Current Affairs December 5, 2017

NATIONAL

Uttar Pradesh’s Shamli District included in NCR:

Shamli district of Uttar Pradesh has been included in the National Capital Region, taking the total number of districts in the NCR to 23. The decision was taken at the 37th meeting of the National Capital Region Planning Board held in New Delhi.

Besides Delhi, there are at present 22 districts- 13 of Haryana, seven of Uttar Pradesh and two of Rajasthan in the NCR. Cities in the NCR get funds at attractive interest rates from NCRPB for infrastructure development.

Uttar Pradesh

Capital: Lucknow
Chief Minister:Yogi Adityanath
Governor: Shri Ram Naik

6th International Tourism Mart 2017 begins in Assam:

In Assam, the 6th International Tourism Mart 2017 began in Guwahati. The three-day program has been organized by Ministry of Tourism in association with all North-Eastern states. Panel discussions, workshops, business to business meetings, cultural programs are being organized. Assam Governor Jagdish Mukhi, Chief Minister Sarbanand Sonowal and Union Tourism Minister K L Alphons will attend the inaugural program.

Assam

Capital: Dispur
Chief Minister: Sarbananda Sonowal
Governor: Prof Jagdish Mukhi

INTERNATIONAL

India and Germany sign govt- to-govt umbrella agreement:
The Government-to-Government Umbrella Agreement between the Government of India and the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany concerning Financial Cooperation in 2016 (II) under the Indo-German Development Cooperation was signed to formalise an amount up to Euro 200 million for the Financial Cooperation in form of loan for the project ‘Climate Friendly Urban Mobility III’ and Euro 11 million Accompanying measures in form of grant for four projects.

The Agreement was signed between Martin Ney, Ambassador on behalf of the Federal Republic of Germany and S Selvakumar, Joint Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance signed the Agreement on behalf of the Government of India.

Germany

Currency: Euro
Capital: Berlin

3rd DRC-NITI Aayog Dialogue begins in Beijing:
The 3rd edition of the Dialogue between the NITI Aayog and the Development Research Council of China, the DRC- NITI Aayog Dialogue was held in Beijing. The meeting was co-chaired by Vice Chairman NITI Aayog, Dr.Rajiv Kumar, and Mr Li Wei, President (Minister), DRC.

The DRC-NITI Dialogue provides an important platform for both sides to discuss key macro- economic issues impacting both countries and areas of mutual interest. Both sides exchanged views on policies and measures to address the challenges for attaining sustainable growth and to strengthen bilateral cooperation in trade and investment.

The two sides agreed that the 4th NITI Aayog – DRC Dialogue will be convened in India in 2018.

China

Currency: Renminbi
Capital: Beijing
Prime minister: Li Keqiang
President: Xi Jinping

US with draws from UN Global Compact on Migration:
US President Donald Trump’s administration said it was withdrawing the US from an international pact aimed at improving global migration and refugee issues, prompting criticism from the United Nations.

The US has been a part of the non-binding New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants since it was unanimously adopted by the UN General Assembly last year.

USA

President of the United States: Donald Trump
Currency: United States Dollar
Capital: Washington, D.C.

Venezuela launches new virtual currency called Petro:

Venezuela launched its own crypto currency called Petro to circumvent US-led financial sanctions. It will be backed by the country’s vast natural resources.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro approved the creation of Blockchain Base observatory to oversee development and rollout of new crypto currency.The main aim to help Venezuela to advance in issues of monetary sovereignty, to make financial transactions and overcome financial blockade.

Venezuela

Currency: Venezuelan bolívar
Capital: Caracas

BANKING & BUSINESS

Paytm Payments Bank Unveils Paytm FASTag Across India:
Paytm Payments Bank is rolling out Paytm FASTag across the India, with the government mandating the use of FASTag on every new vehicle sold from December 1.

Paytm is one of the service providers for FASTag. FASTags are simple and reusable tags based on radio-frequency identification technology (RFID) that can be placed on a vehicle’s windscreen and enables electronic toll fee collection on highways across the country.

Indian-American Senator Harris Tops Global Thinkers List:

Indian-American California senator Kamala Harris has topped the prestigious Foreign Policy magazine’s 2017 list of ’50 Leading Global Thinkers’ which also features US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley.

Top 3 Rank:

Kamala Harris– Indian-American California senator
Moon Jae-in– South Korean President
Hasan Minhaj– Popular comedian

AWARDS

Ellie Goulding Honored as UN Environment Global Goodwill Ambassador:

British singer-songwriter Ellie Goulding signed on as a Global Goodwill Ambassador for UN Environment, joining the fight to save the lives and habitats of people and animals by cleaning up our air and seas, fighting climate change and protecting species.

BOOKS & AUTHORS

Amitabh Bachchan Launches Book on Indian Cinema:

Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan launched a book based on Indian cinema in showbiz capital Mumbai. The book, titled ‘Bollywood: The Films! The Songs! The Stars!’, is a coffee table book, which provides historical insights, lesser-known facts and behind-the-scene exclusives of the most iconic movies made in the history of the Indian film industry.

SPORTS

Prithvi Shaw Named India’s Captain for 2018 U-19 World Cup:

Mumbai batsman Prithvi Shaw 18-year was named as the captain of India’s squad for the upcoming ICC U-19 World Cup. Shaw, who notched up three centuries and two half tons for Mumbai in five Ranji Trophy matches will lead the 16-member Indian team in the tournament next year in New Zealand.

HISTORIC EVENT OF THE DAY

World Soil Day is observed on 5th December:

2017 Theme: ‘Caring for the Planet starts from the Ground’

Soil is the upper layer of earth, a mixture of organic and inorganic matter, in which plants grow.It is a finite natural resource. On a human time-scale it is non-renewable. However, despite the essential role that soil plays in human livelihoods, there is a worldwide increase in degradation of soil resources due to inappropriate management practices, population pressure driving unsustainable intensification and inadequate governance over this essential resource.

OBITUARY

Shashi Kapoor, Bollywood legend, dies at 79

Veteran Bollywood actor and producer Shashi Kapoor has died aged 79.He won several national film awards and was awarded the Padma Bhushan civilian honour by the Indian government in 2011.