Current Affairs

20^th December 2022

Top 16 Daily Current Affairs: National & International News:

Here is the Daily Current Affairs of the 20th December 2022 covering the following news headlines: International Human Solidarity Day, International Tennis Federation, IEI Industry Excellence Award 2022, PETA India’s 2022 Person of the Year.

National News

1. Ministry of Culture Organized Delhi International Arts Festival

Ministry of Culture in collaboration with Prasiddha Foundation inaugurated Delhi International Arts Festival at Kartavya Path with the tag-line – ‘Where Bharat Meets India. 

The festival aims to celebrate the great Epics, the Warriors Who Fought for Our Freedom, and the many policy decisions and schemes instituted by our Government towards ‘Women Empowerment’, towards ‘Cleaning Our Holy Rivers‘, towards keeping our Country ‘Clean and Free from Dirt and Disease’.

International News

2. EU Adopts Global Minimum 15% Tax on Big Business

The European Union has adopted a plan for a global minimum 15% tax on big business. The landmark deal between nearly 140 countries aims to stop governments racing to cut taxes in a bid to attract companies. It was praised by US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen as “an historic agreement which helps even the playing field”.

EU member states reached agreement in principle to implement at EU level the minimum taxation component, known as Pillar 2, of the OECD’s reform of international taxation. The ambassadors of EU member states decided to advise the Council to adopt the Pillar 2 directive, and a written procedure for the formal adoption will be launched.

The programme will involve 2,500 libraries in its initial phase, including 31 district libraries. The aim of such an initiative was to promote a knowledge-based society. State Food Minister R Sakkarapani, district collector Dr S Visakan and others participated.

State News

3. Tamil Nadu govt launches ‘Friends of Library’ programme

The ‘Friends of Library’ programme, under which books would be directly given to those who are unable to access state-run libraries, was introduced by the Tamil Nadu government.

The project will be helpful to people with disabilities, seniors, kids, and hospital in-patients, among others, who are unable to visit a library. Volunteers will hand over the books to such people from the libraries.

4. Tamil Nadu state government makes Aadhaar a must for all of its schemes

The Tamil Nadu government has announced that all those who are eligible for benefits (other than minor children) under various government schemes are required to submit proof of possession of an Aadhaar number or undergo Aadhaar identification.

According to the order, Aadhaar is mandatory for government employees, government pensioners and beneficiaries of various schemes implemented by the State government through various Departments by their implementing agencies.

The ‘Scheme’, according to the order, is IFHRM-integrated financial and human management system, administered by the Treasuries and Accounts Department, to make online payments of bills and payments to beneficiaries through ECS.

The government has also announced remedial mechanisms if Aadhaar identification fails due to poor biometrics or any other reason. This would be done through admissible authentication of Aadhaar One Time Password (OTP) or Time-based OTP with limited time validity.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams: 

Tamil Nadu Governor: R. N. Ravi;

Tamil Nadu Capital: Chennai;

Tamil Nadu Chief minister: M. K. Stalin;

Tamil Nadu Language: Tamil.

Banking News

5. 599th Meeting of Central Board of the Reserve Bank of India

The 599th meeting of the board was held in Kolkata on December 16. The meeting was chaired by RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das.

The Central Board of Directors of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) reviewed the current economic situation, and global and domestic challenges including the overall geopolitical developments, finance, and trade.

The Board also discussed the activities of select Central Office Departments and the draft Report on the Trend and Progress of Banking in India, 2021-22.

Economy News

6. Overall Trade Deficit Down at $11.11 bn in November

India’s overall trade deficit for goods and services in November this year has fallen to $11.11 billion, lower than year-ago and month-ago levels. Moreover, thanks to a recovery in exports, India’s monthly merchandise trade deficit came down to a six-month low of $23.81 billion. Trade deficit is the amount by which a country’s import costs exceed its export value in a given period.

JTrade deficit or negative balance of trade (BOT) is the gap between exports and imports. When money spent on imports exceeds that spent on exports in a country, trade deficit occurs. It can be calculated for different goods and services and also for international transactions. The opposite of trade deficit is trade surplus.

Summits and Conferences News

8. Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel unveils Urban G20 logo, website and social media handle

In Gujarat, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has unveiled the logo, website and social media handles of the Urban-20 conference in Gandhinagar. The UNESCO heritage city Ahmedabad will host the Urban 20 cycles as part of G-20 meetings between February to July.

The logo unveiling event in Gandhinagar was attended by senior officials of the Gujarat government and the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC).

CM Patel said the unveiling of the U20 logo heralds the launch of the U20 cycle, which will begin in February next year with the Sherpas’ meeting and end with the U20 Mayors’ summit.

Along with C40 (Climate 40) and United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), Ahmedabad will organise various events including City Sherpas’ inception meeting on February 9 and 10.

Awards News

9. PETA India’s 2022: Sonakshi Sinha named as ‘Person of the Year’ title

Bollywood actress, Sonakshi Sinha has been awarded PETA India’s 2022 Person of the Year title. Sonakshi’s actions helped save the lives of many animals killed for fashion, but her strong advocacy for dog and cat rights earned her the title.

She is actively involved in animal welfare activities and regularly voices out the need for stronger animal protection laws. The international animal rights non-profit group endorsed the title and  celebrated the actions of the “Dabang” actress for saving animal lives in India.

