Current Affairs Updates: 18th December 2013

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International Affairs
A nine metre bronze statue of late Nelson Mandela, an anti-apartheid icon was unveiled in Pretoria, South Africa. The 9 metre gigantic bronze statue was revealed after Mandela was buried in his childhood village of Qunu. As part of commemorating Reconciliation Day on December 16, South African President Jacob Zuma unveiled statue amidst 21-gun salute and a fly-past by military aircraft at the Union Buildings. Union buildings is special for so many reasons, as statue of Barry Hertzog, former Prime Minister of South Africa was mounted here. Also, 90 year old Mandela was announced as South Africa’s first democratically-elected President in 1994 here only. It’s worth mentioning here that the Union Buildings is marking its centenary this year.
French carmaker Renault has inked a pact for $1.3 billion joint venture agreement with China to construct a joint-venture plant costing 7.76 billion yuan ($1.28 billion) in central China. The pact has been signed with the Dongfeng Motor Group Co of China and Renault, that has an alliance with Japan’s Nissan to produce cars in the central Chinese province of Hubei. 150,000 cars will be the initial designed production capacity annually from 2016.

National Affairs
To present a small token of gratitude to the great leader and former Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Beant Singh, a stamp has been released by Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh in New Delhi. Sardar Beant Singh is remembered for providing tough and extraordinary leadership to Punjab in very troubled times. He brought normalcy in Punjab after years of terrorist violence.
Under ‘Project Udaan, an initiative of the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, about 2,200 youth from Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) are getting trained across the country by 29 corporates. Started with the aim of providing skills to 40,000 youth over a period of five years, the National Skills Development Corporation and the Ministry of Home Affairs and industry is running project Udaan that targets the youngsters of J&K , who are seeking global and local opportunities which includes post-graduates, graduates and three-year engineering diploma holders.

Special Days
On 18 December, the International Migrants Day was observed worldwide. In 2013, the international migrant number has reached 232 million worldwide. On 18 December 1990, the General Assembly adopted the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of all migrant workers and members of their families. The day is observed to make migration work for societies of origin, migrants and societies of destination alike.

Appointments
Oscar Fernandes, Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways has got additional charge of the Ministry of Labour and Employment. He has been given additional charge after the demise of Sis Ram Ola, a veteran Congress leader from Rajasthan who was the former Minister of Labour and Employment

Sports
England was thrashed by Australia to clinch Test cricket series and reclaimed Ashes t for the first time in seven years with 3-0 lead in the five-match series. The first two Tests in Brisbane and Adelaide was won by Australia easily and crushed England with a 150-run victory in the third Test in Perth.
Teen sensation and one of the fastest rising stars of Indian squash Mahesh Mangaonkar has become first Indian to clinch IMET Open in Bratislava, Slovakia. The World No.98 and the 19-year-old from Mumbai crushed defending champion Scottish Greg Lobban, who is the No.2 seed with 7-11 11-8 11-4 6-11 11-7 to secure the title.
Kerala will soon observe thefirst high altitude cricket stadium in South India which will be inaugurated in Wynad district of Kerala. The Kerala Cricket Association owns the stadium which is situated about 2800 feet above sea-level. Nikhil Kumar, Kerala Governor inaugurated the stadium can put up about 10,000 spectators amidst much pomp and show.
 
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