Daily updates 11 December 2019

National News

1. Delhi will host 6th Indian Ocean Dialogue and Delhi Dialogue XI

• The external affairs ministry is organising the 6th Indian Ocean Dialogue and Delhi Dialogue XI in New Delhi during December 13-14. For the first time, these two events will be held consecutively.
• The theme for the Indian Ocean Dialogue is “Indo-Pacific: Re-imagining the Indian Ocean through an Expanded Geography”, while the theme for the Delhi Dialogue is “Advancing Partnership in Indo-Pacific”.
• The themes are intended to build on the ‘growing recognition of the Indo-Pacific concept in strategic and academic circles within the region and beyond.

State News

2. Odisha to set up 45 new fast track courts

• 45 new fast track courts will be set up in Odisha. The 21 courts would be dedicated to cases of rape and sexual harassment of women.
• The remaining 24 fast track courts will specifically deal with Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) cases.
• The State government's action comes after Centre's decision to formulate a scheme for setting up 1,023 fast track special courts for expeditious trial and disposal of rape cases.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For RRB NTPC/SSC CGL:

• Utkal Divas or Odisha Day falls every year on 01st April.
• Odisha CM: Naveen Patnaik; Governor: Ganeshi Lal.

Awards

3. Gulu Mirchandani bags CEAMA Lifetime Achievement Award

• Gulu Mirchandani has been conferred with "Lifetime Achievement Award" by the Consumer Electronics and Appliances Manufacturers Association.
• Gulu Mirchandani is the founder chairman of Mirc Electronics Ltd. (Onida).
• He has been awarded for his extensive contribution to the consumer electronics industry.
• He has been associated with consumer electronics industry for more than 3 decades.
• Consumer Electronics and Appliances Manufacturers Association (CEAMA) is an all-India organisation in the consumer electronics and durables sector. It has been in existence for over three decades.

4. Ethiopia's PM receives Nobel Peace Prize

• Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has received the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to achieve international peace and co-operation.
• This year's Nobel Peace Prize was the 100th to be awarded. The Nobel Peace Prize consists of a diploma, a gold medal and a cheque for 9 million Swedish kronor (850,000 euros).
• The Nobel Committee announced in October it was honouring Abiy Ahmed for his efforts to resolve the long-running conflict with neighbouring foe Eritrea.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For IBPS SO 2019:

• Ethiopia capital: Addis Ababa; Currency: Ethiopian birr.

Appointments

5. C. Sugandh Rajaram appointed as India's next envoy to the Republic of Ghana

• C. Sugandh Rajaram has been appointed as the next High Commissioner of India to the Republic of Ghana.
• He will replace Birender Singh Yadav as the next High Commissioner of India to the Republic of Ghana.
• C. Sugandh Rajaram is presently the Consul General, Consulate General of India to Southern Germany.

Ranks and Reports

6. India among top 10 countries with higher climate performance

• India, for the first time, ranks among the top 10 in this year's Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) at the COP25 climate summit in the Spanish capital Madrid.
• The current levels of per capita emissions and energy use in India ranked 9th in the high category showing that emissions are still comparatively low.
• However, despite a high rating for its Climate Policy performance, experts point out that India has yet to develop a roadmap to phase-out fossil fuel subsidies and reduce the country's high dependence on coal.
• The authors of the report noted that while the country receives an overall medium rating in the renewable energy category, India's 2030 renewable energy target is rated very high for its well-below 2 degrees Celsius compatibility.
• They noted that as none of the countries assessed is already on a path compatible with the Paris climate targets, the first three places of the ranking remain unoccupied.
• While some EU countries such as Sweden (4th) and Denmark (5th), one of the best climbers, achieve overall high or very high ratings, the performance of EU countries varies largely.
• While only two G20 countries, the UK (7th) and India (9th), are ranked in the high category, eight G20 countries are remaining in the worst category of the index.
• Australia (56th out of 61), Saudi Arabia and above all the US perform particularly poor.
• The index is jointly presented by Germanwatch, NewClimate Institute and Climate Action Network.
• China, the largest global emitter slightly improves its ranking in the index to 30th place.

