third country to have retrieved lunar samples, joining the United States and the Soviet Union.

Daniil Medvedev beat Dominic Thiem to win ATP Tour Finals in London

 Daniil Medvedev beat Dominic Thiem to win ATP Tour Finals in London

 Daniil Medvedev beat Dominic Thiem to win ATP Tour Finals, the biggest title of his career.

Medvedev fought back from losing the first set to beat Thiem 4-6, 7-6, 6-4 in a thrilling final in London last night.

Thiem was denied the title second year in a row.

In the doubles final, Dutch-Croatian duo Wesley Koolhof and Nikola Mektic claimed their first title together edging Jurgen Melzer and Edouard Roger-Vasselin 6-2, 3-6, 10-5.

Two day 15th G20 Summit chaired by Saudi Arabia began

 Two day 15th G20 Summit chaired by Saudi Arabia began

The  15th G20 Summit has begun today in a virtual format. The two-day Summit is chaired by Saudi Arabia and the theme is "Realising the Opportunities of the 21st Century for All”.

The summit is the second G20 Leaders’ meeting this year.

During the Summit, the leaders will discuss pandemic preparedness and the ways and means to restore jobs.

India will enter the G20 Troika, along with Saudi Arabia when Italy will take over the Presidency of the G20 on 1st December this year.

India - Singapore Bilateral Maritime Exercise SIMBEX-20 to begin today in Andaman Sea

 India - Singapore Bilateral Maritime Exercise SIMBEX-20 to begin today in Andaman Sea

Indian Navy is scheduled to host the 27th edition of India - Singapore Bilateral Maritime Exercise SIMBEX-20 from today in Andaman Sea.
 
It will continue till 25th of this month.
 
The SIMBEX series of exercises between Indian Navy and Republic of Singapore Navy  being conducted annually since 1994, are aimed at enhancing mutual inter-operability and imbibing best practices from each other.
 
The scope and complexity of these exercises has increased steadily over the past two decades to include advanced naval drills covering a wide spectrum of maritime operations.
 
The 2020 edition of SIMBEX will witness participation by Indian Navy ships including destroyer Rana with integral Chetak helicopter and indigenously built corvettes Kamorta and Karmuk.
 
SIMBEX-20 will witness the two friendly navies participate in advanced surface, anti-air warfare and anti-submarine warfare exercises including weapon firings, over three days of intensive joint operations at sea.
   
SIMBEX series of exercises exemplify the high level of coordination and convergence of views between India and Singapore, particularly in the maritime domain, towards enhancing the overall maritime security in the region and highlight their commitment to a rules-based international order.

World Children's Day

World Children's Day

World Children’s Day was first established in 1954 as Universal Children's Day and is celebrated on 20 November each year to promote international togetherness, awareness among children worldwide, and improving children's welfare.

November 20th is an important date as it is the date in 1959 when the UN General Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child. It is also the date in 1989 when the UN General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Since 1990, World Children's Day also marks the anniversary of the date that the UN General Assembly adopted both the Declaration and the Convention on children's rights.

World Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Day

 World Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Day

The 19th annual World COPD Day will take place on 18 November 2020.

20 November 2019 is the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease’s World COPD day. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic lung disease.

The main symptoms are shortness of breath, cough, and sputum production

COPD is caused by breathing in noxious particles or gases from either tobacco smoking or environmental factors such as exposure to biomass fuel or air pollution.

This year’s theme, “Living Well With COPD- Everybody, Everywhere”

World Antimicrobial Awareness Week

 World Antimicrobial Awareness Week

World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW) aims to increase awareness of global antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and to encourage best practices among the general public, health workers and policy makers to avoid the further emergence and spread of drug-resistant infections.

Following a stakeholder's consultation meeting in May 2020 organized by the Tripartite Organizations (the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and WHO) the scope of WAAW was expanded, changing its focus from "antibiotics" to the more encompassing and inclusive term "antimicrobials".

Expanding the scope of the campaign to all antimicrobials will facilitate a more inclusive global response to antimicrobial resistance and support a multisectoral One Health Approach with increased stakeholder engagement.

The Tripartite Executive Committee has decided to fix WAAW dates to 18-24 November every year starting from 2020.

The slogan for 2020 will be "Antimicrobials: handle with care" applicable to all sectors.

The theme for the human health sector for WAAW 2020 is “United to preserve antimicrobials".

2020 Turkish Grand Prix

 2020 Turkish Grand Prix

The 2020 Turkish Grand Prix   was a motor race for Formula One cars which took place on 15 November 2020 at Istanbul Park in Tuzla, Turkey.

The race was the 14th round of the 2020 Formula One World Championship and the eighth running of the Turkish Grand Prix since the event was first held in 2005.

The race was won by Lewis Hamilton ahead of Sergio Pérez and Sebastian Vettel.

With this win Hamilton claimed his seventh World Championship title, equalling the record set by Michael Schumacher.

Hamilton's title also marked the seventh consecutive time a Mercedes driver had won the World Drivers' Championship.

International Day for Tolerance

 International Day for Tolerance

International Day for Tolerance is observed every year on November 16.

