We are here for you to provide the important Recent and Latest Current Affairs 15 & 16 December 2019, which have unique updates of Latest Current Affairs 2019 events from all newspapers such as The Hindu, The Economic Times, PIB, Times of India, PTI, Indian Express, Business Standard and all Government official websites.
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Click here for Current Affairs December 14 2019
INDIAN AFFAIRS
PM Modi chaired 1st meeting of National Ganga Council in Kanpur, UP
- Rs.20,000 crores allocated: Various initiatives undertaken by the govt like Namami Gange project in 2014 were reiterated. The Central Government, for the 1st time made commitment of Rs. 20,000 crores for the period 2015-20 to the five states( Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal) through which Ganga passes, to ensure adequate and uninterrupted water flows in the river.
- Rs. 7700 crores have already been spent in this regard with the construction of new sewage treatment plants….Click here to Read More
Ministry of coal to establish SDC to promote environmentally sustainable coal mining
On December 16, 2019, The Ministry of Coal has decided to create Sustainable Development Cell (SDC) with the aim to promote coal mining in an environmentally sustainable manner in India & to address environmental concerns during the decommissioning/closure of mines.
i.Functioning as a ministry-level nodal point, SDC will work on beautification and creation of eco parks in the reclaimed areas that will promote tourism for recreational purposes. At present, India’s coal mining areas spread over 2,550 sq kms and plans are to extend these areas further.
ii.It will also create the future policy framework for the environmental mitigation measures (water sprinkling, dust suppression methods, noise barriers etc.) including the Mine closure Fund….Click here to Read More
3 days “International Seminar on Climate Smart Farming Systems” for BIMSTEC countries held in New Delhi
International Seminar on Climate Smart Farming Systems:
- The seminar was organized by the Department of Agricultural Research & Education (DARE), Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (MAFW) and Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
- Participants of the seminar: 7 BIMSTEC Countries, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bangladesh, Nepal, and BIMSTEC Secretariat…Click here to Read More
11th Delhi Dialogue & 6th Indian Ocean Dialogue held in New Delhi
Indian Ocean Dialogue Theme: The 2019 theme for 6th Indian Ocean Dialogue was “Indo-Pacific: Re-imagining the Indian Ocean through an Expanded Geography”.
Delhi Dialogue Theme: The 2019 theme for the 11th Delhi Dialogue was “Advancing Partnership in Indo-Pacific”.
- 1st Expert Group Meeting on Academics, Science and Technology of IORA.
- 6th Indian Ocean Rim Academic Group (IORAG) meeting held in New Delhi.
- 6th India-Indonesia Joint Commission Meeting held in New Delhi….Click here to Read More
ICAR & NABARD signed MoU to promote agriculture & farming systems research in New Delhi
On december 13, 2019 the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the National Bank of Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to carry on research on agriculture & farming systems with active participation from farmers. The research will be of active participation on climate resilient practices, models and integrated and hi-tech farming practices in a participatory model. The aim of this MoU was to promote sustainable agriculture and climate resilient farming systems.
Memorandum Signing: The MoU was signed by Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra, Secretary of the Department of Agricultural Research and Education(DARE) & Director General(DG) of ICAR and Shri Harsh Kumar Bhanwala, Chairman of NABARD signed the MoU in New Delhi….Click here to Read More
NPPA invoked on DPCO 2013: Ceiling price of 21 key medicines raised by 50%
On 11th December 2019, The Government of India has invoked the Drug Price Control Order (DPCO) 2013, to increase the ceiling price of 21 medicines that are under DPCO price regulation. The revision has been made under Para 19 of DPCO 2013.
Drug Price Control Order (DPCO):
- The DPCO was issued by the Government under section 3 of the Essential Commodities Act 1955, the act enables the government to declare a ceiling price for essential medicines so as to make the medicines available at reasonable prices to the general public.
- The DPCO 2013 included 652 formulations under 27 therapeutic segments of the National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM)….Click here to Read More
BPR&D organizes 37th National Symposium of Heads of Police Training Institutions in New Delhi
On 13th December 2019, the 37th National Symposium of Heads of Police Training Institutions was organized by the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D) in New Delhi. The theme of the symposium was ‘Optimal Utilization of Resources-Through Sharing and Networking’. The event was inaugurated by the chief guest, Archana Ramasundaram, Member of Lokpal, Government of India.
