The International Astronomical Union (IAU) announced the names of the newly discovered stars and planets, where the name "Sharjah" was chosen for a star with "Barjeel" being the name of one of its planets in a conference held in French capital, Paris.
IAU is headquartered at Paris, France.
PM Antonio Costa announced that in order to help perpetuate Mahatma Gandhi’s ideals, Portugal will launch a Gandhi Citizenship Education Prize, each year inspired by his different thoughts & quotes. The first edition will be dedicated to animal welfare.
Portugal Capital- Lisbon, Currency- Euro.
Cuba is to resurrect the position of Prime Minister in the next parliamentary session with President Miguel Diaz-Canel nominating a candidate to the post which has remained dormant for more than 40 years. Last Cuban PM was revolutionary hero Fidel Castro.
Cuba Capital- Havana, Currency- Peso.
Isuzu Motors will buy Volvo AB’s UD Trucks business, which has an enterprise value of $2.3 billion, and tie up with the Swedish firm to cut costs and develop electric and self-driving technologies. Volvo has already begun marketing battery-electric trucks.
Volvo is the world’s fifth-largest truck-making group.
Indian Navy in collaboration with Indian Coast Guard, Cochin Port Trust & all other concerned stakeholders, conducted a large-scale anti-hijacking exercise-Apharan off the Port of Kochi to streamline the response mechanism against anti-national elements.
It included 12 ships and helicopters of Cochin Port trust.
Energy Efficiency Services Ltd has signed a MoU with Baghirathi Sustainability India to explore promoting electric vehicles in India. With this MoU, EESL seeks to deploy around 250 EVs & fast-track the adoption of e-mobility within private & govt agencies.
Baghirathi currently operates fleet of around 131 EVs in India.
The Andhra Pradesh Government signed a MoU with the National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC) for the supply of iron ore to the Kadapa Steel Plant. AP CM Jaganmohan Reddy will be laying the foundation stone for the Kadapa plant later this month.
NMDC is an Indian state-controlled mineral producer.
In Telangana, former High Court Judge Justice CV Ramulu has been appointed as the Lokayukta. Telangana Governor Tamilisai Sounderarajan has issued the orders to this effect. Former Law Secretary V Niranjan Rao has been appointed as the Upa Lokayukta.
This is the 1st time that the state govt constituted Lokayukta.
India had successfully test-fired 2 missiles- upgraded version of Pinaka guided rocket system and all-weather tracked-chassis QR-SAM. Pinaka system has a maximum range of 75 km for Mark-II variant and can fire a salvo of 12 rockets in less than 45 seconds.
QR-SAM- Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile.
The Indian men's football team remained static at 108th spot in the year-ending FIFA rankings. India, however, lost 11 places throughout the year. With 1187 total points, India is placed at 19th spot among Asian countries headed by Japan 28th.
Belgium, France & Brazil- 1st,2nd & 3rd ranks respectively.
In Women's Football, Sweden wins tri-nation series beating India 4-0 in the final of Under-17 tournament in Mumbai. Sweden scored three goals before half time. Thailand is the third team in the tournament. Elin Svahn of Sweden was adjudged best keeper.
Monica Jusu Bah from Sweden was the highest scorer.
Himachal's Zeena Khitta stunned West Bengal's Mehuli Ghosh & World No.3 Apurvi Chandela to emerge as the new national champion in the Women's 10 metres Air Rifle event at the ongoing 63rd National Shooting Championship Competitions Rifle/Pistol in Bhopal.
Mehuli had to settle for silver while Apurvi won the bronze.
On 22 December 2005, UN identified solidarity as one of the fundamental & universal values that should underlie relations between peoples in the 21st century, & in that regard decided to proclaim 20th of December as International Human Solidarity Day.
On 2002 UN established the World Solidarity Fund.
State Bank of India announced the appointment of Sanjeev Maheshwari as part-time non-official Director on the Central Board of the Bank for a period of three years with effect from date of government notification of his appointment.
SBI chairman Rajnish Kumar.