1.
US, Israel lose UNESCO voting right
i. U.S. automatically lost voting rights at UNESCO, after missing a crucial deadline to repay its debt to the world’s cultural agency.
ii. The U.S. hasn’t paid its dues to the Paris-based U.N. Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization in protest over the decision by world governments to make Palestine a UNESCO member in 2011. Israel suspended its dues at the same time.
iii. Under UNESCO rules, the U.S. had until Friday morning to resume funding or explain itself, or it automatically loses its vote.
iv. A UNESCO official, who was not authorized to speak publicly about the issue, said nothing was received from either the U.S. or Israel.
v. The suspension of U.S. contributions, which account for $80 million a year 22 percent of UNESCO’s overall budget brought the agency to the brink of a financial crisis and forced it to cut or scale back American-led initiatives such as Holocaust education and tsunami research over the past two years.
vi. The UNESCO tension has prompted new criticism of U.S. laws that force an automatic funding cutoff for any U.N. agency with Palestine as a member.
vii. The official list of countries that lose their votes was expected to be read aloud on Saturday before the entire UNESCO general conference.
Note: UNESCO may be best known for its programme to protect the cultures of the world via its Heritage sites, which include the Statue of Liberty and Mali’s Timbuktu.
2.
Polio worker from India honoured with UN award
i. A polio worker from Bihar has been honouredwith a prestigious UN Foundation award for her work in protecting children from the disease.
ii. Martha Dodray, a front-line polio worker who is "performing heroic work in protecting children from this crippling disease" was honoured at the GlobalLeadership Awards Dinner 2013 in New York on Thursday hosted by the UN Foundation and the United Nations Association of the USA (UNA-USA).
iii. Besides Dodray,those honoured for advancing UN causes are Pakistan girls' education activist Malala Yousafzai, US Ambassador to the UN Samantha Powerfor her fierce commitment to human rights, front-line polio workers like Dodray, GE Africa, which is a leader in improving health care for women and children.
iv. Dodray, who hails from Darbhanga, said she was delighted and felt honoured to receive the award at such a global stage.
v. Dodray was joined on stage by Ambassadors to the UN from Afghanistan, Nigeria, Pakistan and senior BJP leader Shatrughan Sinha.
vi. Leading Indian actress Priyanka Chopra also attended the event and presented the award to the Documentary Group and filmmakers '10x10' for creating'GirlRising', a feature film for girls' education.
3.
Theme of 33rd edition of India International Trade Fair is inclusive growth
i. The Theme of 33rd edition of the India International Trade Fair is inclusive growth. The fair will begin from 14th of this month and continue till 27th at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi.
ii. India Trade Promotion Organisation said that Japan is a partner country and the focus country is South Africa, while partner state is Bihar and the focus state is Odisha.
iii. This year 250 exhibitors from 25 countries are participating out of 6000 exhibitors from India and overseas.
iv. 31 Indian states and union territories and 30 central government ministries and departments are also participating. The fair will be inaugurated by the President, Pranab Mukherjee.
v. ITPO is also inaugurating facilities like mobile app, live broadcasting and audio-video visuals on website. Through mobile app visitors can access relevant information relating to trade fair.
4.
Agni-I successfully test-fired
i. India on Friday successfully test-fired its indigenously developed nuclear-capable Agni-I ballistic missile with a strike range of 700 km from a test range off Odisha coast as part of a user trial by the Army. 
ii. The surface-to-surface, single-stage missile, powered by solid propellants, was test-fired from a mobile launcher at 0933 hrs from launch pad-4 of the Integrated Test Range at Wheeler Island, about 100 km from Balasore.
iii. "Agni-I missile was launched by the Strategic Forces Command (SFC)," he said, adding the DRDO developed medium-range ballistic missile from the production lot was launched as part of regular training exercise by the armed forces.
iv. The Agni-I missile has a specialised navigation system which ensures it reaches the target with a high degree of accuracy and precision, he said.
5.
Central Bank opens liaison office in Hong Kong
i. The third largest public sector lender by branches Central Bank of India today said it has opened a representative office in Hong Kong.
ii. The representative office will facilitate the bank to tap the huge business potential in the thriving island city by providing marketing and liaisoning, its chairman and managing director Rajeev Rishi said in a statement.
iii. He said the office will not engage in core banking but will use its local presence to explore business opportunities with the aim of establishing a long—term presence and penetrate the markets.
