03 January 2018 Current Affairs
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Sathiyan surpasses Kamal to be highest-ranked Indian paddler
G Sathiyan has surpassed the legendary Sharath Kamal to become India’s highest- ranked player in the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) rankings, which also have an unprecedented nine players in the top-100.
171st Araadhanai Music Festival begins in Tamil Nadu
The 171st Araadhanai Music Festival of one of the Trinities of Carnatic music Saint Thyagaraja begins in Thiruvaiyaru, Tamil Nadu. The festival was inaugurated by Governor Banwarilal Purohit. The main function of the festival is the choral singing of Thyagaraja’s five kritis in Ghana ragas. Over 1,000 musicians from all over the world are expected to pay homage to Saint Thyagaraja during the course of the five-day festival.
UNESCO enters Turkey’s Endangered ‘Bird Language’ in Intangible Cultural Heritage List
The unusual and very efficient whistle language commonly called “bird language” used as a means of communication by villagers in remote northern Turkey entered the UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritage. UNESCO has accepted the “bird language” of Black Sea villagers as an endangered part of world heritage in need of urgent protection.
Bulgaria takes over revolving EU presidency
Bulgaria, has taken over the European Union’s six-month revolving presidency with the ongoing migrant crisis and Brexit among the top items on its agenda. It takes over from Estonia. The presidency, which rotates between different EU member states, will give an opportunity to improve its image as the bloc’s most corrupt country. Bulgaria will have to manage a June deadline for EU leaders to agree an overhaul of the so-called Dublin Regulation, under which the country where an asylum seeker arrives is responsible for them.
Former RAW chief Rajinder Khanna appointed Deputy NSA
Rajinder Khanna, the former chief of India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), was appointed as the new Deputy National Security Adviser (NSA). Khanna served as the chief of India’s external intelligence agency RAW for a fixed two year period from December 2014. his appointment to the new post was approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, headed by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The employment would be on a contractual basis.
Pakistan State Bank allows use of Chinese Yuan for Bilateral Trade & Investment activities
Pakistan has allowed Chinese currency Yuan for exports and financing transactions. According to Pakistan, external affairs ministry, both public and private sector enterprises of Pakistan and China are free to choose Yuan for bilateral trade and investment activities. As per current foreign exchange regulations, Chinese Yuan is an approved foreign currency for denominating foreign currency transactions in Pakistan.
California’s new law on cannabis use
California has become the largest state in the US to legalise recreational cannabis use. As of 1 January 2018, adults aged over 21 can possess up to an ounce (28 grams) of the drug and can grow up to six marijuana plants at home. Sacramento is California’s capital. Democrat Hillary Clinton is the president of California.
Six countries enter UN Security Council
Equatorial Guinea, Ivory Coast, Kuwait, Peru, Poland and the Netherlands formally joined the ranks of the non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council to make a difference. The six new countries, voted on by the 193-member General assembly for two-year terms, will have a strong voice in matters dealing with international peace and security during their time on the U.N.’s most powerful body. The UN Security Council has 15 members, including five with permanent seats who have the power to veto resolutions – Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States. The six countries who left the UN Security Council recently are Egypt, Italy, Japan, Senegal, Ukraine and Uruguay.