EU revealed no-deal plans for Brexit

EU revealed no-deal plans for Brexit

The European Commission said it has started to implement its preparations for a no-deal Brexit in case the UK crashes out of the EU without a plan.

It has announced temporary measures to try to reduce the impact, but says it cannot counter all the problems it expects.

As British Prime Minister Theresa May's proposed exit plan flounders in Parliament, both sides are preparing for the worst-case situation.

 the measures are designed to limit disruption in certain key areas, such as finance and transport, if Brexit goes ahead in March without a deal.

 European Commission Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis said, the plan is an exercise in limiting damage.

a contingency plan was necessary given the continued uncertainty in the UK.

The 14 EU actions include measures to allow UK-EU financial services to continue and a 12-month provision to keep planes flying between Britain and the bloc.

Britain is due to leave the EU on 29th of March, next year, but it remains unclear whether UK lawmakers will approve the agreement Prime Minister Theresa May's government has negotiated with the bloc.

Leaving without a deal risks plunging the British economy into recession and touching off chaos at the borders.

which country declared 2019 as the Year of Tolerance?

which country declared  2019 as the Year of Tolerance?

Options

1) UAE

2)qatar

3)oman

4)bahrain

answer

1) UAE

Other details

The UAE government announced that 2019 will be officially proclaimed the Year of Tolerance to strengthen the nation’s role of encouraging stability and prosperity in the region.


it was following on from the Year of Zayed in 2018 and the Year of Giving in 2017.

In November, a World Tolerance Summit in Dubai attracted regional leaders and national figures.

UAE announced it will be a global co-ordinator for co-operation within a new Global Tolerance Alliance to promote acceptance around the world.

The Special Olympic World Games, will  be held in Abu Dhabi from March 14-21 in 2019 will be in accordance with  this theme

The Year of Tolerance will focus on five main pillars.

First, to deepen the values of tolerance and co-existence among cultures and peoples by concentrating on teaching the youth the values of tolerance.

second  to solidify the UAE as the global capital for tolerance, via a series of initiatives and projects specialised in tolerance and dialogue between various cultures and civilisations.

Third, enacting multiple cultural programmes and contributions to build tolerant communities.

 fourth  to focus  on legislative and policy-oriented objectives that contribute mandating cultural and religious tolerance, via dialogue.

 fifth  will be promoting tolerance and co-existence via targeted media initiatives and projects.

 

who won the BWF World Tour Finals title 2018?

who won the BWF World Tour Finals title 2018?

Options

1)  P V Sindhu

2)Nozomi Okuhara

3)Saina nehwal

4)none of the above

answer

1)  P V Sindhu


Other details

Indian shuttler P V Sindhu won the prestigious season-ending World Tour Finals trophy at Guangzhou, China, .

The Olympic silver medallist defeated Japan's Nozomi Okuhara 21-19, 21-17 in the summit clash.

Sindhu accomplished the feat after losing seven successive summit clashes.

 She had also won silvers at the Commonwealth Games, Asian Games and World Championships this year.

 the Badminton Association Of India(BAI) has also announced a cash reward of 10 lakh rupees for P V Sindhu forwinning the women’s singles championship.

BAI also announced a cash reward of 3lakh rupees for Sameer Verma who reached the semifinal in his maiden appearanceat the World Tour Finals.

When is International Tea Day celebrated?

When is International Tea Day celebrated?

Options

1) December 15

2)December 16

3)December 17

4)December 18

answer

1) December 15

Other details

International Tea Day is observed annually on December 15.

 It has been celebrated since 2005 in tea producing countries like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Vietnam, Indonesia, Kenya, Malawi, Malaysia, Uganda, India and Tanzania.

 International Tea Day aims to draw global attention of governments and citizens to the impact of the global tea trade on workers and growers, and has been linked to requests for price supports and fair trade.

After initial discussions, at the World Social Forum in 2004, the first International Tea Day was celebrated in New Delhi in 2005

 with later celebrations organized in Sri Lanka in 2006 and 2008.

 International Tea Day celebrations and the related Global Tea Conferences have been jointly organized by trade union movements.


In 2015, the Indian government proposed expanding the observance of International Tea Day through the UN Food and Agriculture Organization

who was Sondra Locke?

who was Sondra Locke?

Options

1) actress

2)poetess

3)dancer

4)none of the above

answer

1) actress


Other details

Sandra Louise Anderson, professionally known as Sondra Locke, was an American actress and director. 

Global debt is at all-time high of USD 184 trillion

Global debt is at all-time high of USD 184 trillion

The International Monetary Fund said that global debt has reached an all-time high of 184 trillion US dollars with the United States, China and Japan accounting for more than half of it.

According to the IMF report, the amount in nominal terms, is the equivalent of 225 per cent of the world GDP in 2017.

