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CURRENT AFFAIRS 16th December’14 1) What was the name of the lone heavily-armed man of Iranian-origin who held 17 people hostage at a café in Sydney for around17 hours on 15 December 2014 before being killed in the police attack? – Man Haron Monis Explanation: Man Haron Monis was killed along with 2 hostages in this hostage drama as the police attacked the café in the early hours of 16 December. Monis had held 17 people hostage in the Lindt Chocolate Cafe in Sydney’s commercial district at around 9:45 am on 15 December. He had tried to link himself with the ISIS with two hostages holding a black flag with Arabic script similar to the ISIS. 11 hostages had escaped the café before the police raided it at 2:10 am on 16 December. Monis, who arrived in Australia as a refugee in 1996, notoriously sent letters to the families of Australian soldiers who lost their lives in Afghanistan, accusing them of being murderers. He was a self-styled Muslim cleric and was described as an isolated figure, who was acting alone. Two Indian nationals, Vishwakant Ankit Reddy and Pushpendu Ghosh, were among the hostages involved when Monis began his siege. However both escape unhurt in this hostage drama. 2) Which company was ranked at the top place in the Fortune 500 list of Indian companies for 2014 that was released on 15 December 2014? – Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) Explanation: The Fortune 500 list ranks companies according to their revenues. Indian Oil Corp (IOC) topped this list with an annual revenue of Rs 5,00,973 crore, while Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries Ltd’s (RIL) full-year revenue is Rs 4,44,021 crore. Bharat Petroleum (BPCL) was placed at the third spot with a revenue of Rs 2,67,718 crore. Hindustan Petroleum’s (HPCL) Rs 2,36,797 crore revenue earned the fourth place for the company. Others in the top 10 list include Tata Motors (5th in the ranking, with a revenue of Rs 2,36,502 crore. State Bank of India (Rs 2,26,944 crore), ONGC (Rs 1,82,084 crore), Tata Steel (Rs 1,49,663 crore), Essar Oil (Rs 99,473 crore) and Hindalco Industries (Rs 89,175 crore). This year’s list, compiled by global business magazine Fortune’s Indian edition, said there has been a 9.5% annual growth in total revenues, while in terms of profit it is 4.5%. 3) Wholesale price inflation (WPI) in India hit the zero level in November 2014 as stated in data released by the Union Govt. on 15 December 2014. This was mainly on account of a decline in prices of food, fuel and manufactured items. When WPI was lower than this level? – July 2009 Explanation: This is probably the first time when WPI inflation has hit the exact zero level. In July 2009, the WPI-based inflation was (-) 0.3% (negative 0.3%). The inflation rate thus recorded during November 2014 was the lowest in about five-and-a-half years. The WPI-based inflation was at 1.77% in October 2014 and 7.52% in November 2013. 4) Anil Ambani-led Reliance Group on 15 December 2014 announced selling its multiplex business to South India based Carnival Group. What is the name of cinema chains owned by Reliance Group’s Reliance MediaWorks which would be sold under this deal? – BIG Cinemas Explanation: The deal will make Carnival the third largest multiplex operator with nationwide presence and over 300 screens. The transaction will reduce Reliance Capital’s overall debt by Rs. 700 crore and is part of Reliance Capital’s strategy to exit minority investments. Reliance Capital had recently announced its plans to focus on core business and is in the process of encashing its minority investments. Reliance Capital is the parent firm of Reliance MediaWorks, which operates one of the largest cinema chains, under the brand ‘BIG Cinemas’ with over 250 screens pan-India. 5) Which Indian politician was recently appointed as a member of United Nations Environment Programme’s (UNEP’s) advisory board? – Jairam Ramesh Explanation: Ramesh recently accepted the offer to serve as a member of the International Advisory Board (IAB) which gives strategic policy advice to the Executive Director of United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) on the programmatic direction of International Environmental Technology Centre (IETC). The IETC, based in Osaka, Japan, was established with the mandate of providing support to developing countries in transition with environmentally-sound technologies. In the short and medium term, IETC is focusing on support for waste management. 6) 22-year old Rolene Strauss was adjudged the Miss World 2014 at the Miss World beauty pageant held in London on 14 December 2014. Rolene Strauss is from which country? – South Africa Explanation: Hungary’s Edina Kulcsŕr came second and Elizabeth Safrit, representing the United States, came third. This year’s Miss World beauty pageant was the 64th edition of Miss World but it was marred by tragedy after a Honduran beauty queen was found shot dead in a suspected crime of passion days before she was due to take part. India’s Koyal Rana made it to the list of top 10 contestants but failed to make it to the top five. She bagged the sub-title of Best Designer of the world. Former Miss World Aishwarya Rai Bachchan was felicitated by the Miss World Organization at the 64th edition of the international beauty pageant for her commitment to “beauty with a purpose” after winning the title two decades ago. 7) Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s coalition cruised to a big win in the parliamentary elections held in the country on 14 December 2014. The win ensured that he will stick to reflationary economic policies and a muscular security stance. What is the name of Abe’s party which is leading the ruling coalition in Japan? – Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Explanation: Liberal Democratic Party is leading Japan with its junior partner the Komeito party. The coalition was assured more than the 317 seats in the 475-member lower house required to maintain a two-thirds majority that smoothes parliamentary business. However, the final turnout of 52.4% was below 59.3% in a 2012 poll that returned Abe to power for a rare second term on pledges to reboot an economy plagued by deflation. Abe had called for this snap poll in November 2014. 