6.
Jordan to replace Saudis on UN council
i. Jordan will replace Saudi Arabia on the Security Council for a two-year term starting in January after the Saudis' unprecedented rejection of the seat hours after they were elected, a UN diplomat has said.
ii. The diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity because the deal was made privately, said Jordan's UN Ambassador Prince Zeid al Hussein was flying to Amman yesterday night to discuss Jordan's new role on the UN's most powerful body.
iii. Earlier this week, Jordan dropped its bid for a seat on the UN Human Rights Council, leaving Saudi Arabia a clear path in the now uncontested election next Tuesday.
iv. The UN General Assembly, which voted on Oct. 17 to give Saudi Arabia the seat traditionally reserved for an Arab nation on the council, will have to formally approve Jordan as a replacement. Since Jordan is almost certain to be the only candidate, its election is virtually assured.
v. Jordan, which shares a border with Israel, has been a key behind-the-scenes player in efforts to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
vi. Jordan also shares a border with Syria and has become a major destination for refugees fleeing the 2 1/2-year civil war.
7.
India to open first integrated check post along Bangladesh border
i. India's second international-standard multi-use Integrated Check Post (ICP) and the first along the Bangladesh border will be opened to people at Akhaurah in Tripura on November 17, officials said here on Friday.
ii. The first such ICP was inaugurated in Attari in Punjab along the Pakistan border by then Union Home Minister P Chidambaram in April last year.
iii. Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde will on November 17 inaugurate the Akhaurah ICP, built at a cost of Rs 73.5 crore, a Tripura government official said.
iv. It is the second biggest land port along the Bangladesh border after the Petrapole-Benapole check post in West Bengal.
v. Akhaurah is one of the most important international trading land ports in eastern India, with an average of 200 Bangladeshi trucks loaded with goods entering Tripura every day.
8.
India win Kolkata Test by an innings and 51 runs
i. India handed out an innings and 51 run defeat to the West Indies in the first test match at Kolkata on day 3.
ii. India are now 1-0 ahead in the Two test match series.
iii. A discplined bowling from Mohammad Shami as he took 5 for 47 in the second innings bowled the West Indian for 168 runs only.
iv. The west Indies team was trailing behind 219 runs as India went onto pile 453 runs in their first Innings before they were bowled out today.
v. This match was the penultimate test match for Sachin Tendulkar.
9.
Mexico to take on Nigeria in FIFA U17 World Cup final
i. In the ongoing the FIFA Under -17 World football championship, the defending champions Mexico will take on Nigeria in the final in Abu Dhabi tonight.
ii. Mexico has been consistent throughout the tournament barring its humiliating 6-1 defeat in the opening match against Nigeria.
iii. They have defeated strong teams like Brazil and Argentina on the way to final. Backed by strong local support, Nigeria has been quite impressive throughout the tournament scoring quite a few goals and is a strong contender for the title fourth time.
iv. They have beaten Uruguay and Sweden on their way to the final. An exciting final at the FIFA Under -17 World football championship is on the cards for the soccer fans across the globe.
10.
India to host 2018 Men's Hockey World Cup
i. The International Hockey Federation, FIH has selected India to host the men's World Cup, which is planned for December 2018.
ii. England has been selected as hosts of the 2018 women's World Cup.
iii. FIH President Leandro Negre announced this at a special ceremony in Lausanne on Thursday.
iv. He said that the two nations fought off competition from Malaysia and New Zealand, and Negre admitted the decision had not been easy given the quality of all of the bids.
Note: Hockey's World Cup is held every four years and is second only to the Olympics in significance.
11.
Super Typhoon Haiyan batters central Philippines
i. Typhoon Haiyan is battering the central Philippines with sustained winds of 314 kilometres an hour.
ii. Meteorologists say that if initial estimates based on satellite images are borne out, it could be the most powerful storm ever to make landfall. Officials say the storm has forced millions to seek shelter in 20 provinces and at least three people have died.
iii. The region was already struggling to recover from a powerful earthquake last month. The authorities have warned that more than 12 million people are at risk from the storm.