In US Presidential election debate who said what.
The Nobel Prize in Literature
Legendary American singer and songwriter Bob Dylan was awarded the 2016 Nobel Prize in Literature for “for having created new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition”.
Following the announcement, Sara Danius, Permanent Secretary of the Swedish Academy, said “He can be read and should be read, and is a great poet in the English tradition. For 54 years he is constantly reinventing himself creating a new identity.”
Bob Dylan was born as Robert Allen Zimmerman on May 24, 1941 in Duluth, Minnesota. For the last five decades Dylan remains an influential figure in folk, rock and blues music. His writings and music highlights social issues like civil rights and anti-war movements. Since the 60s, his iconic songs such as “Blowin’ In The Wind”, “The Times They Are a-Changin”, “Tangled Up In Blue”, “Mr Tambourine Man”, “Subterranean Homesick Blues,” and “Like A Rolling Stone” has remained popular with generation after generation. Dylan is one of the bestselling artists of all time with sales of more than 100 million records. He has also published six books of drawings and paintings. Previously Dylan has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Minnesota Music Hall of Fame, Nashvile Songwriters Hall of Fame and Songwriters Hall of Fame. He has received numerous awards including an Academy Award (Oscar), a Golden Globe Award , 11 Grammy Awards and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Wonder Woman appointed UN honorary Ambassador for the Empowerment of Women and Girls
Iconic comic character and superhero Wonder Woman has been named an Honorary Ambassador for the Empowerment of Women and Girls by the United Nations.
“Wonder Woman has always been a trailblazer for women’s rights and we believe she can continue that legacy by expanding and deepening the dialogue around these critical issues,” said Diane Nelson, President of DC Entertainment and of Warner Bros. Consumer Products. “While we have achieved progress towards gender equality in many parts of the world, women and girls continue to suffer discrimination and violence. Gender equality is a fundamental human right and a foundation for a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable world,” said Cristina Gallach, UN Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information.
Wonder Woman’s strength and fight for justice and peace will help to focus the campaign’s attention in five key areas – speaking out against discrimination and limitations on women and girls; joining forces with others against gender-based violence and abuse; supporting full and effective participation and equal opportunity for women and girls in leadership in all spheres of life – including the workplace; ensuring all women and girls have access to quality learning, and sharing examples of real life women and girls who are making a difference every day.
Bird Flu returns
Avian influenza or bird flu has reemerged in New Delhi and in other parts of the country. Report of bird deaths led to the closure of Delhi Zoo and Deer Park. The Gwalior zoo has lost its entire population of Painted storks to bird flu.
Acting swiftly on the reports of mortality among the birds in National Zoological Park, Delhi NCR and other parts of the country due to avian influenza virus, Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Anil Madhav Dave, has directed to constitute a monitoring committee for overseeing outbreak of H5 Avian Influenza in the country. The committee will oversee the daily incidences of H5 Avian Influenza in National Zoological Park and other Zoos of the country and submit a daily report to the Environment Minister.
Investigations have revealed that all bird deaths have been caused by the H5N8 virus. Officials are keeping a close watch as thousands of migrating birds fly into the country every day.
Joining hands at BRICS Goa
The 8th BRICS Summit took place in the Goa (15-16 October) under the Chairmanship of India. BRICS, grouping Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, is a unique international mechanism which has been playing an important role in rebalancing global influence thereby having positive effects on world economy and politics.
In a joint declaration, the five head of states, leaders of Federative Republic of Brazil, the Russian Federation, the Republic of India, the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of South Africa, emphasised the importance of further strengthening BRICS solidarity and cooperation based on common interests and key priorities to further strengthen strategic partnership in the spirit of openness, solidarity, equality, mutual understanding, inclusiveness and mutually beneficial cooperation. The leaders agreed that emerging challenges to global peace and security and to sustainable development require further enhancing of collective efforts.
INS Viraat retires
Indian Navy bids farewell to world’s oldest aircraft carrier INS Viraat. Viraat is expected to be decommissioned by end of this year, after 55 years of service, including 27 years with the Royal Navy (British Navy). INS Viraat was accorded a grand send-off from the port city in Kochi. The final journey of the carrier began with Navy officials led by the Chief of Staff, Southern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Nadkarni bidding farewell to the carrier at Ernakulam Wharf of Cochin Port Trust.
Up in the air for Galaxy Note 7
After the drama unfolded in September, last month saw several countries banning Samsung’s Galaxy Note 7 smartphones from flights after reports of fire risk. Turkey’s flagship carrier Turkish Airlines was the latest to ban Note 7. Most airlines issued statements that the devices can no longer be transported on person, in carry-on baggage, in checked bags or as air cargo. Airline companies also put up warning note to passengers on their websites. The ban came after reports of exploding batteries and fires, which have led to numerous injuries. That prompted the South Korean electronics giant to recall all Note 7 phones, including replacements. Samsung has also stopped producing the flagship handset.
Faultlines in Samajwadi Party
Yadav versus Yadav battle has been raging for almost two months now. In September, UttarPradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav had dropped uncle Shivpal from the cabinet. The sacking of Shivpal was seen as a retort to his father, Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, who has been promoting Shivpal over his son in the run-up to the assembly elections in the state that will be held next year. The rift grew wider with Akhilesh and Mulayam meet the Samajwadi Party legislators separately. The family feud came all out in the open when Akhilesh sacked his uncle Shivpal from the ministry. SP party supremo Mulayam Singh says: “Our family is united and so is our party”, as we go to press.