8) Which northeastern state signed agreement with a Russian power company for collaborating in hydropower projects in the state on the sidelines of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to India during December 2014? – Arunachal Pradesh Explanation: Arunachal Pradesh Govt. signed agreement with RusHydro International, a company partly owned by the Russian government. This was done mainly to explore collaboration prospects in creating manpower for the several hydro-electric projects coming up in the state. Arunachal also wants the Russian company to design hydro-electric projects in the state. RusHydro International is one of Russia’s largest power generating companies with 38.2 GW installed electricity generation capacity distributed over 70 renewable energy source facilities across the country. The company had earlier designed Tehri dam, said to be one of the safest dams in the world. 9) Who was named as Australia’s captain for the second cricket Test against India, replacing an injury-ravaged Michael Clarke, and thus became country’s 45th Test captain? – Steve Smith Explanation: 25-year old Steve Smith is an all-rounder and he was appointed vice-captain of the Australian Test team by Cricket Australia (CA) and will thus lead the Australian side in the absence of Michael Clarke. Current vice-captain Brad Haddin, who led the Australian side on the final day of the Adelaide Test, will serve as Smith’s deputy in Brisbane. He will thus become Australia’s 45th Test captain and at the age of 25 will also be one of country’s youngest captains. 10) Which company was ranked first in the ‘2015 50 Best Places to Work’ list released during December 2014 by Glassdoor, a US-based website that provides insider ratings and information from employees about the companies they work for? – Google Explanation: Extra attention to ensuring a balance between work and family responsibilities for its employees nudged Google to the No.1 spot this year. At No.2 is Bain & Company, an American global management consulting firm headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts and at third spot is Nestle Purina PetCare, a St. Louis, Missouri-based subsidiary of Nestle that produces and markets pet food, treats and litter. Micro-blogging site Twitter, which was placed second last year, has fallen off the grid and is out from the list. Social networking site Facebook has slipped to 13th position from fifth last year while business-oriented social networking service LinkedIn has dropped from third position to the 23rd spot. This list includes companies of the United States and Britain. 11) Hindi film ‘Jal’ was included in the list of best picture Oscar hopefuls and India’s music legend A. R. Rahman may also get his third Oscar nomination in the best original score category after making it to the list of 114 probables for the Oscar award. Jal features in the best picture list as an independent submission, while India will officially be represented at the Academy awards in the best foreign feature category by Liar’s Dice. R. Rahman has made it to the list for three of his films including Hollywood movies The Hundred-Foot Journey and Million Dollar Arm and Rajinikanth-starrer Tamil film Kochadaiiyaan. Earlier he has been nominated twice, for movies 127 Hours and Slumdog Millionaire and ended up winning both the Oscars. 12) Famous Telugu music director Chakri passed away early morning today. He was just 40. He was shifted to the hospital after he suffered a massive heart attack. He directed about 85 films, including some blockbuster flicks. 13) Anerood Jugnauth has been appointed as Prime Minister of by the President Purryag on 14th December. With his appointment, he became the Prime Minister of Mauritius for the sixth time after victory of his alliance in Mauritius elections held recently. He succeeds former Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam of Labour Party, who resigned as the Prime Minister on 13th December. 14) Olympic Champions Germany won the Champions Trophy Hockey Title after defeating Pakistan by 2-0 in the final match held at Bhubaneswar today. India finished at fourth position of the tournament, India had also finished at fourth in the last edition of the Champions Trophy Hockey held in Melbourne two years ago. CURRENT AFFAIRS 17th December’14 1) In an important development, a major deadlock between the Centre and the States was broken on the issue of Goods and Services Tax (GST) on 15 December 2014 paving the way for the GST Bill to be introduced in the current session of Parliament. To break the deadlock, the Centre agreed to which major demand of the States? – To keep petroleum out of the GST regime Explanation: While on its part, the Centre agreed to the demand of the States to keep petroleum out of the GST regime, the States on their part agreed to entry tax being subsumed in the new tax regime which is proposed to be introduced from April 2016. Compromise was reached after an over hour-long meeting between Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and finance ministers of seven states – Punjab, Haryana, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Jammu and Kashmir. Concerns of other states have already been addressed. It was agreed that petroleum goods would be kept out of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill for initial few years and a decision to include in the new tax regime would be taken later. States, which earn over 50% of their revenue from taxes on petrol and other petro products, wanted it to be out of GST so they could continue with levying different tax rates on these products. 