NATIONAL NEWS
South Africa President arrives in Delhi, Chief Guest at R-Day Parade
South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa arrived in Delhi for his first state visit ahead of the Republic Day celebration parade, where he is the chief guest. Ramaphosa is second South Africa's President after Nelson Mandela to be the chief guest at the Republic Day parade.
- Ramaphosa, who is accompanied by First Lady Dr Tshepo Motsepe and a high-level delegation of nine ministers and a large business delegation was received at the airport by Urban Development Minister Hardeep Singh Puri.
15th Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas Convention held in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
The celebration of 15th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was commenced in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. Prime Minister of Mauritius, Mr. Pravind Jugnauth was the chief Guest of Convention.
- The theme of this year’s Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas (PBD) convention was “Role of Indian Diaspora in building New India”.
- Extra info.:
Mauritius Capital: Port Louis
Currency: Mauritian rupee
India puts into orbit satellite 'Microsat R' for DRDO and 'Kalamsat'
India opened the year's space campaign by putting into orbit defence imaging satellite "Microsat R" for the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and students-built nano-satellite "Kalamsat" in a copy book style.
- India has successfully launched its 46th flight of Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C44) carrying Kalamsat, a communication satellite developed by students and India's military satellite Microsat-R from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. PSLV-C44 is the first mission of PSLV-DL and is a new variant of PSLV.
DRDO Launches Long Range Surface to Air Missile Off Odisha Coast
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully test fired Long Range Surface to Air Missile (LR-SAM) from naval warship INS Chennai. The test was conducted off the coast of Odisha.
- Extra info.:
DRDO HQ: New Delhi
Nepal, India to set up Energy Banking to utilise surplus electricity
Nepal and India have agreed to set up an 'Energy Banking' mechanism that would help the Himalayan country export its surplus electricity to neighbour India during the monsoon season and import power during its lean season in winter.
- The agreement on the 'Energy Banking' mechanism was arrived at during a meeting between the Nepali and Indian Energy Secretaries in Pokhara.
India accounts more than half leprosy cases globally: WHO
Even though the number of leprosy cases have steadily declined worldwide, an estimated two lakh cases continue to be reported every year, with India accounting for more than half, said World Health Organization (WHO).
- According to WHO, apart from India, a significant number of leprosy cases are detected in the Southeast Asia region, Brazil, sub-Saharan Africa and the Pacific.
Government launches Technology Mission Centre on Solar Energy & Water Treatment in Chennai
Union Minister for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences and Environment, Forests & Climate Change, Dr. Harsh Vardhan will be launching three important centre’s set up by Department of Science and Technology (DST), nucleated at Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IITM) at IIT Madras in Chennai.
- The first of these is the establishment of DST –IITM Solar Energy Harnessing Centre. The Centre will focus on a wide range of research and technology development activities such as silicon solar cells that promise high efficiency and are suited for Indian conditions.
- Second in line is the DST-IITM Water –IC for SUTRAM of EASY WATER (DST- IITM Water Innovation Centre for Sustainable Treatment, Reuse and Management for Efficient, Affordable and Synergistic Solutions) which has been established with an aim to undertake synchronized research and training programs on various issues related to wastewater management, water treatment, sensor development, storm water management and distribution and collection systems.
- The third one would be the Test bed on Solar thermal desalination solutions which are being established by IIT Madras and Empereal KGDS as solution providers in Naripaaiyur, Ramanathapuram District, Tamil Nadu with the aim to deliver customized technological solutions to address prevalent water challenges in the arid coastal village located on the shores of the Bay of Bengal.
Telangana To Set Up ‘Save Tiger Protection Force’
The Telangana government has decided to form a 'State Tiger Protection Force' to save the Big Cat population in the State. The 112-member-armed STPF will be headed by an Assistant Conservator of Forests to protect tiger population in Amarabad and Kawal Tiger Reserves.
- The State Forest Protection Committee headed by Chief Secretary S K Joshi took the decision to form the STPF at its meeting in Hyderabad.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
World’s longest 3D printed concrete bridge opened in china
The world's longest 3D-printed concrete pedestrian bridge, which is 26.3 metre-long and 3.6-metre-wide, opened in China's Shanghai. The bridge is made out of 44 hollowed-out 3D printed concrete blocks which were printed by two robotic arms in a span of 19 days.
- The newly-opened bridge has a technology that supplies data which also includes vibrating wire stress sensors.
