Top Headlines : Daily current Affairs - 07-December-2018

Hello Aspirants, we provide 07th December 2018, important Current Affairs 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. Cabinet Approves Agriculture Export Policy

·      The Union cabinet approved an export policy for agriculture, lifting all restrictions on organic and processed food, to help the government’s efforts to double farmers’ income by 2022.

·      The ‘Agriculture Export Policy, 2018’ seeks to double farm exports to $60 billion by 2022 from $30 billion currently and will invest 1,400 crore to set up specialised clusters in different states for different produce to push exports. Policy for sensitive farm goods such as onions will be reviewed from time to time.

2. Kolkata-Patna Becomes India’s Second Container Cargo Sector On Inland Waterways

·      Kolkata-Patna is India’s new Inland Water Transport (IWT) origin-destination pair for containerised cargo movement on the National Waterway-1. After the success of container cargo being shipped from Kolkata to Varanasi earlier this year, Bihar’s capital Patna will be witness to a new landmark in India’s IWT sector.

·      The Ministry of Shipping is developing NW-1 (River Ganga) under Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP) from Haldia to Varanasi (1390 Km) with the technical and financial assistance of the World Bank at an estimated cost of Rs 5369 crore.

3. Union Minister Gehlot Inaugurates Website of Media School ASME

·      On the 62nd death anniversary of B R Ambedkar, Social Justice and Empowerment minister Thaawarchand Gehlot launched the website of a first-of-its-kind media school, Dr. Bhim Rao Ramji Ambedkar School Of Media Empowerment (ASME), to train Dalit and tribal youth in journalism.

·      The media school, ASME supported by the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), will have its branches in Pune, Assam, Uttarakhand, and other regions. The Pune branch will begin shortly.

4. NITI Aayog Launches ‘AI 4 All Global Hackathon

·      NITI Aayog organised ‘AI 4 All Global Hackathon’ to source sustainable, innovative and technologically-enabled solutions to address various challenges in the development space, with the vision of ‘Artificial Intelligence, AI for All’.

·      Taking the initiative forward, NITI Aayog is now partnering with Perlin – a Singapore-based AI start up – to launch the ‘AI 4 All Global Hackathon’, and is inviting developers, students, start-ups and companies to develop AI applications to make significant positive social and economic impact for India.

5. NFAI acquiree the huge collection of 16 mm films

•        The vault of the National Film Archive of India (NFAI), India’s premier film preservation body, acquired its biggest-ever collection of 16 mm films in the form of 2,200 documentaries and short films on miscellaneous subjects.

•        The collection constitutes a valuable social document of Maharashtra and India during the Nehruvian era and the years after that. A number of them are of Hindustani singers.

6. First ever Swadesh Darshan Project in Nagaland worth Rs. 97.36 crore inaugurated by CM Rio

•        Chief Minister of Nagaland, Shri Neiphiu Rio, inaugurated the first ever Swadesh Darshan Project in Nagaland named-“Development of Tribal Circuit:  Peren-Kohima-Wokha Project”. It was sanctioned by the Ministry of Tourism in November 2015 for Rs. 97.36 Crores.

•        It would include facilities like Tribal Tourist Village, Eco Log Huts, Open Air Theatre, Tribal Rejuvenation Centre, Cafeteria, Helipad, Tourist Interpretation Centre, Wayside Amenities, Last Mile Connectivity, Public Conveniences, Multipurpose Hall, Nature Trails, Trekking Routes etc.

7. Mukhyamantri Teerth Yatra Yojana: Delhi government launched free pilgrimage scheme for 77, 000 senior citizens

•        Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal launched a 3 day, 2-night free pilgrimage scheme, consisting of on five religious circuits, for senior citizens named- the ‘Mukhyamantri Teerth Yatra Yojana’. The AAP government will bear the expenses of 77,000 pilgrims every year although preference would be given to economically backward families.

•        Under this scheme, 1,100 senior citizens, above 60 years, from each of the 70 assembly constituencies in Delhi can undertake free pilgrimage.

•        The beneficiaries above the age of 70 can take an attendant above the age of 20 years and the beneficiaries would be certified via the respective area lawmakers.

·                   The pilgrimage for three days and two nights would be undertaken on the circuits of:
        Delhi-Mathura-Vrindavan-Agra-Fatehpur Sikri-Delhi;
        Delhi-Haridwar-Rishikesh-Neelkanth-Delhi;
        Delhi-Ajmer-Pushkar-Delhi;
        Delhi-Amritsar-Wagah border-Anandpur Sahib-Delhi; and
        Delhi-Vaishno Devi-Jammu-Delhi.

