Georgia to Conduct a Full Recount of Election Ballots
Georgia's top election official said that the state will conduct a recount of all paper ballots cast in the November 3 presidential election.
Georgia's Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger said that you actually have to do a full hand-by-hand recount of all because the margin is so close.
UK Tables New Bill to Ban Takeovers from Hostile Actors
UK Business Secretary Alok Sharma warned that hostile actors will have no back door into Britain as he tabled a new Bill in Parliament, which aims to tackle hostile takeovers from foreign organisations.
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) said that the new National Security and Investment Bill will strengthen the UK's ability to investigate and intervene in mergers, acquisitions and other types of deals that could threaten national security.
Investors and businesses will have to tell the government about proposed deals in a number of sensitive sectors, such as defence and artificial intelligence (AI), and screening powers will be extended to include assets and intellectual property as well as companies.
Hong Kong's Pro-democracy Lawmakers Resign En Masse
Hong Kong's pro-democracy lawmakers have resigned en masse following a move by the city's government to disqualify four pro-democracy legislators.
The pro-democracy camp announced their decision hours after the Hong Kong government said that it would be disqualifying four pro-democracy legislators — Alvin Yeung, Dennis Kwok, Kwok Ka-ki and Kenneth Leung from the legislature.
The disqualifications came after China's National People's Congress Standing Committee, which held meetings, passed a resolution stating that those who support Hong Kong's independence or refuse to acknowledge China's sovereignty over the city, as well as commit acts that threaten national security or ask external forces to interfere in the city's affairs, should be disqualified.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration along with the University of Maryland released a report on health of coral reefs in US Virgin Islands and in Hawaii and Guam in the Pacific.
The study has found that only 2% coral reefs are left alive along the coasts of Florida. This is the first time, a nation-wide coral assessment is being held in the US. The report classified the regions as very good, good, fair, impaired and critical. Most of the coral reefs in the US, according to the report, were fair.
According to the report, lawn chemicals, sewage and other pollutants flowing into the ocean pose catastrophic threat to the corals in the country.
The reefs in Florida were in impaired condition. The corals in Puerto Rico and Hawaii were in good condition.
Union Ministry of Textiles launches "Local4Diwali"
The Union Ministry of Textiles has launched a campaign for Diwali- "Local4Diwali". The campaign has been launched to promote the Indian handicraft which is the cultural heritage of the country and also a source of livelihood for many. As per the available data, the handicrafts sector is a major sector of women empowerment as almost 55% of the workers and artisans are women.
The main aim of the #Local4Diwali campaign is to urge people to buy and gift Indian handicraft products on this Diwali.
The basic aim of the campaign is to give a boost to Indian handicrafts and artisans.
This campaign will help the handicraft artisans and workers in increasing their sales and promoting their business. After the promotion of idea of "Vocal for Local" by PM Modi, every sector is working towards promoting local businesses and strengthening Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan.
First Commercial Shipment from Bangladesh through Water Route
India has received the first commercial shipment from Bangladesh through water route in November 2020. The shipment was received Assam's Karimganj on the Protocol for Inland Water Trade and Transit (PIWTT) route. This is a step towards utilizing the inland waterway connectivity for trade and prosperity between both the countries.
India and Bangladesh have a Protocol on Trade and Transit through inland waterways. The protocol was first signed in 1972 and renewed in 2015.
The protocol allows making mutual arrangements for using the waterways of both the countries for commerce.
The protocol now has a provision of automatic renewal after 5 years.
A second addendum was added to the protocol in May 2020 which includes new Indo Bangladesh Protocol (IBP) routes and port of call.
According to the 2nd addendum, the number of IBP routes has been increased to 10 from 8 and new locations have also been included.
Operation Greens Scheme
On November 11, 2020, the Ministry of Food Processing Industries announced that a 50% transport subsidy is being provided to 41 notified fruits and vegetables from the Himalayan and the North Eastern states.
Earlier, these notified fruits and vegetables were provided with rail subsidies under the Kisan Rail Scheme. This is being done after UDAN scheme has developed significant number of airports in these regions.
Operation Greens was launched in 2018. Operation Greens is a price fixation scheme that makes sure if farmers are provided with right price for their produce. The scheme aims to promote processing facilities, Farmer Producer Organizations and professional management of agri-produce. It mainly focuses on tomatoes, onions and potatoes by connecting farmers and consumers.
In a move much anticipated, a notification signed by President Ram Nath Kovind brings over-the-top (OTT) platforms like online news portals and streaming services under the ambit of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
While Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar had assured in 2019 that the Centre would not curb media freedom, he had stressed the need for a regulatory mechanism for the digital media, just as the one for other mediums like the print and electronic.
India's Quest for its Own SpaceX Hits a Milestone
Bengaluru startup Pixxel aims to launch a constellation of Earth observation small satellites whose data can have multiple applications in agriculture and other sectors. Its first satellite was good to go on a Soyuz rocket this month, but the launch was put off to March next year because the main satellite riding on the Russian vehicle wasn't ready.
Makers of small satellites have to piggyback on rockets that have large payloads.
Hence the emergence of dozens of startups developing small-satellite launches vehicles. US-based Rocket Lab has already proved its viability, launching its 15th commercial payload last month with 10 small satellites. Its next mission later this month aims to deploy 30 small satellites.
China's Chen Meng won the first-ever ITTF Women's World Cup title. Chen Meng is the world's No.1 women table tennis player at present. She defeated her Chinese compatriot Sun Yingsha to win the title.