2) Which terrorist organisation of Pakistan carried out a horrendous attack on a school in Peshawar on 16 December 2014 killing more than 130 people including a very large number of school children? – Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) Explanation: The gunmen of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (which is also known as Taliban Pakistan), carried out one of the most ghastly attacks in recent times by storming the Army Public School in the northwestern Pakistani city of Peshawar on 16 December. The attack began in the morning hours, with the gunmen entering the school, a military-run facility with students in grades 1-10 and shooting randomly. Pak Army commandos quickly arrived at the scene and exchanged fire with the gunmen. Later TTP spokesman Mohammed Khurasani claimed responsibility for the attack in a phone call to media, saying that six suicide bombers had carried out the attack in revenge for the killings of Taliban members at the hands of Pakistani authorities. 3 day of national mourning was declared by Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif later. Whole international community condemned this attack. 3) The 14th Finance Commission submitted its report to the President on 15 December 2014. The commission headed by former RBI Governor Y.V.Reddy has been constituted for which period for which it submitted its report? – 1 April 2015 to 31 March 2020 Explanation: The 14th Finance Commission was constituted by the President on 2 January 2013 and was to give its report by October 31 this year. But its tenure was extended till 31 December. In this report the commission gave its views on the devolution of tax receipts from the Centre to the states between 1 April 2015 and 31 March 2020. The Commission had sought two more months to examine financial projections and carry out consultations with the Andhra Pradesh and Telangana governments. It was also asked to look into the issue of Goods and Services Tax (GST). The commission’s terms of reference also included the pricing of public utilities such as electricity and water in an independent manner and the sale of non-priority public-sector units. 4) Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar flagged off the first nuclear-powered submarine manufactured indigenously in India for its sea trials from Vishakhapatnam on 15 December 2014. What is the name of this submarine? – INS Arihant Explanation: INS Arihant is a 6000-tonne vessel and has 83 Megawatt Indian designed and built pressurised water reactor. All systems on board will be tested during this sea trial. If all trials go as planned, the submarine can be inducted within the next two years. It is worth mentioning that India presently operates another nuclear submarine, the INS Chakra, a nuclear attack submarine of the Akula-2. But it was manufactured in Russia. 5) Whose appointment as the 19th Surgeon General of the United States was confirmed by the Senate on 15 December 2014 and he would thus become the first person of Indian origin to hold this prestigious post? – Vivek H. Murthy Explanation: Vivek H. Murthy’s appointment was confirmed by the upper house of US Congress by 51 votes to 43. This confirmation came more than a year after President Barack Obama had nominated him to this top administration post on public health issues in November 2013. 37-year old Murthy would also become the youngest person to hold this post. He was born to parents who are originally from South India. He came to the United States when he was three years old and grew up in Miami, Florida. Murthy is a Hospitalist Attending Physician and Instructor in Medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital at Harvard Medical School, a position he has held since 2006. 6) Vistara, the airline joint venture between Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines, on 15 December 2014 received the Air Operator Permit (AOP) from aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation or DGCA. With this Vistara would become the ……………full service air carrier in India when it starts its operations – Third Explanation: Vistara would become India’s third full service carrier after state-run Air India and Jet Airways. Tata Sons holds a 51% stake in Vistara while the remaining 49% is with Singapore Airlines. Headquartered in New Delhi, Vistara will begin operations with its fleet of Airbus A 320-200 aircraft and will soon make an announcement on the start of sales, routes and schedules. 7) Indian Railways has identified eight stations where reverse osmosis (RO) drinking water units will be put up on experimental basis very soon. Which 8 railway stations are these? – Bhopal, Dwarka, Gadag, Guwahati, Hazrat Nizamuddin, Madurai, Patna and Tirupati Explanation: Railways have identified the provision of RO water units at these 8 railway stations. As per guidelines, maximum retail price per bottle of package drinking water other than Rail Neer of 1000 ml is Rs. 15 only. The RO process involves substantial wastage of water depending upon its quality and will require uninterrupted power supply. 