Top Headlines : Daily current Affairs - 02-December-2018

Hello Aspirants here we provide the important Current Affairs of December, 02 2018, which have unique updates of all daily events from various newspapers and Government official websites.

Our complete current affairs helps you to get more marks in Banking, Insurance, SSC, Railways, UPSC,CLAT  and  all State Exams.-Happy Learning!

National News

1. 2.75 lakh people avails CLSS under PMAY (U)

·      Nearly 2.75 lakh beneficiaries have availed a subsidy scheme under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban), with Gujarat (88,000) topping the chart.

·      Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh had the most number of beneficiaries under the Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme (CLSS) after Gujarat.

2. Karnataka gets Permission for Mekedatu Project

·      Central Water Commission (CWC) has given approval to Karnataka’s disputed Makedatu Project on river Cauvery and asked the Karnataka government to formulate detailed project report for the Makedatu Project. Makedatu is a deep gorge situated 100 km away from Bengaluru.

Karnataka :

·      Capital: Bengaluru

·      Chief Minister: H. D. Kumaraswamy

·      Governor: Vajubhai Rudabhai Vala

3. EDrishti Software Launched to Help Railway Ministry keep track of Punctuality of trains

·      Indian Railways launched a software named- ‘eDrishti’, that will enable the Union Railway Minister Shri. Piyush Goyal to keep track of punctuality of trains as well as freight and passenger earnings from anywhere in the country.

·      It has been developed by the Centre for Railway Information System (CRIS). The software has also been connected with the base kitchens of the Indian Rail Catering and Tourism Corp (IRCTC).

4. 4th India-Mozambique Joint Commission meeting held in New Delhi

·      The India-Mozambique Joint Commission on Economic, Cultural, Scientific and Technical Cooperation held its 4th session in Jawaharlal Nehru Bhavan, New Delhi. 

·      The meeting was chaired by the External Affairs Minister of India, Smt. Sushma Swaraj, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs & Cooperation of the Republic of Mozambique, Mr. Jose Condungua Antonio Pacheco. 

·      A MoU was signed between the National Archives of India and the National Documentation and Information Center of Mozambique, for enhancing cooperation in the area of archival management.

5. Andaman to host 1st ever Indo-Indonesian biz forum as part of Indo-Pacific strategies

·      The first ever India Indonesia Business forum (IIBF) would be held at Port Blair in Andaman and Nicobar Islands as part of policies of Delhi and Jakarta to expand their strategic partnership in the Indo-Pacific Region including Indian Ocean Region. 

·      The forum aims to facilitate the commercial and people to people linkages between Andaman and Nicobar Islands of India with Aceh and North Sumatera Province of Indonesia. 

6. Manipur Sangai Festival-2018

·      Every year Manipur Tourism Department organizes annual cultural festival known as “Sangai Festival” which was previously known as “Tourism Festival” since 2010 this has been renamed as the Sangai Festival to stage the uniqueness of the shy and gentle brow-antlered deer popularly known as the Sangai Deer, which is the state animal of Manipur.

·      Theme: “DESTINATION MANIPUR”. The Princess of Thailand Maha Chakri Sirindhonrn attended the 10-day festival on maiden visit to Manipur.

Manipur

·      Capitals: Imphal, Guwahati (Judiciary)

·      Chief Minister: N. Biren Singh

·      Governor: Najma Heptulla

7. Country’s first owl festival in Pune

·      The Indian Owl Festival, the country’s first owl fest, will be held at Pingori village in Purandar taluka of Pune, Maharashtra.

·      The two-day festival, organised by Ela Foundation, an NGO working towards nature education and conservation, will give information on owl conservation and feature art forms like pictures, paintings, lanterns, lamp shades, posters, origami, stitched articles, poems and stories on owls.

Maharashtra

·      Capital: Mumbai

·      Chief minister: Devendra Fadnavis

·      Governor: C. Vidyasagar Rao

8. Maharashtra approves 16% Maratha quota in jobs and education

·      Marathas, the politically influential community in Maharashtra, will now be able to get 16% reservation in government jobs and education in the state. With the move, the caste reservation quota in the state will now reach 68% from the existing 52%.