Key Points:
i.Highlights of the event:
- Directory of Indian Police Training Institutions (DIPTI) was released by the chief guest, the DIPTI contains information on the resources of around 300 Police Training Institutions across the country.
- The Revised Police Drill Manual (Hindi version) and the Compendium of Trial Court Judgements in significant cases like rapes and murders were also released at the event.
- Shashi Kant Upadhyay, DIG (SPD), BPR&D was honoured with a gold medal for attaining first position in MBA (Master of Business Administration) in Disaster Management from the IP (Indraprastha)
ii.The participants of the symposium were heads of Police Training Institutions of States/UTs/Central Armed Police Forces/Central Police Organizations, academia and domain experts.
About Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D):
Formed- 28 August 1980
Headquarters- New Delhi
Director General (DG)- V.S. Kaumudi
Haryana Police became the first to introduce ‘Trakea’ software in FSL; Inaugurated by CM Manohar Khattar
On 13th December 2019, Haryana police have introduced a software named “Trakea-barcoding system of Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL)” to enable foolproof security of the samples collected in Forensic reports. Haryana became the first state in the country to introduce this unique barcoding system. The software was developed by Amit Mishra, a software engineer who was in Bhondsi jail for 13 months imprisoned on the false dowry death case.
Key Points:
i.Manohar Lal Khattar, Chief Minister (CM) of Haryana inaugurated the TRAKEA at Madhuban, Haryana.
ii.Trakea aims to ensure secure and tamperproof tracking system for forensic reports, the automation of the process was assisted by the forensic evidence management system from the collection of forensic samples to the analysis of the samples. The procedure is then followed by tracking case wise forensic reports electronically through Trakea.
iii.Amit Mishra has also designed data pertaining to prison inmates and prison operations across all 19 jails of Haryana.
iv.Trakea has recently been bestowed with National SKOCH Police Silver Award at New Delhi.
About Haryana:
Capital- Chandigarh
Governor- Satyadev Narayan Arya
Deputy Chief Minister (DCM)- Dushyant Chautala
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
Poland leaves European Union’s 2050 climate neutrality agreement
On December 13, 2019, Poland, a country located in Central Europe, has left European Union’s (EU) 2050 Climate Neutrality Agreement as it demanded more funds for economic transition and support for nuclear power.
The Czech Republic and Hungary agree with a course of action after winning a guarantee that nuclear energy recognized for greenhouse gas emission reduction.
i.Poland’s economy relies heavily on coal for some 80 % of its energy needs.
ii.In 2014, the EU agreed to cut its greenhouse gas emissions by at least 40% by 2030 and 85%-90% by 2050….Click here to Read More
UNICEF Report: India made a huge rise in birth generation gap from 41% to 80% over a decade
On December 11, 2019, UNICEF (United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund) released a report titled ‘Birth Registration for Every Child by 2030: Are we on track?’. This publication is about the latest data on global and regional estimates of the number of unregistered children worldwide. The report also analyses the steps to be taken to achieve universal birth registration by 2030. As per the report, India alone accounted for a huge rise in birth registration gap , from 41% in 2005-06 to 80%.
- Despite India has the huge rise in birth generation gap, half of the unregistered births have been accounted for by five countries with India (14%) having the highest numbers.
- One in four children under age 5 (166 million), on average, are not registered in the world today.
- Birth registration levels in the South Asian region as a whole have tripled, from around 23% nearly two decades ago(20 years ago) to 70 in 2019…..Click here to Read More
BANKING & FINANCE
RBI provided intraday liquidity window to make NEFT system operational on 24×7 basis
On December 14, 2019, the Reserve Bank of India(RBI) has announced to provide an additional collateralized intra-day liquidity (IDL) facility for the smooth operation of National Electronic Funds Transfer (NEFT) transactions on a 24X7 basis. This facility is called Liquidity Support (LS) and it became operational from December 16, 2019. The LS facility will operate as per the same terms and conditions as the Intra-Day Liquidity (IDL) facility.
Key Points:
i.As per the facility, funds will be transferred electronically 24X7 from one account to another of banks which are members of this NEFT LS system. Prior to this announcement, the transaction timing for NEFT system was 8 am to 7pm on working days.
ii.Payments Settlement Vision: The 24X7 operational basis was announced in line with RBI’s Payments Settlement Vision 2019 to 2021 where it was first proposed to make all NEFT and RTGS(Real-time gross settlement) transfers round the clock for customers and free for all.
iii.Intraday liquidity: It is a firm’s ability to match its day-to-day credit requirements on a real-time basis.
