CURRENT AFFAIRS: 02/12/2017

CURRENT AFFAIRS: 02/12/2017

1. Infosys Appoints Salil S Parekh as MD & CEO

i. Infosys annouced the appointment of Salil S. Parekh as its new CEO and Managing Director. Salil was in Capegemini earlier.

ii. The Bengaluru-headquartered company was searching for a new CEO after former CEO Vishal Sikka resigned in August 2017. Cofounder Nandan Nilekani returned to the company as non-executive chairman to steady operations.

2. Miss Korea Jenny Kim Crowned Miss Supranational 2017

i. The 24-year-old model and Miss Korea Jenny Kim has bagged the title of Miss Supranational 2017 at the gala event, which was held in Poland's Spa Resort of Krynica- Zdroj.
ii Miss Columbia Tica Martinez and Romania's Bianca Tirsin were adjudged First Runner's Up and the second runner-up in the event, respectively.

iii. India's official entry to the competition, Peden Ongmu Namgyal, reached top 25.

3. India Re-Elected to International Maritime Organisation Council

i. India has been re-elected to the Council of the International Maritime Organisation under a category that represents nations with the largest interests in international sea borne trade. 

ii. India was re-elected to the body under Category B at an assembly of the organization at its headquarters. Indian High Commissioner to the UK Y K Sinha represented India at the assembly where India secured the second-highest number of votes (144) from member-countries, just after Germany's 146 and ahead of Australia's 143.

4. 'Populism' Named Cambridge Dictionary's Word of the Year

i. The word 'populism' has been announced as Cambridge Dictionary's Word of the Year 2017. The dictionary defined populism as "political ideas and activities that are intended to get the support of ordinary people by giving them what they want".

ii. It said searches for 'populism' rose when Pope Francis made statements warning against its rising tide.

5. Sushma Swaraj Attends Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit

i. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj attended the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit at Sochi in Russia. In June 2017, India and Pakistan had become full-fledged members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.

ii. The meeting is the first major gathering of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit since the bloc was expanded for the first time to add India and Pakistan as full members in June's Astana summit in Kazakhstan.

6. Raj Shah Becomes First Indian-American to Hold Press Gaggle

i. Raj Shah who holds a key position in the White House, gaggled with reporters on board US Presidential chopper Air Force One, becoming the first Indian-American to enjoy the privilege.

ii. Thirty-three old, Mr Shah did so in the capacity of the Principal Deputy Press Secretary.

7. A Surya Prakash Re-Appointed Prasar Bharati Chief

i. Veteran journalist A Surya Prakash has been appointed the chairman of the Prasar Bharati board for a second consecutive term till February 8, 2020.

ii. Information and broadcasting ministry issued an order after a panel headed by Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu recommended Prakash’s name for the post.

8. Kenyatta Sworn in as President of Kenya

i. Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta has been sworn in for a second and final five-year term, a month after winning a bitterly disputed election rerun marked by delays and boycott.

ii. Kenyatta, 55, won 98 percent of the votes cast in October’s poll, which was boycotted by the main opposition leader, Raila Odinga.

9. India Wins 9 Medals in Asian Archery Championships

i. Indian archers produced an impressive performance, grabbed three gold, four silver and two bronze medals at the Asian Championships in Dhaka, Bangladesh. 

ii. Two Indian boys and girls also booked quota places for the 2018 Youth Olympics.

10. Shiva Keshavan Wins Gold in Asian Luge Championships

i. The sole Indian participant and defending Asian champion Shiva Keshavan retained his title with a time of 55.60 seconds.
ii. India's veteran Winter Olympian Shiva Keshavan won a gold medal at the Asian Luge Championships at Altenberg, Germany.