Current Affairs Daily Digest – December 12 2019
1. Social Security Code Bill introduced in Lok Sabha
On December 11, 2019, the social security code bill was introduced in Lok Sabha. The bill paves way for universalization of social security of 50 crore workers in the country.
2. Cabinet approves Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Second Amendment) Bill, 2019
Union Cabinet has approved certain amendments in Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (code), through Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Second Amendment) Bill, 2019. The amendments aim to remove certain difficulties being faced during insolvency resolution process to realise objects of code, protect corporate debtors, prevent ill-thought-out triggering of bankruptcy proceedings and to further ease doing of business (ADB).
3.Cabinet approves Aircraft (amendment) bill, 2019
The Union Cabinet on December 11, 2019 approved Aircraft (Amendment) bill, 2019 to amend the Aircrafts act, 1934. The main objective of the bill is to fulfill the safety requirements of International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
4. Cabinet approves MoU between CDSCO and Saudi FDA
Union Cabinet has given ex-post facto approval to Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) and Saudi Food and Drug Authority in field of Medical Products Regulation. The MoU was signed on 29 October 2019 during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
5. BIMSTEC: International Seminar on Climate Smart Farming Systems held in New Delhi
A three day “International Seminar on Climate Smart Farming systems” is being held in New Delhi. It was inaugurated on December 11, 2019. The seminar is being organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
6. Cabinet approves Indo-Japan pact in Steel Sector
Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given its approval for signing Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) between Government of India and Government of Japan to constitute ‘India-Japan Steel Dialogue’ to strengthen cooperation in steel sector. MoC will help in capacity building for high grade steel manufacturing in India.
7. World’s New Nation: Bougainville gains independence from Papua New Guinea
On December 11, 2019, the South Pacific Archipelago of Bougainville voted to become independent of Papua New Guinea. Around 98% of 1,81,067 voters voted to get independent from Papua New Guinea.
8. Odisha to set up 45 fast track courts
Odisha Government has decided to set up 45 fast track courts in the State, to expedite the trial of cases relating to women and children. The State government’s action comes after Centre has decided to formulate a scheme for setting up 1,023 fast track special courts for expeditious trial and disposal of rape cases.
For this purpose, the Union Law and Justice Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad has asked States and Chief Justices of High Courts to expedite investigation in cases of rape and those registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
9. Salman Khan is Pepsi’s new face
Bollywood star Salman Khan is returning to the cola space after a gap of three years, this time to endorse brand Pepsi, a move that has surprised a few experts. The two-year deal is estimated at Rs 15 crore, two external industry officials said.
A PepsiCo spokesperson confirmed the signing up of Khan as new brand ambassador of Pepsi but declined to confirm the financials of the deal.
10. Top-ranked Ashleigh Barty named WTA Player of the Year
Australian Ashleigh Barty, whose breakout 2019 campaign included French Open crown and world number one ranking, was named the WTA Player of the Year. Barty, who is the first Australian to top the women’s tennis rankings since Evonne Goolagong Cawley in 1976, took the award with 82 percent of the media vot
11. US, Mexico and Canada sign revised trade deal to replace Nafta
Officials from Canada, Mexico and the United States have signed a fresh overhaul of a quarter-century-old trade pact that aims to improve enforcement of worker rights and hold down prices for biologic drugs by eliminating a patent provision.
12. International Universal Health Coverage is observed on December 12 2019
Every year, December 12 is celebrated as the International Universal Health Coverage Day. It is a United Nations’ recognized international day, which is observed with an aim to provide access to quality and affordable health care to every person across the globe.
the theme of the event is ‘Keep The Promise’.
13. INTERNATIONAL DAY OF NEUTRALITY – December 12
Every year on December 12th, the International Day of Neutrality promotes the importance of peaceful, friendly, and mutually beneficial relations between countries.
14. HDFC Bank becomes first bank to cross Rs 7 lakh crore market cap
HDFC Bank, the country’s largest private sector lender, has joined the Rs 7 lakh crore market capitalisation (M-cap) league, making it only the third Indian company to do so after Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries and Tata Consultancy Services. It is the first bank to achieve the feat.
15. Mastercard ties-up with Federal Bank for identity check security for digital transactions
Global payments technology major Mastercard has joined hands with Federal Bank to provide an additional layer of security for digital transactions. Mastercard has entered into a partnership with Federal Bank to offer identity check to the bank’s cardholders, the company said in an announcement.
16. India and Kazakhstan to renew uranium supply contract for 2020-24
India will renew its pact with Kazakhstan for supply of uranium from 2020 to 2024, the ambassador of the central Asian country said.
Kazakhstan has so far supplied a total of 9,000 tonne of uranium, and another 1,000 tonne is yet to be delivered under two five-year contract periods that end this year.
