Current Affairs - November 18, 2024 Current Affairs

Nigeria awarded Prime Minister Modi a prestigious national honour during his visit, marking a historic moment as it was the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Nigeria in 17 years. This gesture highlighted the strengthening ties between the two nations. Modi also announced 20 tonnes of flood aid and commended Nigeria’s contributions to BRICS, reinforcing the importance of their partnership. Several agreements were signed to enhance bilateral cooperation, reflecting mutual respect and shared goals.

India's Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) successfully tested its first long-range hypersonic missile from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha. This significant milestone demonstrates India's advancement in hypersonic technology, joining an elite group of nations, including the United States, China, and Russia. The missile's capability to carry various payloads for ranges over 1,500 km enhances India's defence capabilities. Odisha's coastline provides a strategic location for testing missile technology, with Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island serving as a key testing facility for India's defence research and development.

Tata Electronics has acquired a 60% stake in Pegatron's iPhone plant in Tamil Nadu, forming a joint venture to strengthen Tata's role as an Apple supplier. This strategic move aligns with Apple's efforts to diversify its supply chain away from China, positioning India as a key manufacturing hub. The partnership will enable Tata to handle day-to-day operations, while Pegatron provides technical support. With this acquisition, Tata emerges as a major player in iPhone manufacturing, rivaling Foxconn, and contributing to India's growing share of global iPhone shipments, expected to reach 20-25% this year.

The United States has made a significant gesture of cultural cooperation by returning over 1,400 looted artifacts valued at $10 million to India. This repatriation is part of a broader initiative to combat the illicit trafficking of antiquities from South and Southeast Asia. The returned artifacts include a celestial dancer sandstone sculpture and other items previously displayed at prestigious institutions like the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art. This move reinforces the US-India Cultural Property Agreement, signed in July, demonstrating the US commitment to preserving India's cultural heritage and preventing future looting.

Super Typhoon Man-yi, also known locally as Pepito, made a second landfall on the Philippines' main island of Luzon. The storm brought severe winds, torrential rains, and life-threatening storm surges, causing significant damage, particularly in Cantanduanes. The typhoon uprooted trees, destroyed buildings, and disrupted power supplies, forcing many people to evacuate to shelters. The Philippines, known for being highly vulnerable to natural disasters like typhoons, continues to face challenges with these recurring threats, requiring ongoing emergency responses.

Sanju Samson made history by becoming the first Indian cricketer to achieve the impressive milestone of scoring centuries in consecutive T20I innings. This feat showcases his exceptional batting skills and consistency in the shortest format of the game. Recently, Tilak Varma joined Samson in this elite list, becoming the second Indian to achieve this remarkable record. Samson's achievement cemented his place as one of India's most talented wicketkeeper-batsmen, known for his explosive batting style and ability to perform under pressure.

The Sagarmanthan forum, South Asia’s largest maritime event, began in New Delhi and was organized by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW) in collaboration with the Observer Research Foundation (ORF). This forum aims to promote knowledge sharing to transform the blue economy while emphasizing inclusive growth and sustainable practices. It focuses on creating a resilient maritime future through actionable insights, reflecting India’s commitment to advancing the global maritime sector.

India strengthened its diplomatic ties with Suriname by dispatching a significant consignment of food grains and edibles to support Suriname's Social Welfare Programme. This gesture underscores the historical connections between the two nations, rooted in the Indian diaspora. Since establishing diplomatic relations in 1976, India and Suriname have fostered cooperation through embassy establishments in Paramaribo (1977) and New Delhi (2000). This humanitarian assistance highlights India's commitment to supporting the welfare initiatives of its partner nations, particularly in the Caribbean region. This move also reinforces the bilateral bond between India and Suriname.

Microsoft has collaborated with NASA to develop "Earth Copilot," a revolutionary AI-driven chatbot that simplifies access to complex Earth Science data. Leveraging Microsoft's Azure cloud and advanced AI capabilities, Earth Copilot enables users to retrieve valuable insights using plain-language queries. This partnership democratizes access to critical information on climate, air quality, disaster response, and urban planning, transforming how researchers, educators, policymakers, and climate experts interact with NASA's data. By making geospatial data more accessible, Microsoft and NASA aim to expand the reach and impact of Earth Science knowledge.

The United States launched the Women in STEMM India Fellowship, a significant initiative promoting gender equity and empowering women in the Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine (STEMM) fields. Led by the Gupta-Klinsky India Institute at Johns Hopkins University, this program underscores the importance of global collaboration in education. US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti's launch of the fellowship highlights the US government's commitment to advancing education and gender equality. This initiative aims to create opportunities for Indian women in STEMM fields, fostering a more inclusive and diverse global scientific community.

Brazil is hosting the G20 Summit in Rio De Janeiro, emphasizing its leadership within the G20 Troika, which includes India and South Africa. The summit’s theme, "Building a Just World and a Sustainable Planet," focuses on equitable global development and sustainability. This follows India’s successful hosting of the G20 Summit in New Delhi, showcasing continuity and cooperation among member nations. Brazil’s role in hosting this major event highlights its commitment to addressing pressing global challenges.

The UAE launched the Global Energy Efficiency Alliance during COP29 in Azerbaijan, aiming to double global energy efficiency rates by 2030. This initiative reflects the UAE’s leadership in promoting sustainable energy practices and reducing emissions globally. By sharing its expertise and collaborating with the private sector, the UAE seeks to drive innovation and foster international cooperation in achieving energy efficiency goals. This move underscores the critical role of partnerships in addressing global environmental challenges.

Victoria Kjaer Theilvig made history by becoming Denmark's first-ever Miss Universe, winning the coveted title at the 73rd Miss Universe pageant in Mexico. The 21-year-old from Søborg outshone 125 participants from around the globe, showcasing her intelligence, elegance, and advocacy for mental health awareness and animal welfare. With her remarkable achievement, Victoria has become a global sensation, inspiring millions worldwide. Her journey to the top began with her title as Miss Denmark, followed by a Top 20 finish at Miss Grand International 2022 and her crowning as Miss Universe Denmark 2024.