17 December 2017 Current Affairs
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WHO certifies Gabon as polio free
The World Health Organisation has declared Gabon a “polio-free country”, given the lack of new reported or suspected cases in the central African country. Now the disease is endemic only in Afghanistan and Pakistan, where the WHO recorded four cases this year – two in each country.
Man Sails around the World in 42 days, breaks World Record
Frenchman Francois Gabart smashed the world record for the fastest non-stop solo navigation of the globe, completing the mammoth feat in 42 days, 16 hours, 40 minutes and 35 seconds. The 34-year-old sailor crossed a virtual finish line drawn between the island of Ushant off France’s northwest tip and Lizard Point in southwest England at 0145 GMT, comfortably beating the previous record set by compatriot Thomas Coville last year by six days and 10 hours.
Women to drive trucks, bikes in Saudi
After allowing women to drive, Saudi Arabia has now permitted females to drive trucks and ride bikes. Women involved in road accidents or who commit traffic violations will be dealt with at special centres that will be established and run by women. Saudi Arabia was the only country in the world where women were barred from receiving a driver’s license.
Vodafone India appoints Dawar as its CFO
Vodafone India has appointed Manish Dawar as its Chief Financial Officer with effect from January 1, 2018. Dawar will replace Thomas Reisten, who after completing a 4 year stint with Vodafone India, will be moving to a new senior role within the Vodafone Group. He will report to Sunil Sood, MD and CEO, Vodafone India. Dawar joins Vodafone from Den Networks Limited where he was Group CFO.
Nepal hosts first International Wheelchair Cricket Tournament
The first ever International Wheelchair Cricket Tournament was organised in Nepal’s Kathmandu. The tournament has participation of teams from Nepal, India and Bangladesh.
Joy Goswami to get 31st Moortidevi Award
Eminent Bengali poet Joy Goswami will be given the 31st Moortidevi Award for the year 2017. Committee, headed by poet and scholar Satya Vrat Shastri, unanimously decided to confer the award upon Goswami for his poetry collection titled Du Dondo Phowara Matro. It is the first time the award will be given to a Bengali poet.
Christian Pulisic becomes youngest to get US men’s footballer of the year
Christian Pulisic won US Soccer’s Male Player of the Year award for 2017 in a landslide. At the age of 19 only, he has earned the honor and has become the youngest footballer to win US Soccer’s. The previous youngest winner of the prize, first awarded in 1984, was Landon Donovan, who was 21 when he won in 2003.
FIFA bans head of Brazilian football
FIFA has suspended the head of Brazilian football federation Marco Polo Nero for 90 days. Nero was accused of accepting 6.5mn euro commission. In the wake of these accusations, ethics committee opened an inquiry that led to his suspension. Nero is the latest prominent South American official to be banned by the sport’s governing body as part of its investigation into a vast corruption scandal
China unveils satellite network plan for South China Sea
China unveiled a satellite network plan for round-the-clock surveillance on the South China Sea. The East Asian country plans to launch 10 satellites into space over the next three years to maintain non-stop surveillance on the disputed waterway. The program would provide scientific support for its One Belt One Road initiative and emergency response efforts at sea.