About National Electronic Funds Transfer (NEFT):
Fact1- NEFT transactions done after banking hours will be automated using ‘Straight Through Processing (STP) modes by the banks.
NEFT limit- Fund transfers of upto Rs. 2 Lakhs is done under NEFT.
AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS
Toni-Ann Singh of Jamaica crowned Miss world 2019; India’s Suman Rao won Miss World Asia title.
Miss France, Ophely Mezino was the first runner-up, while Miss India 2019, Suman Ratan Singh Rao, who hails from Rajasthan, finished 3rd in the contest.
Key Points:
i.Toni-Ann was the 4th Jamaican to win this coveted title (previously the title won in 1963, 1976 and 1993). Tony’s mother is from Jamaica and is of African-Caribbean origin, while Singh’s father Bradshaw Singh is of Indo-Caribbean origin.
ii.Tony defeated the other 111 contestants to win the title of Miss World.
iii.The year 2020 marks the 70th anniversary of the Miss World competition. The final of this event will be held in Thailand in December 2020.
Suman Rao bagged Miss World Asia 2019 title
Miss World 2019 finale , Suman Ratan Singh Rao (21) of India, has won the title of Miss World Asia 2019 during the beauty pageant.
The other Miss World 2019 Continental winners are Trinidad & Tobago from Caribbean, France from Europe, Brazil from Americas ,Cook Islands from Oceania & Nigeria from Africa.
UNESCO removes Belgium’s ‘Carnival of Aalst’ from Intangible Cultural Heritage List
Key Points:
i.The carnival of Aalst is a three-day festival that is held annually in the Belgium city of Aalst, it is celebrated in the days preceding Ash Wednesday. It was recognized by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.
About UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization):
Formation- 4 November 1946
Headquarters- Paris, France
Director General- Audrey Azoulay
Ben Stokes wins BBC Sports Personality of the Year award 2019
- Helen Rollason Award 2019 given to George Wilson Doddie Weir.
- Young Sports Personality of the Year 2019 given to Caroline Dubois
- Lifetime Achievement award 2019 given to Tanni Grey-Thompson.
- Team of the Year given to England’s Cricket World Cup team 2019….Click here to Read More
ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS
RIL’s unit RSBVL acquires 51.78% stake in Asteria aerospace for Rs 23.12 crore
On December 13, 2019, Reliance Strategic Business Ventures Ltd (RSBVL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), has acquired a 51.78 % stake in Asteria Aerospace for Rs 23,12,49,584.
Key Points:
i.This 51.78 % of Asteria’s equity share capital will further strengthen the RSBVL’s initiatives in the emerging technology sector.
ii.If Asteria achieves the agreed target, RSBVL will invest another Rs 125 crore in it. It is expected to be completed by December 2021.
iii.RSBVL also acquired 85 % stake in a homegrown start-up NowFloats Technologies for Rs 141.63 crore.
About RSBVL:
Founded– 21 June 2019
Headquarters– Ahmedabad,Gujarat
About Asteria Aerospace:
Formation– 06 June 2011
Headquarters– Bengaluru, Karnataka
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Japan launches world’s 1st liquid hydrogen transport ship, ‘Suiso frontier’
Key Points:
i.Measuring a total length of 116 m, width 19 m, depth 4.5 m at full load, gross tonnage 8,000 t. propulsion by Diesel engine electric power generation, and voyage speed of13 knots, it is scheduled to be completed in late 2020.
ii.Hydrogen can be produced in a number of different ways, including using water and electricity, and then stored and shipped and re-used to generate power, allowing countries with little space for wind and solar equipment to still receive carbon-free power.
About Japan:
Capital– Tokyo
Currency– Japanese yen
Prime Minister– Shinzō Abe
SPORTS
Pakistan Cricketer Abid Ali became the first to score hundreds on both test and ODI debut
Key Points:
i.Abid is the only male player in cricket history to score a hundred on both his ODI and test debuts.
ii.Enid Bakewell, former England women cricket player who played 12 Tests between 1968 and 1979, was the first male/female cricketer to start both ODI and Test career with a century.
