Latest Current Affairs – December 13 2018
1. Kamal Nath to be Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister, announces Congress
After emerging as single-largest party with 114 seats in Madhya Pradesh, Congress announced that nine-time Lok Sabha MP Kamal Nath will be sworn in as the state’s Chief Minister. Earlier, Congress MLAs had unanimously decided that party President Rahul Gandhi will take a decision on the state’s Chief Minister. Jyotiraditya Scindia was also being considered for the post.
2. US Senate votes to end military support for Saudis in Yemen war
The US Senate has voted 56-41 to end US military support for the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen’s civil war. It is the first time either chamber of Congress has backed a resolution to withdraw US forces from a military engagement under the War Powers Act. The Senate also blamed Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for journalist Jamal Khashoggi’s murder.
3. ‘CID’ creator BP Singh appointed as new FTII President
Creator of Indian TV show ‘CID’ Brijendra Pal Singh has been appointed as the new president of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) Society and Chairman of Governing Council. Singh will replace former FTII President Anupam Kher, who announced in October that he was stepping down due to his “busy schedule”. Singh was previously Vice Chairman of FTII.
4. K Chandrashekar Rao takes oath as the Chief Minister of Telangana
Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) chief K Chandrashekar Rao took oath as the Chief Minister of Telangana today. This comes after the party had staked claim to form the government in the state for the second time after winning 88 seats in the 119-member state assembly. Notably, Rao had dissolved the state assembly in September to call for an early election.
5. President Kovind dedicates ACARE project to people of Myanmar
President Ram Nath Kovind dedicates – India assisted project ‘Advanced Centre for Agricultural Research & Education’ – to the people of Myanmar; project focuses on Genetics, Post Harvest Technology, Participatory Knowledge Management and capacity building for farmers in Myanmar; President is on a state visit to Myanmar. The President also dedicated the Rice Bio-Park to the people of Myanmar.
6. India sets world record in nuclear plant operation
The indigenously developed Kaiga Atomic Power Station has set a new world record, with one of its units operating uninterrupted for more than 940 days. This is a record for all kinds of nuclear power-generating units, including advanced gas-based reactors in the world.
The record was earlier held by Unit 2 of Heysham of the United Kingdom, which operated non-stop for 940 days. The same unit had set a world record in October this year, by operating uninterrupted for 894 days among Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors.
7. Indian Navy launched DSRV system at Mumbai
The Indian Navy launched its first non-tethered Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV) system at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai. The DSRV is used to rescue crew members from submarines stranded underwater in the high seas. The cost of one system is Rs.1,000 crore.
In March 2016, the Indian Navy had signed a Rs.2,000 crore contract with the U.K.-based James Fisher Defence (JFD) for two submarine rescue systems as well as maintenance for 25 years. Admiral Lanba said the second system would be inducted in April and would be based at the Eastern Naval Command in Vishakapatnam.
8. Mary Kom honoured with Meethoileima title
Mary Kom was honored by Chief minister N.Biren Singh who also handed over a cheque of Ten lakh rupees. The Chief Minister declared that the Imphal West DC Road towards Game Village will be named as MC Mary Kom Road.
9. CAG Rajiv Mehrishi appointed as Vice-Chair of UN Panel of Auditors till 2020
Comptroller and Auditor General Rajiv Mehrishi became the Vice-Chair of the UN Panel of Auditors for a term of 2 years ending on June 30, 2020. The decision was taken in the panel’s annual meeting in New York which was held from 3 to 4 December 2018.
The panel is currently chaired by the Comptroller and Auditor General of the UK and consists of External Auditors of the United Nations and its agencies.
Presently, the panel consists of 11 countries — India, Germany, Chile, Canada, France, Italy, the Philippines, Ghana, Indonesia, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
10. Climate Change Performance Index: Sweden tops in the Ranking, India at 11th position
The Climate Change Performance Index was released on the sidelines of COP24 Un Summit in Katowice, Poland. U.S. dropped from 56th to 59th place due to high emissions and poor ratings for the federal government’s policies. The bottom 5 consisted of: Saudi Arabia (60), US (59), Iran (58), Korea (57), Chinese Taipei (56).
11. SriLanka’s former PM Ranil Wickremesinghe won the vote of confidence in the House
Sri Lanka’s former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe won the vote of confidence from a majority of Sri Lankan parliamentarians, including 14 from the opposition Tamil National Alliance (TNA), as their preferred candidate to serve in the post. He received 117 votes in favour in the 225-member legislative body.
The motion which was moved by Sajith Premadasa, deputy leader of Mr.Wickremesinghe’s United National Party (UNP), sought to demonstrate the support that the deposed leader has in the House.