7. India ranks 129th in Human Development Index 2019

• India has been ranked 129th among 189 countries in the Human Development Index 2019 released by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
• India was ranked 130th last year in the index. Norway, Switzerland, Ireland occupied the top three positions in the index.
• According to the report, South Asia was the fastest growing region in human development progress showing a 46% growth over 1990-2018, followed by East Asia and the Pacific at 43%.

Facts related to India:

• India's HDI value increased from 0.431 to 0.647, which places it above the average for countries in the medium human development group (0.634) and above the average for other South Asian countries (0.642).
• In the Inequality-adjusted HDI (IHDI), India was ranked 130th, losing nearly half the progress (0.647 to 0.477) made in the past 30 years.
• The IHDI indicates percentage loss in HDI due to inequalities. In the Gender Inequality Index (GII), India is at 122 out of 162 countries.
• The Human Development Index measures average achievement of the countries in 3 basic dimensions of human development i.e. life expectancy, education and per capita income.

Science and Technology

8. ISRO to launch earth observation satellite, RISAT-2BR1

• The ISRO(Indian Space Research Organisation) will launch its earth observation satellite, RISAT-2BR1 on PSLV-C48 from the First Launch Pad (FLP) of Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.
• RISAT-2BR1, a Radar imaging earth observation satellite weighing about 628 kg, will be placed into an orbit of 576 km at an inclination of 37 degrees.
• PSLV-C48, which is the 50th mission of PSLV, will also carry 9 customer satellites of Israel, Italy, Japan and USA as co-passengers.
• These international customer satellites are being launched under a commercial arrangement with NewSpace India Limited.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For RRB NTPC/SSC CGL:

• ISRO Director: Sivan, Headquarters: Bengaluru, Established: 1969.

Sports News

9. India's R. Praggnanandhaa wins London Chess Classic

• R. Praggnanandhaa from India has won the FIDE Open category of the London Chess Classic held in London.
• He won the tournament with a tally of 7.5 points out of nine rounds.
• The 14-year-old Indian chess player finished joint first with Anton Smirnov of Australia both scoring 7.5 points.

10. Wasim Jaffer becomes first Indian to play 150 Ranji matches

• Veteran opener Wasim Jaffer became the first player in Indian cricket to feature in 150 Ranji matches.
• The former India opener is now just 853 runs away from completing 20,000 runs in first-class cricket.
• Jaffer is followed by Madhya Pradesh batsman Devendra Bundela (145 matches) and Amol Muzumdar (136 matches), who have played for Mumbai and Assam.
• Jaffer has played 253 first-class games, scoring 19,147 runs at an average of 51.19.
• He has scored 57 hundred and 88 fifties with 314 being his highest score.
• He also has a double hundred to his name — the highest score of 212 against West Indies in 2006 at St John’s.

11. Suniel Shetty signed as anti-doping brand ambassador NADA

• Actor Suniel Shetty has been selected as the brand ambassador of National Anti-Doping Agency NADA.
• The country's anti-doping body is hoping that his celebrity status helps its efforts to clean up sports in the country from the menace.
• More than 150 athletes have failed dope tests this year though bodybuilders make up more than one-third of these offenders.
• This is not a welcome sign with less than eight months to go for the Tokyo Olympic Games.
• The suspension of National Anti-Doping Laboratory by the WADA earlier this year is another issue facing the country now that dope samples collected by the National Anti-Doping Agency from the athletes will have to be tested outside India.

12. 13th South Asian Games concluded in Nepal

• The 13th South Asian Games concluded in Nepal. India finished on top with 312 medals comprising 174 gold, 93 silver and 45 bronze.
• Host Nepal remained second and Sri Lanka got third place. During the 10 days long biggest sporting event of South Asia, over 2700 athletes from India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Maldives competed for 1119 medals.
• Sporting events in 26 games were held at Kathmandu, Pokhara and Janakpur.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For RRB NTPC/SSC CGL:

• Nepal Prime Minister: K P Sharma Oli; Capital: Kathmandu.
• President of Nepal: Bidhya Devi Bhandari; Currency of Nepal: Nepalese rupee.

