Current Affairs 17th December 2014

Current Affairs 17th December 2014

Updated : 17-Dec-2014

Current Affairs 17th December 2014 - Important Points
Current Affairs 17th December 2014 - Details
Mascots of Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic named as Vinicius and Tom
On 14th December 2014, Names of the mascot at Rio 2016 Olympics and Paralympics Games were chosen by public votes, these were named Vinicius and Tom, respectively.

Vinicius is a yellow feline animal similar which is similar to cat and represents Brazil's rich fauna and wildlife while Tom is a blue and green figure with leaves that covers it head and it represents diverse and rich flora of the country.
Do You Know :
2016 Olympics scheduled to be held from 5th August to 21st August 2016.
Shriti Vadera of Indian origin appointed as Santander UK Bank's Chairman
Among the Important Banking Current Affairs, On 12th December 2014, Shriti Vadera was appointed as Chairman of Santander UK. Santander UK is a major British bank and this news became important because Shriti Vadera is of Indian Origin, she will be the first woman to head a major British Bank.
From January 2015 to March 2015 Shriti Vadera will be working as Joint Deputy Chairman of Santander UK Bank then after she will become chairman.
Olof Palme Human Rights Prize 2014 bagged by Xu Youyu of China
On 16th December 2014, Xu Youyu of China who is a Pro-democracy activist won Olof Palme Human Rights Prize for the year 2014 which carries a prize money of 75000 US dollars. He was given this award because of his work for democracy, social justice, human rights and freedom of speech.

Minorities from neighbouring counties will be given 5 year visa
On 16th December 2014, Indian Govt announced that it will giving five year visa to the members of the minority communities from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh as part of government's effort to address their grievances and accord citizenship in future as earlier it was giving one year visa.
These long term visas will also allow the children of minority nationals from neighbouring countries to take admission in schools, colleges, universities, technical and professional institutions in India.
On 16th December Vijay Diwas was observed in India
On 16th December 2014, India observed the Vijay Diwas and martyrs of Indo-Pak War of 1971 were remembered. Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, Army Chief D S Suhag, Navy Chief R K Dhowan and Air Chief Arup Raha paid tributes at Amar Jawan Jyoti (New Delhi). Special programmes were also organised to remember nation's heros.
Do You Know :
On 16th December 1971, Chief of Pakistan forces General Amir Abdullah Khan Niazi along with 93000 troops had surrendered unconditionally to the allied forces consisting of Indian Army and Mukti Bahini, led by General Jagjit Singh Aurora in Dhaka, when Indian defeated Pakistan in 1971 war, end of this war resulted in subsequent secession of East Pakistan into Bangladesh. Bangladesh celebrates this day as Victory Day.
Militants attacked Army-run school in Peshawar, Pakistan
On 16th December 2014, In a very tragic incident Militants attacked Army-run school in Peshawar, Pakistan and this terror attack leaves at least 141 people dead, 132 of them were students.
Pakistan's military is carrying out Operation Zarb-e-Azb and Operation Khyber-I against militants because of that militants attacked at school to kill innocent students.
Schools in India observed a two-minute silence and held special prayer meetings to pay homage to the young victims and Members of Indian Parliament also observed a moment's silence.

Indian boxer Laishram Sarita Devi was banned by AIBA for one year
On 17th December 2014, International Boxing Association (AIBA) imposed one year ban on Indian boxer Laishram Sarita Devi. She was banned because she did not accept her bronze medal at Asian Games 2014 medal ceremony. Apart from ban she was also fined one thousand Swiss Franc. Blas Iglesias Fernandes who is India's foreign coach was banned for two years for standing by Sarita in her protest. Sarita's personal coach Lenin Meitei was banned for a year and her husband Thoiba Singh was suspended from the ringside for two years.
RTGS business hours were increased to 12 hours by RBI
On 15th December 2014, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) increased RTGS business hours from 7.30 hours to 12 hours, so now RTGS will be operational from 8 am to 8 pm in weekdays as earlier it was from 9 am to 4:30 pm. Apart from weekdays on Saturdays also it has been increased from 5 hours to 7:30 hours.
This decision will be effective from 29th December 2014.
Do You Know :
Full Form of RTGS - Real Time Gross Settlement.
Full Form of NEFT - National Electronic Fund Transfer.