National News
DV Sadananda launched HURL’s brand “APNA UREA-Sona Ugle” & unveiled company logo in New Delhi
Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers, DV Sadananda Gowda launched the ‘Apna Urea – Sona Ugle’ brand of Hindustan Urvarak & Rasayan Limited (HURL) Friday. On the occasion, he also unveiled the company’s logo.
HURL is a joint venture company promoted by the three Maharatna companies; Coal India (CIL), National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) and Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) as the lead promoters with Fertilizer Corporation of India (FCIL) and Hindustan Fertilizer Corporation (HFCL) as other two partners.
Important Points:
- Fact- departments under MoC&F are dept. of Chemicals and Petrochemicals, Dept of Fertilisers and Dept. of Pharmaceuticals.
- Union minister- D.V. Sadananda Gowda.
- Minister of State(MoS)- Shri Mansukh Mandaviya.
1st Session of India-Norway Dialogue on Trade & Investment Held in New Delhi
The first Session of India-Norway Dialogue on Trade & Investment (DTI) was convened in New Delhi on 15-16 January, 2020. The session was based on the Terms of Reference (ToR) signed between India and Norway on 8th January, 2019 in New Delhi, during the visit of Prime Minister of Norway. This was the first meeting after the signing of DTI.
The 1st Session on january 15, 2020 was preceded by an industry interaction with representatives of various organisations/sectors like Information and Communications Technology(ICT), renewable energy, fisheries and Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises(MSME).
Important Points:
- Capital-Oslo (also the largest city)
- Currency-Norwegian krone.
- Prime Minister-Erna Solberg.
Indian Army conducted airborne exercise ‘Winged Raider’ involving Special Forces troops
The Indian Army (IA) conducted its biggest airborne exercise ‘Winged Raider’. The exercise comprised of more than 500 soldiers of Special Forces troops in the northeastern theatre and involved all kinds of air transport platforms of the Indian Air Force (IAF). The name Winged Raider was chosen due to its multidimensional nature of the exercise and demonstrated the operational readiness of paratroopers.
The exercise involved soldiers parachuting from the C 130 Hercules, C 17 Globemaster and Dhruv helicopters both day and night and it was preceded by a series of preparations from January 06 onwards.
Important points:
- Founded-1 April 1895.
- Headquarters-New Delhi.
5th Science Film festival starts in Goa
The 5th edition of Science Film Festival of India has been started in Panaji, Goa.The objective of the festival is instilling the knowledge of science among the youth with the help of exhibitions, master classes, workshops, and other activities.
A special workshop ‘Million SoUL’ will also be conducted by IIT Bombay on training about making solar lamps.
Important Points:
- Formation-30 May 1987.
- Chief minister- Pramod Sawant.
- Capital- Panaji
- Governor-Satya Pal Malik.
MoU between NITI Aayog and Union Territory of Ladakh for Development of Infrastructure Projects
In an important initiative to promote the development of key infrastructure sectors in the newly constituted Union Territory of Ladakh, NITI Aayog entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the UT’s administration on 17 January 2020. Under this MoU, NITI Aayog will be supporting the UT’s administration through its key initiative ‘Development Support Services to States for Infrastructure Projects (D3S-i)’.
The MoU was executed in the presence of NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant and Joint Secretary MC Jauhari. It was signed by NITI Aayog Senior Adviser Dr Yogesh Suri and Adviser to the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Umang Narula.
CM Bhupesh Baghel launches employment-oriented mobile app ‘Rojgar Sangi’ in Raipur
The Chief Minister (CM) of Chhattisgarh, Bhupesh Baghel has launched an employment-oriented mobile app,‘Rojgar Sangi’ developed by state-run Chhattisgarh State Skill Development Authority (CSSDA) at the ceremony of youth fest 2020 held at Science College premises in Raipur, Chhattisgarh.
The app is designed to provide employment to trained youths under their skill development programme. It is expected that through this app, lakhs of unemployed youth of the state will be able to get employment.
Important Points:
- Capital– Raipur
- Governor– Anusuiya Uikey
International Affairs
World Future Energy Summit held in Abu dhabi
10th edition of World Future Energy Summit (WFES)2020 hosted by Masdar renewable energy company, was held at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates(UAE) from January 13-16, 2020. The theme for the year 2020 was “Rethinking Global Consumption, Production, and Investment”.
Alongside the World Future Energy Summit, 3rd edition of the Climate Innovations Exchange, ‘CLIX’ for short and the Future Sustainability Summit was also held in Abu Dhabi. The event showcased innovative ideas related to energy, food, agriculture and sustainability in space.