·      The bill is called the Maharashtra State Reservation (of seats for admission in education institutions in the state and for appointments in public services and posts under the state) for Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC) Act, 2018.

9. Up to Rs.5 crore green compensation imposed on thermal power plants

·      Thermal power plants across the country have not prepared plans for 100% utilisation of fly ash, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has imposed an environmental compensation ranging from ₹1 crore to ₹5 crore on them. The amount will be dependent on respective capacities of the thermal power plants.

·      The thermal power plants have been asked to deposit the compensation with the apex pollution control board by December 20.

10. NGT slaps Rs 5 crore fine on West Bengal government for failing to curb air pollution

·      The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has slapped an Rs 5-crore fine on the West Bengal government for “failing to comply” with its two-year-old directive to improve air quality in Kolkata and Howrah.

West Bengal

·      Capital: Kolkata

·      Chief Minister: Mamata Banerjee

·      Governor: Keshari Nath Tripathi

11. Empathy Campaign launched to spread pan-India awareness about hepatitis disease

·      Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences has launched an Empathy campaign to spread a pan-India awareness about hepatitis disease. The initiative will help generate awareness about Hepatitis B and C.

·      It was launched at Metro Bhawan, New Delhi in presence of Managing Director of DMRC. Dr. Mangu Singh, and Director ILBS. Shiv Kumar Sarin.

12. India And Finland Ties Up To Boost IT, Renewable Energy

• India and Finland resolved to boost cooperation in a range of areas, including trade and investment, energy and information technology on 24th November, 2017, during talks between External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and her Finnish counterpart Timo Soini.
• The two ministers reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral relations. They agreed to ramp up cooperation in trade, holding that there is huge scope for its expansion.
• External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said Swaraj and Soini agreed to deepen cooperation in mutually beneficial spheres like trade and investment, IT, new and renewable energy, science and technology, culture and people- to-people contact.
• The two countries enjoy traditionally warm and friendly relations since diplomatic relations were established in 1949.
• Trade ties between the two countries are on an upswing. India’s annual trade with Finland has crossed USD 1 billion.
• In 2016, Finland was India’s 60th largest trading partner globally, and the 10th largest within the EU. Similarly, in 2016, India was Finland’s 23rd largest trading partner globally, and the fifth largest within Asia.
• According to official figures, Finnish companies invested USD 419 million between April 2000 and July 2017.
• About 100 Finnish companies now have operations in India, including through investments.
• Large manufacturers like Kone, Huhtamaki, Salcomp, Ahlstrom have set up manufacturing facilities in different parts of India.
• About 30 Indian companies, mainly in the software and consultancy sectors, are active in Finland. These include TCS, WIPRO, Infosys, L&T InfoTech, Tech-Mahindra and HCL Technologies.

13. India Conducts Major Exercise In Strategically-Located Andaman & Nicobar Islands

• India has conducted a major military exercise in the strategically-located Andaman and Nicobar Island archipelago, which with requisite force-levels and infrastructure, can effectively act as a pivot to counter China’s strategic moves in the Indian Ocean Region + (IOR) as well as ensure security of sea lanes converging towards the Malacca Strait.
• The “Defence of A&N Islands Exercise” (DANX), with fighters, heavy-lift transport aircraft, warships, infantry combat vehicles, special forces and regular troops, was conducted from November 20 to 24, 2017 to fine-tune operational drills and synergy among the Army, Navy and IAF in the region.

14. India To Chair Kimberley Process From January 2019

• The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) Plenary 2018, was held in Brussels, Belgium, in November 2018. EU handed over the Chairmanship of KPCS to India from 1st January 2019. This year was the fifteenth anniversary of KPCS.

International News

1. 3rd ASEAN – India Business Summit (AIBS) held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

·      3rd ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) India Business Summit was organised by the ASEAN India Business Council (AIBC) Malaysian Chapter in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

·      It was organized under the guidance of Ministry of International Trade and Industries.

