The World Philosophy Day was observed globally on 17 November 2016.
This year, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) organised the special events from 16 November to 18 November.
The Day is celebrated on every third Thursday of November.
This year, the Day was celebrated in line with the International Day for Tolerance (16 November).
November 16: International Day for Tolerance
The International Day for Tolerance is observed globally on 16 November to generate public awareness of the dangers of intolerance.
The observance of the day seeks to educate masses about the need for tolerance in society and help them understand the negative effects of intolerance.
Besides, the 2016 UNESCO-Madanjeet Singh Prize for Promotion of Tolerance and Non-Violence was bestowed upon Russia’s Federal Research and Methodological Centre for Tolerance Psychology and Education (Tolerance Centre).
Russia withdraws from International Criminal Court
Russia has officially withdrawn from International Criminal Court (ICC) after President Vladimir Putin signed an executive order in this regard.
The executive order mentioned that Russia is pulling out of the 2002 Rome Statute, which establishes the ICC’s status and powers.
However, Russia had never ratified the statue meaning it was never member subject to its jurisdiction.
ICC based in The Hague, Netherlands is an intergovernmental organization and international tribunal.
India’s combat-capable Rustom-II drone successfully completes maiden test flight
India’s indigenously developed long-endurance combat-capable drone, Rustom-II (TAPAS 201) successfully completed its maiden-flight.
The test flight took place from Aeronautical Test Range (ATR), Chitradurga, Karnataka, which is a newly developed flight test range for the testing of UAVs and manned aircraft.
RUSTOM–II is a Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) UAV.
The UAV weighs two tonnes. It has an endurance of 24 hours.
It is multi-mission UAV which can conduct Intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions for the armed forces.
“Post-Truth” Named Oxford Dictionaries Word of Year Amid 2016 Political Climate
The word “Post Truth” was named as word of the year 2016 by Oxford Dictionaries on 16 November 2016.
Oxford Dictionary editors have chosen their 2016 international word of the year: “post-truth,” a term that saw a massive spike after Brexit and Donald Trump’s nomination as the Republican candidate for president.
Oxford Dictionaries announced that use of the term rose 2,000 percent between 2015 and 2016, specifically in discussions of Britain’s decision to leave the European Union and the campaign of President-elect Trump.
Chhattisgarh becomes the first state to adopt resolution on demonetisation
Chhattisgarh became the first state of India to adopt a resolution that welcomes the demonetisation scheme of the union government.
The resolution was moved in the state assembly by Chief Minister Raman Singh.
The resolution on 16 November 2016 saw 41 votes in favour and 25 against in assembly.
Earlier on 8 November 2016 at 8:00pm, Prime Minister Narendra Modi demonetised the high-value currency notes of India.
He announced 1000 and 500 rupees notes will cease to be legal tender from midnight 8-9 November 2016.
CRPF for first time deploys women commandos for anti-Naxal operations
The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) for the first time has deployed a team of women commandos in anti-Naxal operations in Jharkhand.
The 135 women commandos belonging to the 232 battalion’s Delta company have started carrying out anti-Naxal operations.
The women commandos are currently undertaking operations under the close supervision of CRPF’s 133 battalion in Naxal-infested forests on the outskirts of Ranchi near Khoonti area.
They will be equally capable of neutralising Naxals in par with men commandos.
They are experts in carrying out all types of anti-Naxal operations and shall play important role in tackling women Naxals.
Doctors from Netherlands perform brain implant for the first time in history
Doctors from Netherlands have performed the first-ever brain implant on a 58-year-old woman paralysed by Lou Gehrig’s disease (also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-ALS).
With this, she became the first patient to use a brain-computer interface.
The implant has enabled paralysed women to communicate in day-to-day life via a speech computer.
Pakistan conducts military exercise close to Indian border
Pakistan conducted Raad ul Barq (Strike of Thunder) military exercise in a strategically located area in Punjab province, bordering India.
It was the comprehensive joint exercise carried out jointly by Pakistan Army and Air Force to reflect the preparedness of our armed forces to respond to any threat to its national security.
The exercise showcased the combat readiness of the country’s defence line with live firepower demonstration using heavy artillery fighter jets and air defence weapons.
Hunar Haat inaugurated at 2016 India International Trade Fair
The Union Ministry of Minority Affairs for the first time had inaugurated Hunar Haat (Skill Haat) at India International Trade Fair (2016) at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi.
It is aimed at promoting and supporting artisans from Minority communities and providing them domestic as well as international market for display and sell their products.
The Hunar Haat exhibition has been organised by the National Minorities Development & Finance Corporation (NMDFC) under “USTTAD” scheme.
In it about 184 master artisans from across the country are showcasing their traditional art and skills at about 100 stalls at the international platform.
It seeks to provide an excellent platform to artisans belonging to Minority communities from across nation to display their art and skills before domestic and international visitors.
Debbie Hockley elected New Zealand Cricket’s first female president
Debbie Hockley has been elected as president of New Zealand Cricket, becoming the first woman to hold that role in the 122-year history of the sport’s national governing body.
New Zealand Cricket said that Hockley, who was captain of New Zealand’s women’s team and is a member of the International Cricket Council’s hall of fame, will replace Stephen Boock and will serve a three-year term.