On average, the world's debt now exceeds 86,000 dollars per person, which is more than two and half times the average income per-capita.

 IMF said it is striking that the most indebted economies in the world are also the richer ones.  

Since the beginning of the millennium, China's share in global debt has gone up from less than three per cent to over 15 per cent

when is International Day of Neutrality celebrated?

when is International Day of Neutrality  celebrated?

Options

1) 12 December

2)13 December

3)14 December

4)15 December

answer

 1) 12 December


Other details

 On 2 February 2017, the UN General Assembly adopted without a vote resolution 71/275 — introduced by Turkmenistan, recognized by the UN as a permanently neutral state since 12 December 1995 — which noted the link between the preservation of peace and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and declared 12 December as the International Day of Neutrality.

The aforementioned GA resolution also proposes that UN Secretary-General continue to cooperate closely with the neutral states, with a view to implementing the principles of preventive diplomacy and utilizing them in the mediation activities.

 It is aimed at promoting the use of preventive diplomacy, and enhancing public awareness of the value of neutrality in international relations.

More than 150 UN members adopt global migration pact

More than 150 UN members adopt global migration pact



More than 150 countries adopted the United Nations Global Migration Pact on Monday in Marrakech (Morocco)

The non-binding pact seeks to better manage migration in a safe and orderly manner.


The document still needs to be the subject of a final ratification vote on 19 December at the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Some countries announced their withdrawal or the freezing of their decision after approving the text on 13 July in New York.

Ukrainian  signed law to end friendship treaty with which country?

Options

1) Russia

2)China

3)Japan

4)None of the above

answer

1) Russia


Other details

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko signed the legislation on ending the Treaty on Friendship, Cooperation and Partnership between Ukraine and Russia, the presidential press service said Monday.

The treaty, which has been in place for about two decades, will be terminated on April 1, 2019 amid rising tensions between the two countries.


The bill was approved by the Ukrainian parliament on Thursday, supported by 277 votes, far more than the 226 minimum required.

In September, Poroshenko signed a decree to enforce a decision of the National Security and Defense Council to terminate the friendship treaty with Russia.

Under the agreement, which was signed in 1997 and took effect on April 1, 1999, Kiev and Moscow pledged to respect each other's borders and to peacefully settle disputes.

The agreement includes a clause that it automatically extends each ten years if neither of the parties takes actions to end it.

 

Who won the Copa Libertadores 2018?

Who won the Copa Libertadores 2018?

Options

1)Boca Juniors
   
2)River Plate

3)Independiente

4)Grêmio Foot-Ball Porto Alegrense,


answer

2)River Plate

other details

The 2018 Copa CONMEBOL Libertadores was the 59th edition of the CONMEBOL Libertadores, South America's premier club football tournament organized by CONMEBOL.

River Plate defeated Boca Juniors in the finals by an aggregate score of 5–3 to win their fourth tournament title.

The first leg of the final was played at the Estadio Alberto J. Armando in Buenos Aires, Argentina on 11 November 2018, while the second leg took place outside South America at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid, Spain (a neutral venue) on 9 December 2018

 The CONMEBOL Libertadores, named as Copa Libertadores de América, is an annual international club football competition organized by CONMEBOL since 1960.

 It is one of the most prestigious tournaments in the world and the most prestigious club competition in South American football.

Most successful club(s): Independiente; (7 titles)

Qualifier for: Recopa Sudamericana; FIFA Club World Cup

Number of teams: 47 (from 10 associations)

Founded: 1960

where is 2018 World Junior Table Tennis Championships being held?

where is 2018 World Junior Table Tennis Championships  being held?

Options

1) Australia

2)new Zealand

3)south Africa

4)none of the above

answer

1) Australia

Other details

 the 2018 World Junior Table Tennis Championships is being held at Bendigo in Australia

which country will make Public transport free?

which country will make Public transport free?

Options

1) Luxembourg

2)Germany

3)Belgium

4)France

answer

1) Luxembourg


Other details

Luxembourg will become first country to make all public transport free

Luxembourg is set to become the first country in the world to make all its public transport free.

Fares on trains, trams and buses will be removed

govt will prioritize the environment  issues

 Luxembourg City, the capital of the small Grand Duchy, suffers from some of the worst traffic congestion in the world.

Now, from the start of 2020 all tickets will be abolished, saving on the collection of fares and the policing of ticket purchases.

Luxembourg is a small European country, surrounded by Belgium, France and Germany.

Capital: Luxembourg City

Currency: Euro

 

Former Indian diplomat elected to UN's Socio-Economic Cultural panel

Former Indian diplomat elected to UN's Socio-Economic Cultural panel

A former senior Indian diplomat, Preeti Saran, has been elected unopposed to an Asia Pacific seat on the UN's Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR).

Saran was elected to the CESCR for a four-year term beginning on the 1st of January next year.

All States are obliged to submit regular reports to the committee on how the rights are being implemented.

