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INDIAN AFFAIRS
Aadhaar-PAN
linking deadline extended to March 31, 2018
On 8th December 2017, the government extended the deadline for mandatory linking of PAN with Aadhaar by three months to March 31, 2018.
Aadhaar-PAN linking deadline extended to March 31, 2018:
i. This is the third extension given by the government to individuals to link the Permanent Account Number (PAN) with Aadhaar.
ii. Section 139 AA (2) of the Income Tax Act says that every person having PAN as on July 1, 2017, and eligible to obtain Aadhaar, must intimate his Aadhaar number to the tax authorities.
About Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI):
♦ Vision – to empower residents of India with a unique identity and a digital platform to authenticate anytime, anywhere
♦ CEO – Dr. Ajay Bhushan Pandey
♦ Chairman – J Satyanarayana
On 8th December 2017, the government extended the deadline for mandatory linking of PAN with Aadhaar by three months to March 31, 2018.
Aadhaar-PAN linking deadline extended to March 31, 2018:
i. This is the third extension given by the government to individuals to link the Permanent Account Number (PAN) with Aadhaar.
ii. Section 139 AA (2) of the Income Tax Act says that every person having PAN as on July 1, 2017, and eligible to obtain Aadhaar, must intimate his Aadhaar number to the tax authorities.
About Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI):
♦ Vision – to empower residents of India with a unique identity and a digital platform to authenticate anytime, anywhere
♦ CEO – Dr. Ajay Bhushan Pandey
♦ Chairman – J Satyanarayana
Centre
sanctions Rs. 75 crore for setting up LPG bottling plant in Meghalaya
Central Government has sanctioned Rs. 75 crore for setting up a Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) bottling plant in Meghalaya. This bottling plant will have an annual capacity of 13000 metric tonnes.
Central Government has sanctioned Rs. 75 crore for setting up a Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) bottling plant in Meghalaya. This bottling plant will have an annual capacity of 13000 metric tonnes.
About LPG bottling plant in Meghalaya:
i. It is to be noted that Meghalaya is the only state in the North Eastern Region of India, in which there is no LPG bottling plant.
ii. On December 9, 2017, memorandum of understanding (MoU) in this regard was signed between Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas and Meghalaya State Government.
iii. The MoU was signed in the presence of Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan and Meghalaya Chief Minister, Mukul Sangma in Shillong.
iv. Currently, only 27 per cent households in Meghalaya are linked with LPG connectivity. Besides, there are 49 LPG distributors in Meghalaya. Union Minister Pradhan has said that another 20 LPG distributors have been added across the state.
i. It is to be noted that Meghalaya is the only state in the North Eastern Region of India, in which there is no LPG bottling plant.
ii. On December 9, 2017, memorandum of understanding (MoU) in this regard was signed between Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas and Meghalaya State Government.
iii. The MoU was signed in the presence of Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan and Meghalaya Chief Minister, Mukul Sangma in Shillong.
iv. Currently, only 27 per cent households in Meghalaya are linked with LPG connectivity. Besides, there are 49 LPG distributors in Meghalaya. Union Minister Pradhan has said that another 20 LPG distributors have been added across the state.
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
India
has highest unemployment in Asia – Survey by Bank of Thailand
As per data compiled by Bank of Thailand, India has the highest unemployment among Asian countries.
i. Findings of Bank of Thailand are based on big data sources drawn from social media and online stores.
ii. In order to get insights of job market trends, Bank of Thailand is building its own employment index based on data from online jobs-search portals. It is also creating a property indicator which reflects supply and demand in the housing market.
iii. As per the data, India has the highest unemployment rate among Asian countries, at 8%.
iv. Thailand with 1.3% employment has ranked much better as compared to its Asian peers.
Quick Facts about Bank of Thailand:
♦ Founded in – 1942
♦ Headquarters – Bangkok, Thailand
As per data compiled by Bank of Thailand, India has the highest unemployment among Asian countries.
i. Findings of Bank of Thailand are based on big data sources drawn from social media and online stores.
ii. In order to get insights of job market trends, Bank of Thailand is building its own employment index based on data from online jobs-search portals. It is also creating a property indicator which reflects supply and demand in the housing market.
iii. As per the data, India has the highest unemployment rate among Asian countries, at 8%.
iv. Thailand with 1.3% employment has ranked much better as compared to its Asian peers.
Quick Facts about Bank of Thailand:
♦ Founded in – 1942
♦ Headquarters – Bangkok, Thailand
Iraqi
Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi declares ‘end of war against IS’ in Iraq
On December 9, 2017, Iraq Prime Minister, Haider al-Abadi declared victory in a three-year war by Iraqi forces against Islamic State jihadist group.