Obituaries

13. ICSSR Chairman Braj Bihari Kumar passes away

• Braj Bihari Kumar, the Chairman of Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) passed away.
• He was appointed as the chairman of the ICSSR in May 2017.
• Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) was established in the year of 1969 by the Government of India to promote research in social sciences in the country.
• provide grants for projects, fellowships, international collaboration, capacity building, survey, publications etc. to promote research in social sciences in India.

14. George Laurer, inventor of the barcode passes away

• The inventor of Universal Product Code(UPC) or Barcode, George Joseph Laurer, passed away.
• His barcode invention at IBM (International Business Machines) corporation, transformed the retail industries as well as other industries across the world.
• He worked as an electrical engineer with IBM in North Carolina’s research triangle park in the early 1970s.
• Barcode is a ubiquitous marking, composed of unique black bars and a 12-digit number, that allows retailers to identify products by means of scanning the code.

Important Days

15. International Mountain Day: 11 December

• International Mountain Day is held every year on 11 December globally.
• This day was established by the UN General Assembly in 2003 to encourage sustainable development in mountains.
• The theme for 2019 IMD is "Mountains Matter for Youth".
• International Mountain Day is a chance to highlight that for rural youth, living in the mountains can be hard.
• Migration from the mountains leads to abandoned agriculture, land degradation and a loss of ancient cultural traditions. Education and training, market access, diverse employment opportunities and good public services can ensure a brighter future for young people in the mountains.
• This year, youth will take the lead and demand that mountains and mountain peoples become central in the national and international development agendas; receive more attention, investments and tailored research.

Miscellaneous

16. Multi Cell Box Type Load Class 70 bridge inaugurated in Rajouri

• Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Girish Chandra Murmu inaugurated the 72-metre long Multi Cell Box Type Load Class 70 bridge to the Nation in Rajouri.
• The bridge spans over Draj nallah and connects Draj Area to Tehsil Kotranka area under District Rajouri.
• The bridge has been built by Border Roads Organisation (BRO).
• The Draj bridge is an important bridge for military as well as for socio-economic development of the Rajouri District as a whole.
• This bridge will facilitate all weather and speedy movement of Army troops as well as locals.

Daily updates 10 December 2019

National News

1. Walmart to train 50,000 MSME entrepreneurs

• US retail major Walmart will train 50,000 entrepreneurs from the micro, small & medium enterprises (MSME) sector. The objective will be fulfilled by opening 25 institute hubs in India in next five years which would train the MSME entrepreneurs.
• The institutes will be opened under the 'Walmart Vriddhi Supplier Development Programe' across the nation.
• These institutes would be strategically located near the manufacturing clusters and will be the part of Walmart's "long-term commitment to India"
• For the development of these institutes, Walmart has partnered with a local NGO Swasti which would also have academic support from the local universities.

Banking and Economy News

2. Exim Bank provides USD 500 mn credit to Bangladesh for defence procurement

• India’s Exim Bank (Export-Import Bank of India) has provided $500 million (Rs 3561 crore) Line of Credit(LoC) to Bangladesh for defence-related procurement in the neighbouring country.
• The Exim bank entered into an agreement with Bangladesh’s Armed Forces Division (AFD) in this regard on April 11, 2019. The agreement became effective from November 7, 2019, and the utilisation period of the loan is 10 years from the date of signing the agreement.
• Under the loan agreement, financing of export of eligible goods and services from India would be allowed subject to the Foreign Trade Policy(FTP).
• Out of total credit, 75% of the contract price will be applied by the seller and the remaining 25% will be procured by the seller for the purpose of the eligible contract from outside India, including Bangladesh. The contract price may be reduced from 75% to 65% based on the nature of procurement.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For IBPS SO 2019:

• Exim bank Founded: 1 January 1982.
• Exim bank Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra.
• Exim bank Chief Executive Officer (CEO): David Rasquinha.

3. Loans worth over Rs10 lakh cr sanctioned under PMMY

• Union Government informed that loans worth over 10 lakh crore rupees have been sanctioned till 1st November this year under the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana, PMMY.
• As per the findings of the PMMY survey, around five crore persons were working in the establishments for which MUDRA loans were availed between April 2015 to March 2018.
• The survey reveals that these loans enabled beneficiaries to sustain the economic activities they were engaged in.