The committee examines each report and addresses its concerns and recommendations to the State party in the form of concluding observations.

The panel meets in Geneva and holds two sessions per year.

when is International Volunteer Day celebrated?

when is International Volunteer Day celebrated?

Options

1) 5 December

2)6 December

3)7 December

4)8 December


answer

1) 5 December


Other details

The International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development (5 December), more commonly referred to as International Volunteer Day (IVD), is an international observance mandated by the UN General Assembly in 1985.


The theme for IVD 2018 is ‘Volunteers build Resilient Communities’.

Gautam Gambhir was associated with which sport?

Gautam Gambhir was associated with which sport?

Options

1) cricket

2)tennis

3)football

4)rugby

answer


1) cricket


Other details

Gautam Gambhir is an Indian former cricketer, who played all formats of the game.

He is a left-handed opening batsman who played domestic cricket for Delhi, and captained Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League

he played 58 Tests, 147 one-day internationals and 37 Twenty20s for India, winning the 2007 World Twenty20 and 2011 World Cup.

Gambhir scored 4,154 Test runs, including 11 centuries, at an average of 41.95 between 2004 and 2016, and was named ICC Test Player of the Year in 2009.

He scored 5,238 runs at 39.68 in ODIs.

Gambhir has made 42 first-class centuries

He won the Indian Premier League with Kolkata Knight Riders in 2012 and 2014.

who won the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup ?

who won the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup ?

Options

1) Spain

2)France

3)Germany

4)Italy

answer

1) Spain


Other details


The 2018 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup was the 6th edition of the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup, the biennial international women's youth football championship contested by the under-17 national teams of the member associations of FIFA, since its inception in 2008.

The tournament was held in Uruguay from 13 November to 1 December 2018

 North Korea were the defending champions but were eliminated by Spain in the quarter-finals.

The final took place at the Estadio Charrúa, Montevideo between Spain and Mexico a rematch from the group stage in 2016. Spain won their first title, beating Mexico 2–1 in the Final.

The FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup is an international association football tournament for female players under the age of 17. It is organized by Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA).

 The tournament is held in even-numbered years, starting in 2008. 

Three astronauts will be launched to ISS tomorrow

Three astronauts will be  launched to ISS tomorrow

Three space travellers, including two astronauts on their first flight, are scheduled to launch to the International Space Station (ISS) tomorrow for a six-and-a-half month mission.

NASA said, the launch comes less than two months after a booster failure forced a Soyuz spacecraft carrying Russian cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin and US astronaut Nick Hague to make an emergency landing.

The incident became the first failure of a manned space launch in modern Russian history.

The three new space travellers -- Anne McClain of NASA, David Saint-Jacques of the Canadian Space Agency and Oleg Kononenko of Russian space agency Roscosmos are preparing to launch aboard the Soyuz MS-11 spacecraft at 5.31 p.m. from the Baikonur spaceport in Kazakhstan.

It will be the first flight for both McClain and Saint-Jacques and the fourth for Kononenko.

Kononenko, McClain and Saint-Jacques will officially become the Expedition 58 crew when Gerst, Aunon-Chancellor and Prokopyev depart the station for home on December 20.

George H W Bush was president of which country?

 George H W Bush was president of which country?

Options

1) US

2)UK

3)Australia

4)South Africa

answer

1) US

Other details

 George H W  Bush,  served as the 41st president of the United States

Salome Zurabishvili has been elected as first woman President of which country?

Salome Zurabishvili has been elected as  first woman President of which country?

Options

1) Georgia

2)Turkey

3)Azerbaijan

4)Armenia


answer

1) Georgia


Other  details

Georgia elects Salome Zurabishvili as first woman president

Salome Zurabishvili has won Georgia's presidential election, becoming the first woman to hold the office.

 the French-born ex-diplomat had 59% of the vote

A new constitution is due to come into force, making the role of president largely ceremonial.

Ms Zurabishvili,  was born in Paris

She took up a career in the French foreign service and was posted to the Georgian capital, Tbilisi, as ambassador in 2003.

She later gave up her post and the then-president of Georgia, Mikheil Saakashvili, appointed her foreign minister.


Georgia is seeking European Union and Nato membership

Georgia, a country at the intersection of Europe and Asia, is a former Soviet republic

Capital: Tbilisi

Currency: Georgian lari

who won the World Chess Championship?

who won the World Chess Championship?

Options

1) Magnus Carlsen

 2)Fabiano Caruana

3)Garry Kasparov

4)Viswanathan Anand

answer

1) Magnus Carlsen

other details

World number one Norwegian Magnus Carlsen has retained his World Chess Championship title, beating US opponent Fabiano Caruana in a tie-breaker event.

He beat Caruana in three time-limited games, ending the American's hopes of becoming the first US champion since Bobby Fischer won in 1972.

