Jamaica’s ‘Tony-Ann Singh’ crowned as ‘Miss World 2019’

1.International Tea Day 2019

The United Nations (UN) has declared May 21 as International Tea Day on the recommendations of India, however, this day is celebrated on December 15 Every Year.The proposal was made by India at the International Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) Intergovernmental Group meeting held in Milan 4 years ago.

The United Nations General Assembly has also recognized the tea’s medicinal properties as well as cultural importance.

The season of quality tea production starts in May only in most of the tea producing countries.

2.Longest UN climate talks COP25 end with no deal on carbon markets

The longest UN climate talks ended in Madrid with no deal on carbon markets.Delegates from almost 200 countries failed to come up with more ambitious targets to cut greenhouse gases at UN climate talks.

It failed to fulfill the terms of the 2015 Paris agreement prompting UN chief Antonio Guterres to lament a “lost opportunity” to fight global warming.

The two-week long negotiations saw no agreement on major issues such as Article 6, loss and damage, and long term finance.

Under Article 6 of the Paris agreement signed in 2015, the countries had agreed to set up a global carbon market system to help developing countries decarbonise their economies at lower cost.

Next year summit COP26 will take place in Glasgow in the UK.

3.British PM Boris Jhonson wins General Elections in UK

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has won the historic UK General Election as his Conservative Party crossed the magic number of 326 required for a majority in the Parliament.Johnson hailed the projected win for his Conservative Party as a powerful new mandate to move forward with his deal to leave European Union, the 28-member economic bloc.

The latest projections put the Johnson-led Conservatives at around 363, but the party can safely celebrate its victory as it comfortably crossed over the half-way finish line for the 650-member House of Commons.

The Opposition Labour is projected to get 203 seats, a disastrous performance for the party which resulted in leader Jeremy Corbyn announcing that he would be stepping down.

4.Nation celebrates Vijay Diwas

The nation celebrates Vijay Diwas on 16 December to commemorate India’s victory over Pakistan in 1971 war.It was on this day in 1971, the chief of the Pakistani forces, General AA Khan Niazi, along with 93 thousand troops, had surrendered unconditionally to the allied forces consisting of Indian Army and Mukti Bahini.

The end of the war also resulted in subsequent secession of East Pakistan into Bangladesh.

5.Coal Min to set up Sustainable Development Cell to promote clean mining

The Ministry of Coal has decided to establish a Sustainable Development Cell (SDC) in order to promote environmentally sustainable coal mining in the country.It will also address the environmental concerns during the decommissioning or closure of mines.

The SDC will advise, mentor, plan and monitor the mitigation measures taken by the coal companies for maximising the utilisation of available resources in a sustainable way.

6.WDO to launch World Design Protopolis in Bengaluru

The World Design Organization is all set to launch its new global programme World Design Protopolis in Bengaluru.It aims at implementing holistic progress in mega cities across the world and making them sustainable.

The announcement was made at the ongoing three-day Kochi Design Week (KDW), India’s largest design conclave that kicked off at Bolgatty Island.

The project aims to measure the progress of the city, attract investments and solve problems so that the city becomes a better place for the citizens.

7.FASTag system functioning smoothly

FASTags or prepaid rechargeable tags for Vehicle toll collection with automatic payment has come into force from 15 December.It became mandatory for all vehicles.

Chief General Manager of National Highways Authority of India Amarendra Kumar said that the system is working very smoothly.

Now the drivers will not have to stop their vehicles at toll plazas to pay tax.

National Highways Authority of India has equipped all fee plazas with Electronic Toll Collection System.

A FASTag uses radio frequency identification technology to enable direct toll payments from a moving vehicle.

If anyone goes into an electronic toll collection lane without a FASTag, he or she has to pay double charges.

8.Google Earth covers 98 percent of the entire population

Search engine giant Google has revealed that it’s powerful mapping service, Google Earth now covers more than 98 percent of the world.It has captured 10 million miles of Street View imagery, a distance that could circle the globe more than 400 times.

When it comes to Google Earth, the software that lets you browse the globe with 3D representation, right from the comfort of your couch, offers 6 million square miles of high definition satellite images, covering more than 98 percent of the entire population.

Google also shared more information about how exactly all these images are captured.

9.Jamaica’s ‘Tony-Ann Singh’ crowned as ‘Miss World 2019’

Tony-Ann Singh of Jamaica was announced as the winner of the Miss World 2019 beauty pageant held at the ExCeL London.She was crowned by her predecessor, Miss World 2018 Vanessa Ponce from Mexico.

23 year old Singh is a Florida state university student and wanted to use her title to work for “sustainable change” for women and their children.

Meanwhile, Ophely Mezino of France and Suman Rao of India were the first and second runners up of the beauty pageant respectively.

Miss World 2019 was the 69th edition of the contest and contestants from 120 countries competed for the title.

10.Danny Aiello, Actor in ‘Do the Right Thing,’ Dies at 86

Danny Aiello, a prolific actor who was nominated for an Academy Award for his role as pizzeria owner Sal in Spike Lee’s “Do the Right Thing,” has died.He also played Madonna’s father in the 1986 video for Papa Don’t Preach.

A veteran of stage and film, Aiello was best known for playing the pizza parlour owner Sal in Spike Lee’s 1989 Do the Right Thing.