·      Spice Garden group of restaurants owner Pardeep Batra was awarded the special ASEAN – India Achievement award for the businessman of year.

2. First global conference on Blue Economy held in Nairobi

• Kenya, Japan and Canada co-hosted the first global conference on the sustainable blue economy in Nairobi from 26 to 28 November 2018, in an event which brought together over 4,000 participants from around the world. It builds on the momentum of the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the 2015 Climate Change Conference in Paris and the UN Ocean Conference 2017 “Call to Action”.

3. UNESCO accepted Korean wrestling as one of the worlds most treasured cultural practices

• UNESCO accepted a joint bid for Korean wrestling to be recognized as one of the world’s most treasured cultural practices. This bids a new step in their reconciliation efforts of North and South Korea. The two Koreas had originally filed separate applications for their traditional form of wrestling to be recognized on the UN agency’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list. The announcement is the latest in a string of symbolic gestures between Seoul and its nuclear-armed neighbor in recent months. In North Korea, it is known as Ssirum and in South Korea, it is known as Sssireum. The wrestling has been practiced at village festivals for centuries.

Banking & Business Economy News

1. RBI moves to ease liquidity for non-banking finance firms

·      In a move to make more liquidity available to Non-Banking Finance Firms, the Reserve Bank of India has relaxed the securitization norms by relaxing the minimum holding period requirement.

·      RBI has decided to relax the Minimum Holding Period (MHP) requirement for originating NBFCs, as they are now allowed to securitize loans with maturity of more than five years after holding them for six months on their books, as compared to one year earlier.

2. Indian economy likely to grow at 7-7.4 per cent in FY19: NCAER

·      According to a report by the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER), the real agriculture Gross Value Added (GVA) is envisaged to grow at 3 per cent and real industry GVA at 7 per cent in 2018-19. 

·      GDP growth rate at market prices estimated at 7.4 – 7.7 per cent for 2018 – 19. 

·      The current account balance and central fiscal deficit, as percentages of GDP, are projected at –2.3 per cent and 3.2 per cent respectively. 

·      Headquarters: New Delhi ; Director – General of NCAER: Dr Shekhar Shah

3. India is the fastest growing e-commerce market: Report by Bain & Company

·      According to the Consultancy firm Bain & Company’s latest report states that, India has the fastest growing online retail market among top global economies.

·      India’s online retail market had a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 53% from 2013 to 2017.

4. LIC surplus jumps over 10% in FY18

• LIC has expanded its annual surplus by 10.1% to Rs.48,444.82 crore for fiscal 2018 and paid Rs.2,430.19 crore as the government’s share.
• In fiscal 2017, the corporation paid Rs.2,206.70 crore to the government, which was 15.8% more than what it paid in fiscal 2016.

Awards & Recognitions

1. Indian Navy commander, captain win Asian of The Year

·      Commander (Pilot) Vijay Varma  and Captain (Pilot) P Rajkumar were honoured at the ‘7^th Asian of The Year’ awards acknowledging their selfless service and bravery for their death-defying rescue flying during the floods earlier this year in Kerala.

·      The winners were announced at the Straits Times Global Outlook Forum 2019 held in Singapore.

Appointments & Resignation

1. World Gold Council appoints David Tait as next CEO

·      The World Gold Council (WGC) said it would appoint David Tait, an investment banker and member of the Bank of England’s market standards board, as chief executive from next year.

·      Tait will take over in February from Aram Shishmanian, the council’s CEO for the last decade.

Environment Researches & Reports

1. India has highest number of children and adolescents living with HIV in South Asia: UNICEF report

·      An estimated 120,000 children and adolescents aged 0-19 were living with HIV in India in 2017, the highest number in South Asia, according a report by UNICEF named ‘Children, HIV and AIDS: The World in 2030’ which warned that around 80 adolescents will be dying of AIDS every day globally by 2030 if progress in preventing transmission is not accelerated.

·      In 2017, the estimated number of children under 5 years old newly diagnosed with HIV was 43 per cent lower than the comparable estimate in 2010 a decline greater than the 35 per cent recorded globally.