This showdown followed a new record, in which all 12 matches of regular play were drawn.

Carlsen, who has won the championship three times before and was the favourite to win the game, took a two-match lead and needed only a draw in the third tie-breaker to seal his victory.

But Caruana resigned in the third


 

EU sets goal to be 'climate neutral' by 2050

EU sets goal to be 'climate neutral' by 2050

The European Union has urged government, businesses, citizens and regions to join it in an ambitious plan to cut emissions and make the bloc carbon neutral by 2050.


EU climate commissioner Miguel Arias Canete said in a press conference in Brussels that block is kicking off a process to determine how Europe's energy and climate policy will evolve between now and 2050.


member states will submit their draft national climate and energy plans to the EU by the end of 2018.

while more homes will be insulated and transport will be modernised, the key plank of any successful strategy will be to reduce fossil fuel use in energy production by 80 per cent by 2050.


Delegations from more than 200 countries are due in Poland next week for the latest COP24 climate summit, aimed at renewing and building on the Paris deal and limiting global warming.

who won the 2018 davis cup?

who won the 2018 Davis cup?

Options

1) Croatia

2)France

3)germany

4)spain

answer

1) Croatia


Other details

Croatia are the new Davis Cup champions, having beaten France.

Marin Cilic won Croatia’s second Davis Cup title as he beat France’s Lucas Pouille 7-6(3) 6-3 6-3 to give his side a decisive 3-1 lead in the final at Lille’s Stade Pierre Mauroy 

  This is Croatia's second title.

Their maiden victory happened in 2005 when they overcame Slovakia.

The Davis Cup is the premier international team event in men's tennis.

 It is run by the International Tennis Federation and is contested annually between teams from competing countries in a knock-out format. 

No. of teams: 16 (World Group); 130 (2016 total)

Most titles: United States (32 titles)

previous champion(s): France (10th title)

Founder: Dwight F. Davis

Founded: 1900

RIMES terms Titli cyclone ‘rarest of rare’

RIMES terms Titli cyclone ‘rarest of rare’

The Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (RIMES) for Africa and Asia, a 45-nation international organisation on disaster warning, has termed ‘Titli’, the severe cyclonic storm that devastated Odisha in October, as ‘rarest cyclone’.

More than 200 years of cyclone track history in the Odisha coast reveals that the Titli cyclone is the rarest of rare in terms of its characteristics

it includes recurvature after landfall and retaining its destructive potential after landfall and recurvature away from the coastal areas for more than two days

Earlier, India Meteorological Department had called the formation of Titli as a ‘rarest of rare’ occurrence.

The severe cyclone had changed its path after landfall.


The RIMES has recommended that a detailed risk assessment has to be carried out for Odisha to understand the risks in the light of the Titli devastation.

The Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System for Africa and Asia (RIMES) is an international and intergovernmental institution, owned and managed by its Member States, for the generation and application of early warning information.

RIMES evolved from the efforts of countries in Africa and Asia, in the aftermath of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, to establish a regional early warning system within a multi-hazard framework for the generation and communication of early warning information, and capacity building for preparedness and response to trans-boundary hazards.

RIMES was established on 30 April 2009, and was registered with the United Nations on 1 July 2009.

RIMES operates from its regional early warning center located at the campus of the Asian Institute of Technology in Pathumthani, Thailand.

Who won the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix ?

Who won the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix ?

Options

1) Lewis Hamilton

2)Nico Hulkenberg

3)Fernando Alonso

4)none of the above

answer

1) Lewis Hamilton


Other details

The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is a Formula One motor race.

 It was announced in early 2007 at the Abu Dhabi F1 Festival in the United Arab Emirates.

The first race took place on 1 November 2009, held at the Hermann Tilke designed Yas Marina Circuit.

On 25 June 2008 the FIA announced the provisional 2009 Formula One calendar including the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix as the 19th and final race of the season

Lewis Carl Davidson Hamilton MBE is a British racing driver who races in Formula One for Mercedes AMG Petronas.

he is  A five-time Formula One World Champion
 

who won the ICC Women's World T20 title 2018?

 who won the ICC Women's World T20 title 2018?

Options

1) Australia

2)England

3)India

4)West indies


answer



1) Australia



Other details

   Australia won  their fourth ICC Women's World T20 title against England by eight wickets in the final at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua.

final score England  105 all out,   lost to Australia  106/2,

The 2018 ICC Women's World Twenty20 was hosted in the West Indies from 9 to 24 November 2018,[3] during the 2018–19 international cricket season.

It was the sixth edition of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup, and the second hosted by the West Indies (after the 2010 edition)

The ICC Women's T20 World Cup is the biennial international championship for women's Twenty20 International cricket.

