INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Tropical storm 'Pabuk' makes landfall in Thailand
Thousands have been left stranded across tourist hotspots in Thailand as tropical storm 'Pabuk' made landfall in the country's southern gulf coast.
Trump Signs Asia Reassurance Initiative Act Into Law
U.S. President Donald J. Trump signed into law the Asia Reassurance Initiative Act (ARIA), which passed the U.S. Senate earlier in December.
- The act "establishes a multifaceted U.S. strategy to increase U.S. security, economic interests, and values in the Indo-Pacific region."
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
Google acquires start-up to boost Assistant's answering abilities
Google has acquired a start-up named Superpod that built an app allowing users to post questions and receive answers from experts quickly -- a move that will help boost Google Assistant's ability to accurately answer users' questions.
ICICI Bank, Small Business FinCredit join hands to provide loans to MSMEs
ICICI Bank and Small Business FinCredit India Pvt Ltd (SBFC) will jointly provide loans worth up to Rs 1 crore to the small and medium enterprises.
- It is the first-of-its-kind programme by a bank and an NBFC, it said, adding the loans of up to Rs 1 crore is for a tenure of 15 years per customer.
FSSAI asks food businesses to comply with new packaging norms by July 1
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) said that food businesses need to comply with new packaging regulations that bar use of recycled plastics and newspapers to wrap food articles by July 1.
- The new regulations prohibit packaging material made of recycled plastics including carry bags for packaging, storing, carrying or dispensing articles of food.
Singapore varsity ranks Andhra number one in ease of doing business
Andhra Pradesh emerged on top of Asia Competitiveness Institute (ACI) (National University of Singapore), Singapore's 2018 Ease of Doing Business (EDB) Index ABC rankings for economies of 21 states of India, while Maharashtra and Delhi came in second and third place, respectively.
- The institute has announced the 2018 ease of doing business index attractiveness to investors, business friendliness, competitiveness policies (ABC) rankings.
SPORTS
Virat Kohli beats Sachin Tendulkar to become the fastest to reach 19000 international runs
India captain Virat Kohli has become the fastest batsman to reach 19,000 international runs, achieving the feat in his 399th innings during the fourth Test against Australia.
- Kohli surpassed former India batsman Sachin Tendulkar, who had reached the feat in 432 innings. Kohli had become the fastest to reach 18,000 international runs (382 innings) in September last year.
APPOINTMENTS
Chhabilendra Roul takes charge as Secretary, Department of Fertilizers
Chhabilendra Roul has assumed the charge of Secretary, Department of Fertilizers, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers, Government of India.
- Shri Roul is an Indian Administrative Services Officer of 1985 batch, from Punjab Cadre.
RECOGNITIONS
Arunima Sinha becomes world’s first woman amputee to scale Mount Vinson
Arunima Sinha, the Indian mountaineer who became the world’s first woman amputee to climb Mount Everest in 2013, has now become the first woman amputee to climb Mount Vinson (highest peak of Antarctica).
BOOKS
Sanjay Khan announces second book on 78th birthday
On the occasion of his 78th birthday, veteran actor-producer Sanjay Khan announced his second book, 'Assalamalaikum Watan'.
- He is the recipient of the 'National Citizen Award' twice, the 'Rajiv Gandhi Award for Excellence' and the 'Gem of India Award for Excellence' among many other honours.
OBITUARIES
Sahitya Akademi awardee Dibyendu Palit passes away
Eminent Bengali litterateur and Sahitya Akademi awardee Dibyendu Palit has passed away following old age complications. He was 79.
IMPORTANT DAYS
World Braille Day
World Braille Day is annually celebrated on January 4, the birthday of Braille inventor, Louis Braille. The day recognizes the contributions of Louis Braille in helping blind and visually impaired people to read and write.
- Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) around the world use this day to create awareness about the challenges faced by visually impaired individuals and to encourage businesses and governments to create economic and social opportunities for the blind.
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