VINTAGE

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF DECEMBER 20^th, 2018

              IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF DECEMBER 20^th, 2018

1.      (20th December) is International Human Solidarity Day.

a.      This day is observed to celebrate unity in diversity. 

b.      The UN General Assembly, on 22nd December 2005, by resolution 60/209 identified solidarity as one of the fundamental and universal values that should underlie relations between peoples in the Twenty-first century, and in that regard decided to proclaim 20th December each year International Human Solidarity Day.

c.      This day also aims to remind people on the importance of solidarity in working towards eradicating poverty. 

2.     Nevada today became the 1st state in the US with an overall female majority in its legislature.

a.      This came after Clark County Commissioners appointed Rochelle Thuy Nguyen and Beatrice Angela Duran to Las Vegas-area legislative seats. 

b.      Women will hold 32 of the 63 seats in the state's legislature, with over 22 women in the state Assembly and nine women in the state Senate.

3.     Belgium Prime Minister Charles Michel has resigned from the post.

a.      The resignation came as his government was under immense pressure from the opposition over his government’s support for the UN global compact on migration.

b.      Michel, who became the Prime Minister of Belgium in 2014, was the country’s youngest prime minister since 1841.  

4.     The Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Navy, Admiral Luechai Ruddit, called on Indian Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba at Naval Headquarters, New Delhi.

a.      The Navy chiefs discussed a range of bilateral issues.

b.      The two countries also signed an agreement on white shipping arrangement.

5.     After a period of 22 years, President's rule has been imposed in Jammu and Kashmir today. 

a.      This comes after the Centre approved a proposal put forward by the state's Governor Satya Pal Malik. 

b.      The state was under the Governor's rule since June 20, when BJP withdrew its support to PDP leading to the fall of Mehbooba Mufti-led government.

6.     Home Minister Rajnath Singh today inaugurated All-India annual conference of the State Directors General and Inspectors General of Police near the Statue of Unity located in Narmada district of Gujarat.

a.      Heads of state home departments and heads of all government security agencies including IB, CID, CBI and ATS  are attending the three-day conference.

b.      Militancy in Jammu and Kashmir, cross-border terrorism and attempts to radicalise youth will top the agenda of the conference. 

7.     The Delhi Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, today approved the 103-km-long Delhi Metro Phase-IV project. 

a.      The project will feature 79 stations and six corridors, including Rithala-Bawana-Narela, Janakpuri West-RK Ashram, Mukundpur-Maujpur, Inderlok-Indraprastha, Aerocity-Tughlakabad and Lajpat Nagar-Saket G Block. The Phase-IV project will cost over Rs. 45,000 crore.

8.     The NITI Aayog has unveiled a strategy document titled the “Strategy for New India@75”  suggesting various reforms to make India a 4-trillion dollar economy by 2022-23. 

a.      The strategy plan talks about various several economic reforms that should be taken in order to accelerate India’s economy to reach the 4 trillion USD mark. 

9.     The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) today announced that it has decided to scale up the amount of liquidity infusion by Rs. 10,000 crore to Rs. 50,000 crore in December. 

a.      RBI has already injected Rs. 20,000 crore through two Open Market Operation (OMO) purchases. 

b.      Note : OMO is the sale and purchase of government securities by the central bank to regulate money supply.

10.Gujarat has emerged as the best performing state in the Startup Ranking 2018 which was unveiled by the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, Ministry of Commerce and Industry in New Delhi today.

a.      Karnataka, Kerala, Odisha and Rajasthan, with a score of more than 85 percentile, have been adjudged the top performers.

b.      Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhatisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Telangana have been recognised as Leaders. 

c.      27 states and 3 union territories participated in the ranking process.

11.Russia today confirmed that the United States of America (USA) has decided to cancel the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty signed between both countries in the year 1987.  

a.      Aim of INF Treaty : To end arms race between USA and USSR during cold war and to ensure some strategic stability in Europe.

12.The newly elected Congress-led Chhattisgarh government today replaced Director General of Police (DGP) AN Upadhyay with D M Awasthi. 

a.      Awasthi, a 1986-batch IPS officer who has been given a temporary charge of the post, is Special Director General for anti-naxal operations and State Intelligence Branch. 

b.      He has been made Chairman-cum-Managing Director of the Police Housing Corporation.

13.Ending a 15-year iconic career, renowned Kabaddi Player, Anup Kumar (35) announced his retirement from Kabaddi today.

a.      The Arjuna awardee led India to a memorable Kabaddi World Cup title triumph in the year 2016.  

b.      He led India to gold medal at the Asian Games.