8) Which website was the most searched one on Google in India during 2014 as revealed in the data released by the search engine on 16 December 2014? – IRCTC (The official website of Indian Railways for reservations) Explanation: According to statistics released by Google, the most trending topic of 2014 in India was Election 2014, followed by FIFA 2014, iPhone 6, GATE 2015 and Narendra Modi. E-commerce website Flipkart, PSU lender SBI Online, e-tailer Snapdeal and PNR status were other most searched words. Bollywood actress Sunny Leone was the most searched person in 2014 pushing Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the second spot. Low-cost mid-end smartphone MotoG tops the most searched Tech devices, followed by Apple iPhone 6. 9) The Union Government banned Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) today after an engineer was detained for running a Twitter account for ISIS which praised the militant group’s military campaign. The aim of the ban is to limit the activities of the West Asia group in this country. Home minister Rajnath Singh told in the parliament that the government aimed to limit the activities of the group in the country. “We had taken cognisance of Islamic State in Iraq and Syria activities in other countries,” he said. “As a first step we have banned this outfit in India.” 10) The Europe-based ARC Ratings SA (ARC) has assigned India ‘BBB+’ sovereign rating with ‘stable’ outlook which is an investment grade rating. In its maiden sovereign rating assignment, ARC has assigned ‘BBB+’ (stable outlook) long-term foreign currency issuer rating to India. It has also assigned ‘A-’ (stable outlook) long-term local currency issuer to the country. Global credit rating agencies, Standard & Poor’s and Fitch have a ‘BBB-’ (stable outlook) which is the lowest investment grade rating on India. Moody’s has also assigned lowest investment grade rating of “Baa3” with stable outlook for India. 11) Garment company, Arvind Limited has been awarded with the National Energy Conservation Award 2014 by the Ministry of Power, Government of India on 14th December. It was ranked at No 1 position among 70 textiles players scrutinized by the Ministry of Power on the National Energy Conservation Day on December 14. Arvind achieved nearly 22% reduction in specific consumption in thermal energy and 18% reduction in power usage from last financial year. 12) Tata-Singapore Airlines (SIA) joint venture airline Vistara was granted flying permit in the country by aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). This approval will allow the new start-up airlines to start operations in India. Tata Sons and SIA announced the joint venture in September 2013. 13) Indian rupee drooped below 63 mark for the first time since January as Indian Rupee continues to depreciate. The currency fell to a low of 63.54 today which is also lowest since September 2013. 14) Former World Chess Champion Viswanathan Anand won his maiden London Classic Chess title after defeating British Grandmaster Michael Adams in the fifth and final round.Recently he lost to Magnus Carlsen of Norway in the world championship match held at Sochi last month. 15) Indian-American Vivek Murthy has been appointed as the US Surgeon General after being approved by the Senate. With this he has become the youngest-ever US Surgeon General and first Indian-American to serve in the role. His appointment was confirmed by the US Senate by 51 votes to 43 more than a year after being nominated for the post. 16) India’s exports jumped by 7.27% in November; Trade deficit at 18-month high of USD 16.86 billion India’s export jumped by 7.27% in November compared to same month last year to USD 25.96 billion while total imports jumped by 26.79% in November compared to same month last year to USD 42.82 billion. Trade deficit for the same month stood at USD 16.86 billion which is the highest in last 18-months. Imports jumped die to higher imports of gold, fertilisers, coal and electronic goods items. Gold imports jumped by 571.28% to USD 5.6 billion in November from USD 835 million in the same month last year as the government relaxed import restrictions. Oil imports dropped by 9.7% due to lower global crude oil price and imports of non-oil items were jumped by 49.6% in the same month. For the April-November period of current financial year 2014-15, total exports stood at USD 215.75 billion compared to USD 205.43 billion in the same period last year, which marks 5.02% growth. Trade deficit for the same period stood at USD 100.61 billion compared to USD 96.89 billion in the same period last financial year. The Government has been struggling to keep trade deficit in control as it adversely affects current account deficit and India’s balance of payment. Recently Indian Rupee depreciated significantly due to higher trade deficit. UPDATED BY: TEAM - SIR JOHN BEST INSTITUTE SSC COACHING CHANDIGARH BEST INSTITUTE SSC COACHING MOHALI BEST INSTITUTE FOR COACHING IN PSPCL EXAM MOHALI BEST INSTITUTE FOR INTELLIGENCE BUREAU EXAM COACHING IN MOHALI BEST INSTITUTE FOR HOTEL MANAGEMENT EXAM MOHALI BEST INSTITUTE FOR CTET & PTET EXAM MOHALI BEST INSTITUTE FOR JBT TEACHERS EXAM CHANDIGARH
Posted on: Wed, 17 Dec 2014 03:11:41 +0000
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