Ashleigh Barty, whose breakout 2019 campaign included a French Open crown and world number one ranking, was named the WTA Player of the Year. Ashleigh Barty is the first Australian to top the women's tennis rankings since Evonne Goolagong Cawley in 1976.
Canada's Andreescu bagged the Newcomer of the Year.
The representatives from the United States, Mexico and Canada inked a revamped version of their regional trade pact-USMCA, after months of negotiations. The accord is meant to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), a deal in place since 1994.
USMCA was signed more than a year ago to replace NAFTA.
Cabinet approved signing of the Agreement on Social Security between the Republic of India and the Federative Republic of Brazil. The idea to ink pacts on SSAs with BRICS nations was discussed at the meetings of the BRICS Labour& Employment Ministers.
It aims to help people working abroad for short durations.
The application, Zuri of the Space start up Blue-Sky Analytics won Copernicus Masters award given by the Earth observation program managed by the European Commission in partnership with the European Space Agency (ESA). It is also dubbed as ‘Space Oscars’.
Zuri was selected under social entrepreneurship category.
Cabinet approved ex-post facto the MoU between Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) and Saudi Food & Drug Authority in the field of medical products regulation. The MoU was signed during the visit of PM Modi to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
It helps in increasing India's medical products export to Saudi.
Cabinet has given its approval for the signing of MOU b/w Central Electricity Authority, India and Japan Coal Energy Centre, on Japan-India cooperation for Efficiency & Environmental Improvement for Sustainable, Stable & Low-Carbon supply of Electricity.
Japan PM- Shinzo Abe, Capital- Tokyo, Currency-Japanese Yen.
Cabinet has given its approval for signing the Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) between Government of India and Government of Japan to constitute the ‘India-Japan Steel Dialogue’ to strengthen cooperation in steel sector.
MoC Aim-Capacity building for high grade steel manufacturing.
Pakistan said that the ADB plans to invest USD 2 billion in the energy sector in the country during the next three years. It was also agreed that all efforts by both sides will be made to ensure maximum transparency during the execution of 3-year projects.
Pakistan Prime Minister - Imran Khan.
The Union Cabinet gave its approval to NHAI to set up an infrastructure investment trusts (InvITs) to monetize highway assets. This will enable NHAI to monetize completed national highways that have a toll collection track record of at least one year.
NHAI Chairman- Sukhbir Singh Sandhu.
Rajasthan govt to launch farmer welfare fund of Rs 1,000 Cr. Govt will start its much ambitious 'Janta Clinic scheme' in Jaipur & the ‘Rthe ajasthan Agricultural Processing’, Agriculture Policy and Agricultural Export Policy, 2019 will also be released.
Rajasthan Chief Minister - Ashok Gehlot.
Maharashtra government decided to name the upcoming Nagpur-Mumbai Super Communication Expressway after the Shiv Sena founder-patriarch late Balasaheb Thackeray. Government also decided to infuse an additional ₹3,500 crore share capital into the MNSCE.
MNSCE-Mumbai- Nagpur Super Communication Expressway.
On 12 December 2017, the UN proclaimed 12 December as International Universal Health Coverage Day (UHC Day). It aims to raise awareness of the need for strong and resilient health systems and universal health coverage with multi-stakeholder partners.
UN has commitments to help move the world closer to UHC by 2030.
Recognizing that national policies of neutrality are aimed at promoting the use of preventive diplomacy, which is a core function of the United Nations, the UN General Assembly decided to declare 12th of December as the International Day of Neutrality.
UN Secretary General- Antonio Guterres.
Global payments technology company, Mastercard tied up with Federal Bank to offer identity check to the bank's cardholders. Mastercard Identity Check is a global authentication program that uses the latest authentication standards of EMV 3-D Secure.
It aims to improve the authentication experience of cardholders.
Greta Thunberg, who became the voice of conscience for a generation facing the climate change emergency, was announced as the TIME magazine's 2019 Person of the Year. Thunberg first hit the headlines for her solo strike in Sweden against global warming.
She is the Swedish Teen Climate Activist.