On December 9, 2017, Iraq Prime Minister, Haider al-Abadi declared victory in a three-year war by Iraqi forces against Islamic State jihadist group.
i. During 2014, Islamic State (IS) took over vast
areas north and west of Baghdad.
ii. On December 9, 2017, Haider al-Abadi claimed that Iraqi forces are in complete control of the Iraqi-Syrian border.
iii. Iraq’s counter offence against IS was launched with support of an air campaign by a US-led coalition.
iv. Iran, which has been Iraq’s close ally already declared victory against IS last month. Besides, Russia, which has been supporting Syria to expel IS, has also announced that their objective has now been accomplished.
Quick Facts about Iraq:
♦ Capital – Baghdad
♦ Currency – Iraqi dinar
♦ Current Prime Minister – Haider al-Abadi
♦ Important River – Tigris
ii. On December 9, 2017, Haider al-Abadi claimed that Iraqi forces are in complete control of the Iraqi-Syrian border.
iii. Iraq’s counter offence against IS was launched with support of an air campaign by a US-led coalition.
iv. Iran, which has been Iraq’s close ally already declared victory against IS last month. Besides, Russia, which has been supporting Syria to expel IS, has also announced that their objective has now been accomplished.
Quick Facts about Iraq:
♦ Capital – Baghdad
♦ Currency – Iraqi dinar
♦ Current Prime Minister – Haider al-Abadi
♦ Important River – Tigris
US
to adopt new four-level travel advisory system
The U.S. will issue travel advisories from January 2018 to its citizens based on a four- level classification system with clearly recommended actions.
New four-level travel advisory system in US:
i. As per the new four-level travel advisory system, countries would be designated in various levels from one to four depending on the threat perception.
ii. The four level are described as follows:
1.Level one – exercise normal precautions
2.Level two – exercise increased caution
3.Level three – reconsider travel
4.Level four – do not travel
iii .In some cases, various parts of a single country might have different levels of travel advisories. The content will be optimised for mobile users and readily sharable on social media.
Airports with world’s longest runways:
♦ Qamdo Bamda Airport – China
♦ Zhukovsky International Airport – Russia
♦ Ulyanovsk Vostochny Airport – Russia
♦ Shigatse Peace Airport – China
The U.S. will issue travel advisories from January 2018 to its citizens based on a four- level classification system with clearly recommended actions.
New four-level travel advisory system in US:
i. As per the new four-level travel advisory system, countries would be designated in various levels from one to four depending on the threat perception.
ii. The four level are described as follows:
1.Level one – exercise normal precautions
2.Level two – exercise increased caution
3.Level three – reconsider travel
4.Level four – do not travel
iii .In some cases, various parts of a single country might have different levels of travel advisories. The content will be optimised for mobile users and readily sharable on social media.
Airports with world’s longest runways:
♦ Qamdo Bamda Airport – China
♦ Zhukovsky International Airport – Russia
♦ Ulyanovsk Vostochny Airport – Russia
♦ Shigatse Peace Airport – China
BANKING & FINANCE
India
INX gets SEBI go-ahead for listing of debt securities
On December 8, 2017, Bombay Stock Exchange’s subsidiary, India International Exchange (India INX) announced that it has received approval from Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) on the framework for listing of debt securities.
On December 8, 2017, Bombay Stock Exchange’s subsidiary, India International Exchange (India INX) announced that it has received approval from Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) on the framework for listing of debt securities.
i .On account of this approval, Indian and foreign issuers will be able to
issue Eurobonds, masala bonds and foreign currency bonds from
India INX located at International Financial Service Centre (IFSC),
Gujarat International Finance Tech (GIFT) city in Gujarat.
ii. With the approval for debt listing, India INX will also be the first India-based exchange to offer clearing and settlement of debt securities.
iii. India INX will offer clearing and settlement of debt securities through International Central Securities Depositories.
iv .Listing of debt securities will significantly boost India INX’s daily trading volumes.
Quick Facts about India INX:
♦ Founded in – 2017
♦ Location – GIFT City, Gandhinagar, Gujarat
♦ Subsidiary of – Bombay Stock Exchange
ii. With the approval for debt listing, India INX will also be the first India-based exchange to offer clearing and settlement of debt securities.
iii. India INX will offer clearing and settlement of debt securities through International Central Securities Depositories.
iv .Listing of debt securities will significantly boost India INX’s daily trading volumes.