Business News

4. NSE launches interest rate options on 10-yr govt bonds

• National Stock Exchange launched interest rate options on ten-year Government bonds. The exchange recorded a turnover of 5,926 contracts on the first day of its launch.
• The exchange has added one more instrument to the fixed income derivatives asset class. interest rate options will provide institutional investors with the ability to manage risk through a non-linear product.
• These interest rate options are based on 10-year government bonds maturing in 2029 with a coupon rate of 7.26 per cent and 6.45 per cent.
• Presently, interest rate futures are available on seven government bonds for residual maturity ranging from 4 years to 15 years.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For IBPS SO 2019:

• NSE’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer: Vikram Limaye.

Agreements

5. MOU signed Between NSIC & ARAMCO Asia for development in Oil & Gas Sectors

• A memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed between National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC) and Suadi Aramco (Asia) for the development of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Ecosystem in India in Oil & Gas Sector.
• The MoU will pave a way for accredited Indian MSMEs to carve out space as vendors in Global space.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For RRB NTPC/SSC CGL:

• National Small Industries Corporation established in 1955.
• National Small Industries Corporation is the flagship Mini Ratna public sector undertaking (PSU).

Appointments

6. News Broadcasters Federation elects Arnab Goswami as governing board president

• The News Broadcasters Federation (NBF), the country's largest association of over 78 news channels, has elected editor-in-chief of Republic TV Arnab Goswami as the President of its governing board.
• The body of 78 news channels in 14 languages, representing broadcasters from 25 states. The new self-regulatory organization in order to bring in transparent self-regulation on content will be announced by the end of January 2020.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For RRB NTPC/SSC CGL:

• News Broadcasters Federation formation: July 2009.

Awards

7. 4 eminent diplomats honoured with 2019 'Diwali - Power of One Award'

• The 4 prominent diplomats have been honoured with 'The Diwali - Power of One' award 2019 in recognition and celebration of their work, especially at the United Nations, for a secure and peaceful world.

The diplomats who were honoured are:

• Former foreign minister and Permanent Representative of Kazakhstan to UN: Kairat Abdrakhmanov.
• Former Permanent Representative of Cyprus to UN: Nicholas Emiliou.
• Former Chef de Cabinet to President of 72nd Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) and Permanent Representative of Slovakia to UN: Frantisek Ruzicka.
• Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the UN: Volodymyr Yelchenko.
• The awards which have now come to be known as ‘Oscars of Diplomacy’ were established by Diwali Foundation USA, Inc in 2017. The awards seek to promote a peaceful and consensus-based process to achieve societal good, as befitting high hopes and ideals of humanity enshrined in the UN Charter.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For IBPS SO 2019:

• Diwali Foundation USA Chairman: Ranju Batra.

8. Abu Dhabi selected as world’s leading sports tourism destination

• Abu Dhabi (UAE) has been selected as the world’s leading Sports tourism Destination at the 26th edition of the World Travel Awards (WTA) being held in Muscat, Oman.
• This is the 7th time in a row that Abu Dhabi has been selected for this coveted award. The award is the latest in several prestigious accolades gained by Abu Dhabi this year, including being selected as the West Asia’s Leading Business Tourism Destination at the West Asia edition of WTA and Best City Break at the UK’s Selling Travel Agents’ Choice Awards.
• Abu Dhabi shined as a premium destination once again for sports tourism in 2019 after hosting so Abu Dhabi me of the world’s top sporting events, such as the FIFA Club World Cup 2017 and 2018, the first edition of the UAE Tour, the AFC Asian Cup 2019, the Special Olympics World Games 2019, the UFC 242 showdown and the Brazil vs South Korea international friendly match.
• Sports tourism has been labelled by the United Nations World Travel Organisation, UNWTO, as one of the fastest-growing sectors of tourism worldwide. World Travel Awards was established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all key sectors of the travel, tourism and hospitality industries.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For RRB NTPC/SSC CGL:

• Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan is President of the UAE.
• Abu Dhabi is the capital of the UAE.
• The United Arab Emirates dirham is the currency of the UAE.

