08 December 2017 Current Affairs
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India and Cuba Sign MoU for Enhanced Cooperation in Health Sector
India and Cuba signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for enhanced cooperation in the health sector. The objective of this MoU is to establish comprehensive inter-ministerial and inter-institutional cooperation between the two countries in the field of health by pooling technical, scientific, financial and human resources in both countries.
Lifter Gurdeep creates three national records in IWF C’ships
Gurdeep Singh created three new senior national records in +105 kg weight category in the just concluded IWF World Weightlifting Championships at Anaheim in USA. Singh finished 13th overall with a total lift of 388 kg (172 + 216) but created national records in snatch, clean and jerk, and the total lift. In the total lift, Gurdeep bettered the earlier national record of 384 kg which was in the name of Sarabjit.
Wassenaar Arrangement decides to admit India as its new member
Wassenaar Arrangement (WA) decided to admit India as its new member. India’s entry into the export control regime would enhance its credentials in the field of non-proliferation despite not being a signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty. The decision was taken at the two-day plenary meeting of the grouping in Vienna. The grouping statement that the Wassenaar Arrangement participating states reviewed the progress of a number of current membership applications and agreed at the plenary meeting to admit India. India will become the Arrangement’s 42nd participating state as soon as the necessary procedural arrangements for joining the WA are completed. The WA membership is also expected to build up a strong case for India’s entry into the 48-member Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).
2nd best UNESCO world heritage site
The Taj Mahal in Agra, is the second best UNESCO world heritage site in the world, according to a new survey. With over 8 million visitors per year, the monument of love built by mughal emperor Shah Jahan is rated after Cambodia’s Angkor Wat. Conducted by online travel portal TripAdvisor, the survey lists the UNESCO Cultural & Natural heritage sites best rated by travellers around the globe.
Indian and Italy Sign MoU for Cooperation in Agriculture and Phytosanitary Issues
Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister, Shri Radha Mohan Singh with H.E Maurizio Martina, Italian Minister for Agriculture Food and Forestry Policies have signed a new MoU for cooperation in Agriculture and Phytosanitary issues that will replace the one signed in 2008. The MOU provides a good framework for cooperation in this field. India has contributed 37 million USD in the 10th replenishment of IFAD for the period 2016-2018. Mr. Singh with the Italian Minister participated in the AGRIMACH India, 2017 along with a large business delegation.
London Mayor Names Deepak Parekh as First International Ambassador
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan has named noted Indian businessman, Deepak Parekh, as ‘International Ambassador’ who will be tasked with championing the UK capital across the globe. Parekh, is one of the first of a network of international ambassadors, that would include high-level business and cultural figures based in London or overseas. Parekh is the chairman of India’s premier housing finance company HDFC Ltd.
Cristiano Ronaldo Wins Ballon d’Or, Equals Lionel Messi’s Record
Cristiano Ronaldo (from Portugal) has won the Ballon d’Or for a fifth time to move level with rival Lionel Messi. The Real Madrid forward was named the winner of France Football’s prestigious award at a ceremony in Paris, France. The award caps a year in which Ronaldo has won LaLiga, the Champions League and the Spanish Super Cup with Real Madrid, as well as helping Portugal qualify for the 2018 World Cup. Messi, the only other player to have won the award since 2008, finished second.
Time Person of the Year for 2017
Time magazine has named “The Silence Breakers” of the MeToo anti harassment movement as its Person of the Year. “The Silence Breakers” are referred to those individuals, mostly women, who came forward this year to publicly expose patterns of sexual harassment and assault by powerful public figures in America.
The 2 runners-up were Chinese President Xi Jinping & US President Donald Trump.
First International Conference on Sports Medicine & Sports Sciences SAICON 2017 Inaugurated in Delhi
The First International Conference on Sports Medicine and Sports Sciences SAICON 2017 was inaugurated in New Delhi by the Minister of State (I/C) Youth Affairs and Sports Col. Rajyavardhan Rathore. The SAICON 2017 will promote scientific temperament in the country and inspire students, researchers and educationists alike to take up sports science and research to the next level. Organized by Sports Authority of India, the 3-day conference is being attended by about 1000 national and international delegates.
Kerala’s Alappuzha in Top 5 UN Clean City List
The waste management system being implemented in Kerala’s coastal town of Alappuzha recognized by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) as one of the five models across the world for fighting the pollution menace. Alappuzha, often called “the Venice of East”, has been listed in the UNEP environment report entitled, ‘Solid approach to waste: how five cities are beating pollution’ alongside cities like Osaka in Japan, Ljubljana in Slovenia, Penang in Malaysia and Cajica in Colombia.
Azar A.H.Khan Appointed Next Ambassador of India to Turkmenistan
Shri Azar A.H.Khan, presently Consul General in the Consulate General of India, Istanbul has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to Turkmenistan. He is expected to take up his assignment shortly.