Daily Current Affairs- 18 November 2024

Daily Current Affairs- 18th November 2024

National

India successfully conducts flight test of the first long-range hypersonic missile off the coast of Odisha

• Defence Research and Development Organisation, DRDO conducted a successful flight-trial of India’s first long-range hypersonic missile from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha. This hypersonic missile is designed to carry various payloads for ranges greater than 1,500 km for the Armed Forces. In a social media post, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh described the flight trial as a historic achievement which has put India in the group of select nations having capabilities of such critical and advanced military technologies. 

Sports

Archery: Jyothi Surekha clinches gold in women’s compound event at GT Open

• In Archery, Reigning Asian Games champion Jyothi Surekha Vennam clinched the gold medal in the women’s compound event at the GT Open in Luxembourg, competing in the GT Open for the first time, Jyothi played brilliantly throughout the tournament and secured the title with a 147-145 win against Sarah Prieels of Belgium. 

ACA appoints Mithali Raj as Mentor of Women’s Cricket Operations

• Former Indian women’s cricket captain, Mithali Raj, has been appointed as the Mentor of Women’s Cricket Operations by the Andhra Cricket Association (ACA). Raj, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest female cricketers, has signed a three-year contract with the ACA. 

World No 1 Magnus Carlsen wins Tata Steel Chess India Blitz event

• At the Tata Steel Chess India tournament in Kolkata, World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen completed a remarkable double clinching the blitz title with a round to spare. He made a comeback against India’s Arjun Erigaisi in the penultimate round to reach an unassailable 12 points. 

Science & Technology    

SpaceX to launch India’s heavy communication satellite GSAT-20 from Cape Canaveral, US

• Elon Musk’s SpaceX will launch India’s heavy communication satellite GSAT-20 from Cape Canaveral in the US on Nov 19. Indian Space Research Organisation(ISRO) Chairman S Somanath has said that SpaceX’s Falcon-9 will launch ISRO’s GSAT-20, also called GSAT N-2, on November 19. The satellite is expected to remain in operation for 14 years. It will provide vital services across India, including internet connectivity for remote areas. 

Appointment & Resignation

Ashutosh Gowariker appointed as chairperson of the International Jury for IFFI 2024

• Filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker has been appointed as the chairperson of the International Jury for the 2024 International Film Festival of India (IFFI). Gowariker, known for films such as ‘Jodhaa Akbar’, ‘Lagaan’, and ‘Swades’, said he is honoured to be associated with the prestigious film festival, which will be held in Goa from November 20 to 28. 

Important Days   

National Naturopathy Day: India

• National Naturopathy Day is celebrated on November 18th in India to mark the day when Mahatma Gandhi became a life member of the Nature Cure Foundation Trust. Gandhi is considered the founding figure of naturopathy in India. The theme for Naturopathy Day 2024 is "Naturopathy for Healthy Aging and Longevity". 

Awards & Recognition

Nigeria honoured PM Narendra Modi with Grand Commander of The Order of the Niger award

• Nigeria honoured Prime Minister Modi with the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger, GCON. He is the second foreign dignitary to receive this honour. Queen Elizabeth is the only foreign dignitary to be awarded with GCON in 1969. This will be the 17th such international award being conferred to Prime Minister Modi by a country. Prime Minister Modi reached Abuja last night on a two-day visit to Nigeria. 

Victoria Kjaer of Denmark wins Miss Universe 2024 and more

• Denmark’s Victoria Kjaer Theilvig, 21, made history by becoming the first-ever winner from the country at the Miss Universe 2024 pageant, Mexico’s Maria Fernanda Beltran finished as the runner-up, while Nigeria’s Cnidimma Adetshina took the second runner-up position.
• India’s Rhea Singha also participated, impressing in the preliminary rounds with her elegance. However, despite a strong performance, she was unable to secure a place in the final 12. 

Books & Author

Rajdeep Sardesai's book, titled - The Election that Surprised India

• Rajdeep Sardesai has come out with a book, titled - The Election that Surprised India trying to decode the mind of the Indian electorate. Voters have a discomfiting way of punishing those who claim to represent the club of electoral punditry.