Ranks & Reports

9. Worldwide arms sales rise by nearly 5% in 2018

• Worldwide arms sales rose by nearly 5 per cent in 2018. According to a new report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), the market is dominated by the United States.
• The turnover of the 100 biggest arms manufacturers came to 420 billion dollars. US manufacturers alone accounted for 59 per cent of the market, or a turnover of 246 billion dollars, up 7.2 per cent on the previous year.
• Russia was second in the rankings for arms production, with 8.6 per cent of the market, just ahead of the United Kingdom on 8.4 per cent and France on 5.5 per cent.
• The study did not include China, for lack of sufficient data. The world's largest arms maker remains the US firm Lockheed Martin, as it has been since 2009. Its turnover last year was 47.3 billion dollars. Its sales alone account for 11 per cent of the world market.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For RRB NTPC/SSC CGL:

• Chairman, President & CEO of Lockheed Martin: Marillyn A. Hewson.

Defence News

10. Rafale jet tail numbers to feature former Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa’s

• The Indian Rafale fighter jets will fly with the tail sign 'BS' after the recently retired Air Force Chief Birender Singh Dhanoa. The Indian Air Force has decided to put tail numbers in 30 Rafale jets with ''BS'' initials.
• Six Rafale trainer aircraft will carry RB series tail numbers which stand for Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria, the current Chief of Air Staff who played a key role as lead negotiator for the mega-deal.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For RRB NTPC/SSC CGL:

• Indian Airforce founded: 8 October 1932, India.
• Headquarters: New Delhi.

11. UAE, US joint military exercise 'Iron Union 12'commences

• 'Iron Union 12', a joint military exercise between the ground forces of the UAE and the United States, commenced. 'Iron Union 12' will see the two sides take part in joint military cooperation to enhance combat and tactical capabilities.
• The joint military exercises of the UAE Armed Forces with fraternal and friendly countries takes place in a manner consistent with latest developments and reflects the UAE Armed Forces' determination to stand firmly against all threats and challenges facing the region.

Sports News

12. WADA bans Russia from international sporting events for 4 years

• The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), banned Russia for 4 years, from participation in global sporting events, including the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, after accusing Moscow of falsifying data from an anti-doping laboratory.
• The Russian flag and national anthem have also been banned in global events.
• Russia's anti-doping agency can appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport within 21 days. The independent McLaren report released in 2016 revealed the significant extent of state-sponsored doping in Russia, notably between 2011 and 2015.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For RRB NTPC/SSC CGL:

• President of WADA: Sir Craig Reedie; Headquarters: Montreal, Canada.
• Founded: 10 November 1999.

Important Days

13. Human Rights Day: 10 December

• Human Rights Day is observed every year on 10 December. This Day came into existence on December 10, 1948, when the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted by the United Nations.
• This day is observed every year across the world, as it empowers us all. The day also acknowledges the advocates and defenders of human rights around the world.
• This year it will be the 71st anniversary of Universal Declaration of Human Rights. With the theme “Youth Standing Up for Human Rights”, the aim is to celebrate the potential of youth as constructive agents of change, amplify their voices and engage a broad range of global audiences in the promotion and protection of rights.

Miscellaneous

14. KVIC distributes 500 Bee Boxes, 500 Pottery Wheels and 200 Leather Kits

• Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) distributed 500 Bee Boxes, 500 Electric Pottery Wheels and 200 Leather Tool Kits in an event organised by KVIC in Boondi District, Rajasthan.
• Event was organised to support the weaker section of the society as well as to commemorate 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
• KVIC has been running a mass campaign for the revival of bee keeping, pottery and leather industry under the Honey Mission, Kumhar Sashaktikaran Mission and Leather Mission respectively.

15. Nilgiri Mountain Railway conducts special service for foreign tourists

• The UNESCO-recognized Nilgiri Mountain Railway (NMR) conducted a special service for foreign tourists. 71 tourists from several countries, including the USA, the UK and France travelled by a special steam engine service from Coonoor to Ooty.
• They were presented with special mementoes and gift hampers as well as served with the replica of the original Edmonton type cardboard ticket.
• The NMR is one of the few railways in the world that uses the unique rack and pinion system, with its special third rail to negotiate gradients en route from Mettupalayam in the foothills of the Western Ghats in Tamil Nadu to Ooty, the Queen of Western Ghats.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For IBPS SO 2019:

• UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France. Director-General of UNESCO Audrey Azoulay.

