NATIONAL NEWS
Denmark's Foreign Affairs Minister Anders Samuelsen arrives in New Delhi
Foreign Affairs Minister of Denmark Anders Samuelsen arrived in New Delhi for a two-day official visit and is scheduled to meet Minister of commerce and industry Suresh Prabhu at Udyog Bhawan.
- Later, Samuelsen will be holding talks and exchange Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj at the Jawaharlal Nehru Bhawan in the national capital.
- Extra info.:
Denmark capital: Copenhagen
Currency: Danish Krone
India's Kaiga nuclear plant sets world record in operation
Equipped with Bharat Heavy Electricals supplied Nuclear power equipment, the 220 MW Unit 1 at the indigenously developed Kaiga Atomic Power Station (KAPS) of Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL), has created a world record for continuous operation.
- Recently, the unit has registered 941 days of continuous operation, surpassing the earlier world record of 940 days held by Heysham-Unit 2 of the United Kingdom.
- Extra info.:
Kaiga Generating Station is a nuclear power generating station situated at Kaiga, near the river Kali, in Uttar Kannada district of Karnataka.
Bihar's sweet delicacy Silao Khaja gets GI tag
Geographical Indications Registry at Chennai has granted GI tag to Silao Khaja, the traditional delicacy of Nalanda district of Bihar. The application was filed by Silao Khaja Audyogik Swavalambi Sahakari Samiti Limited.
- According to the documents submitted to GI Registry by the applicant, the famous British archaeologist J D Beglar who visited Silao in 1872-73 describes the ‘sweetmeat’ and writes about the legend that the sweet dates back to King Vikramaditya.
- Another myth is that Lord Buddha was offered Silao Khaja when he passed through Silao in the course of his journey from Rajgir to Nalanda. Silao is located close to Buddhist sites.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
India commits USD 1.4 billion financial assistance to Maldives
India announced financial assistance of USD 1.4 billion to the Maldives as the island nation's President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih undertook his maiden visit, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi said would enhance "trust and friend" between the two nations.
- Looking forward to securing the societal and economic development of Maldives, India also promised to provide budget support, and currency swap.
- The two countries also exchanged the documents of agreement in the presence of Prime Minister and Maldives President Solih for bilateral co-operation in the field of agri-business, culture, and visa arrangements.
- Extra info.:
Maldives Capital: Male
Currency: Maldivian rufiyaa
SPORTS
Belgium wins Men's Hockey World Cup 2018
Belgium pipped the Netherlands via a penalty shootout to lift their maiden title of the Men's Hockey World Cup 2018 at the Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar.
- With this victory, Belgium took the gold medal, while the Netherlands settled for silver. The nearly sold-out crowd were in for a treat as Master Blaster and former Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar attended the finals of the prestigious tournament.
Djokovic and Halep named 2018 ITF world champions
Novak Djokovic and Simona Halep were named as the 2018 ITF world champions by the governing body of global tennis. World number one Djokovic receives the honour from the International Tennis Federation for the sixth time, while it is the first year that Romania's top-ranked Halep has been recognised.
- US pair Mike Bryan and Jack Sock won the men's doubles award while the women's doubles world champions are Barbora Krejcikova and Katerina Siniakova.
Tsingtao, Yanjing named official beer sponsors of 2022 Winter Olympics
Tsingtao and Yanjing have been named the official beers of the 2022 Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Beijing. China's two leading beer companies are the first official partners that Beijing 2022 has signed since it opened invitations for tier-two sponsors in August 2018.
- Both Tsingtao and Yanjing were also official beer partners of the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The two companies will share marketing rights for Beijing 2022 in a similar arrangement.
APPOINTMENTS
Kamal Nath sworn in as MP CM
Congress veteran Kamal Nath was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh after his party won the Assembly elections, ending 15 years of BJP rule.
- Attending the event were former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress President Rahul Gandhi as well as former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who warmly held Kamal Nath's hand as they waved to the crowds.
Sandip Somany takes over as new Ficci President
Leading industry chamber Ficci announced that it has elected Sandip Somany as the association's President for 2018-19. The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Ficci) also announced that the current Joint Managing Director Apollo Hospitals Sangita Reddy has been elevated as Ficci Senior Vice President for next year, while Uday Shankar has joined the chamber as Vice President. Somany takes over as President from Rashesh Shah.
