Top 5 Current Affairs: 15 November 2017

China launches world's first fully electric cargo ship

China on 14 November 2017 launched world's first fully electric cargo ship in Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong province. This 2000-metric-ton ship is the first in the world to use lithium battery.

The ship was manufactured by the Guangzhou Shipyard International Company Ltd. The ship is presently running in the inland section of the Pearl River.

This all-electric cargo vessel will help in reducing the shipping costs for electric power operators. The main cost of this ship depends on how much lithium battery it is equipped with.

15,000 scientists warn that time is running out to save Earth

The largest-ever group of scientists from across the world have warned that time is running out to save the Earth and urgent action needs to be taken to avoid substantial and irreversible harm to the planet.

Over 15,000 scientists from 184 countries have co-signed a paper titled ‘World Scientists' Warning to Humanity: A Second Notice’, which was published in the journal BioScience.  

This is probably the first instance when such a big number of scientists became signatories to any published scientific paper.

President Ram Nath Kovind gives away National Child Awards 2017

The President of India, Ram Nath Kovind, gave away the National Child Awards at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi on 14 November 2017, on the occasion of Children’s Day.

The awards include the National Child Awards for Exceptional Achievement, National Awards for Child Welfare and Rajiv Gandhi Manav Seva Awards.

This year, the President honoured 16 children with the National Child Awards, among whom one child received a gold medal and 15 children were given silver. The gold medal was awarded to the child with the most outstanding achievement. The child was also given a cash prize of Rs 20000 and a certificate/citation.

Railways Ministry launches comprehensive training programme 'Project Saksham'

Union Minister of Railways & Coal Piyush Goyal on 14 November 2017 released a comprehensive training programme named as “Project Saksham” for imparting training to all employees of Indian Railways with a view to upgrade their skill and knowledge.

The focus of this week-long training is to boost productivity and efficiency. Under 'Project Saksham', all employees in each zone will be given a week-long training in skills and knowledge relevant to their work area for over next one year.

With growing rail network, new trains, different high quality services designed by the Indian Railways, it is imperative that the railway employees undergo proper training to deliver superior and safe rail services.

Google Doodle celebrates 151st Birthday of Cornelia Sorabji, India's first female advocate

Google Doodle on 15 November 2017 honoured Cornelia Sorabji, India's first female advocate, on her 151st Birthday. Sorabji was the first woman to graduate in law from India in 1892 and was the first Indian citizen to attend a British University.

Jasjyot Singh Hans created the Google doodle with Sorabji in front of the Allahabad High Court, where she started her career as pleader.

While practicing in court, Cornelia had to fight male domination in courts in addition to pleading for her clients.