Daily updates 9 December 2019

National News

1. President lays foundation stone for Paika Rebellion memorial in Odisha

• President Ram Nath Kovind laid the foundation stone to the memorial being built in memory of the Paika rebellion, a 200-year-old armed revolt in 1817 against the British East India Company in Odisha.
• The proposed project will come up at the foothills of Barunei hills in Khurda district, Odisha.
• The memorial is seen as an epitome of Odisha’s valour and will serve as an inspiration for the youth.
• A chair in the name of Buxi Jagabandhu who led this revolt has been established with a Rs 5 crore grant and memorial coin and stamp issued to mark the two hundred years of the event.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For IBPS SO 2019:

• Odisha Governor: Ganeshi Lal; Chief Minister: Naveen Patnaik.

2. Israeli student's made satellite "Duchifat-3" to be launched from Sriharikota

• The "Duchifat-3", Israeli student's made satellite will be launched from ISRO's Sriharikota launch site.
• "Duchifat-3" is a satellite jointly built by Herzliya Science Center and Sha’ar HaNegev High School students of Israel.
• It is a remote sensing satellite through which students from all schools across the country will be able to experiment and carry through Earth observation.
• "Duchifat-3" is the 3rd in the series of Israeli student-made satellites.
• Duchifat-3 weigheing 2.3 kg is a photo satellite to be used for ecological research of Earth from space.

International News

3. Finland elects Sanna Marin, the youngest-ever Prime Minister

• Finland's Social Democrats elected 34-year-old Sanna Marin to the post of the prime minister, making her the youngest head of government in the country's history.
• Her appointment is unlikely to lead to significant policy changes by the Social Democrat-led administration.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For RRB NTPC/SSC CGL:

• Finland Capital: Helsinki, Currency: Euro.

4. 8th edition of Embassy’s annual film festival inaugurated at Riyadh

• The 8th edition of the Embassy’s annual film festival titled “Ambassador’s Choice: Screening of Films” was inaugurated at the auditorium of Embassy of India, Riyadh.
• Embassy’s annual film festival titled “Ambassador’s Choice: Screening of Films” saw the popular Hindi film ‘Dangal’ screened at Riyadh, which drew a large number of audience.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For IBPS SO 2019:

• Saudi Arabia Capital: Riyadh; Currency: Saudi riyal.

5. Bangabandhu BPL inaugurated by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina

• Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the special edition of Bangabandhu Bangladesh Premier League (BBPL)  T20 cricket championship to mark Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s birth centenary in 2020.
• A total of 7 teams are participating in the BBPL event. They will play 46 matches including the 4 playoff matches.
• The BBPL final will be held on January 17, 2020.
• This is the first time that the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is organizing the Premier League matches without involving any franchise.

State News

6. Haryana CM inaugurates Integrated Command and Control Centre

• Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has inaugurated Gurgaon's ambitious Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC).
• It has been developed as the nerve centre to provide multifaceted online smart services to people.
• The ICCC has been designed to serve as the nodal point for all online data related to the Smart City applications, including CCTV-based public safety and adaptive traffic management system, smart parking system, water supply management system, pollution monitoring, property tax management system and asset management system.
• The Integrated Command and Control Centre was built at the cost of 38 crore rupees.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For RRB NTPC/SSC CGL:

• Governor of Haryana: Satyadeo Narayan Arya.

7. Human Library event in Mysuru

• Human Library event, a concept which seeks to replace books with humans, will be held in the City of Palaces, Mysuru, Karnataka.
• The first event of the Human Library aims to break past long-standing prejudices and stereotypes by creating a safe framework for conservation by using a library analogy of lending people rather than books.
• It intends to generate greater human cohesion across various social, religious and ethnic diversities.
• The notion of Human Library was initially launched in the year 2000 and currently exists in more than 85 countries, known as The Human Library Organization.
• In India, Human Library is spread across various metropolitan cities including Hyderabad, Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For IBPS SO 2019:

• Copenhagen, Denmark-headquartered Human Library is a registered international non-profit organization.