The Day recognizes the universal human rights and fundamental freedoms of others.
 
It gives the message that people are naturally diverse; only tolerance can ensure the survival of mixed communities in every region of the globe.
 
 In 1996, the UN General Assembly (by resolution 51/95) invited UN Member States to observe the International Day for Tolerance on 16 November. This action followed up on the United Nations Year for Tolerance, 1995, proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 1993 at the initiative of UNESCO, as outlined in the Declaration of Principles on Tolerance and Follow-up Plan of Action for the Year.

World Diabetes Day

 World Diabetes Day

World Diabetes Day is the primary global awareness campaign focusing on diabetes mellitus and is held on 14 November each year

Led by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), each World Diabetes Day focuses on a theme related to diabetes; type-2 diabetes is largely preventable and treatable non-communicable disease that is rapidly increasing in numbers worldwide.

 the day itself marks the birthday of Frederick Banting who, along with Charles Best and John James Rickard Macleod, first conceived the idea which led to the discovery of insulin in 1922

Lonar Lake in Buldana district of Maharashtra declared as a wetland area under 'Ramsar Convention'

 Lonar Lake in Buldana district of Maharashtra declared as a wetland area under 'Ramsar Convention'

Lonar Lake in Buldana district of Maharashtra, which was formed by a meteorite impact about   50 thousand years ago, has been declared as a wetland area under 'Ramsar Convention'.

It has been declared as the 41st place in the country and the second ‘Ramsar site’ in Maharashtra.

This announcement will lead to  better conservation of Lonar Lake, as Ramsar Convention is bound for conservation for wetlands.

importance of the lake's ecosystem and biodiversity is rising due to the algal population and other microorganisms in the lake and flora-fauna around the lake side.

Bangladeshi teen won International Children’s Peace Prize

 Bangladeshi teen won International Children’s Peace Prize

A Bangladeshi teen Sadat Rahman has been awarded the International Children’s Peace Prize for his work to stop cyber bullying of teens.

The award was given away on Friday by the Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai during a ceremony in the Netherlands.

The prize is given away by the international children’s rights organization KidsRights to a child who fights courageously for children’s rights.

Sadat Rahman was selected out of 142 applicants from 42 countries.

The prize was launched by KidsRights during the 2005 World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates in Rome, chaired by Mikhail Gorbachev.

Since then, the prize has been presented every year by a Nobel Peace Laureate.

Recognising outstanding young people, the prize provides them with a platform to promote their ideas and further their work.

The winner receives a scholarship to obtain education till the university degree.

A project fund of Euro 1 lakh is invested by the KidsRights in projects that are closely connected to the winners’ area of work in their country.

India provided 50 Metric Tons of food aid to people of Djibouti

 India provided 50 Metric Tons of food aid to people of Djibouti

India has provided 50 Metric Tons of food aid to the people of Djibouti as part of its assistance to friendly countries to overcome natural calamities and the COVID-19 pandemic.

disaster relief to Djibouti was delivered by INS Airavat.
 
 the step was part of SAGAR II (Security and Growth for All in the Region) through which the Government of India is providing 270 Metric Tons of Humanitarian assistance to friendly countries in the region.

China launches world’s first 6G satellite into orbit

 China launches world’s first 6G satellite into orbit

China has launched the world’s first 6G satellite from Taiyuan in the northwestern province of Shanxi.

A Long March-6 rocket lifted off on November 6, 2020, with the satellite, which weighs about 70kg (150lbs).

It will be able to provide data-transmission speeds 100 times faster than 5G, the 6G test satellite will be used to test systems which will be used to build smart cities, for disaster prevention and mitigation, and for environmental protection.

Mumbai Indians defeated Delhi Capitals by 5 wkts to clinch title for record 5th time

 Mumbai Indians defeated Delhi Capitals by 5 wkts to clinch title for record 5th time

Rohit Sharma's 68 and Trent Boult's 3 for 30 - including two wickets in his first two overs helped Mumbai Indians clinched their record-extending fifth IPL title last night after beating Delhi Capitals by five wickets in the final at Dubai.

Trent Boult was named Player of the Match. With this win, Mumbai added a fifth IPL title to their kitty, more than any other team in the 13-year history of the league.
 
 The Indian Premier League (IPL) is a professional Twenty20 cricket league in India usually contested between March and May of every year by eight teams representing eight different cities or states in India

The league was founded by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in 2007. The IPL has an exclusive window in ICC Future Tours Programme

World Science Day for Peace and Development

 World Science Day for Peace and Development

World Science Day for Peace and Development is an international day that highlights the important role that science has in society and is celebrated each year on November 10.

 It also highlights the need to engage the wider public in debates on emerging scientific issues.

World Science Day was proclaimed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 2001 and celebrated for the first time in 2002.

Indian diplomat Vidisha Maitra elected to key United Nations committee

 Indian diplomat Vidisha Maitra elected to key United Nations committee

India’s Vidisha Maitra was elected to the UN body - Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ)  with strong support of the member states.

In the Group of Asia-Pacific States, Maitra, First Secretary in India’s Permanent Mission to the UN, obtained 126 votes.

