Daily Current affairs - December 24th and 25th, 2017 for all competitive exams
December 25 - Good Governance Day
Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s birthday is being
celebrated as Good Governance Day across the country on 25th December.
- Good Governance Day was established in 2014 to
honour Mr Vajpayee by fostering awareness among the people of
accountability in government.
Narendra Modi to be the first PM to attend World Economic Forum in 20 years
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will make his maiden appearance
at Davos, where the world’s top CEOs and a large number of heads of
government gather for the annual meeting of the World Economic
Forum in January.
- It will be the first time that an Indian Prime
Minister will be the treated like the chief guest of the country expected
to dominate the show.
- India theme will be in focus at the conference with
several sessions around India.
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The World
Economic Forum is an independent international organization committed to
improving the state of the world by engaging business, political, academic
and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas.
Incorporated as a not-for-profit foundation in 1971, and headquartered in
Geneva, Switzerland.
The forum
was founded in 1971 by Klaus Schwab, a German-born business professor at
the University of Geneva
Executive Chairman: Klaus
Schwab
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Government extends deadline for pasting stickers reflecting new MRP
The government has allowed companies till March next year to paste price
stickers on unsold packaged products to reflect new MRP post GST.
- This was stated by Food and Consumer Affairs
Minister Ram Vilas Paswan in New Delhi.
- In last GST Council meeting, rates of GST have been
reduced for about 200 items, so the Ministry has decided to extend the
December deadline to further three months.
- The Ministry has permitted the companies to paste
additional stickers under the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules,
2011.
- After the roll out of Goods and Services Tax from
1st of July this year, companies were asked to use stickers on unsold
packaged commodities to display new Maximum Retail Price (MRP) till
September which was later extended till December this year.
Pilot project “Blue Flag” for beach clean-up was launched the
by Environment ministry
To raise standards of cleanliness and to set up basic amenities at beaches,
Union Environment Ministry has launched a pilot project for beach clean-up and
development.
- Under this project, Environment Ministry has asked
each coastal state and union territory to nominate one beach which will be
developed by deploying funds through the ongoing Integrated Coastal
Management Programme.
- Subsequent to the development, attempt will be made
to procure ‘Blue Flag’ certification for such identified beaches.
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‘Blue Flag’ certification testifies that a beach, marina or sustainable
boating tourism operator adheres to specific standards. This certification is
awarded by the Foundation for Environment Education (FEE).
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President inaugurates Indian Economic Association (IEA) summit held in
Hyderabad
President Ram Nath Kovind inaugurated the Indian Economic Association (IEA)
summit at the Acharya Nagarjuna University in Hyderabad.
- He inaugurated the AP Fibre Grid project. Kovind is
also inspect the Real-Time Governance Centre at the Andhra Pradesh
secretariat.
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Indian
Economic Association is a registered body of Indian Economic
Professionals, established way back in 1917, with the objective of
providing a forum for debate and discussion of theoretical and policy
oriented issues of Economic Science.
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Vice President inaugurates Centenary celebrations of Yoga Institute in
Mumbai
Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu inaugurated the Centenary celebrations of
the Yoga Institute in Mumbai.
- The institute was founded by Shree Yogendraji Mani
Haribhai Desai, the disciple of Paramahans Madhavadasji in 1918. It helps
spread yoga practices.
- Naidu lauded the practice of Yoga as a holistic way
of life leading to physical, emotional and spiritual well-being.
The Prevention of Torture Bill, 2017 introduced in
Parliament
The Prevention of Torture Bill, 2017 has
been introduced in the Parliament as a private member’s bill.
- The Bill proposes at least three years of
imprisonment for a public servant who inflicts torture on anybody for a
confession or even for information that may lead to the detection of an
offence. The punishment could be extended to ten years.
- A public servant who intentionally does any act to
cause grievous harm to somebody, even if in police custody, shall be
punished.
- The proposed legislation fulfils India’s commitment,
as confirmed to the United Nations, that “torture and other cruel, inhuman
or degrading treatment or punishment” are prohibited and constitute
serious violations of human rights. The 152nd report of the Law Commission
on “Custodial Crimes” had also recommended changes to the law to make
torture punishable.
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India is one of only eight countries out of 170 signatories to the United
Nations convention against torture and other inhuman treatment or punishment
yet to ratify it.
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Private members’ bills can be introduced by any member of Parliament who
is not a minister but seldom get enacted.
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Bengaluru becomes first city to get its own logo
Karnataka’s capital city Bengaluru has become the first Indian city to have
its own logo, after the state government launched it.
- Brand Bengaluru got its own logo – the tagline
‘Bengaluru – Be U’ (be you). The logo was designed by a design start-up
and uses both English and Kannada alphabets.
- The red and black logo is part English and part
Kannada.
- With this, Namma Bengaluru joins a select group of
global cities like New York City, Melbourne and Singapore to have a
tourism logo of its own.