Agreements

8. NTPC signs pact for Rs. 5,000 crores with SBI

• National Thermal Power Corporation Limited has signed a term loan agreement for Rs. 5,000 crore with State Bank of India.
• The loan facility has been extended at an interest rate linked to 3 Months MCLR of the bank and has a door to door tenure of 15 years.
• The loan will be utilised to part finance the capital expenditure of NTPC.

Important Takeaways for LIC Assistant and IBPS Clerk Mains:

• Gurdeep Singh is the Chairman and Managing Director of NTPC.
• Rajnish Kumar is Chairman of the State Bank of India.

Appointments

9. Girish Chandra Chaturvedi appointed as new chairman of NSE

• The National Stock Exchange of India Ltd (NSE) has appointed Girish Chandra Chaturvedi as its new chairman.
• The appointment was approved by Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi).
• Girish Chandra Chaturvedi is a retired IAS officer and former Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
• He is presently on the board of ICICI Bank and the member of the government appointed board of Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services Ltd (IL&FS).

Awards

10. Miss South Africa crowned 2019 Miss Universe

• Miss South Africa Zozibini Tunzi was crowned Miss Universe 2019 in Atlanta, US. Ms Tunzi beat over 90 contestants from around the globe in the 68th instalment of Miss Universe.
• Miss Universe Puerto Rico Madison Anderson was the runner-up in this contest.
• The Philippines' Catriona Gray, who presented Ms Tunzi the crown, was the Miss Universe winner in 2018.

11. 8th National Photography Awards

• The Photo Division, under the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, has invited entries for the 8th National Photography Awards.
• The Division confers these Awards every year, to promote various facets of the country such as art, culture, development, heritage, history, life, people, society, and tradition through the medium of photography, and to encourage professional and amateur photographers across the country.

The National Photography Awards are conferred under three categories:

• Lifetime Achievement Award,
• Award for Professional Photographers
• Award for Amateur Photographers.
• The Lifetime Achievement Award carries a Cash Prize of Rs. 3,00,000. This year's theme for Professional Photographers is 'Life and Water.'
• The awards under the Category for Professionals are one ‘Professional
• Photographer of the year’ award with a cash prize of Rs. 1,00,000.
• This year's theme for the Amateur Photographers is 'Cultural Heritage of India.'
• The awards under the Category for Amateurs are one ‘Amateur Photographer of the year’ award with a cash prize of Rs.75,000.

Summits and Conference

12. 54th DGsP/IGsP Conference held in Pune

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi took part in the 54th DGsP/IGsP Conference held in Pune.
• The Prime Minister addressed the valedictory session of the Conference.
• President's police medals were also awarded to officers of the Intelligence Bureau for their distinguished services.

Important Days

13. International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime: 9 December

• The United Nations General Assembly established 9 December as the International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime.
• The 9th of December is the anniversary of the adoption of the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (the “Genocide Convention”).
• This year marks the 70th anniversary of the Convention.
• The purpose of the day is to raise awareness of the Genocide Convention and its role in combating and preventing the crime of genocide, as defined in the Convention, and to commemorate and honour its victims.

14. International Anti-Corruption Day: 9 December

• The United Nations’ (UN) International Anti-Corruption Day has been observed annually, on 9 December.
• The day aims to raise public awareness of corruption and what people can do to fight it.
• This year International Anti-Corruption Day theme is "United Against Corruption".

Miscellaneous

15. FIA invites Anand Kumar for India’s Republic Day celebrations in New York

• The Federation of Indian Association (FIA) has invited Super 30 founder Anand Kumar to a function on the eve of India’s Republic Day celebrations in New York.
• The Federation of Indian Association is the oldest organisation of the non-resident Indians. Year "2020" also marks the 50th anniversary of FIA. Anand Kumar has been invited for his contribution in the field of education through his programme ‘Super 30’.
• ‘Super 30’ is a programme that prepares 30 students from underprivileged sections of society for the prestigious IIT entrance test every year, without any fees.