Daily Current Affairs 18th Nov, 2024

Daily Current Affairs 18th Nov, 2024: Your guide for daily General Knowledge Preparation

Dear Readers,

This post contains important current affairs of 18th Nov, 2024. It includes all Major National, International, Business and Sports related current affairs of 18th Nov, 2024. A brief explanation of every current affair is provided to further enhance your general knowledge. Once you have gone through these current affairs we would recommend to you to try 18th Nov, 2024 Current affairs test.

International News

Super Typhoon Man-yi Hits Northern Philippines

• Super Typhoon Man-yi, known locally as Pepito, has made its second landfall on Luzon, the Philippines’ main island.
• The storm has brought powerful winds, heavy rainfall, and dangerous storm surges.
• Significant damage has been reported, especially in Cantanduanes, where it has uprooted trees, destroyed buildings, and caused widespread power outages.

Banking News

Karnataka Bank Introduces New Financial Products for Students

• Karnataka Bank Ltd. has launched two student-centric financial products, ‘KBL Peak’ and ‘KBL Genius,’ aimed at supporting students in achieving their educational aspirations and managing finances effectively.
• Unveiled on World Prematurity Day, these offerings reinforce the bank’s commitment to India’s educational and economic growth by providing financial freedom to students.
• ‘KBL Peak’ offers education loans up to ₹2 crore, while ‘KBL Genius’ is a student savings account featuring free cyber insurance, strengthening the bank’s partnerships with educational institutions nationwide.

National News

U.S. Returns Over $10 Million in Looted Artifacts to India

• In a significant development, the United States has repatriated more than 1,400 stolen artifacts valued at over $10 million to India.
• This action is part of an ongoing initiative to return looted cultural items from South and Southeast Asia.
• Among the returned pieces is a sandstone sculpture of a celestial dancer, which was illicitly taken from central India, smuggled to London, and eventually sold to a patron of the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art.

University of Wollongong Launches India Campus in Gujarat’s GIFT City

• Australia’s University of Wollongong (UOW) has officially opened its India campus at the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) in Gandhinagar.
• The new campus offers Master’s degrees and a Graduate Certificate in Financial Technology, aligning with India’s rapidly expanding fintech sector.
• This move follows Deakin University’s establishment of its own campus in GIFT City earlier in July 2024, marking a strategic expansion into the Indian educational landscape.

Business News

Moody’s Maintains Positive Outlook on India’s Economic Growth

• Moody’s Ratings has upheld its forecast of 7.2% GDP growth for India in 2024, despite signs of slowing urban demand and mixed corporate results in the second quarter.
• The global rating agency highlighted strong household consumption, increased rural demand, robust investment, and active manufacturing as positive economic indicators.
• These factors, along with government infrastructure spending and rising capacity utilization, support a favorable outlook for India’s economy.

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

• Tata Electronics has acquired a 60% stake in Pegatron’s sole iPhone manufacturing facility in India, located in Tamil Nadu.
• This strategic partnership enhances Tata’s position as a major supplier to Apple and signifies a significant shift in global supply chain dynamics, with India emerging as a key hub for iPhone production.
• Under the joint venture, Tata will manage day-to-day operations while Pegatron provides technical support.
• The plant, employing around 10,000 people, currently produces 5 million iPhones annually. This acquisition places Tata at the forefront of Apple’s efforts to diversify manufacturing away from China.

Galaxy Health Insurance Unveils ‘Galaxy Promise’ Amid Rising Healthcare Costs

• Galaxy Health Insurance has introduced its first product, ‘Galaxy Promise,’ providing comprehensive family health coverage with flexible sum insured options ranging from ₹3 lakh to ₹1 crore.
• This initiative aims to offer affordable healthcare solutions in response to escalating medical expenses, with various plans tailored to meet diverse customer needs.

Appointments News

Harbhajan Singh and Sania Mirza Named Dubai Sports Council Ambassadors

• Former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh and renowned tennis player Sania Mirza have been appointed as Sports Ambassadors by the Dubai Sports Council.
• This initiative includes four global sports icons and aims to enhance Dubai’s reputation as a premier global sports destination.
• The ambassadors will help attract prestigious international events, nurture local talent, and promote sports tourism.

Valdecy Urquiza Elected as New Secretary General of Interpol

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

Summits and Conferences News

UAE Launches Global Energy Efficiency Alliance at COP29

• At COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, the United Arab Emirates announced the establishment of the Global Energy Efficiency Alliance.
• The 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 ‘UAE Consensus’ from COP28, the alliance seeks to foster international collaboration and innovation in energy efficiency, emphasizing knowledge sharing, partnerships, and investment to achieve sustainability goals.

Awards News

Prime Minister Honored with ‘Grand Commander of the Order of Niger’

• Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi was awarded the prestigious ‘Grand Commander of the Order of Niger’ by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria at the State House.
• This honor recognizes Prime Minister Modi’s visionary leadership, transformative governance, and significant contributions to strengthening India-Nigeria relations and supporting the aspirations of the Global South.

Victoria Kjaer Theilvig Crowned Denmark’s First Miss Universe

• In a historic moment at the 73rd Miss Universe pageant held in Mexico, Victoria Kjaer Theilvig became Denmark’s first-ever Miss Universe.
• The 21-year-old from Søborg outshone 125 participants, including India’s Rhea Singha, to win the title.
• Her combination of intelligence, elegance, and advocacy has made her a global inspiration.

Science & Technology News

NASA and Microsoft Collaborate on ‘Earth Copilot’ for Easier Access to Earth Science Data

• NASA has partnered with Microsoft to develop ‘Earth Copilot,’ an AI-driven chatbot designed to simplify access to complex Earth Science data.
• Leveraging Microsoft’s Azure cloud platform and advanced AI capabilities, Earth Copilot makes NASA’s extensive geospatial data more accessible to a broader audience.
• Users can now retrieve information using simple, natural language queries, such as assessing the impact of hurricanes or monitoring climate change effects.

SpaceX to Launch India’s GSAT-20 Communication Satellite

• SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, is set to launch India’s heavy communication satellite GSAT-20 from Cape Canaveral, USA, on November 19, 2024.
• Developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), the 4,700 kg satellite will provide essential communication services, including internet connectivity to remote areas.
• This launch is a significant milestone for India’s space program, as the satellite exceeds the weight capacity of India’s own LVM-3 ‘Bahubali’ launch vehicle.

Sports News

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

• FIFA has unveiled the new trophy for the 2025 Club World Cup, a golden masterpiece created in collaboration with Tiffany & Co.
• The trophy will be awarded at the inaugural 32-team tournament scheduled for June and July 2025.
• Featuring a 24-carat gold-plated finish and intricate engravings that symbolize football’s past and future, the design is inspired by NASA’s Voyager missions, the periodic table, and astronomical maps.
• Despite criticism over the tournament’s expansion, FIFA views the trophy as a prestigious symbol for the future of club football.

Important Days 

World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week : November 18-24

• World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week (WAAW) is observed annually from November 18 to 24.
• The campaign aims to increase awareness and understanding of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and to promote best practices to prevent the emergence and spread of drug-resistant infections.
• It involves stakeholders from the One Health sectors, including human, animal, plant, and environmental health.

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

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