8. TN government approved Rs.7.60 crore for clearing fallen trees

•        The Tamil Nadu State government has approved Rs.7.60 crore for procuring heavy duty chainsaws, winch machines, shredders, and wood splitter machines to clear trees that were felled by Cyclone Gaja in delta districts.

•        The government would be procuring 500 chainsaws and 20 winches, 20 wood splitters, 20 shredder-cum-pulverizers and 20 wood chipper machines with trolley and rent them to farmers at nominal rates or lent to them to clear their farmlands.

•        The proposal is to pulverize leaves and small branches and convert them into organic manure, drag trunks out of fields and place them on the boundary so that they can be chopped later. Used the wood chipper machine, the trunks can be pulverized.

International News

1. Exim Bank Extends USD 500 mn Loan To Tanzania

·      Export-Import Bank of India (Exim Bank) has extended a credit facility of USD 500 million to Tanzania for water supply projects in the country. Exim Bank signed an agreement in May 2018, with the Tanzania government for making available a Government of India-supported line of credit of USD 500 million for the purpose of financing water supply schemes.

·      Under this agreement, of the total credit by Exim Bank, goods and services of the value of at least 75% of the contract price shall be supplied by the seller from India.

2. Luxembourg To Become First Country To Make Public Transport Free

•        Luxembourg is set to become the first country in the world to make all public transport free, implementing the move in 2020. The move is aimed at addressing environmental issues and the problem of traffic congestion. Earlier, Luxembourg introduced free transport for all people under the age of 20.

      Takeaways

• Luxembourg Capital: Luxembourg City, Currency: Euro.

3. China seems optimistic on trade deal with U.S.

•        China said that it is to immediately implement measures that were agreed under a trade truce with the U.S. China’s Commerce Ministry spokesman Gao Feng said that China is confident that it could reach a deal within 90 days.

•       This move came days after the U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping agreed to give negotiators 90 days to resolve their trade spat.

•        The two sides will also discuss intellectual property protection, market access, and balanced trade, and work hard to reach a consensus.

Aggrements & Summit

1. Annual Startup India Venture Capital Summit 2018 Held In Goa

·      The Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the Government of Goa, hosted the annual Startup India Venture Capital Summit in Goa.

·      The theme of the Summit was ‘Mobilizing Global Capital for Innovation in India.’ The event showcased the Indian startup opportunity for funds from around the world. The key objectives of the Summit were to showcase the India opportunity, increase capital flow for Indian startups and further promote ease of doing business.

2. Important Cabinet Approvals: 6th December 2018

•        The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given the following set of approvals. The important Cabinet Approvals are given as follows:

·                   The Cabinet has approved-

1.     MoC between India and Japan in the field of Environmental Cooperation.

2.     MoU between India and the USA concerning Scientific and Technical Cooperation in the Earth Sciences.

3.     MoU between India and France in the field of energy efficiency / energy conservation
Amendment of the Jallianwala Bagh National Memorial Act, 1951.

4.     MoC between India and Japan for Cooperation in the Postal field.

5.     MoU between India and Tajikistan on Cooperation on Peaceful Uses of Space Technology for Development.

6.     MoU between India and Russia on Joint Activities under the Human Spaceflight Programme.

7.     Agreement between India and Uzbekistan on Cooperation in the exploration and uses of Outer Space for peaceful purposes.

8.     MoU between India and Zimbabwe for cooperation in the field of geology, mining and mineral resources.

9.     MoU between India and Morocco for Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space.

10. Agreement between India and Algeria on Cooperation in the field of Space Sciences, Technologies and Applications.

11. MoC between India and Japan in the field of Healthcare and Wellness.

12. Implementation of Shahpurkandi Dam (National Project) on river Ravi in Punjab

13. National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems.

Banking & Business Economy News

1. HCL To Buy 7 IBM Products for $1.8 bn In Its Biggest Acquisition

·      Noida-based IT major HCL Technologies will acquire seven IBM products by mid-2019 for $1.8 billion (over Rs 12,700 crore) in its biggest ever acquisition so far.

·      The all-cash deal entails software in areas including security, marketing, collaboration solutions, and represents a total addressable market of over $50 billion. The deal includes the transfer of some IBM employees as well.

2. HDFC ERGO Announces Corporate Agency Tie-up with Federal Bank

•        HDFC ERGO General Insurance Company, India’s leading private sector general insurance company, and Federal Bank, announced tie-up for the distribution of HDFC ERGO’s range of non-life insurance offerings to the customers of the Bank through its network branches. This Corporate Agency Tie-up offers comprehensive Insurance solutions to customers both digitally and physically, which benefits the customers in many ways.