- The logo for the city was a crowdsourced one made by
Bengalureans themselves.
New Year festivities banned in Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh Endowments Department has issued a circular banning
festivities and special darshans at temples to celebrate New Year.
The circular also stated that organizing new year festivities in temples is
not according to Hindu and Telugu traditions as the Telugu new year is Ugadi in
April.
- The circular directed the temple managements and
priests not to spend money on the floral decorations, banners wishing
devotees, and making special arrangements.
- Hindu Dharma Parirakshana Trust Secretary C V
Raghavachariyalu said that the temples were spending lakhs on floral
decorations and banners for New Year from the donations.
Country’s first AC suburban local train in Mumbai
The Indian Railways has flagged off the
country’s first air-conditioned suburban local train for Mumbai commuters, 150
years after the first suburban local was hauled by a steam engine in 1867.
- Manufactured by the Integral Coach Factory, Chennai,
the fully air-conditioned air-suspension coaches have a capacity of
carrying nearly 6,000 commuters per rake, automatic door opening-closing
system, LED lights, Emergency Talk Back System between commuters and guard
besides a public address system and advanced GPS-based passenger
information systems.
UP Government Signs MoU with South Korea
The Uttar Pradesh government signed an MoU with South Korea to enhance
cooperation in the field of tourism, skill development, culture and farming.
- An agreement was signed in 2000 to develop Ayodhya
and Gimhae as sister cities, following which a memorial was constructed in
Ayodhya which is visited by a large number of tourists from South Korea
every year.
India’s first design university ‘World University
of Design’ opens campus
India’s first and only Design University
– World University of Deisgn has opened it’s campus at Sonipat, Haryana.
- The University has International Collaborations with
foreign Universities like UWS University of West Scotland, VFS the
Vancouver Film School, and IAAD the Italian University of Design.
- The university offers country’s largest creative
course catalogue – 23 specialized UG and PG programs in various Design
arenas such as Design, Fashion, Communication, Visual Arts, Design and
Retail Management, and Architecture.
- The University follows a unique curriculum that
encourages Research, Academic Excellence, Industry Preparedness and Social
Innovation.
Odisha recognised as ‘Champion State’ for exports
The Centre has recognised Odisha as a
‘Champion State’ for recording the highest growth in exports during 2016-17.
- The exports from the state have increased from Rs
19,082 crore in 2015-16 to Rs 40,872 crore in 2016-17 with merchandise
exports from Odisha registering the highest growth rate of 114% among all
the states.
Agatti Airport to get India’s First Runway on ‘Sea Bridge’
Agatti airport in the Lakshadweep islands is all set to get its first
runway on a ‘sea bridge’.
- The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has
given a nod to extend Lakshadweep’s Agatti Airport.
- An RCC platform will be built on the beach and
shallow area which will allow bigger ATRs to operate to the island.
- The project will cost about Rs 1,500 crore and once
completed, the runway will be long enough for ATR-72 to operate.
India to have its own gravitational wave detector
in 2025
A new LIGO gravitational wave detector
to measure ripples in the fabric of space and time is set to be built in India
by 2025, in collaboration with universities from across the globe. The new
Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) detector will add to
the two already operational in the US.
- A third LIGO
detector will help pinpoint the origin of the gravitational waves that are
detected in future.
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The LIGO detectors discovered the first gravitational waves produced by
two giant merging blackholes last year. The research won a Nobel Prize in
Physics this year.
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World’s largest amphibious aircraft make the maiden flight in China.
China’s domestically developed AG600, the world’s largest amphibious
aircraft, performed its maiden flight from an airport on the shores of the
South China Sea.
- State-owned Aviation
Industry Corp of China (AVIC) has spent almost eight years developing the aircraft.
- The aircraft
has received 17 orders so far from Chinese government departments and
Chinese companies.
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China
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Capital
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Beijing
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Currency
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Renminbi
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President
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Xi Jinping
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World’s Longest Glass Bridge Opens in China
The world’s longest glass bridge has been opened in China to the
public. Though it has a capacity to hold 2000 people, only 500 would be
allowed at a time.
- Located in
Shijiazhuang, the magnificent bridge lies 218 meters above hanging
between the two cliffs in Hongyagu Scenic Area in Pingshan county.
- The bridge is
488 meters long and two meters wide, with two dragon
statues on top that could produce smoke.
Belgium becomes first country to appoint female envoy to Saudi Arabia
Belgium has become the first country to appoint a female diplomat as its
ambassador to Saudi Arabia.
- Dominique
Minuer, a veteran diplomat currently serving as ambassador to the UAE, has
been named by the Belgian Foreign Ministry as the next envoy to head its
diplomatic mission in the Saudi capital.
- Yekaterina
Majering Mikadze, a Georgian diplomat appointed in 2010, previously had
responsibility for Saudi Arabia, but was based in Kuwait and covered a
number of neighboring countries.
- When Georgia
later opened an embassy specifically for Saudi Arabia in 2015, it
appointed a male ambassador in Riyadh.
