[CA] Sunday Bytes [Dec 18,2016]

Ø The Allahabad high court, passed an order, over the Islamic practice of divorcing a woman by saying the word ‘talaq’ three successive times, that it is completely “unconstitutional” and violates the rights of Muslim Women.

Ø Ministry of Railways launched a website of National Rail Plan, 2030 (NRP-2030); to develop the Indian Railways in terms of service in travelling and freight across the country; Hazrat Nizamuddin-Visakhapatnam train is renamed as Vizag Steel Samta Express to promote its brand Vizag steel; ‘Gita Jayanti’ train (Kurukshetra to Mathura) from Kurukshetra Railway Station as a part of Gita Mahotsav held in the state of Haryana

Ø Pakistan has removed an “undeclared” ban on import of ginned cotton from India

Ø Kerala Chief Minister Mr. Pinarayi Vijayan launched Haritha Keralam Mission in Thiruvananthapuram

Ø India’s Vijender Singh defended his WBO Asia – Pacific super middleweight title by defeating Tanzania’s Francis Cheka in New Delhi

Ø The top five States that contributed to the e-Transactions in 2016 are Telangana, Gujarat, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu

Ø Retired Air Chief Marshal S. P. Tyagi was arrested b the CBI for alleged involvement in the Rs. 3700 crore Augusta Westland VVIP helicopter deal case

Ø Committee on Digital Payments (constituted by the Ministry of Finance), under the Chairmanship of Mr. Ratan P. Watal submitted its final report to the Union Finance Minister Mr. Arun Jaitley

Ø President, Mr. Pranab Mukherjee inaugurated the first ever "Laureates and Leaders for Children Summit" in New Delhi

Ø India and Vietnam signed a Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement (N-Pact) in New Delhi; Vietnam is the 14th country with which India signed the civil nuclear deal

Ø Canada Civil rights activist Ms. Viola Desmond has emerged as the first Canadian Woman to be featured on the nations $ 10 Currency note

Ø Cyclone "Vardah" made a landfall in Chennai; a cyclone landfall in Chennai after a gap of 22 years; nearly 20 persons dead

Ø Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Ms. Mehbooba Mufti flagged off fortnightly special train ‘Vaadi ki sair’ (Tour of the Valley) , for children that will run between Banihal to Baramulla.

Ø World’s longest rail tunnel, Gotthard Base Tunnel (GBT), began operating on regular basis in Switzerland (on December 11, 2016), to provide service to the passengers

Ø Book titled ‘Dipa Karmakar: The Small Wonder’ written by Vimal Mohan, Digvijay Singh Deo and her coach Bishweshwar Nandi (to be released on Aug 2017)