Indian peacekeepers inSouth Sudan receive prestigious UN medal

1.Australia: Massive bushfire in Blue Mountains

Firefighters urged residents to evacuate areas near Gospers Mountain in Australia as a bushfire that has razed almost 400,000 hectares approached residential areas.The Gospers Mountain fire, a combination of several fires burning to the northwest of Sydney, stretches almost from Lithgow to the New South Wales central coast.

This large fire continues to burn on multiple fronts.

Firefighters worked overnight to contain the blaze around Mt Wilson, Mt Tomah and Berambing in the Blue Mountains.

2.Closing Ceremony of Indo-Nepal Joint Military Exercise Surya Kiran – XIV

Exercise SURYA KIRAN-XIV, a joint military training exercise between India and Nepal culminated at Nepal Army Battle School (NABS), Rupendehi district of Nepal.The troops of both the Armies participated in 14 days long joint training based on counter insurgency operations in jungle and mountainous terrain and also practised response mechanism in the eventualities of natural and man made disasters.         

As part of the exercise, important lectures, demonstrations and drills related to counter insurgency, counter terrorism operations and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief response mechanism were rehearsed and executed jointly.

The training culminated with a 72 hours outdoor exercise in which troops of both contingents carried out drills of counter insurgency operations.

3.Three-day state-level orange festival begins in Manipur

In Manipur, a three-day State-level Orange Festival began.Chief Minister N. Biren Singh inaugurated the festival at district headquarters Tamenglong.

Tamenglong district is the largest producer of orange fruit in Manipur.

The state government under the sponsorship of North Eastern Council organise the festival annually to promote the fruit and encourage its growers.

This year, there are more than 300 orange stalls in the festival.

On day one, orange growers’ competition was held and prizes were distributed to top position Tamenglong orange would received Geographical Indication Tagging Certificate very soon.

4.7-Day International Film Festival in Khajuraho

In Madhya Pradesh, the Chief Minister Kamal Nath inaugurated the 7-Day International Film Festival in Shilpkala village of Khajuraho.Films from the country and abroad including Bundelkhandi will be screened at the Tapra Talkies made for the festival.

The International Khajuraho Film Festival is being organized by the Prayas Sanstha in collaboration with the State Government.

Events like interaction with film stars, film making workshop, mobile filmmaking workshop, plays, programmes for promoting local art and culture, herbal forest fair, animal fair etc are also organized during the Film Festival.

5.Portuguese PM Antonio Costa to visit India from 19-20 December

Prime Minister of Portugal, Antonio Costa will be on a two-day visit to India from 19 December.He will attend the second meeting of the Organising Committee on the celebrations for the 150th Birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

The Organising Committee meeting will be presided over by President Ram Nath Kovind.

The Portuguese Prime Minister is also scheduled to hold official talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

This will be the third official meeting between the two leaders in a span of 3 years.

6.Lt Gen Manoj Mukund Naravane to be next Army Chief

Lt Gen Manoj Mukund Naravane will be the next Chief of Army Staff.He is currently serving as Vice Chief of the Army.

Lt Gen Naravane will succeed Gen Bipin Rawat, who will retire on the 31st of this month.

Before taking charge as Vice Chief in September, Lt Gen Naravane was heading the Eastern Command of the Army.

An alumnus of the National Defence Academy and the Indian Military Academy  Lt Gen Naravane, was commissioned into the 7th battalion, the Sikh Light Infantry Regiment in June 1980.

7.IAS Ravi Mittal takes charge as new I&B Secretary

IAS officer Ravi Mittal took charge as the new Secretary, Information and Broadcasting Ministry.Mr Mittal took charge from Amit Khare who has been appointed as Secretary, Department of Higher Education.

Before this, Mr Mittal, a 1986 batch IAS officer of Bihar Cadre, was working as the Special Secretary in the Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance.

8.Nagaland Governor R N Ravi to hold additional charge of Meghalaya

Nagaland Governor R N Ravi has been given additional charge of Meghalaya.The decision has been taken by the President of India in the wake of the “absence of leave” of Tathagata Roy, Governor of Meghalaya.

Ravi is also the Centre’s interlocutor for talks with Naga insurgents.

9.Indian peacekeepers inSouth Sudan receive prestigious UN medal

About 850 Indian peacekeepers serving in South Sudan have been awarded the prestigious UN medal.The have been awarded for their service and contribution to building peace in the conflict-affected nation and going above their duties to support local communities.

India is among the largest troop contributing countries to UN peacekeeping operations.

Currently, 2,342 Indian troops and 25 police personnel are deployed with the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

The UNMISS said that the 850 Indian troops serving with the UNMISS received the United Nations Medal for their dedication and sacrifice.

10.Ben Stokes wins BBC Sports Personality of the Year award 2019

England all-rounder Ben Stokes was named as the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year.He became the first cricketer since Andrew Flintoff in 2005 to bag the coveted trophy.

In a public vote, Lewis Hamilton was second and Dina Asher-Smith came third in Aberdeen.

Stokes played various breathtaking knocks for England while helping the team win the 50-over World Cup for the first time.