18 November 2016 - Current Affairs

Sunway Taihulight named World’s fastest Super Computer.

• As per the latest edition of the Semiannual Top 500 Supercomputer list, Sunway Taihulightfrom China has become the World’s fastest Super Computer.
• China has retained the top spot for the eighth consecutive year now in this list.
• The Supercomputer is capable of performing 93 million billion calculations per second.

James Clapper resigns as US Intelligence Chief.

• S. Director of National Intelligence James Clapper is the first high official to quit his job from the Barack Obama administration.
• Clapper coordinated the work of various agencies including Central Intelligence Agency and the National Security Agency.

National Student Startup Policy launched by President.

• National-Student-Startup-Policy-launched-by-President-at-the-second-Visitor’s-Conference
• President Pranab Mukherjee launched the National Student Startup Policy on the opening day of the second Visitor’s Conference at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
• The policy aims to create 100,000 technology based student start-ups and a million employment opportunities within the next 10 years.
• It has been formulated by All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE).

Government allows cash withdrawal up to Rs. 2000 at selected Petrol Pumps.

• Cash would be dispensed at 2,500 petrol pumps across the country that have card swipe machines from State Bank of India.
• The facility is expected to be extended to 20,000 outlets in the coming days that have card swipe machines from HDFC Bank, Citibank and ICICI Bank.

The legend of Lakshmi Prasad, book by Twinkle Khanna launched.

• The Indian Actor turned Columnist has presented a collection of short stories about female emancipation in her book.
• The book has been published by Juggernaut Books and is a collection of 4 short stories.

Har Ghar Bijli Lagatar Scheme launched by Bihar CM Nitish Kumar.

• Under the Scheme, 50 lakhs household in Bihar would be provided free electricity connection by 2018.
• The Scheme aims to cover the rural above poverty line population of Bihar.
• Centre’s Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana has already covered the BPL families.

S.S.P. Chawrasia clinches the 2016 Resorts World Manila Masters.

• The Indian Golfer grabbed the title against Sam Chien of the US and Nicholas Fung of Malaysia at the Manila Southwoods Golf and Country Club.
• He will be awarded 1 million US Dollars for the win.

Dharambir Singh awarded 8-year ban by NADA.

• The 200 m runner was banned by National Anti Doping Agency (NADA) for failing a dope test at the last minute at the Rio Olympics 2016.
• The Sprinter from Haryana had tested positive for an anabolic steroid.

Nikki Haley elected Vice – Chairperson of the Republican Governors Association.

• The Indian – American is currently serving as the Governor of South Carolina.
• The appointment came amidst the reports that she is being considered for the post of secretary of state by President – elect Donald Trump.