PETA stands for People for Ethical Treatment of Animals. PETA was founded in 1980 and is dedicated to establishing and defending the rights of all animals.

PETA operates under the simple principle that animals are not ours to experiment on, eat, wear, use for entertainment, or abuse in any other way. PETA is the largest animal rights organization in the world, and PETA entities have more than 9 million members and supporters globally.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams: 

PETA Founders:Ingrid Newkirk, Alex Pacheco;

PETA Founded: 22 March 1980;

PETA Headquarters: Norfolk, Virginia, United States;

PETA President: Ingrid Newkirk.

10. National Miner NMDC wins IEI Industry Excellence Award 2022

National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC) won the coveted IEI (Institution of Engineers, India) Industry Excellence Award 2022 in Chennai.

The largest producer of the iron ore in the country was felicitated at the 37th Indian Engineering Congress for its outstanding performance and high level of business excellence.

NDMC was incorporated in 1958 as a Government of India public enterprise. It is India’s largest producer of iron ore. Since inception, under the administrative control of the Ministry of Steel

Defence News

11. INSV Tarini to Participate in 50th edition of Cape Town to Rio Race 2023

Indian Navy’s sailboat INSV Tarini has set sail for an expedition to Cape Town, South Africa for participating in the 50th edition of Cape to Rio Race 2023. This ocean sailing race will be flagged off from Cape Town on 2 January 2023 and will culminate at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The race is one of the most prestigious Trans-Atlantic ocean races. The expedition is being undertaken by an Indian Navy crew of five officers including two women officers.

The expedition aims to train the crew onboard, in essential seamanship skills including Navigation, Communication, Technical, Planning, etc. The expedition is an important milestone in training of the two women officers onboard for undertaking solo circumnavigation sailing expedition of the globe.

Sports News

12. England’s Rehan Ahmed becomes youngest to claim five-fer on Test debut

England’s leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed has became the youngest men’s Test cricketer to take a five-wicket haul on debut during the ongoing third match against Pakistan at the National Bank Cricket Arena.

After making his Test debut at 18 years and 126 days, Rehan claimed three wickets in six overs on his way to 5-48 in the second innings, playing a key role in bowling out Pakistan for 216 in 74.5 overs on day three of the match. Rehan’s brilliant display helped him set England a 167-run target to clinch the series 3-0.

13. Rafael Nadal and Iga Swiatek crowned ITF World Champions 2022

Spanish Tennis Player, Rafael Nadal has been named the Men’s International Tennis Federation (ITF) World Champion 2022 for the 5th time after an outstanding 2022 season.

Previously, He has been named the men’s ITF World Champion in 2008, 2010, 2017 and 2019. Polish tennis player, Iga Świątek, has been named Women’s ITF World Champion 2022 for her performance in 2022 winning 2 Grand Slam titles and 8 titles.

Barbora Krejcikova and Katerina Siniakova have been named ITF Women’s Doubles World Champions for the 2nd straight year and the 3rd time overall, having won the title in 2018 and 2021.

Rajeev Ram and Joe Salisbury have been named ITF Men’s Doubles World Champions for the 1st time.

Japan’s Shingo Kunieda and Netherlands’ Diede de Groot were honoured in the men’s and women’s wheelchair categories

At junior level, two-time Grand Slam boys’ singles runner-up Gilles Arnaud Bailly of Belgium has been rewarded for a season of consistent performances, while Roland Garros girls’ singles champion Lucie Havlickova of Czech Republic was crowned as ITF Girls World Champion.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams: 

International Tennis Federation (ITF) President­: David Haggerty;

International Tennis Federation (ITF) Headquarters­: London, United Kingdom (UK);

International Tennis Federation (ITF) Establishment:­ 1913.

14. France’s Karim Benzema announced retirement from international football

France footballer Karim Benzema has announced his retirement from International football. Benzema ends his time with France with 37 goals in 97 appearances, but his time with the squad hasn’t exactly been easy since his debut 15 years ago.

When Benzema made his debut for France against Austria in March 2007, he scored while playing as a substitute. He was chosen for France’s Euro 2008 team, however after the team was eliminated early, he faced criticism for his efforts. Benzema was left out of France’s squad for the 2010 World Cup despite participating in the qualification campaign on a regular basis.

Important Days

15. International Human Solidarity Day 2022: December 20

International Human Solidarity Day (IHSD) is observed annually on December 20 across the globe to celebrate the ideal of unity in diversity. IHSD highlights the goal of the United Nations and its member states to create awareness about poverty and the need to reduce poverty in independent nations.

On December 20, 2002, the UN General Assembly introduced a World Solidarity Fund to help counter global poverty. This got included in the United Nation Development Programme (UNDP) trust fund in February 2003. To commemorate the above day, the UN declared December 20 as International Human Solidarity Day.

Obituaries News

16. Hawaii’s Last Princess, Abigail Kawānanakoa passes away

Abigail Kinoiki Kekaulike Kawānanakoa, a Hawaiian princess whose lineage included the royal family that once ruled the islands and an Irish businessman who became one of Hawaii’s largest landowners, passed away at the age of 96 in Honolulu, Hawaii.

She was born on 23rd April 1926 in Honolulu, Oahu, Territory of Hawaii. Her great­grandfather, James Campbell, an Irish businessman who owned a sugar plantation, was the source of her enormous wealth, which was kept in trust and is estimated to be worth USD 215 million (175 million in a pound).