8th November 2016 Important Daily Current Affairs

Daily Current Affairs of 8th November 2016

International Current Affairs

Voting in the 2016 US Presidential elections has been declared open in several states across the United States at 4:30 PM (IST).
- The polling booths will be closed at 9:30 AM (IST) tomorrow (9th November).
- Media organisations will announce the 45th US President after a candidate secures the support of 270 of the 538 members of the Electoral College.
The 37th annual Sikh Parade, which is believed to be the largest Sikh event outside India, took place in Yuba city, California between November 3 and 6.
- The parade, which honours the Guru Granth Sahib and its teachings, was attended by Sikhs from all over the world.
India has was ranked second in the Global Business Pptimism Index during the third quarter (July-September 2016).
- India has improved its ranking by one spot in the index.

National Current Affairs

The Pushkar Fair, locally called 'Pushkar ka Mela,' began today in Rajasthan.
Maharashtra Governor C Vidyasagar Rao has amended the National Food Security Act for the Scheduled Areas of the state to improve the nutrition status of children below six years, pregnant women, and lactating mothers.
- In a notification issued by the Governor, the word 'Take Home Ration' used in the act has now been replaced by the words 'Hot Cooked Meal'.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has decided to use the word ‘Daesh’ for the Islamic State terror group instead of ‘ISIS’ in all its correspondence.
- ‘Daesh’ is an acronym for the Arabic phrase al-Dawla al-Islamiya al-Iraq al-Sham (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant).
Jammu and Kashmir government has launched the All Terrain Bike programme for meritorious students of the lower economic strata.
- Provided at 90% subsidy, the cycles would be given to any Class X student belonging to lower economic background, who has to cover over 2 km to reach his school.
- The student should also score above 65% in his 10th exams.
The Tamil Nadu government today passed an order to enhance maternity leave period for women government employees from six to nine months.
- This comes two months after Chief Minister Jayalalithaa made the announcement in the state Assembly.

Deaths

Kanu Gandhi (87), the grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, passed away after a prolonged illness.
- Kanu was famous for the iconic photograph in which he walked ahead of Mahatma Gandhi holding one end of his stick.

People in News

Minister of State for External Affairs MJ Akbar will co-chair the first Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) between India and Palestine, scheduled to be held on November 8-9 in Palestine.
- The meet is expected to strengthen the bilateral ties between the two countries and would cover several issues including cooperation in economy, energy, tourism, and education among others.

Books & Authors

Author Ruskin Bond is coming out with a set of eight new stories in his latest book, titled 'Death Under The Deodars: The Adventures of Miss Ripley-Bean'.
- The book, which comes after a break in his literary career, is set in the Mussoorie of the 1960s and 1970s.

Awards & Honors

Hollywood Film Awards (HFA)
- Tom Hanks - Hollywood Actor Award
- Natalie Portman - Hollywood Actress Award
- Mel Gibson - Hollywood Director Award
- Leonardo DiCaprio and Fisher Stevens (Before The Flood) - Hollywood Documentary Award for
- Eddie Murphy - Hollywood Career Achievement Award.
Indian-origin cab driver Tejinder Pal Singh will be presented with an award in the '2017 Local-Hero' category as part of 'Australian of the Year Award' on January 25, 2017, for contributing to the community through his initiative 'Food Van'.

Banking & Economic Affairs

The Defence Ministry has approved the projects worth ₹82,000 crore for the procurement of 83 Light Combat Aircraft (Tejas), 464 T-90 tanks and 598 UAVs (drones).
- The 83 LCA would be procured from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
- The government and HAL are in the process of increasing the production capacity of Tejas fighters.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued clarifications on hedging of currency for External Commercial Borrowings (ECB).
- The ECB borrower will be required to cover both principal as well as coupon payments through the hedges done, starting from the day of borrowing, the notification said.
- The hedging period will be for the entire life of the liability with a minimum one-year rollover option.
India is planning to sell as much as ₹5,000 crore of offshore rupee bonds or Masala bonds in London and Singapore to accelerate the construction of roads and ports.
- The sale will be the largest such issue by a state-run body since NTPC's transaction in August.

New Appointments

The Reserve Bank (RBI) has appointed M Rajeshwar Rao as Executive Director following G Mahalingam’s voluntary retirement from the central bank.
China has announced Chen Wenqing as the head of its intelligence and security agency, the Ministry of State Security, replacing the incumbent minister Geng Huichang who is reportedly retiring.
China also has replaced its Finance Minister Lou Jiwei with the former tax chief Xiao Jie.

Science & Technology

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman AS Kiran Kumar today announced that the South Asian satellite proposed by PM Narendra Modi for the benefit of SAARC members will be launched in March 2017.
- Important Points to Note :
- - The South Asian Satellite's earlier name was SAARC satellite.
  - - It was renamed after Pakistan opted out of the project.
  - It was originally scheduled for launch in December this year.
World first hydrogen-powered and zero-emission passenger train named as Coradia iLint was unveiled in Germany.
- This first of its kind ecofriendly train has been developed by French rail company Alstom.
- The Coradia iLint only emits excess steam and condensed water into the atmosphere.

Sports Current Affairs

Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo has won Marca's Alfredo di Stefano award for the best player in the La Liga for the 2015-2016 season.
- Meanwhile, Atlético Madrid boss Diego Simeone won the best manager and goalkeeper Jan Oblak received the Zamora trophy for conceding the fewest goals.
Nineteen-year-old Haseeb Hameed will become the youngest player to open for England in the upcoming Test match against India at Rajkot.
- Hameed will also become the fifth youngest Test player for England at the age of 19 years and 197 days.

This is the end of today's Daily Current Affairs session friends. Good Day :)