17th December 2014 - Important Current Affairs updates

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International Affairs

• PM Narendra Modi wishes Bhutan on their National Day (17th December)
• International Day To End Violence against Sex Workers observed across the globe today.
• This day was originally conceived as a memorial and vigil for the victims of the Green River Killer in Seattle Washington, United States (US), it has evolved into an annual international event. 

New Appointments

• Indian-American Amit Priyavadan Mehta confirmed as a Federal judge by the US Senate

National Affairs

• Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley today released the Governement of India's calendar for the year 2015
• Theme : ‘Clean India Green India’
• Home Ministry issued High Alert in public places, transport railways and schools in wake of recent Sydney & Peshawar attacks
• Defence minister Manohar Parrikar today cleared proposals to buy military equipment worth Rs. 4,444 crore, including four survey vessels for the navy for Rs. 2,324 crore.
• The Supreme Court today asked Centre to take its permission before appointing Central Vigilance Commissioner (CVC) and Vigilance Commissioner
• Government has approved the grant of enhanced relief of Rs. 5 Lakh per deceased person, who died during 1984 riot Sikh victims. 
• Lok Sabha passes the National Capital Territory of Delhi Laws Amendment Bill 2014 exempting residents of unauthorised colonies from punitive action for three years.  
• India raises the initial period of Long Term Visa to minority nationals from neighbouring countries from 1 to 5 years.
• ISIS banned in India under unlawful activities prevention act.

Business & Economy

• RBI imposes penalty of Rs 50 lakh on ICICI Bank and Rs 25 lakh on Bank of Baroda for violation of KYC norms.
• Rupee down 34 paise to 63.87 against dollar in early trade at fresh 13-month low

People in News

• Indian army soldier Naib Subedar Azad Singh of 2 Signal Training Centre Goa breaks Guinness World Record for travelling the farthest distance (45.64 Km) balancing a football on the head.

Science & Technology

• The 24 and a half hour countdown for the test launch of India’s heaviest and next generation rocket-Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-Mark III) began at 9 am at the Indian Space Centre Sriharikota. 
• The rocket is set to launch tomorrow morning at 9.30 am.

Sports

• Ending months of speculation regarding her career, troubled Indian female boxer L. Sarita Devi was today banned for one year and fined Swiss francs 1,000 by the International Boxing Association (AIBA) for refusing to accept her 2014 Asian Games bronze medal.
• The AIBA also bans India's foreign boxing coach B I Fernandez for two years, clears national coach G S Sandhu.
• The government has written to AIBA to revoke the suspension of boxer Sarita Devi, Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said today.
• ICC ODI rankings : India placed 2nd in the chart topped by Australia.

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