BANKING & FINANCE
Existing NBFC-ICCs with asset size of ₹1,000 cr & above allowed to undertake ‘Factoring’ biz: RBIThe Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said all existing non-deposit taking Non-Banking Finance Company-Investment and Credit Companies (NBFC-ICCs) with asset size of ₹1,000 crore and above will be permitted to undertake factoring business subject to satisfaction of certain conditions.
- This will increase the number of NBFCs eligible to undertake factoring business significantly from 7 to 182. Other NBFC-ICCs can also undertake factoring business by registering as NBFC-Factor.
- Eligible companies can apply to the RBI for seeking registration under the Factoring Regulation Act, 2011.
ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS
Microsoft to acquire Activision Blizzard in $68.7 billion dealGaming giant Activision Blizzard, under the gun from investors over sexual harassment controversies and ongoing executive turmoil, has pulled the escape cord. The company has agreed to be acquired by Microsoft in a $68.7 billion all-cash deal, inclusive of the company's net cash.
- The deal announced by Microsoft, its biggest-ever and set to be the largest all-cash acquisition on record, will bolster its firepower in the booming videogaming market where it takes on leaders Tencent (0700.HK) and Sony (6758.T).
APPOINTMENTS
Andhra Pradesh girl becomes first Indian to complete NasaA second-year engineering student from Palakollu, of West Godavari, Andhra Pradesh, Jahnavi was one of the 20 individuals across the world selected by IASP.
- It involved an entire astronaut program that was conducted at the Kennedy Space Centre and included activities like zero gravity, multi-access training as well as an underwater rocket launch. She also got an opportunity to fly an aircraft for the very first time.
- She was appointed as the mission director for ‘Team Kennedy’ where she led a group of 16 people from various nations. The team, in her guidance, launched and landed a miniature rocket successfully.
The Government approved the proposal for appointment of Eastern Army Commander Lieutenant General Manoj Pande as the next Vice Chief of Army Staff.
- General Pande would be the successor to Lt Gen CP Mohanty who is scheduled to superannuate on January 31.
- General Pande was commissioned into the Corps of Engineers (The Bombay Sappers) in December 1982. He was Director-General at Army Headquarters dealing with subjects of discipline, ceremonial and welfare.
Senior IAS officer Chanchal Kumar was appointed as Managing Director, National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd. (NHIDCL), Ministry of Road Transport & Highways.
- He has been appointed to the post in the rank and pay of Additional Secretary.
- Presently, he is posted in the cadre state Bihar as Principal Secretary, Chief Minister Secretariat with additional charge of Principal Secretary, GAD, Principal Secretary, Public Grievances, Mission Director, Bihar Administrative Reform Mission.
AWARDS
'Anxiety' is Oxford University Press' Children's Word of the Year 2021Children have chosen ‘anxiety’ as their word of the year for 2021, according to new research from Oxford University Press (OUP). In comparison, teachers have chosen ‘resilience’.
- This year, OUP’s academics focused on well-being, keeping in mind the impact of the pandemic on education, and concerns about children’s mental health across the United Kingdom.
- While ‘anxiety’ was the top choice, chosen by 21 per cent of children, it was followed by ‘challenging’, chosen by 19 per cent, ‘isolate’ (14 per cent) and ‘well-being’ (13 per cent).
Science & TECHNOLOGY
Israel successfully tests Arrow 3 anti-ballistic missile systemIsrael said it has successfully tested a system designed to intercept ballistic missiles outside the earth's atmosphere.
- The Arrow Weapon System is part of an array of missile defences Israel has developed in recent years to protect itself in any future conflict with archenemy Iran or regional militant groups, such as the Lebanese Hezbollah or the Palestinian Hamas in the Gaza Strip, both allies of Iran.
- The system was developed by Israel Aerospace Industries, a state-run defence firm, in cooperation with the US Missile Defense Agency.
OBITUARIES
Major Ahluwalia, spine institute founder and mountaineer, passes awayFounder of the Indian Spinal Injuries Centre (ISIC), professional mountaineer, and Padma Shri recipient — Major HPS Ahluwalia donned many hats. He passed away at the age of 85.
- At the age of 26, Major Ahluwalia was part of the first Indian expedition to summit Mount Everest in 1965. Six months to the exact date of scaling the Everest, he was posted at Gulmarg during the Indo-Pak war when a gunshot wound to his neck left him paralysed waist down and confined him to a wheelchair.
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