Important Points:
- Capital- Abu Dhabi.
- Currency-UAE dirham.
- President- Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Banking Affairs
Digital payments body NPCI launches blockchain-based ‘Vajra platform’ to make payments fast & secure
National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI),an umbrella organisation for operating retail payments has launched blockchain technology based “Vajra Platform” to make payments fast & secure.
Vajra: The new platform Vajra, which is based on the Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT),has been designed with the aim to offer automatic clearing and settlement of payments on NPCI products such as unified payments interface (UPI) and Rupay card & will significantly reduce the need for manual reconciliation.It uses a permissions model in order to ensure that only approved parties are a part of the network.
Acquisitions & Mergers
Equifax inks pact to acquire 100 % stake in its Indian JV- Equifax credit information services for Rs 370 crore
Equifax Inc, a global information solutions company has signed a definitive agreement to acquire 100 % stake in its Indian Credit information company, Equifax Credit Information Services Private Ltd (ECIS) for Rs 370 crore.
Till now, ECIS has made many innovative solutions in data and analytics to the Indian lending space. It will now a full-service credit bureau offering its services to all segments of the lending sectors – Retail Banking, MFI and Commercial
Important Points about Equifax inks:
- Founded– 1899 (as Retail Credit Company)
- Headquarters– Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
- CEO– Mark W. Begor
Summits & Conference
3rd Edition of North Zone Conference of MIB’s of Media Units held in Jammu
The 3rd edition of North Zone Conference’ of Media Units of Information and Broadcasting Ministry, held in Jammu. The Conference is being organised by the Regional Outreach Bureau, Jammu and Kashmir region.
Important Points:
- Lieutenant (Lt) Governors of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K): Girish Chandra Murmu.
Conference on Census 2021 held in New Delhi
A Conference of the Chief Secretaries and Administrator State and Union Territories on Census 2021 and updating of National Population Register, NPR was held in New Delhi. Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai also inaugurated the Official Mascot for Census 2021.
Important Points:
- Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India: Dr Vivek Joshi.
Sports Affairs
ICC U-19 World Cup Cricket begins in South Africa
The ICC Under-19 World Cup Cricket 2020 begins in South Africa. Indian team played under the captaincy of Priyam Garg. The final of the tournament will be played on Feb 09 at JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom, South Africa. India is the most successful team in the tournament, having won four titles till date. India is the defending champions in U19 World Cup 2018. Total 16 teams are participating in the tournament, split into four groups of four.
Important Points:
- Chairman of ICC: Shashank Manohar;
- Chief Executive: Manu Sahney;
- Headquarters: Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Kerala announces sports awards, Muhammad Anas wins GV Raja award
Kerala Sports Minister EP Jayarajan Nambiar announced the sports award instituted by Kerala State Sports Council. Indian Sprinter Mohammad Anas won GV Raja(Lt.Col. P. R. Godavarma Raja) award (Male) for athletics.Anas has won silver for India in the 400-meter race at Jakarta Asian games. GV Raja award is awarded yearly for excellence in Sports.
In female category Puthenpurayil Chandrika Thulasi, Pallakad won the GV Raja award which carries prize money of Rs 3 lakh and a citation.PC thulasi won bronze for India in the Asian games and performed well in other international badminton tournaments.
Important Points:
- Capital-Thiruvananthapuram
- Chief Minister-Pinarayi Vijayan
- Governor-Arif Mohammad Khan
Sania Mirza wins women’s doubles title of WTA International trophy at Hobart
In Tennis, Sania Mirza and her Ukrainian partner Nadiia Kichenok have won the women’s doubles title of the WTA International trophy at Hobart in Australia. In the final today, they beat Shaui Peng and Shuai Zhang of China 6-4,6-4. It is Sania’s 42nd WTA doubles title and first since Brisbane International trophy in 2007 with American partner Bethanie Mattek-Sands.
Obituaries
Former India all-rounder Bapu Nadkarni passes away
Former India all-rounder Bapu Nadkarni passed away yesterday, family sources confirmed. He was best known for bowling a record 21 successive maiden overs in a Test match.Nadkarni was 86 and is survived by his wife and two daughters. His son-in-law Vijay Khare said that he died of old-age related problems.
The Nashik-born cricketer made his Test debut against New Zealand in Delhi in 1955 and played his last Test at Auckland against the same opponents in 1968 under MAK Pataudi’s captaincy.
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