The event is organised by the sport's governing body, the International Cricket Council, with the first edition being held in England in 2009

where will 19th edition of the prestigious ‘Laureus World Sports Awards’ be held?

 where will 19th edition of the prestigious ‘Laureus World Sports Awards’  be held?

Options

1) Monaco

2)Paris

3)Marseille

4)Bordeaux

answer

1) Monaco


Other details

  The 19th edition of the prestigious ‘Laureus World Sports Awards’ will be held in Monaco on 18 February 2019.

The Laureus World Sports Awards is an annual award ceremony honouring individuals and teams from the world of sports along with sporting achievements throughout the year. 

Most awards: Roger Federer (6)



    Tennis player Roger Federer won the Laureus Sportsman of the Year award for 2017.

 

where will India-UAE Strategic Conclave be held?

where will India-UAE Strategic Conclave be held?

Options

1) Abu Dhabi

2)dubai

3)sharjah

4)none of the above

answer

1) Abu Dhabi


Other details

The second edition of the India-UAE Strategic Conclave will be held in capital city of Abu Dhabi on 27th of this month.

 The day-long conclave will initiate a dialogue to widen the scope of bilateral investments.

Key business leaders and senior government officials will come together to lay the blueprint for greater economic cooperation between the two countries and explore the economic gains through boosting the status of both countries as major trade hubs and key gateways to regional and international markets.

Indian Ambassador to the UAE, Navdeep Suri  will inaugurate the conclave.It is being organized by the Economic Times, India.

when is World Fisheries Day celebrated?

when is World Fisheries Day celebrated?

Options

1) 21 November

2)22 November

3)23 November

4)24 November

answer

1) 21 November


Other details

21st November is celebrated as World Fisheries day every year throughout the world.

fishing communities worldwide celebrate the day through rallies, workshops, cultural programmes and exhibitions highlighting the importance of human lives, of water and the lives it sustains.

The day explores moves towards finding solutions to the increasingly inter-connected problems that the world is facing in order to follow sustainable model.

Fisheries in India makes up to 5.3 percent to the agriculture and allied activities and contributes about 1.07 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

 

where is Fuego volcano ?

where is Fuego volcano ?

Options

1) Guatemala

2)Honduras

3)Nicaragua

4)El Salvador

answer

1) Guatemala

Other details

Fuego volcano erupted for 5th time this year, in guatemala

4,000 people were taken to temporary shelters as a precaution

Volcán de Fuego  is an active stratovolcano in Guatemala, on the borders of Chimaltenango, Escuintla and Sacatepéquez departments.

 It sits about 16 kilometres (9.9 mi) west of Antigua,

It has erupted frequently

 most recently in June 2018

Guatemala, a Central American country south of Mexico, is home to volcanoes, rainforests and ancient Mayan sites.

Capital: Guatemala City Trending

Currency: Guatemalan quetzal

President: Jimmy Morales

when is International Men's Day celebrated?

when is International Men's Day celebrated?


Options

1) 19 November

2)17 November

3)18 November

4)16 November


answer

1) 19 November


Other details

International Men's Day is an annual international event celebrated every year on 19 November

International Men's Day is celebrated in over 70 countries

First conceived in the February of 1991, the project of International Men's Day was inaugurated a year later-- in February 1992.

The project of International Men's Day was revived in 1999 in the Caribbean islands of Trinidad and Tobago.

the theme for International Men's Day is positive male role models

who won the ATP World Tour Finals?

who won the ATP World Tour Finals?


Options

1) Alexander Zverev

2)Novak Djokovic

3)Roger Federer

4)none of the above


answer

1) Alexander Zverev


Other details


In Tennis, Alexander Zverev upset world number one Novak Djokovic in straight sets to claim the season-ending ATP Finals and earn the biggest victory of his career.

Djokovic was the heavy favourite but outclassed 6-4, 6-3 by the German last night in London.


The 21-year-old Zverev became the youngest champion of the season-ending event since Djokovic claimed the first of his five titles a decade ago and the first from Germany since 1995.

Djokovic was attempting to tie Roger Federer’s record of six titles but followed the same path as the Swiss great, who lost to Zverev in the semi-finals at the O2 Arena.

Zverev also became the first player to beat both Djokovic and Federer in the same ATP Finals. 

ibrahim Mohamed Solih sworn in as seventh president of which country?

ibrahim Mohamed Solih sworn in as seventh president of which country?

Options

1)  Maldives

2)Bangladesh

3)Malaysia

4)none of the above


answer

1)  Maldives

Other details

Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, better known as Ibu, is a Maldivian politician who is the current President of the Maldives and assumed office on 17 November 2018.

Solih was first elected to parliament in 1994, aged 30, as the MP from his home atoll of Faadhippolhu.

The Maldives is a tropical nation in the Indian Ocean composed of 26 ring-shaped atolls, which are made up of more than 1,000 coral islands.

Capital: Malé
Currency: Maldivian rufiyaa

which country has build an ‘artificial sun’?

which country has build an ‘artificial sun’?

