01 December 2016 - Current Affairs

World AIDS Day observed today.

• This day aims to raise awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection.
• The red ribbon, which symbolises the day marks solidarity with people who are HIV positive and those living with AIDS.
• World Health Organisation, on this day has issued guidelines for self testing of HIV and its benefits.
• The theme for this year's World AIDS Day is 'Hands up for #HIVprevention'.

Facebook invests $40000 in CoutLoot, an Indian StartUp

• Under its FBStart Programme, FB will invest $40000 in the Indian Fashion Startup, CoutLoot.
• The programme was launched by FB last year to help entrepreneurs with their startups by providing sufficient funds ans services to help grow their business.
• The Startup will also receive mentor-ship from the engineering teams of FB.

India - US sign deal for M777 Howitzers.

• Rs. 5000 crore deal was inked between India and US for 145 M777 ultra light Howitzers.
• Since the Bofors Scandal in the 1980s, this comes as a first deal in artillery guns.
• The deal was cleared by Cabinet Committee on Security (CSS).

Worst ever Coral bleaching suffered by Australia's Great Barrier Reef.

• Almost 67% of the coral in the area has been destroyed by warmer water in the area.
• The report was submitted by the scientists over the observations conducted on 430-mile northern stretch of the coral reef.

Crown Prince of Thailand, Maha Vajiralangkorn all set to become the next king of the country.

• The crown prince received the invite for country's next monarch by the Thailand's Parliament earlier this week.
• The decision comes after King Bhumibol Adulyadej who ruled the country for several decades passed away last month.

Taxation Laws (2nd Amendment) Bill 2016 passed by Lok Sabha.

• The bill aims to raise the tax and penalty levied in case of undisclosed incomes.
• Introduction of Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan (PMGK) Yojana, 2016, is another focus of the bill under which the taxpayers would be required to declare their undisclosed income in the form of cash or deposited in banks, post offices or Reserve Bank of India before a notified date.

Cashless System adopted by Himachal Pradesh Raj Bhawan.

• Heeding to PM's appeal, HP Governor, Acharya Devvrat asked the officials of Raj Bhawan in Shimla to use a cashless system or prefer cheque in all kind of payments.
• Governer also requested the students, teachers and NGOs to make common people aware about the cashless system.

Ban on 344 drugs rejected by the Delhi High Court.

• Delhi HC has set aside the decision of the Union governement to ban 344 fixed dose combination drugs.
• Companies including Pfizer, Glenmark, Procter & Gamble, Cipla and some NGOs had earlier challenged centre's decision on the ban.

Rehabilitation Package for the displaced families from PoK approved by Centre.

• The Rehabilitation package for Rs. 2000 crore was approved by the Union Cabinet for  36384 displaced families from Pakistan occupied Jammu & Kashmir (POJK) and Chhamb .
• The package has been approved under Prime Minister's Development Package for Jammu & Kashmir 2015.
• Under the package, Rs 5.5 lakh of cash benefit will be disbursed to each displaced family.

e - Pashuhaat Portal launched by the Union Government.

• Shri Radha Mohan Singh, Union Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Minister, launched e-pashuhaat portal (epashuhaat.gov.in) on the occasion of National Milk Day.
• Beeders/farmers can sell and purchase breeding stock, information on all forms of germplasm including semen, embryos and live animals with all the agencies and stake holders in the country through this portal.

Chandrababu Naidu to head the committee for promotion of Digital Economy.

• Union Government has formed a 13 member committee to promote e-payments in the country.
• Andhra Pradesh CM, Chandrababu Naidu will act as the convener of the committee.
• Amitabh Kant, Chief Executive of NITI Aayog will be the Member Secretary.