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Belgium
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Capital
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City of Brussels
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Currency
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Euro
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President
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Charles Michel
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UN imposes new sanctions on North Korea
The UN Security Council has unanimously
voted to impose tough new sanctions on North Korea in response to Pyongyang’s
latest missile test. The restrictions, proposed by the US, are designed to
prevent Pyongyang from furthering its nuclear programme. The move was a
“significant ramping up” of sanctions against North Korea.
- The sanctions
include a ban on nearly 90% of refined petroleum exports to North Korea.
The resolution also orders North Koreans who work abroad to return to the
country within 24 months.
- The
resolution also contains a commitment to the resumption of “six-party
talks”, leaving the door open for possible diplomatic negotiations.
- North Korean
leader Kim Jong-un’s government has conducted several missile tests this
year, which have drawn condemnation from the international community.
Scientists developed Reservoir computing system
Scientists have developed a new type of
neural network chip that can dramatically improve the efficiency of teaching
machines to think like humans. The network is called- Reservoir Computing
System.
- Researchers
from University of Michigan in the US created their system using
memristors, which require less space and can be integrated more easily
into existing silicon-based electronics. Memristors are a special
type of resistive device that can both perform logic and store data.
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Researchers used a special memristor that memorises events only in the
near history. Inspired by brains, neural networks are composed of neurons, or
nodes, and synapses, the connections between nodes.
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Indian economy may reach 7% growth in 2018: Assocham
The Indian economy may reach a 7 per cent growth in 2018 while recovering
from the lingering effects of demonetisation and GST, industry chamber Assocham
reported.
- After
‘disruptions’ from the lingering effects of demonetisation and GST
roll-out, the Indian economy may reach a 7 per cent growth in 2018 with
government policies tilting towards the stress-ridden rural landscape in
the penultimate year before the Lok Sabha elections,” according to the
industry body’s “Year-Ahead Outlook.
India’s GDP to grow at 7.5 per cent in 2018: Nomura report
Indian economy is expected to witness sharp recovery in the January-March
quarter and its GDP growth likely to be around 7.5 per cent for 2018, according
to Nomura report.
- According to
Japanese financial services major Nomura’s Composite Leading Index (CLI),
some growth consolidation is likely in the Q4 (October-December), followed
by a sharp recovery in Q1 (January-March) 2018 due to ongoing
remonetisation and improving global demand.
IndiGo becomes first Indian carrier to operate 1,000 daily flights
Budget carrier IndiGo has become the first Indian airline to operate over
1,000 daily flights across its domestic and international network.
- A Mumbai to
Cochin flight that took off on December 22 at 11:15 pm became the 1,000th
flight.
- Notably,
IndiGo is India’s largest passenger airline currently with a market share
of 39.4% as of November.
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IndiGo is the second airline in the country with a fleet size of 150
planes after disinvestment-bound flag carrier Air India.
IndiGo CEO: Rahul Bhatia
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Jairam Thakur appointed as Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister
BJP’s veteran leader and five-time MLA Jairam Thakur has been appointed as
the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh.
- This comes
after the party’s Chief Ministerial candidate Prem Kumar Dhumal lost the
state Assembly election from the Sujanpur seat by 1,900 votes.
- Thakur won
from the Seraj constituency against Congress candidate Chet Ram with a
margin of over 11,000 votes.
Bengali film actor Partha Mukhopadhyay passes away
Veteran actor Partha Mukhopadhyay, who had acted in many Bengali classics
died. He was 70.
- Mukhopadhyay
had portrayed a number of roles in classics like Atithi, Balika Badhu,
Amar Prithivi, Baghbandir Khela, Agniswar and had made his mark as a
character actor in 1970s and 1980s.
NASA astronaut McCandless, 1st to fly untethered in space passes away
NASA astronaut Bruce McCandless, the first person to fly freely and
untethered in space, has died in California. He was 80.
- He was
famously photographed in 1984 flying with a hefty spacewalker’s jetpack,
alone in the cosmic blackness above a blue Earth.
18 year old Sundar becomes youngest T20I debutant for India
Spinner Washington Sundar became the youngest debutant for India in T20Is
after appearing in the final T20I against Sri Lanka.
- Sundar is the
72nd T20I player to feature for India. He is the eleventh youngest
cricketer in T20 Internationals all over the world.
- Sundar, who
played his debut match aged 18 years and 80 days, picked up both his
maiden T20I and ODI wickets in his second over of his T20I and ODI debut.
Vijender Singh defends 2 titles with his 10th successive win
Indian professional boxer Vijender Singh defeated Ghana’s Ernest Amuzu at
the Rajasthan Rumble to defend his WBO Oriental and Asia Pacific Super
middleweight titles.
- With his 10th
successive victory, the 2008 Olympic medal winner maintained his 100% win
record in professional boxing.
- Out of his 10
victories, four have come in India while remaining six took place abroad.
