National Affairs
Cabinet gives approval to EC to enter into MoU with Election Commissions of Tunisia and Papua New Guinea
The Cabinet gave approval to Election Commission of India to enter into MoU with the Independent High Authority for Elections of Tunisia and the Papua New Guinea Electoral Commission for elections for cooperation in the field of electoral management and administration.
The Cabinet also gave its nod for the four agreements between India and Brazil in the field of oil and natural gas, Geology and Mineral Resources, mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters and cooperation in the field of early childhood care.
Cabinet approves closure of Hindustan Fluorocarbons Limited
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved shutting down the operations of the plant and unit of Hindustan Fluorocarbons Limited and closure of the company. HFL is a central public sector enterprises under the department of chemicals and petrochemicals.
HFL has only one plant located at Rudraram, District in Telangana.
Govt announces to set up ten chairs in various universities in different fields to encourage women to carry out research activities
On the occasion of National Girl Child Day, the Ministry of Women and Child Development announced to set up ten Chairs in different fields with an aim to carry out research activities to encourage women.The initiative called the Establishment of Chairs in the Universities in the name of eminent women is being launched with the assistance of the University Grants Commission, UGC.
The main objective is to inspire women to pursue higher education and to achieve excellence in their area of work. This initiative of highlighting and celebrating women achievers of the country will motivate young girls and women towards higher studies.
Important Points:
- National Girl child day- January 24
Dept of Biotechnology holds international summit on women in STEM in New Delhi
The Department of Biotechnology under the aegis of Ministry of Science & Technology has organized a 2-day long International Summit on Women in STEM–“Visualizing the Future: New Skylines” at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi with the aim to increase the participation of women in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) field for development of scientific career.
This summit will offer a good platform for young students & researchers to interact with leaders in the STEM fields to explore future study and career interests.
Important Points:
- Founded– May 1971
- Headquarters– New Delhi
- Union Minister– Harsh Vardhan
State News
Telangana
NIRDPR ties up with UNICEF, Hyderabad (Telangana) field office to establish ‘communication resource unit’
National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (NIRDPR),an autonomous organisation under the Union Ministry of Rural Development has entered into the partnership with UNICEF (United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund), Hyderabad (Telangana) field office to set up ‘Communication Resource Unit’ (CRU).
The CRU will function as an institutional mechanism for providing Social and Behavioural Change Communications (SBCC) support to national flagship programmes of the State & central Government such as POSHAN Abhiyaan, National Health Mission and Swachh Bharath Mission among others.
About UNICEF:
- Formation– 11 December 1946.
- Headquarters– New York City, USA
- Executive Director- Henrietta Holsman Fore.
Assam
India’s first e-waste clinic opens in Bhopal
Country’s first e-waste clinic is being opened in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh today. It would enable segregation, processing and disposal of waste from both household and commercial units. The e-waste clinic will be inaugurated by the Union Environment Secretary in a short while now. The Chairman of the Central Pollution Control Board will also grace the occasion. The e-waste clinic is jointly setting up by the Central Pollution Control Board-CPCB and Bhopal Municipal Corporation-BMC.
About Madhya Pradesh:
- Capital- Bhopal.
- Chief Minister (CM)- Kamal Nath.
- Governor- Lalji Tandon.
International Affairs
European Commission, Council presidents sign Brexit agreement
The presidents of European Commission Ursula von der Leyen & the European Council Charles Michel, have signed the Brexit deal agreed in the month of October 2019. This will bring to an end 47 years as a member of the pan-European partnership. After Brexit,the 28 member states will come down to 27, but the withdrawal deal provides for an 11-month transition period for Britain until the end of 2020.
About European Council:
- Headquarters– Brussels, Belgium
- Founded– 2009
About European Union (EU):
- Motto– “United in Diversity”
- Administrative centre– Brussels,Belgium
Appointments
CEC Sunil Arora assumes Chairmanship of FEMBoSA for 2020
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sunil Arora has assumed Chairmanship of the Forum of the Election Management Bodies of South Asia (FEMBoSA) for the year 2020.The Outgoing Chair of FEMBoSA, KM Nurul Huda who is also CEC of Bangladesh, handed over the Logo of FEMBoSA to Mr Arora at the 10th Annual Meeting of FEMBoSA held in New Delhi.