Quick Facts about India INX:
♦ Founded in – 2017
♦ Location – GIFT City, Gandhinagar, Gujarat
♦ Subsidiary of – Bombay Stock Exchange
BUSINESS
Haryana
tops Ease of doing business rankings
Haryana has topped preliminary rankings of Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) for this year.
i. Haryana has topped the list by scoring 69 per cent.
ii. Haryana is followed by Telangana with a score of 68.46 per cent.
iii. Union Commerce and Industry Ministry will release the final rankings in January-February 2018.
iv. These rankings reflect attractiveness of Indian States/Union Territories for conducting businesses and attracting investment for businesses.
v. 2016 all-India State/Union Territory Ease of Doing Business Rankings were jointly topped by Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
Quick Facts about Haryana:
♦ Capital – Chandigarh
♦ Current Chief Minister – Manohar Lal Khattar
♦ Current Governor – Kaptan Singh Solanki
♦ Important National Park – Sultanpur National Park
Haryana has topped preliminary rankings of Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) for this year.
i. Haryana has topped the list by scoring 69 per cent.
ii. Haryana is followed by Telangana with a score of 68.46 per cent.
iii. Union Commerce and Industry Ministry will release the final rankings in January-February 2018.
iv. These rankings reflect attractiveness of Indian States/Union Territories for conducting businesses and attracting investment for businesses.
v. 2016 all-India State/Union Territory Ease of Doing Business Rankings were jointly topped by Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
Quick Facts about Haryana:
♦ Capital – Chandigarh
♦ Current Chief Minister – Manohar Lal Khattar
♦ Current Governor – Kaptan Singh Solanki
♦ Important National Park – Sultanpur National Park
Maruti
Suzuki replaces SBI as 6th Most Valuable Indian Company, Reliance tops the list
On 8th December 2017, India’s largest carmaker Maruti Suzuki became India’s sixth most valued firm, crossing India’s largest lender SBI (State Bank of India).
On 8th December 2017, India’s largest carmaker Maruti Suzuki became India’s sixth most valued firm, crossing India’s largest lender SBI (State Bank of India).
Most valuable Indian Companies:
i. Reliance Industries is India’s most valued company with a market value of ?5.8 trillion, followed by TCS, HDFC Bank, ITC and Hindustan Unilever.
ii. Maruti Suzuki’s market capitalisation stood at Rs.2.74 trillion, ahead of SBI’s market value of Rs.2.71 trillion.
About Maruti Suzuki:
♦ Headquarters – New Delhi
♦ Chairman – R. C. Bhargava
♦ MD & CEO – Kenichi Ayukawa
i. Reliance Industries is India’s most valued company with a market value of ?5.8 trillion, followed by TCS, HDFC Bank, ITC and Hindustan Unilever.
ii. Maruti Suzuki’s market capitalisation stood at Rs.2.74 trillion, ahead of SBI’s market value of Rs.2.71 trillion.
About Maruti Suzuki:
♦ Headquarters – New Delhi
♦ Chairman – R. C. Bhargava
♦ MD & CEO – Kenichi Ayukawa
AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS
Star
Screen Awards 2017 – Rajkummar Rao, Vidya Balan named best actor and actress
23rd edition of the annual Star Screen Awards honouring excellence in Indian Film industry was held at Mumbai on December 3, 2017.
Star Screen Awards 2017 – Winners List:
23rd edition of the annual Star Screen Awards honouring excellence in Indian Film industry was held at Mumbai on December 3, 2017.
Star Screen Awards 2017 – Winners List:
Category
|
Winner
|
Best
Actress (Popular)
|
Vidya
Balan, ‘Tumhari Sulu’
|
Best
Actress (Critics)
|
Konkana
Sen Sharma, ‘Lipstick Under My Burkha’
|
Best
Actor (Popular)
|
Irrfan
Khan, Hindi Medium
|
Best
Actor (Critics)
|
Rajjumar
Rao, ‘Newton’
|
Best Film (Critics)
|
‘Newton’
|
Best Director
|
Nitesh Tiwari, ‘Dangal’
|
Diddy
became the Highest Paid Musician of 2017 without releasing much Music
Diddy, an American businessman, rapper, songwriter, actor, record producer, and entrepreneur has been named the highest earning musician of 2017 by Forbes magazine.
Diddy, an American businessman, rapper, songwriter, actor, record producer, and entrepreneur has been named the highest earning musician of 2017 by Forbes magazine.
i. Forbes ranking were based on data of pre-tax earnings between
June 1, 2016, to June 1, 2017.
ii. Diddy earned a whopping $130 million during this period.
iii. Interestingly, Diddy topped the list despite of not releasing much music during this period. His Bad Boy reunion tour turned out to be a huge revenue generating event. Besides, he also sold his shares of the Sean John clothing line for $70 million dollars.
iv. American singer, songwriter, dancer, and actress, Beyonce ranked second with over $105 million in earnings.