Options


1) China

2)japan

3)Russia

4)none of the above


answer


1) China



Other details

China has built an ‘artificial sun’ that reaches temperature six times that of the core of the sun.

The reactor named ‘Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak’ (EAST) is designed to replicate the processes of the sun as part of a project to turn hydrogen into cost-effective green energy.

It involves fusion of hydrogen atoms together to form heavier elements, such as helium.

When is World Tolerance Day celebrated?

When is World Tolerance Day celebrated?

Options

1) 16 November

2)17 November

3)18 November

4)19 November

answer

1) 16 November


other details

The International Day for Tolerance is an annual observance day declared by UNESCO in 1995 to generate public awareness of the dangers of intolerance.

It is observed on 16 November.

In 1995, to mark the United Nations Year for Tolerance and the 125th anniversary of the birth of Mahatma Gandhi, UNESCO created a prize for the promotion of tolerance and non-violence.

The UNESCO-Madanjeet Singh Prize for the Promotion of Tolerance and Non-Violence rewards significant activities in the scientific, artistic, cultural or communication fields aimed at the promotion of a spirit of tolerance and non-violence.

The prize is awarded every two years on the International Day for Tolerance, 16 November.

The Prize may be awarded to institutions, organizations or persons, who have contributed in a particularly meritorious and effective manner to tolerance and non-violence.

Other details

 

UNSC unanimously agrees to lift sanctions against which country?

UNSC unanimously agrees to lift sanctions against  which country?

Options

1) Eritrea

2)Eritrea

3)Djibouti

4)Djibouti

answer

1) Eritrea


Other details

The United Nations Security Council has unanimously agreed to lift sanctions against Eritrea after nine years.

An arms embargo, asset freeze, and travel ban were imposed in 2009

The resolution, drafted by the UK, was backed by the US and its allies.

 Eritrea agreed on a peace deal with Ethiopia in June following two decades of animosity, while the leader of Eritrea and the UN-backed government in Somalia recently signed a joint cooperation agreement.

The leaders of Somalia, Eritrea and Ethiopia met last week in northern Ethiopia to push for regional economic development.

 Eritrea gained its independence from Ethiopia in the early 1990s,

 It is an African nation which is bordered by Sudan in the west, Ethiopia in the south, and Djibouti in the southeast.

American comic book writer Stan Lee

American comic book writer Stan Lee

Stan Lee was an American comic book writer, editor, and publisher.

 He was the editor-in-chief of Marvel Comics,  and later its publisher and chairman, leading its expansion from a small division of a publishing house to a large multimedia corporation.

In collaboration with several artists—particularly Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko—he co-created fictional characters including Spider-Man, the Hulk, Doctor Strange, the Fantastic Four, Daredevil, Black Panther, the X-Men,


 and—with his brother, co-writer Larry Lieber—the characters Ant-Man, Iron Man, and Thor.


Lee created the Fantastic Four for Marvel Comics in 1961


Lee was inducted into the comic book industry's Will Eisner Award Hall of Fame in 1994 and the Jack Kirby Hall of Fame in 1995.

 He received a National Medal of Arts in 2008.

Amnesty International revokes highest honour given to Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi

Amnesty International revokes highest honour given to Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi

Amnesty International revoked the Ambassador of Conscience Award given to  Myanmar's leader Aung San Suu Kyi. 

she received the honour in 2009, when she was living under house arrest.

The rights group said it was profoundly dismayed at her failure to speak out for the Rohingya minority.

The organisation, which once feted her as a beacon for democracy, announced its decision on the eighth anniversary of Ms Suu Kyi's release from house arrest.

‘Quad’ to meet in Singapore on 14 November

‘Quad’ to meet in Singapore on 14 November



    Officials from Australia, India, Japan and the United States will hold the third ‘Quadrilateral’ or Quad meeting in Singapore on 14 November 2018.

    The meeting will be held on the sidelines of the East Asia Summit.

    The meeting will focus on infrastructure projects, maritime security cooperation and discuss regional challenges including development.

Czech Republic defeated United States to win sixth title in eight years

Czech Republic defeated United States to win sixth title in eight years

The Czech Republic won their sixth Fed Cup title in eight years as  Katerina Siniakova clinched a 3-0 win over the United States with an  victory against Sofia Kenin.

Siniakova defeated Sofia Kenin by 7-5 5-7 7-5.

The victory, which took Siniakova almost four hours, gave the home team an unassailable 3-0 lead in Prague.

Siniakova and Barbora Strycova won Saturday's opening-day singles matches.

 The US were aiming to become the first team to fight back from a 2-0 deficit in a Fed Cup final, but 19-year-old Kenin was unable to take her opportunities at 5-4 to keep the tie alive.

The two most successful countries in the tournament's history were meeting in the final for the first time in more three decades, although both teams were without several of their top players.

