Current Affairs-18/12/2015-The Hindu

1.Nairobi meet deadlocked over draft deal on agriculture:

                          a.India and other developing countries rejected the language in another draft text on rhe final nairobial minsiterial declaraion.

                 b.G-33(for developing nations,including india and china)will shortly issue a different draft declaration on agriculture.

                 c.As per agriculture draft the developing nations demands for an SSM would be accepted on the condition that they grant greater market access in farm goods through reduced target tarrifs.

                d.SSM:It is a trade remedy that will allow developing countries to temporarily hike duties to counter import surges and price falls of farm Products. 

2.US set to impose high fees for H1B,L1 visas:

                     

                 A bipartisan bill that the united states congress is set to pass on today will impose a special fees of $4000 and $4500 for H1B and L1 visas respectively.

                   Indian companies will be worst affected.

3.AIIMS to be setup in the eastern city of Gorakphur:

                  UP CM-Akilesh Yadav seeks permission from Delhi to open an AIIMS in Eastern City Of Gorakphur,Lucknow,Uttarpradesh.

4.Former Chariman of Atomic Energy Commission congratulates ISRO:

                  Anil Kadodkar-the former chairman of atomic energy commission inaugrates the Heat and Mass transfer conference at vikram sarabhai space center at Thumba.

                      He also congratulated for the successful launch of PSLV C29 by ISRO.

5.India-Palestine Group performs Across 11 cities in India: 

                    India-Palestine group theatrical colloboration presenting a joint production across 11 cities in India.

                     The festival titles "Freedom Jatha" from Dec 18 to Jan 25.

6.Borra Caves gained immense popularity:

                

                        The Borra caves gained immense popularity only after the construction of railway line and the borra railway station at Vishakapatnam.

7.Defence Deals about India an important topic:

                     Rs.40000 crore defence deal to be approved by modi government highlighting the prime minister modi visit to Russia next week.

                       The defence acquistion council(DAC) chaired by defence minister Manohar Parikar cleared the purchase of S-400 TRIUMF Long Range defence system from Russia.

S-400 TRIUMF:

                        A surface to air missile that can attack UAVs,drones,missiles etc,

Range: 400 km

Max Altitude: 10,000 feet

Advantages:

Completely automated,Fouth generation systems.

                In addition DAC also cleared six proposals worth about Rs.26000 crores.

                 During PM modi visit to france last year-Direct purchase of 36 Rafale fighter.

                  Recently,the cabinet commitee on security gave final approval for the purchase of Apache and Chinook Helicopters from US worth $2.5 billion.

8.PM Modi to choose himself agenda points for three day DGP conference to be held in Rann of Hutch in Gujarat

9.Top cities in Cycling:

1.Copenhagen,Denmark.

2.Amsterdam,Holland.

3.Ulchret,Holland.

10.Apple Appoints Jeff Williams as Chief Operating Officer.