Ramphal Pawar appointed Director of NCRB
The Government appointed Ramphal Pawar as the new Director of National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB). An IPS officer from the West Bengal cadre, Mr Pawar was Joint Secretary in NATGRID and will be joining NCRB against existing vacancy from the date of joining the post and up to tenure extendable as per IPS Tenure Policy or till further orders, whichever is earlier.
- Extra info.:
NCRB Headquarters: New Delhi
Parent department: Ministry of Home Affairs
Yami becomes goodwill leader for Super Sniffers campaign
Actress Yami Gautam has been named the goodwill leader of Super Sniffers campaign initiated by TRAFFIC India along with World Wildlife Fund India (WWF). As part of the campaign, a band of specially trained dogs, who with their handlers and the forest department, will combat wildlife crime by helping collect concrete evidence against wildlife poachers and smugglers.
- She also attended the graduation ceremony of the seventh batch of the wildlife sniffer dog squad at the BSF's National Training Centre for Dogs in Gwalior.
AWARDS
Philippines' Catriono Elisa Gray crowned Miss Universe 2018
Catriona Elisa Gray from Philippines was crowned Miss Universe 2018 at a gala ceremony, where representatives from South Africa and Venezuela secured the first runner-up and second runner-up spots. India's Nehal Chudasama failed to make it to the Top 20.
- She was crowned by Miss Universe 2017 Demi Leigh Nel-Peters, who comes from South Africa. South Africa's Tamaryn Green was named the first runner-up while Miss Venezeula Sthefany Guterrez was the second runner-up.
Shree Saini from USA crowned Miss India Worldwide 2018
Indian-American Shree Saini has been crowned Miss India Worldwide 2018 at a pageant held in the Fords City of New Jersey. Sakshi Sinha from Australia and Anusha Sareen from United Kingdom were respectively declared first and second runner ups in the 27th annual global pageant for people of Indian origin.
- Organised by the New York-based India Festival Committee (IFC), the pageant is said to be the oldest and largest event for the Indian Diaspora community. The next edition of the Miss India Worldwide will be held in Mumbai in 2019.
French govt. honours producer Ashok Amritraj
Producer Ashok Amritraj was honoured with the French Knight of the National Order of Merit. Mr. Amritraj has been the producer of Hollywood films such as Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance with Nicholas Cage and 99 Homes starring Andrew Garfield.
- The former CEO of National Geographic Films and United Nations Goodwill Ambassador was lauded for his contribution to the world of cinema and Indo-French film industry.
Star Screen Awards 2018
The first awards for the year 2018 have been declared and the B-Town celebs graced the red carpet in their stunning and stylish outfits to attend the 25th edition of the Star Screen Awards. Here is the complete list of winners from the 25th edition of the Star Screen Awards:
- Best Actor: Ranveer Singh for Padmaavat
- Best Actress: Alia Bhatt for Raazi
- Best Director: Sriram Raghavan for Andhadhun
- Best Popular Actor (Male): Rajkummar Rao
- Best Actor (Critics): Gajraj Rao for Badhaai Ho
- Best Actress (Critics): Neena Gupta for Badhaai Ho
- Best Film: Stree
- Best Film (Critics): Mulk
- Best Actor in Supporting Role (Male): Pankaj Tripathi for Stree
- Best Actor in Supporting Role (Female): Surekha Sikri for Badhaai Ho
- Best Debut (Male): Ishaan Khatter for Beyond the Clouds
- Best Debut (Female): Radhika Madan for Pataakha
- Best Action: Ahmed Khan for Baaghi 2
- Best Film Writing: Arijit Biswas, Sriram Raghavan for Andhadhun
- Best Real Star Award on social media: Katrina Kaif
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Shabana Azmi
- Best Music: Amit Trivedi for Manmarziyaan
- Best Male Playback singer: Arijit Singh for Ae Watan from Raazi
- Best Lyrics: Gulzar for Ae Watan from Raazi
- Best Female Singer: Harshdeep Kaur for Dilbaro from Raazi
OBITUARIES
Renowned classical singer Pandit Arun Bhaduri passes away
Renowned classical singer Pandit Arun Bhaduri passed away at a city hospital in Kolkata after a prolonged illness. He was 75. Pandit Bhaduri, considered to be one of the masters of Bengali songs and bhajans.
- The veteran singer had served as a guru (teacher) at the ITC Sangeet Research Academy, and was a top radio and television artiste.
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