The 193-member General Assembly appoints members of the Advisory Committee. Members are selected on the basis of broad geographical representation, personal qualifications and experience.

The Fifth Committee of the General Assembly, which deals with administrative and budgetary issues, recommended Maitra to the Assembly for a three-year term beginning January 1, 2021.

Joe Biden will become 46th US President Kamala Harris will be first woman Vice President

 Joe Biden  will  become 46th US President Kamala Harris will be first woman Vice President

Democrat Joe Biden beat Republican Donald Trump to become the 46th President of the United States.

Biden clinched the race by securing 279 electoral votes.

The winning moment was decided when the Democrats made a lead in the state of Pennsylvania sealing their victory

With the declaration of Joe Biden as the President-Elect based on the projections of the electoral votes, Democratic Party candidate Kamala Harris has also secured her position as the first woman to be the Vice President of the USA.

Ms. Harris, is also credited to be the first woman of Indian-American and African-American origin to be a member of the United States Senate.

 

Bangladesh, US launch joint naval exercise ‘CARAT Bangladesh 2020’

 Bangladesh, US launch joint naval exercise ‘CARAT Bangladesh 2020’

The Bangladesh and US Navies launched the ‘Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Bangladesh-2020’ to expand relationships and broaden maritime awareness between the two countries.
 
According to a press release issued by the US Embassy in Dhaka, the exercise demonstrates US’s continuing commitment to work with the Bangladesh military to address shared maritime security concerns in the region and strengthen partnership to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
 
Historically, the CARAT exercises involve people to people interactions and a variety of professional exchanges.
 
These will take place online this year
 
The sea-phase of the exercise will take place in the Bay of Bengal with ships from both countries.
 
The events are designed to enhance interoperability between the two navies.
 
US and Bangladesh will work through coordinated deployment of surface ships, to include tactical maneuvers among other activities.

Women's T-20 Challenger gets underway in Sharjah

 Women's T-20 Challenger gets underway in Sharjah

The Third Season of the Women's T20 Challenge is set to begin this evening, with defending champions Supernovas taking on Velocity in Sharjah.
 
India T20I captain Harmanpreet Kaur will be leading defending champions the Supernovas and take on Mithali Raj-led Velocity.
 
This tournament, like previous editions, will take place during the IPL playoffs.
 
The three teams - Supernovas, Velocity and Trailblazers - are set to play three matches in Sharjah, with the final scheduled on 9th of November at the same venue.
 
Last year's T20 Challenge was in Jaipur and had a good crowd turnout.

Marlon Samuels

 Marlon Nathaniel Samuels is a Jamaican former cricketer who played internationally for the West Indies in all three formats, and a former ODI captain.

He is a right-handed middle order batsman and an off-spinner.

 He was a key member of the West Indies team that won the 2012 ICC World Twenty20 and 2016 ICC World Twenty20, and was named man of the match in the final of both tournaments, becoming first man to achieve the feat.

Samuels made his Test debut in Australia in 2000, and his One Day International debut against Sri Lanka in Nairobi during the ICC Knockout Trophy in the same year.

In 2013 he was named one of the Wisden Cricketers of the Year

Shane Watson

 Shane Watson

Shane Robert Watson is an Australian former cricketer, and occasional captain in all formats, who has played for Australia's national cricket team.

 He is a right-handed batsman and a right-handed fast-medium swing bowler who played international cricket between 2002 and 2016 as world No. 1 T20I all-rounder.

he played  59 Test matches,  190  ODI,     58 T20I     and 137 First Class matches
 

Sean Connery

 Sean Connery

Sir Thomas Sean Connery was a Scottish actor. He gained recognition as the first actor to portray fictional British secret agent James Bond in film, starring in seven Bond films between 1962 and 1983

His achievements in film were recognised with an Academy Award, two BAFTA Awards (including the BAFTA Fellowship), and three Golden Globes, including the Cecil B. DeMille Award and a Henrietta Award. In 1987 he was made a Commander of the Order of Arts and Letters in France, and he received the US Kennedy Center Honors lifetime achievement award in 1999.

Connery was knighted in the 2000 New Year Honours for services to film drama

World Cities Day

 World Cities Day

The United Nations General Assembly has designated the 31st of October as World Cities Day, by its resolution 68/239.

The Day is expected to greatly promote the international community’s interest in global urbanization, push forward cooperation among countries in meeting opportunities and addressing challenges of urbanization, and contributing to sustainable urban development around the world.

Sustainable Development Goal 11, which formulates the ambition to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable - underlying the relevance of UN-Habitat’s mission.

206th Session of Governing Council of the IPU to be held from 1st to 4th November

206th Session of Governing Council of the IPU to be held from 1st to 4th November

The 206th Session of the Governing Council of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, IPU will be held from 1st to 4th November this year.

The agenda of the Virtual Session includes the election of the new President of IPU through remote electronic secret ballot since the outgoing President of IPU Ms. Gabriela Cuevas Barron (MP, Mexico) had completed her term on 19th of this month.

The term of the new President of IPU will be from 2020 to 2023.