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All India Radio News Summary: 29 DECEMBER 2017

All India Radio News Summary: 29 DECEMBER 2017

  1. India intends to remain engaged with China on the issue of trans-border rivers to safeguard the national interest

As a lower riparian state, New Delhi has established user rights to waters of the trans-border rivers.

  • It was reported that China has taken move to build a 1,000 km long tunnel to divert water from the Brahmaputra, China has publicly rejected such media reports as untrue.
  • The Government has conveyed its views and concerns at the highest level in China, urging them to ensure the interests of downstream states and refrain from any harmful activities in its upstream areas.
  • The Minister said, China has told India on several occasions that it is only undertaking run-of-the river hydropower projects which do not involve diversion of the Brahmaputra water. 
  1. Regional project on Climate Resilience Building among Farmers through Crop Residue Management to tackle Stubble Burning

The Environment Ministry has approved a regional project on Climate Resilience Building among Farmers through Crop Residue Management to tackle Stubble Burning.

  • The first phase of the project has been approved at a cost of around 100 Crore rupees for the States of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.
  • The project not only aims at mitigating climate change impacts and enhance adaptive capacity, but will also counter the adverse environmental impacts that arise from burning.
  • Environment and Forest Minister said, dust pollution is a major cause of pollution in Delhi and his ministry is working to mitigate it. He said that the government is trying to control pollution in a scientific manner.

 

  1. US President attacked China following reports that Chinese ships transferred oil to North Korean vessels at sea

US President attacked China following reports that Chinese ships transferred oil to North Korean vessels at sea in violation of UN sanctions over the North’s nuclear weapons programme.

  • President said there will never be a friendly solution to the North Korea problem if this continues to happen.
  • Only two weeks ago, President Trump credited China for its help in the US-led pressure campaign against Pyongyang for its nuclear and missile tests.
  • On Tuesday, a South Korean newspaper cited unidentified South Korean government officials as saying US reconnaissance satellites had spotted Chinese ships transferring oil to North Korean vessels some 30 times since October in the seas off China.

 

  1. 25th National Children Science Congress

The 25th National Children Science Congress is undergoing at Science city in Ahmedabad. The five-day Children Science Congress has been organized by Department of Science and Technology, Government of India.

  • The theme of the Congress is ‘Science and Innovation for Sustainable Development’ with the special focus on persons with disabilities.
  • 900 young scientists from 30 states are participating in 25th National Children Science Congress.
  • This year, 50 children and teachers from Asian nations have also participated in the event.
  • Apart from science exhibition, various activities such as hands-on demonstrations, presentations by children scientists, poster session and cultural programmes have also been organised in the science congress.

 

  1. The US and UN Security Council condemned attack on a Shiite cultural centre in Afghanistan.

The US and UN Security Council condemned recent attack on a Shiite cultural centre in Afghanistan.

  • The UN Security Council urged all states to cooperate actively with the Afghanistan government and all other relevant authorities in this regard.
  • UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the world body firmly believes that a peace process is the only path to ensure Afghanistan’s stability.

An Islamic State suicide bomber struck a Shiite cultural center in Kabul, killing at least 41 people.

 

  1. Lok Sabha passed the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Bill -2017 with a voice vote.
  • The bill prohibits certain persons from submitting a resolution plan in case of defaults.
  • These include willful defaulters and promoters or management of the company having an outstanding non-performing debt for over a year.
  • The Bill also has provisions to bar the sale of property of a defaulter to such persons during liquidation. 

 

  1. Rajya Sabha rejected a private member’s Bill seeking to guarantee jobs to all citizens

The Rajya Sabha rejected a private member’s Bill seeking to guarantee jobs to all citizens above eighteen years and with provisions for unemployment allowance.

  • The bill was put to vote when the member of Rajya Sabha refused to withdraw it.
  • The Bill was negated by 21 votes to 18.
  • Intervening in the discussion, Labour Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to create new avenues of employment despite the fact that it is not a fundamental right.