About Pakistan:
Capital- Islamabad
President- Arif Alvi
Prime Minister- Imran Khan
Overview of 2nd edition of BWF World tour finals 2019 held in Guangzhou, China
List of winners:
S.No | Category | Winner | Runner |
1 | Men’s Singles | Kento Momota(Japan) | Anthony Sinisuka Ginting (Indonesia) |
2 | Women’s Singles | Chen Yufei (China) | Tai tzu ying (Chinese Taipei ) |
3 | Men’s Doubles | Mohammad Ahsan(Indonesia) Hendra Setiawan (Indonesia) |
Hiroyuki Endo (Japan) Yuta Watanabe (Japan) |
4 | Women’s Doubles | Chen Qingchen (China) Jia Yifan (China) |
Mayu Matsumoto (Japan) Wakana Nagahara (Japan) |
5 | Mixed Doubles | Zheng Siwei (China) Huang Yaqiong (China) |
Huang Dong Ping (China) Wang Yilü Chin (China) |
i.Indian badminton star Pusarla Venkata (PV) Sindhu, who was already eliminated before the title race, defeated Bingjiao of China in her third and final match of Group A….Click here to Read More
OBITUARY
Former Union Minister of State for Home Affairs ID Swami dies at 90
Key Points:
i.Swami was the Union Minister of State for Home Affairs in 1999 in the Government of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He was the leader of the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) and was a member of Lok sabha from Karnal, Haryana. He is the only person from Karnal to get a place in the Union territory.
About Haryana:
Capital- Chandigarh
Governor- Satyadev Narayan Arya
Chief Minister- Manohar Lal Khattar
Noted Bollywood actress Gita Siddharth passes away
i.Gita has been a well-known actress of the 70-80s. She starred in the 1975 superhit movie Sholay. Apart from Sholay, she has worked in the National Award winning film Garam Hava (1973), including Trishul, Disco Dancer, Ram Teri Ganga Maili, Noorie, Desh Premee, Dance Dance, etc.
ii.Apart from acting, She was best known for her social work. Antara, the daughter of Gita and Siddharth Kak, is a documentary filmmaker.
Chuy Bravo, Mexican actor, and entertainer dies at 63
About Mexico:
Capital- Mexico City
President- Andrés Manuel López Obrador
Currency- Peso
Emmy award-winning American actor Rip torn died due to Alzheimer’s dementia
i.Born on 6 February 1931,in Texas, United States (US),his career spanned almost 7 decades, including on stage and on screen, which raised him to the status of a great and distinguished comedian.
ii.Torn is best known for HBO’s (Home Box Office) show “The Larry Sanders Show”, which scored him an Emmy award in 1966.
Hollywood actor Danny Aiello, passed away at the age of 86
Key Points:
i.Born on June 20, 1933 in New York,US, Daniel broke into Hollywood in the 1970s. His first prominent role came in Robert De Niro-starrer “Bang the Drum Slowly”. His other famous films include “The Front”, “Once Upon a Time in America”, and “Fort Apache: The Bronx”.
IMPORTANT DAYS
UN designates May 21 as International Tea Day accepting India’s recommendation
Key Points:
i.The Day is observed in major tea producing countries like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Vietnam, Indonesia, Kenya, Malawi, Malaysia, Uganda, India, and Tanzania. The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has invited all the members and observers of the UN organizations to observe the day appropriately.
ii.The day aims to provide improved conditions for tea producers and workers and will also promote and encourage actions to be taken in favour of the sustainable production and consumption of tea. It also raises awareness about the significance of fighting against hunger and poverty.
About United Nations (UN):
Founded- 24 October 1945
Headquarters- New York, United States (US)
Secretary General- Antonio Guterres
48th Vijay Diwas observed on December 16 2019
Key Points:
i.For the 1st time, Vijay Diwas was celebrated at the National War Memorial. Special programmes were organised at the headquarters of the Eastern Command at the Fort William in Kolkata, West Bengal.
- In West Bengal, a wreath laying ceremony was held at Vijay Smarak at Fort William, the headquarters of the Eastern Command in Kolkata.
ii.Background: On this day in 1971, the chief of the Pakistani forces, General Amir Abdullah Khan Niazi, along with 93000 troops, surrendered to Indian Army and Mukti Bahini led by Lieutenant General Jagjit Singh Aurora in Dhaka(Bangladesh) after their defeat in the Liberation war.
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