Czech top-10 ranked players Karolina Pliskova and Petra Kvitova were sidelined through injury and illness respectively, while Serena and Venus Williams, Madison Keys and Sloane Stephens were all unavailable for the visitors.

  the Americans were represented by Kenin and Alison Riske, ranked as their nation's seventh and eighth best female players, in the singles.

 

World’s First AI News Anchor Unveiled In China

World’s First AI News Anchor Unveiled In China

 Based on the appearances of two  Chinese news presenters, the computerised avatars read out text that is fed into their system, their mouths moving in tandem with the reports.

Calling it a “world first”, Xinhua news agency this week debuted a pair of virtual news anchors amid a state-directed embrace of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI).



 the “AI Synthetic Anchors”, one for Chinese and one for English news, were developed along with Sogou Inc, a Beijing-based creator of search engines and voice-recognition technology.

China in 2017 unveiled plans to become a world leader in AI and other high-tech fields,

The digital anchors offer certain advantages over humans, Xinhua said, such as being able to work 24 hours a day and to quickly disseminate breaking news.

The avatars debuted this week during the World Internet Conference, an annual convention in the eastern Chinese city of Wuzhen organised by China's government.

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena dissolves Parliament

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena dissolves Parliament

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena has decided to dissolve the Parliament and call for early elections.

The move comes exactly two weeks after the President has appointed Mahinda Rajapaksa as new Prime Minister replacing Mr Ranil Wickremsinghe.

Parliament was to convene on Wednesday and Speaker Karu Jayasurya and group led by ousted Prime Minister Ranil Wickremsinghe had demanded that Parliament take on vote to decide upon majority on the first day itself.

Earlier, a government spokesman said new government still needed at least eight more votes in the 225 member assembly to reach the required 113 for majority.

which company has named Robyn Denholm, chair of the company?

which company has named Robyn Denholm, chair of the company?

Options

1) Tesla

2)Volkswagen

3)ford

4)GM

answer

1) Tesla

Other details

Tesla named Robyn Denholm, chair of the company replacing Elon Musk.

Denholm , was the chief financial officer with Telstra.

She has been an independent director of Tesla since 2014 and heads its audit committee.

Elon Musk had to resigned  as Tesla chairman in September

Tesla, Inc. is an American automotive and energy company based in Palo Alto, California.

The company specializes in electric car manufacturing and, through its SolarCity subsidiary, solar panel manufacturing. 


CEO: Elon Musk (Oct 2008–)  

Headquarters: Palo Alto, California, United States


Founders: Martin Eberhard, JB Straubel, Marc Tarpenning, Ian Wright

Korea Marine Exercise Program was held between Korea and which country?

Korea Marine Exercise Program was held between Korea and which country?

Options

1) US

2)UK

3)France

4)Russia

answer

1) US

other details

About 500 United States and South Korean marines began small-scale military drills on Monday (Nov 5),

The Korean Marine Exchange Program was among the training drills indefinitely suspended in June

Although larger exercises were suspended, the two countries have continued small-scale drills,

 the marines were holding a training round near the southern city of Pohang.

 

Angad Vir Singh Bajwa wins gold in men's skeet final in 8th Asian Shotgun Championship in Kuwait

 Angad Vir Singh Bajwa wins gold in men's skeet final in 8th Asian Shotgun Championship in Kuwait

In the 8th Asian Shotgun Championship in Kuwait, Angad Vir Singh Bajwa has won a gold with a world record score in the men's skeet final.

He became the first Indian skeet shooter to win a continental or world level event.

Angad shot a perfect 60 out of 60 in the final round to claim top spot ahead of China's Di Jin who shot 58. UAE's Saeed Al Maktoum won bronze with a score of 46.

Earlier in the day, India's 10m rifle mixed team pairing of Elavenil Valarivan and Hriday Hazarika struck gold with a junior world record score.

They finished with a score of 502.1, which is a World and Asian Junior record in the event.

 The Chinese pair finished with 500.9. Mehuli Ghosh and Arjun Babuta won bronze in the same event with the score of 436.9.

The juniors had begun their campaign on Monday with three silver and a bronze medal.

 India has so far won seven medals from the competition with two gold, three silver and two bronze.

which country announced relaxation of recruitment criteria for Commonwealth nationals to apply for jobs in armed forces?

which country announced relaxation of recruitment criteria for Commonwealth nationals to apply for jobs in armed forces?

Options

1) UK

2)Australia

3)New Zealand

4)South Africa

answer

1) UK


Other details

The UK government on Monday announced relaxation of recruitment criteria for Commonwealth nationals to apply for jobs in its armed forces.

The decision has been taken in order to meet the shortage in its ranks.

Commonwealth is an association of 53 independent states, including India.

 the UK government has now decided to remove the five-year UK residency criterion for Commonwealth citizens and increase recruitment to 1,350 across the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force.