·      Headquarters: New York, United States; Head: Henrietta H. Fore.

Sports

1. AIBA set to introduce ‘protest system’ at 2019 Men’s World championship

·      The International Boxing Association (AIBA) announced that it will introduce a “Protest System” for coaches and boxers in next year’s Men World Championship to be held in Moscow, Russia which will also acts as a qualifier for 2020 Olympic Games.

·      The new system for boxers and coaches has been tested for the first time at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires and recently concluded Women’s World Championship in Delhi.

2. Minjee Lee becomes the first woman to win Australia’s Greg Norman Medal

·      Minjee Lee has become the first woman to win Greg Norman Medal as the best Australian golfer on the international stage after a brilliant year that saw her break into the top 10 of the world rankings.

·      She rose to number six in the world in 2018, joins twice-winner Jason Day and Marc Leishman in the list of winners of Australian golf’s most prestigious individual honour.

3. India Claim 5 Gold Medal, Become Champions At World Youth Boxing

• World youth women’s boxing championship, which saw the participation of players from more than 30 countries, was hosted in Guwahati’s Md Tayabullah Hockey Stadium amid much fervour.
• The championship was inaugurated by Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal.
• The championship saw 200 participants from over 30 countries and everyone was seen carrying their flags high in the procession.
• It was gold rush for India at the AIBA World Women’s Youth Boxing Championships with the country’s pugilists grabbing five top positions to finish overall champions for the first time.

Highlights Of The Development–

• Nitu (48kg), Jyoti Gulia (51kg), Sakshi choudhury (54kg), Shashi Chopra (57kg) and Ankushita Boro (64kg) won gold medals for an Indian sweep in the finals.
• Of these, Jyoti also qualified for next year’s Youth Olympic Games in Argentina courtesy her top finish and the fact that she was born after 1999.
• Adding to the tally were two bronze medals secured by Neha Yadav (+81kg) and Anupama (81kg), making it India’s best ever performance at the marquee age group event.
• Local girl Ankushita was adjudged the boxer of the tournament.
• India had won just one bronze medal at the previous edition of the event and had not won a gold since 2011 when Sarjubala Devi secured the gold.
• Organised by the International Boxing Association, the championship is aimed at focusing its spotlight on talented young female boxers from around the world.
• Olympic Indian Boxer MC Mary Kom graced the occasion and added glory to the event.
• Ten member strong contingents from India took part in the event of different weight categories including 18 years old Vanlalhriatpuii from Mizoram.
• The first day of the tournament saw a gruelling match between Indian player Aastha Pawa and Bulgarian player under 69 weight categories.
• This championship is the qualifiers for the Youth Olympics that will be held at Buenos Aries next year (2018).
• Such championship will not only act as a huge platform for the young talented female players but will also help them in a way to nurture themselves with required skills to compete in other international tournaments.
• The championship started on November 19 and ended on November 26, 2017.

4. Karman loses in final in Open ITF Women’s Championship

• Karman Kaur Thandi, seeded number four, met World No. 70 Tamara Zidansek in the final of the $25000 BVG Pune Open ITF Women’s Championships, played at the MSLTA School of Tennis, Balewadi.
• The Slovakian player defeated Karman.
• The event is organized under the auspices of AITA , MSLTA and PMDTA by NS Sports Academy

Important Days

1. International Day for the Abolition of Slavery

• The International Day for the Abolition of Slavery, 2 December, marks the date of the adoption, by the General Assembly, of the United Nations Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and of the Exploitation of the Prostitution of Others (resolution 317(IV) of 2 December 1949).
• The focus of this day is on eradicating contemporary forms of slavery, such as trafficking in persons, sexual exploitation, the worst forms of child labor, forced marriage, and the forced recruitment of children for use in armed conflict.
• An estimated 40.3 million people are in modern slavery, including 24.9 in forced labor and 15.4 million in forced marriage.

Like us on Facebook    Follow Us on Twitter    Join Us on Telegram