Forbes Top 5 Highest Paid Musicians:
ii. Diddy earned a whopping $130 million during this period.
iii. Interestingly, Diddy topped the list despite of not releasing much music during this period. His Bad Boy reunion tour turned out to be a huge revenue generating event. Besides, he also sold his shares of the Sean John clothing line for $70 million dollars.
iv. American singer, songwriter, dancer, and actress, Beyonce ranked second with over $105 million in earnings.
Forbes Top 5 Highest Paid Musicians:
Diddy
|
$130 million
|
Beyonce
|
$105 million
|
Drake
|
$95 million
|
The Weekend
|
$92 million
|
Coldplay
|
$88 million
|
APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNS
Uma
Shankar appointed as RBI Executive Director
Uma Shankar has been appointed as Executive Director (ED) of Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Prior to this elevation, Uma Shankar held the position of Chief General Manager (CGM) in charge of financial inclusion and development department at RBI.
i. Uma Shankar has been appointed as Executive Director after Meena Hemchandra, the Executive Director in charge of RBI’s supervision department retired on November 30, 2017.
ii. Thus, Uma Shankar will most likely take charge of the supervision department.
iii. RBI has 11 Executive Directors and each of them supervises the 34 departments headed by Chief General Managers (CGMs).
iv. Executive Directors are selected from among the CGMs by a committee involving the RBI Governor and Deputy Governors.
v. Another RBI Executive Director, Deepali Pant Joshi is set to retire at the end of December 2017.
Uma Shankar has been appointed as Executive Director (ED) of Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Prior to this elevation, Uma Shankar held the position of Chief General Manager (CGM) in charge of financial inclusion and development department at RBI.
i. Uma Shankar has been appointed as Executive Director after Meena Hemchandra, the Executive Director in charge of RBI’s supervision department retired on November 30, 2017.
ii. Thus, Uma Shankar will most likely take charge of the supervision department.
iii. RBI has 11 Executive Directors and each of them supervises the 34 departments headed by Chief General Managers (CGMs).
iv. Executive Directors are selected from among the CGMs by a committee involving the RBI Governor and Deputy Governors.
v. Another RBI Executive Director, Deepali Pant Joshi is set to retire at the end of December 2017.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
UAE
launches program to send astronauts into space
On 13th December 2017, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai’s ruler, launched the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) first space programme aimed at sending four Emirati astronauts to the International Space Station within 5 years.
United Arab Emirates’ first space programme:
i. The astronaut programme would make it one of only a handful of states in the Middle East to have sent a person into space.
ii. Aspiring Emirati astronauts who apply for the programme will go through a rigorous procedure and finalists will be given months of specialised training before the last four are selected.
iii .In the long-term, the UAE says it is planning to build a “Science City” to replicate life on Mars and aims to create the first human settlement on Mars by 2117.
Currently operational and orbiting space stations:
♦ International Space Station
♦ Tiangong 1
♦ Tiangong 2
On 13th December 2017, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai’s ruler, launched the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) first space programme aimed at sending four Emirati astronauts to the International Space Station within 5 years.
United Arab Emirates’ first space programme:
i. The astronaut programme would make it one of only a handful of states in the Middle East to have sent a person into space.
ii. Aspiring Emirati astronauts who apply for the programme will go through a rigorous procedure and finalists will be given months of specialised training before the last four are selected.
iii .In the long-term, the UAE says it is planning to build a “Science City” to replicate life on Mars and aims to create the first human settlement on Mars by 2117.
Currently operational and orbiting space stations:
♦ International Space Station
♦ Tiangong 1
♦ Tiangong 2
SPORTS
Aryan-Arjun
duo wins ITF Futures tennis tournament
On 9th December 2017, Aryan Goveas and Arjun Kadhe won the doubles title in the $15,000 ITF (International Tennis Federation) Futures tennis tournament, in Cairo, Egypt.
On 9th December 2017, Aryan Goveas and Arjun Kadhe won the doubles title in the $15,000 ITF (International Tennis Federation) Futures tennis tournament, in Cairo, Egypt.
Aryan, Arjun – win ITF Futures tennis tournament:
i. Aryan Goveas and Arjun Kadhe defeated Adrian Exposito of Spain and Diego Matos of Brazil 7-5, 6-3 and won the ITF Futures tennis tournament.
ii. Arjun Goveas had recently won the singles title in a similar tournament in Vietnam. It was the first title on the professional circuit for Aryan Kadhe.
