Prez Kovind lays foundation stone for Paika Rebellion memorial in Odisha

1.International Anti-Corruption Day: 9 December

International Anti-Corruption Day has been observed annually, on 9 December to raise public awareness for anti-corruption.Theme of the day is, ‘United Against Corruption.’

As per the data, given by the United Nations, every year $1 trillion is paid in bribes while an estimated $2.6 trillion are stolen annually through corruption, a sum equivalent to more than 5 percent of the global Gross Domestic Product.

2.Worldwide arms sales rise by nearly 5% in 2018

Worldwide arms sales rose by nearly five per cent in 2018.According to a new report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), the market is dominated by the United States.

The turnover of the 100 biggest arms manufacturers came to 420 billion dollars.

US manufacturers alone accounted for 59 per cent of the market, or a turnover of 246 billion dollars, up 7.2 per cent on the previous year.

Russia was second in the rankings for arms production, with 8.6 per cent of the market, just ahead of the United Kingdom on 8.4 per cent and France on 5.5 per cent.

The world’s largest arms maker remains the US firm Lockheed Martin, as it has been since 2009.

3.Rafale jet tail numbers to feature former Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa’s initials

In recognition of Air Chief Marshal (retd) B S Dhanoa’s unrelenting backing for the Rafale deal, the Indian Air Force has decided to put tail numbers in 30 Rafale jets with ‘BS’ initials.Six Rafale trainer aircraft will carry RB series tail numbers which stand for Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria, the current Chief of Air Staff who played a key role as lead negotiator for the mega deal.

The political controversy relating to purchase of 36 Rafale jets from French aerospace major Dassault Aviation for the IAF at a cost of Rs 59,000 crore peaked during Dhanoa’s tenure as chief of the air staff and he had stoutly defended the deal.

Out of 36 Rafale jets, 30 will be fighter jets and six will be trainers.

The trainer jets will be twin-seater and they will have almost all the features of the fighter jets.

4.EAM Jaishankar meets Israeli counterpart Katz

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held a meeting with the Foreign Minister of Israel, Katz.The Israeli Foreign Minister raised the issue of the need to increase trade between the two countries and discussed measures required to encourage it.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held a meeting with the Foreign Minister of Israel, Katz.

Katz presented his “Tracks for Regional Peace” initiative to his Indian counterpart.

5.Incredible India Road Show to be held in Singapore

The Incredible India Road Show will be held in Singapore, positioning the country as a preferred destination for tourists.India Tourism Office in Singapore said the roadshow by Indian delegation will provide a platform to the stakeholders of India’s tourism industry to interact with their Singaporean counterparts.

Indian delegation comprises 25 tour operators and destination management companies along with representations from the state governments of Punjab and Madhya Pradesh.

A total of 1,75,852 tourists from Singapore visited India in 2017, a growth of 7.4 per cent on the year, said the India Tourism Singapore office.

6.Prez Kovind lays foundation stone for Paika Rebellion memorial in Odisha

In Odisha, President Ram Nath Kovind laid the foundation stone for a memorial to mark completion of 200 years of Paika Rebellion, a valiant uprising of Paikas in 1817 against the British Rule which is often termed as the First War of Independence.The proposed project will come up at the foothills of Barunei hills in Khurda district.

The memorial is seen as an epitome of Odisha’s valour and will serve as an inspiration for the youth.

The Paika Rebellion memorial which will come up in 10 acres of land will be a source of inspiration for the youth and generations to come.

7.All India Sports competition of ERMS to start at Bhopal

Eklavya Model Residential School All India Sports Competition will start at Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh.Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs) scheme is one of the flagship interventions of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs introduced in 1997-98 to ensure tribal students get access to quality education in the remote tribal areas.

Tribal Folk artists from Madhya Pradesh and other states will perform cultural programmes during the event.

As many as 4500 players of 284 Eklavya Schools of 20 states will exhibit their skills in 16 sports disciplines during the competition.

8.Photo Division announces 8th National Photography Awards

Photo Division, Press Information Bureau, under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, has invited entries for the 8th National Photography Awards.The Lifetime Achievement Award carries a Cash Prize of Rs 3,00,000.

This year’s theme for the Professional Photographers is ‘Life and Water.’

The awards under the Category for Professionals are one ‘Professional Photographer of the Year award with a Cash prize of Rs 1,00,000 and five Special Mention Awards with a cash prize of Rs 50,000 each.

This year’s theme for the Amateur Photographers is ‘Cultural Heritage of India.’

The awards under the Category for Amateurs are one ‘Amateur Photographer of the Year award with a Cash prize of Rs 75,000 and five Special Mention Awards with a cash prize of Rs 30,000 each.

9.Boxing: Joshua reclaims his world heavyweight crown from Andy Ruiz

Britain’s Anthony Joshua reclaimed his world heavyweight crown from Andy Ruiz, outclassing the Mexican-American to score a unanimous points victory.Joshua, who suffered a stunning knockout defeat to Ruiz in New York in June, produced a masterclass performance to regain his IBF, WBA and WBO titles in emphatic fashion at Ad Diriyah in Saudi Arabia.

Dominating from the outset, Joshua won by margins of 118-110 on two scorecards with the third judge making it 119-109.

10.Former Odisha minister Bhagabat Mohanty passes away

Former Odisha Minister Bhagabat Prasad Mohanty passed away.Mohanty represented Kendrapda thrice in the state Assembly.

Mohanty was elected to the state Assembly in 1971 as Praja Socialist Party (PSP) candidate and in 1985 and 1995 as a Congress nominee, said sources.

He had served as the Higher Education Minister of the state.