Current Affairs - December 25, 2013

Current Affairs

December 25, 2013

International Affairs

1. Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood was declared a “terrorist organisation” yesterday, hours after a car bomb targeted a police building that left at least 14 people dead and over 100 injured. The condemnation of the Muslim Brotherhood — considered the largest and best-organised political force in Egypt, came weeks ahead of a referendum on a new constitution that is described as a major step towards returning to democracy since the military removed President Mohammed Morsi in July. Since the ouster of Muslim Brotherhood leader Morsi — the country’s first freely elected president — his supporters have been staging rallies demanding his reinstatement.

2. The Palestinian Authority has expelled Israeli journalists who came to the historic biblical town of Bethlehem to cover Christmas celebrations, a step lauded by their Palestinian counterparts who protested to stop them from entering Palestinian-controlled territories.

3. The UN Security Council has voted to almost double its peacekeeping force in conflict-torn South Sudan to nearly 14,000 from 7,000, in an effort to quell ethnic and political violence that has left hundreds of people dead and thousands displaced in the world's youngest country.

4. Tokyo Electric Power said it would submit a fresh restructuring plan to a Japanese government-backed fund Wednesday, which could see the creation of a special unit to dismantle the crippled Fukushima plant.

5. Militants in Iraq targeted Christians in two separate bomb attacks in Baghdad on Wednesday, killing at least 22 people.

6. Syria signs oil exploration deal with Russian firm Soyuzneftegaz to explore in Mediterranean Sea.

7. Chinese smugglers dug a "professional" concrete tunnel into Hong Kong equipped with lights, vents, steel reinforcements and even rails to transport goods, domestic media reported on Wednesday.

8. Egypt’s interim government has declared the Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist organisation, a move that gives authorities greater freedom to crack down on the group.

National Affairs

9. Sidharth Birla, Chairman of Xpro India Limited took the charge as the President of Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) last week. He succeeded the HSBC India Country Head Naina Lal Kidwai. Chairperson and Managing Director of Bharat Hotels, Joytsna Suri elected as Senior Vice-President of FICCI and Chairman of Ambuja Neotia group, Harshavardhan Neotia as Vice-President of FICCI.

10. President Barack Obama has named two Indian-Americans among 102 scientists as recipients of a presidential award. It is the highest honour bestowed by the US on young science and engineering professionals. The winners, including Karunesh Ganguly of San Francisco VA Medical Center and Hardeep Singh of Houston VA Medical Center, will receive the Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers at a ceremony in Washington next year.

11. 152nd birth anniversary of social reformer Pt. Madan Mohan Malaviya observed today.

12. President Pranab Mukherjee inaugurated the 86th All India Bengali Literary Conference at Prayag Sangit Samiti in Allahabad today.

13. The 3-day annual 'Shaheedi Jor Mela' begina in FatehgarhSahib, Punjab to mark the martyrdom of two younger sons of Guru Gobind Singh.

14. President Pranab Mukherjee has accepted Delhi Lt Governor's proposal on government formation by the Aam Aadmi Party with outside support from the Congress.

15. Arvind Kejriwal to take oath as Delhi CM on Dec 28th December 2013.

Business and Economy

16. The Reserve Bank has assigned State Bank of India (SBI) to act as the lead bank in four newly-constructed districts (North Garo Hills, East Jaintia Hills, South West Khasi Hills and South West Garo Hills) in Meghalaya.

17. HDFC Bank has elevated its current Executive Director, Paresh Sukthankar to the position of Deputy Managing Director in order to make the possible successor of MD Aditya Puri. Sukthankar has been with the bank since its inception in 1994. He has direct or supervisory responsibilities for the bank’s credit and risk management, finance and human resources functions and for various strategic initiatives of the bank.

Appointments

18. Vinod Kumar Duggal, the former Home Secretary has been appointed the new Governor of Manipur on Monday. His appointment will come into effect from the date on which, he will assume the charge of the office. He will replace the present Governor of the state, Ashwani Kumar, who was handling charge of Manipur along with his own state Nagaland.

19. Gorkha Janmukti Morcha president BimalGurung elected as Chief Executive of Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA).

Sports

20. South Africa’s legendary all-rounder Jacques Kallis has announced his retirement from Test cricket after the second Test against India starting at Kingsmead on Thursday. Kallis, 38, however, will be available for the shorter formats of the game. He made his debut at the age of 20 years and finishes his Test career of 18 years as one of the greatest cricketers to have played the game. He is considered as the World’s best all-rounder ever played in the history of Cricket.

21. India has retained its second position in the latest ICC Test rankings while South Africa retained the No 1 position and England at 3^rd Position in the latest ICC ranking released in Dubai. South Africa’s A.B.Devilliers is the top batsman followed by fellow countryman Hashim Amla. India’s Cheteshwar Pujara is at 7th while Virat Kohli is at the 11th position in the list.

22. Among the bowlers, Vernon Philander overtook his teammate Dale Steyn to the post to emerge as the number one. India’s off spinner R Ashwin is at number seven while Pragyan Ojha is at number eight in the latest ranking. Ashwin is the world’s number one test all rounder followed by Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan.

23. Ace shooter Ronjan Sodhi won gold in double trap in the 57th National Shooting Championship at Dr Karni Singh Range in New Delhi on Monday. This is his first gold at any National Championship. Ronjan Shot 27 out of possible 30 against silver medallist Ajay Mittal’s score of 25-30. Mohammed Asab of Uttar Pradesh won the bronze.