Sugarcane juice declared 'national drink' of Pakistan
The Pakistan government declared sugarcane juice as the "national drink" of the country. The announcement came after the government conducted a Twitter poll where people were asked to decide on the country's national drink with two other options orange and carrot besides sugarcane.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
World Economic Situation and Prospects 2019: Report by UNDESA
Global growth is expected to remain at 3 per cent in 2019 and 2020, however, the steady pace of expansion in the global economy masks an increase in downside risks that could potentially exacerbate development challenges in many parts of the world, according to the World Economic Situation and Prospects 2019.
- The global economy is facing a confluence of risks, which could severely disrupt economic activity and inflict significant damage on longer-term development prospects.
- Extra info.:
UNDESA: United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs
Headquarters: New York
India to grow at 7-7.5% over next few years: PM's Economic Advisory Council
Despite global and structural challenges, India will continue to grow in the 7-7.5 per cent range in the next few years, one of the highest growth rates in the world which could further go up by at least 1 per cent through reforms designed to address structural problems, the Prime Minister's Economic Advisory Council (EAC-PM) said.
Corporate profits-to-GDP ratio at 15 year low in 2018: Report
Weak corporate earnings pushed the corporate profits-to-GDP ratio among the Nifty 500 companies to a 15 year low of 2.8 per cent, a Motilal Oswal report said. The ratio of corporate profits-to-GDP among all the listed and unlisted companies in India also declined to a 15 year low of 3 per cent.
- The report however, said that the ratio of corporate profit is likely to increase in 2019.
India 6th in GDPR readiness index: Cisco
Nearly 65 per cent of Indian organisations are better prepared for the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), making the country the sixth leading nation globally in the GDPR readiness index, global networking leader Cisco said.
- India has greatly improved upon its GDPR readiness with its fast-evolving data privacy ecosystem, which is primarily because of a collaborative approach by the government and private organisations.
SPORTS
Danielle Hazell retires from international cricket
England women's cricketer Danielle Hazell has announced her retirement from the international cricket after serving the game for nine years. The 30-year-old, who had made her debut in 2009 and helped her side lift back to back Ashes trophies in 2013 and 2014.
- Hazell played a total of 146 international matches in her career and scalped 146 wickets in all the three formats.
APPOINTMENTS
Christophe Joseph Marie Dabire appointed new Prime Minister of Burkina Faso
President Roch Marc Christian Kabore has appointed Christophe Joseph Marie Dabire as Prime Minister. Dabire is a seasoned economist and a politician who takes the reins of government at a time when there are economic and security challenges facing Burkina Faso.
- Extra info.:
Burkina Faso Capital: Ouagadougou
Currency: Franc
AWARDS
In a first, translated novel bags $25,000 DSC Prize
"No Presents Please", originally written in Kannada by noted author Jayant Kaikini and translated into English by Tejaswini Niranjana, was announced as the winner of the prestigious $25,000 DSC Prize for South Asian Literature 2018 at the Tata Steel Kolkata Literary Meet in Kolkata.
- In a glittering award ceremony, the DSC Prize was awarded to Jayant Kaikini and Tejaswini Niranjana along with a unique trophy by eminent writer Ruskin Bond.
OBITUARIES
Acclaimed Hindi fiction writer Krishna Sobti passes away
Acclaimed Hindi fiction writer and essayist Krishna Sobti passed away in New Delhi at the age of 93 due to prolonged illness. She had won the Sahitya Akademi award in 1980 for her novel "Zindaginama".
- She was also conferred with the Jnanpith in 2017 for her contribution to Indian literature.
Pulitzer Prize-Winning Columnist Russell Baker passes away
Russell Baker, the genial, but sharp-witted writer who won Pulitzer Prizes for his humorous columns in The New York Times and a moving autobiography of his impoverished Baltimore childhood and later hosted television's 'Masterpiece Theatre', has passed away. He was 93.
Bengali writer Atin Bandyopadhyay passes away
Sahitya Akademi award winning Bengali writer Atin Bandyopadhyay passed aaway at a city hospital in Kolkata. Bandyopadhyay, who was 85, was born in Dhaka in then undivided Bengal and had taken up various jobs as a sailor, school teacher, factory manager, journalist to finally became a writer.
IMPORTANT DAYS
National Voters Day
India is celebrating 9th National Voters Day on 25th January 2019 for enhanced participation of citizens in the electoral process. The main purpose of celebrating National Voters Day is to encourage, facilitate and maximize the enrollment, especially for the new voters. The National Voters Day was first celebrated on 25th January 2011.
- President Ram Nath Kovind would be the Chief Guest at the main function being organized by Election Commission in New Delhi. The theme for this years National Voters’ Day is ‘Accessible Elections’ to spread awareness among voters regarding effective participation in the electoral process.
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