AWARDS AND HONOURS

1. La La Land wins ‘Best Picture’ at Critics Choice Awards

Every year National Geographic hosts the ‘Nature Photographer of the Year Contest’. This year, the grand prize went to Greg Lecoeur for his jaw-dropping shot of the feeding frenzy that accompanies sardine migration along the Wild Coast of South Africa. His award-winning photo titled as the titled “Sardine Run,” was captured in June 2015.

2. Two Indians win prestigious Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition

London Natural History Museum has been awarding the prestigious Wildlife Photographer of the Year award. The 52nd award ceremony was special for two Indians who secured coveted berth in the south-after recognition. Mumbai-based photographer Nayan Khanolkar and Ganesh H Shankar of Bengaluru made India proud by making it to the list.

APPOINTMENTS

3. Paolo Gentiloni to be appointed new Italian PM

The Italian foreign minister, Paolo Gentiloni, has been chosen by Italy’s president to replace Matteo Renzi as prime minister, a choice that signals continuity in the centre-left government’s domestic and foreign policies at a volatile time for the eurozone’s third-largest economy.

Italy’s new prime minister following reformist leader Matteo Renzi’s resignation in the wake of a crushing referendum defeat. Gentiloni, who had been Renzi’s foreign minister, was asked by President Sergio Mattarella to form a new government

4. Bill English sworn in as New Zealand PM after John Key exit

New Zealand‘s socially conservative finance chief Bill English is sworn in as the country’s new Prime Minister on 12 December 2016 following last week’s shock resignation of his popular predecessor John Key. The centre-right National Party caucus unanimously backed English at a meeting on and he travelled to Government House in Wellington a few hours later to officially take over.

5. UN Secretary Gen designate Guterres to be sworn on 12 December 2016

Antonio Guterres, a former Portuguese Prime Minister sworn in on 12 December 2016 as the next UN Secretary General, succeeding Ban Ki-moon as the ninth chief of the 71-year old world body.

President of the UN General Assembly Peter Thomson will administer the Oath of Office to Guterres, 67, at a special plenary meeting of the 193-member General Assembly. The Secretary-General-designate will then address the General Assembly.

INDIAN AFFAIRS

6. President of India Launches ‘100 Million for 100 Million’

The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee marked his 81st birthday by launching a 100 Million for 100 Million Campaign organized by the Kailash Satyarthi Children’s Foundation at Rashtrapati Bhavan  on December 11, 2016.  The global effort to mobilize 100 million youth for shaping a better future of 100 million children who are less privileged is the beginning of a change which was long overdue.

7. Saina Nehwal to set up badminton academy in Haryana

Ace women badminton player Saina Nehwal will be provided land by the Haryana government to set up a badminton academy in the state. The land to the international star will be provided by the Haryana State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (HSIIDC) at Manesar in Gurgaon district, 45 km from New Delhi.

BANKING AND FINANCE

8. Mobile and Digital Banking induction campaign for youth

Minister of State( I/C) for Youth Affairs and Sports Vijay Goel has led a Mobile and Digital Banking induction campaign for youth at Maj. Dhyanchand National Stadium.

• As the demonetisation phase completes one month, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports continues to promote the benefits of online banking and boosts the methods of cashless transactions with the help of youngsters.
• The Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan which comes under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports is leading the initiative and has invited interested youngsters to join the drive for #Youth4DigitalPaisa.

 SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

9. China launches new-generation weather satellite

China has launched a new weather satellite marking an upgrade of its meteorological satellites in geostationary orbit. The Fengyun-4 satellite, the first of China’s second-generation weather satellites in geostationary orbit to have been launched, is also the country’s first quantitative remote-sensing satellite in highest orbit.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

10. World’s longest tunnel opens for regular service in Switzerland

Regular rail service through the world’s longest tunnel began on carrying passengers deep under the Swiss Alps from Zurich to Lugano. The famed Gotthard Base Tunnel (GBT) had a ceremonial opening in June, attracting European leaders like German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande for its maiden ride.

11. Venezuela scraps largest banknote, gives 10 days to exchange

The Venezuelan government is to withdraw its largest banknote from circulation in its latest attempt to tackle the world’s worst inflation crisis. President Nicolás Maduro has said that the 100-bolivar note, which is currently worth only two US cents (1.6p) on the black market, will be withdrawn. Venezuelans will then have 10 days to exchange the notes at the central bank.