The Dishang 2020 ITTF Women's World Cup was held in November 2020 at Weihai, China.
The event marked the RESTART of the international table tennis which returned after 8 months due to pandemic. The series is also called #RESTART series of ITTF.
Established in 1926, the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) is a federation that governs for all national-level table tennis associations.
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved the continuation and revamping of financial support to Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) in Infrastructure Viability Gap Funding (VGF) Scheme till 2024-25 with a total outlay of Rs. 8,100 crore.
The revamped scheme is mainly related to introduction of following two sub-schemes for mainstreaming private participation in social infrastructure.
Sub scheme -1 is for projects facing bankability issues and poor revenue streams in areas such as waste water treatment, water supply, solid waste management, health and education sectors, etc. The projects eligible under this category should have at least 100 per cent operational cost recovery. The Central Government will provide a maximum of 30 per cent of the total project cost (TPC) as VGF and the other side may provide equivalent additional support.
'Sarna Code' for Tribals
The Jharkhand General Assembly passed a resolution demanding a separate 'Sarna Code' for Tribals. The proposal was tabled by Chief Minister Hemant Soren. The resolution was passed unanimously with voice vote.
The Resolution seeks a separate column for followers of Sarna religion in Census 2021.
The resolution will seek a special column for the followers of Sarna religion in Census 2021. The Sarna religion followers are worshippers of nature. They do not consider themselves as Hindus. They have been fighting for a separate religious identity for decades. Currently, Sarna is not classified as a separate religion.
Nitish Kumar Likely to Take Oath as Bihar CM on November 16
After National Democratic Alliance (NDA) registered a victory in the Bihar assembly elections, it is almost certain that Nitish Kumar would sit in the Chief Minister`s chair once again.
The new government will likely be formed after Diwali, it is possible that that Nitish Kumar will take the chief ministerial take oath on November 16.
This will be seventh time Nitish Kumar will become the Chief Minister of the state. The JDU's core committee held a meeting with BJP leaders to discuss government formation formula.
Kumar is on course to becoming the longest-serving chief minister of the state after he assumes his new term. He will send his resignation to the governor since his current tenure expires at the end of November.
Unified Maritime Command Will have IAF's Strike Elements, Army's Amphibious Units
The Maritime Theatre Command, comprising all the naval assets, will come up soon after the unified Air Defence Command is set up. An ongoing study on the maritime command is currently at an advanced stage.
The Air Defence Command, responsible for guarding the Indian airspace from hostile air elements, was initially reported to be set up by October. A new date, however, is yet to be formally announced. The study on the Maritime Theatre Command has been under way for the last several months.
As per reports, the command is more likely to be headquartered at Karwar in Karnataka. Hyderabad is also under consideration. It will likely be headed by an Indian Navy officer of vice-admiral or admiral rank.
Bahrain's Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa Passes Away
Bahrain's Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman al-Khalifa, the world's longest serving Prime Minister and a staunch ally of neighbouring Saudi Arabia and the United States, passed away at the age of 84.
Sheikh Khalifa was a dominant figure in the Gulf island's politics for much of his near half century in power.
Khalifa, the uncle of King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa, had served as Prime Minister since the Sunni Muslim-led island kingdom declared independence from Britain in 1971, almost half a century. The al-Khalifa family has ruled since 1783.
World Pneumonia Day is celebrated on 12th November. It was established in 2009.
It raise awareness about pneumonia, the world's leading infectious killer of children under the age of 5.
Pneumonia is one of the leading causes of deaths in children under five years old despite being easily preventable and treatable. Although vaccines and other preventative efforts are decreasing the burden of the disease, much more work is still required.
The Vice President of India, M Venkaiah Naidu has presented the National Water Awards (NWAs) for 2019. This is the second edition of the award. Among the states category, Tamil Nadu bagged the Best State Award, followed by Maharashtra and Rajasthan.
The award ceremony has been organised by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation are from 11 & 12 November 2020 through the virtual platform.
The NWA awards are given to motivate the individuals/organizations to adopt the best usage practices in the field of water resources conservation and management and create awareness among the people about the importance of water.
IIT Alumni Council has launched "MegaScope" for personalised healthcare. MegaScope has been launched to include testing, data analysis and genomics to precisely diagnose infections and to prescribe personalised medicines.
MegaScope will add host genome data mapping along with Artificial Intelligence, machine learning and data backbone to the MegaLab initiative.
The main aim of MegaScope is to improve accuracy of testing, prediction of likely disease severity and progression, enhance efficiency of treatment and avoid casualties.
As per the president of the council, use of the same medicine for all or same test for all is coming to an end now. COVID-19 has shown that pathogens can react differently from one person to another and that is why there is a need of personalized medicine. This need will be fulfilled by MegaScope.
Sitharaman Hands over Coins of Ancient, Medieval Period to Prahlad Singh Patel
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman handed over confiscated ancient and medieval period antiquities/ coins to Union MoS for Tourism and Culture, Prahlad Singh Patel.
The 40282 confiscated coins belong to the Sultanate and Mughal era from the period 1206 to 1720 AD, princely states such as Kushana, Yaudheya, Guptas, Pratihar, Cholas, Rajputs, Mughals, Marathas, Kashmir and also British India, French and certain Australian coins from the period 1800-1900 AD.
The confiscated items also cover 18 antique seal/stamp/religious emblem to be worn by the person having authority by Ruler to execute the Royal orders and 1 Silver Kamarband (waistband) to be worn by Royal/affluent family women.
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