About ITF Futures tennis tournament in Cairo, Egypt:
♦ Dates – 04 December – 10 December 2017
♦ Surface – Clay – Outdoor
♦ Host nation – Egypt
♦ Category – Futures
i. Aryan Goveas and Arjun Kadhe defeated Adrian Exposito of Spain and Diego Matos of Brazil 7-5, 6-3 and won the ITF Futures tennis tournament.
ii. Arjun Goveas had recently won the singles title in a similar tournament in Vietnam. It was the first title on the professional circuit for Aryan Kadhe.
About ITF Futures tennis tournament in Cairo, Egypt:
♦ Dates – 04 December – 10 December 2017
♦ Surface – Clay – Outdoor
♦ Host nation – Egypt
♦ Category – Futures
Delhi
to host India Open boxing tournament
India is to host its first-ever major boxing tournament for elite men and women, ‘India Open International Boxing Tournament’, January 28 to February 1, 2018 in New Delhi.
India Open International Boxing Tournament:
i. For the first time in the history of boxing, India will field a team in the upcoming edition of World Series Boxing, AIBA’s professional league.
ii. The team will be fully supported and sponsored by BFI. Boxing Federation of India (BFI) President Ajay Singh revealed this last month.
About International Boxing Association (AIBA):
♦ Headquarters – Lausanne, Switzerland
♦ President – Dr Wu Ching-kuo
♦ Formation – 1946
India is to host its first-ever major boxing tournament for elite men and women, ‘India Open International Boxing Tournament’, January 28 to February 1, 2018 in New Delhi.
India Open International Boxing Tournament:
i. For the first time in the history of boxing, India will field a team in the upcoming edition of World Series Boxing, AIBA’s professional league.
ii. The team will be fully supported and sponsored by BFI. Boxing Federation of India (BFI) President Ajay Singh revealed this last month.
About International Boxing Association (AIBA):
♦ Headquarters – Lausanne, Switzerland
♦ President – Dr Wu Ching-kuo
♦ Formation – 1946
OBITUARY
Veteran
journalist Sukharanjan Sengupta passes away
On 9th December 2017, veteran journalist Sukharanjan Sengupta died due to old age-related health problems, in Kolkata.
Death of Sukharanjan Sengupta:
i. Sukharanjan Sengupta was 85 years old. He underwent a heart surgery recently, and was re-admitted to a city hospital following urine infection and went to coma.
ii. He is survived by wife, a daughter and a son. He had worked for Bengali dailies ‘Jugantar’ and ‘Ananda Bazar Patrika’ in his long career.
About Press Trust of India (PTI):
♦ Chairman – Viveck Goenka
♦ Divisions – PTI Bhasha, PTI Photo, PTI Graphics
♦ Founded – 1947
On 9th December 2017, veteran journalist Sukharanjan Sengupta died due to old age-related health problems, in Kolkata.
Death of Sukharanjan Sengupta:
i. Sukharanjan Sengupta was 85 years old. He underwent a heart surgery recently, and was re-admitted to a city hospital following urine infection and went to coma.
ii. He is survived by wife, a daughter and a son. He had worked for Bengali dailies ‘Jugantar’ and ‘Ananda Bazar Patrika’ in his long career.
About Press Trust of India (PTI):
♦ Chairman – Viveck Goenka
♦ Divisions – PTI Bhasha, PTI Photo, PTI Graphics
♦ Founded – 1947
IMPORTANT DAYS
World
Human Rights Day – December 10
On 10th December 2017, World Human Rights Day was celebrated all over the world.
On 10th December 2017, World Human Rights Day was celebrated all over the world.
World Human Rights Day:
i. World Human Rights Day is observed every year on 10 December. It was adopted by United Nations General Assembly, in 1948.
ii. This year, Human Rights Day started a year-long campaign to mark the upcoming 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
iii. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is the most translated document in the world, available in more than 500 languages.
About Confederation of Human Rights Organizations (CHRO):
♦ Based in – Kerala
♦ Formed in – 1997
♦ Founder – Mukundan C. Menon
i. World Human Rights Day is observed every year on 10 December. It was adopted by United Nations General Assembly, in 1948.
ii. This year, Human Rights Day started a year-long campaign to mark the upcoming 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
iii. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is the most translated document in the world, available in more than 500 languages.
About Confederation of Human Rights Organizations (CHRO):
♦ Based in – Kerala
♦ Formed in – 1997
♦ Founder – Mukundan C. Menon
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