FEMBoSA was established at the 3rd Conference of Heads of Election Management Bodies of SAARC Countries held at New Delhi in May, 2012.
WEF appoints IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva and ARM chairman Patrice Motsepe to its board of trustees
In the 50th edition World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting 2020 was held on January 21 to January 24, 2020 in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland. On January 24, 2020 WEF has appointed International Monetary Fund (IMF) chief Kristalina Georgieva and African Rainbow Minerals (ARM) Chairman Patrice Motsepe to its board of trustees.
About IMF:
- Headquarters – Washington, D.C ,US
- Chief – Kristalina Georgieva
Agreements
GoI, Government of Maharashtra and World Bank has signed USD 210 million loan agreement
A USD 210 million loan agreement has been signed by the Government of India and the Government of Maharashtra & the World Bank for Maharashtra Agribusiness and Rural Transformation Project. The loan amount will be funded by the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD). The loan will have a 6-year grace period with a maturity period of 13.5 years.
About Maharashtra:
- Chief Minister: Uddhav Thackeray;
- Governor: Bhagat Singh Koshyari.
About World bank:
- President of World Bank: David R. Malpass;
- Headquarter: Washington DC.
Ranks & Index
India ranked 80th in the Corruption Perception Index
India has been ranked at the 80th position among 180 countries and territories in the corruption perception index, prepared Transparency International, with a score of 41, India is at the 80th Spot. Pakistan is ranked at the 120th place.
Denmark and New Zealand have cornered the top spot, followed by finland,Singapore,Sweden and Switzerland in the top ten.
Sports News
ICC Test ranking Virat Kohli tops the list with 928 points
International Cricket Council (ICC) had released the ICC test ranking in which India is at the top with 120 rating .Indian Cricket team Captain Virat Kohli remains top in the ICC Test player ranking for batsmen with 928 points.
Virat Kohli tops the list with 928 points. Australia’s Steven Smith occupies the second spot with 911 points followed by Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne with 827 points.
About ICC:
- Headquarters – Dubai,UAE
- Chairman – Shashank Manohar
Rowing Federation of India lifts ban over Dattu Bhokanal
The Rowing Federation of India has lifted the ban over Indian rower Dattu Bhokanal. He was suspended in March, 2019 from the game by the Rowing Federation of India for the period of 2 years. He was suspended against the charges of leaving a single sculls race midway during the 2018 Asian Games. The suspension has been lifted off from the rower with effect from 23 January, 2020 and allowed him to prepare for the Olympic qualification Regatta to be held in April 2020 at South Korea.
Important Points:
- Ministers of State (I/C) of Youth Affairs and Sports: Kiren Rijiju.
Important Days
National Voters’ Day celebrated on 25th January
The 10th National Voters’ Day has been celebrated on 25th Jan . It was celebrated at over ten lakh locations across the country including Polling Stations, District and State headquarters. The theme this year is ‘Electoral Literacy for Stronger Democracy’.
President Ram Nath Kovind was the Chief Guest at the 10th National Voters’ Day function organized by Election Commission at Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi.
Important Points:
- Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of India: Sunil Arora.
Himachal Pradesh celebrates 50th Statehood Day on 25 January
On 18 December 1970 the State o0f Himachal Pradesh Act was passed by Parliament and the new state came into being on 25th January 1971 making it the 18th state of India. S. Parmar became the state’s first chief minister.
It also has the fourth highest per capita income for Indian States and is the third fastest growing economy in India.
Obituaries
Nagaland first MP to Rajya Sabha, Melhupra Vero passes away
Melhupra Vero, Former Rajya Sabha MP(Member of Parliament) passed away in Dimapur, Nagaland at the age of 88. He was the 1st person from Nagaland to become a member of the Rajya Sabha(Upper House). Vero was a member of the Upper House of Parliament for 2 years from 1964 to 1974.
In 1995 he was appointed as the chairman of the Liaison Committee of Naga Hoho and also became the first president of the Naga Hoho from 1998-2004.
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