This would open up the forces to recruits who have been based in countries like India, Australia, Canada and Kenya.

However, applicants under 18 years of age would not be eligible to apply.


The RAF and Navy have begun recruitment of Commonwealth applicants right away and the Army will accept such applications from early next year.

Special rules already allow citizens of Ireland and Gurkhas from Nepal to join the British armed forces.

The five-year UK residency requirement for Commonwealth recruits was first waived in 1998, before being reintroduced in 2013.

Britain currently employs close to 9000 Commonwealth citizens in its armed forces. 

who won the Paris Masters Men's Singles title?

who won the Paris Masters Men's Singles title?

Options

1) Karen Khachanov

2)Novak Djokovic

3)Rafael Nadal

4)Nikolay Davydenko

answer

1) Karen Khachanov


Other details

 Karen Khachanov has won the Paris Masters Men's Singles title with a  win over world number two Novak Djokovic.

In the title clash last night, the 22-year old unseeded Russian defeated Djokovic in straight sets, 7-5, 6-4 to end the Serb's 22-match unbeaten run.

With the victory, Khachanov has become the first Russian since Nikolay Davydenko in 2009 to win a Masters 1000 title.

31-year old Djokovic, a 14-time Grand Slam champion, will still overtake Rafael Nadal at the top of the world rankings  .

Karen Abgarovich Khachanov is a Russian tennis player of Armenian background. He has won four ATP singles titles.

Khachanov achieved his career-high singles ranking of world No. 11 on 5th November 2018, after winning the Paris Masters

The Paris Masters is an annual tennis tournament for male professional players held in Paris, France.

It is played indoors at the AccorHotels Arena,

 The event is part of the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 on the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) Tour.
  

which country won SAFF Under-15 Championship ?

which country won SAFF Under-15 Championship ?

Options

1) Bangladesh

2)Pakistan

3)Nepal 

4)India

answer

1) Bangladesh


Other details

Bangladesh beat Pakistan 3-2 in penalty shoot-out to win SAFF U-15 C'ship

In football, Bangladesh beat Pakistan 3-2 in the penalty shoot out to win the SAFF Under-15 Championship in Lalitpur, Nepal  .

Bangladesh clinched the six-nation SAFF Under-15 Championship title with an all-win record.

The day’s final match was locked  1-1  during the stipulated period. 


India clinched a bronze medal in the SAFF championships, finishing  3rd  by beating hosts Nepal  1-0 . 

when is International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists observed?

when is International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists  observed?

Options

1) 2 November

2)1 November

3)3 November

4)4 November

answer

1) 2 November


Other details

The International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists is a UN-recognized day observed annually on 2 November.

The day draws attention to the low global conviction rate for violent crimes against journalists and media workers, estimated at only one in every ten cases

 As these individuals play a critical role in informing and influencing the public about important social issues, impunity for attacks against them has a particularly damaging impact, limiting public awareness and constructive debate.


The date was chosen to commemorate the assassination of two French journalists in Mali on 2nd November 2013.

India and other SAFF members pull out of Saudi-led SWAFF

India and other SAFF members pull out of Saudi-led SWAFF

India and six other members of the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) on Tuesday pulled out of the newly-formed Saudi Arabia-led bloc with immediate effect in support of the Asian Football Confederation’s President Sheikh Salman Al Khalifa.

Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives, Sri Lanka and Pakistan are the other SAFF nations to severe ties with South West Asian Football Federation (SWAFF) on the eve of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) congress in Kuala Lumpur.

Former Saudi Arabia Football Federation chief Adel Ezzat was made president of SWAFF

The SWAFF was formed in August with 14 member countries in it.

 Ezzat was made president while the AIFF vice-president Subrata Dutta became the vice president of the new regional football body in its first general assembly held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.


The SWAFF is also likely to receive official recognition as one of the regional federations during the AFC Congress tomorrow.

which NASA space telescope retired?

which NASA  space telescope retired?

Options

1) Kepler

2)Ariel V

3)Einstein Observatory

4)Hubble

answer

1) Kepler


Other details

NASA's legendary Kepler space telescope has retired after running out of fuel needed for further science operations.

The US space agency said this brings an end to a prolific nine-and-a-half year mission in which it discovered over 2,600 intriguing exoplanets, some of which may harbour life.

In a statement, NASA said data collected from Kepler's deep space missions indicates our sky is filled with billions of hidden planets - more than the stars.

The US space agency said the unmanned space telescope, which launched in 2009, leaves a legacy of more than 2,600 planet discoveries from outside our solar system, many of which could be promising places for life.

NASA's Science Mission Directorate in Washington said as NASA's first planet-hunting mission, Kepler has wildly exceeded all expectations and paved the way for exploration and search for life in the solar system and beyond.