•        Federal Bank’s deep-rooted presence in Southern markets allows the Company to strengthen its foothold within the region.

Awards & Recognitions

1. Ministry Of New and Renewable Energy Conferred Skoch Award

·      Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government of India has been conferred the Skoch Award for National Significance at an event held recently in New Delhi. The award was received by Secretary, Ministry of New Renewable Energy Shri Anand Kumar.

·      The award has been conferred on the Ministry considering its purpose and critical role played in installing about 73 GW renewable energy capacity in the country.

Takeaways :

• India ranks 4th in the world in wind energy capacity and 5th in solar & total renewable energy capacity installed in the world.

2. Kipchoge and Ibarguen won 'IAAF Athletes of the Year' awards

•       World marathon record holder Eliud Kipchoge of Kenya and 2018 triple and long jump Diamond League champion Caterine Ibarguen of Colombia are the 2018 IAAF Male and Female Athletes of the Year.Both are first-time winners of the award.

·      Kipchoge is just the second Kenyan ever to win the award after David Rudisha in 2010.

3. Black Panther, Bohemian Rhapsody nominated at 96th Golden Globe Awards

•     Chadwick Boseman starrer 'Black Panther' and Rami Malek's 'Bohemian Rhapsody' are among the films nominated in the 'Best Film - Drama' category at the 2019 Golden Globe Awards.Comedy-drama film 'Vice' has landed six nominations, including one in the 'Best Film - Musical or Comedy' category.'Crazy Rich Asians' and 'Mary Poppins Returns' have also been nominated in this category.

4. Lady Gaga, Bradley Cooper nominated for Golden Globe awards

•        Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper have earned nominations at the 2019 Golden Globe awards for their performances in the film 'A Star is Born'.Gaga was nominated alongside Nicole Kidman and Melissa McCarthy in the 'Best Actress - Drama' category.

•        Cooper was nominated in the 'Best Actor - Drama' category along with 'Bohemian Rhapsody' star Rami Malek, among others.

5. Actor-Comedian Kevin Hart will host the 2019 Oscars

•        Kevin Hart (39-year-old) has been selected to host the 2019 Academy Awards, also known as the Oscars, for the first time.

• The 91st Academy Awards ceremony is scheduled to take place on February 24, 2019.

·      Hart takes over hosting duties from Jimmy Kimmel who presided over the last two ceremonies.

·      The Oscar nominations will be announced on January 22, 2019.

Appointments & Resignation

1. Preeti Saran Elected To UN’s Socio-Economic Cultural Panel

·      A former senior Indian diplomat, Preeti Saran, has been elected unopposed to an Asia Pacific seat on the UN’s Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR). Saran was elected to the CESCR for a four-year term beginning on the 1st of January 2019.

·      All States are obliged to submit regular reports to the committee on how the rights are being implemented. The committee examines each report and addresses its concerns and recommendations to the State party in the form of concluding observations. The panel meets in Geneva and holds two sessions per year.

2. Government Appoints Krishnamurthy Subramanian As New Chief Economic Advisor

•        The government appointed Dr. Krishnamurthy Subramanian as the new Chief Economic Advisor. Dr. Subramanian will have a tenure of three years. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has cleared his name. He is currently working as an Associate Professor at the Indian School of Business, Hyderabad.

•       A Ph.D. from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a top-ranking IIT-IIM alumnus, Subramanian is one of the world’s leading experts in banking, corporate governance and economic policy.

Sports

1. Italy Wins Admiral’s Cup Sailing Regatta 2018

•       Team Italy won the Admiral’s Cup 2018. The ninth edition of ‘Admirals Cup’ Sailing Regatta (2018) concluded with a glittering closing ceremony at Ettikulam Beach at Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala. Team Singapore was the Runners-Up and Team USA came third. The host country team (Indian Naval Academy) finished fourth in the overall position of Admiral’s Cup 2018.

Important Days

1. Armed Forces Flag Day: 07 December

·      Since 1949, 07 December is observed as Armed Forces Flag Day throughout India to honour the martyrs as well as men and women in uniform, who valiantly fight on our borders to safeguard the country’s honour.

·      The ‘Armed forces Flag Day Fund’ (AFFDF) has been constituted by the Government of India for the welfare and rehabilitation of the Ex-Servicemen (ESM) community. The fund collection throughout the country is managed by local arms of the Kendriya Sainik Board, which is part of the Ministry of Defence.

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