NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. DGGI, NFSU sign MoU for setting up
digital forensic laboratories: The Directorate General of GST Intelligence
(DGGI) signed an MoU with the National Forensic Sciences
University (NFSU) to set up digital forensic
laboratories, collaborate in research and training programs, and provide
technical assistance. DGGI is an apex intelligence organization under
the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC). DGGI collects and
disseminates information and takes necessary steps to check evasion
of GST.
2. IEEE C-DOT Certified Telecom Expert
Program launched: Secretary (Telecom) and Chairman of the Digital Communications Commission,
K. Rajaraman launched the ‘IEEE C-DOT Certified Telecom Expert
Program (ICCTEP)’. Aim: To bring learning in the areas of Telecom,
including 5G, Cyber Security, and Quantum Communication It
was collaborated by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics
Engineers (IEEE) and the Centre for Development of
Telematics (C-DOT). C-DOT is the R&D center of the Department of
Telecommunications.
3. PPAC signs Statement of Intent (SOI)
with IEA: The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas signed a Statement
of Intent with the International Energy Agency (IEA). Reason: To
strengthen cooperation in data and research in the energy sector to enhance
global energy security. It will initiate cooperation in the energy sector
between Petroleum Planning & Analysis Cell PPAC and IEA The govt is
also planning to provide training and internships by IEA experts to
develop the skills. Minister of Petroleum: Hardeep S Puri
4. Centre sets up a panel to draft
Digital Competition Act: The government has formed a 16-member
committee to draft the Digital Competition Act within three months, after
studying anti-competitive practices. Manoj Govil (secretary, Ministry of
Corporate Affairs) chairs the panel. The panel will study the existing
provisions of the Competition Act 2002, and related regulations to deal with
the challenges in the digital economy. CCI will provide secretarial and
research assistance and logistic support to the panel.
5. Reliance Jio, GSMA will train rural
women in digital skills: Reliance Jio and GSMA launched a digital
skills programme initiative to train rural women in India. Aim: To provide
need-based training to rural women and individuals from marginalized/low-income
groups to help them make meaningful use of digital access. According to the
GSMA's 'Mobile Gender Gap Report 2022', women in India are 41% less likely
than men to use mobile internet While 330 million women in India still do not
use mobile internet, compared to 248 million men
6. Kala Ghoda Arts Festival begins in
Mumbai: The 23rd edition of the Kala Ghoda Arts
Festival has begun in Mumbai, Maharashtra. The nine-day festival,
organized by the Kala Ghoda Association, will host a wide array of programmes
in over 14 domains such as dance, music, literature, theatre, food, cinema,
stand-up comedy, street art, urban design, architecture. It is an annual
festival, commencing always on the first Saturday of February and closing is
always on the second Sunday in February, in the Kala Ghoda area of South
Mumbai, India. The Kala Ghoda Arts Festival will be organised from February 4
to 12, 10 am to 10 pm every day. It was first started in 1999.
7. 7 February – Safer Internet Day: Safer Internet Day is observed every year
on February 7. Objective – To raise awareness about the importance of
using the Internet in a safe way. This year is the 20th edition of Safer
Internet Day. The Internet can be used to exploit, blackmail, threaten, stalk,
steal and more from unsuspecting individuals. It is important for your children
to know what malicious individuals can try to do on the internet. Teach your
children the risks associated with improper use of the Internet.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. India, EU set up three working
groups under Trade and Tech Council: India and the European Union (EU) formed three working
groups under the Trade and Technology Council (TTC). Reason: To deepen
strategic ties with the trade bloc The working group will cover critical
issues, such as: Strategic technologies, digital governance, and connectivity Green
and clean energy technologies Trade, investment, and resilient value chains The
TTC was jointly launched by PM Modi and EC Chief, Ursula von der Leyen in
April 2022 in New Delhi.
2. Bangladesh will receive electricity
from power plant in Jharkhand: Bangladesh minister,
Nasrul Hamid has informed that Bangladesh will start receiving
electricity from the Godda power plant in Jharkhand from the first week of
March 2023. Nasrul Hamid said 750-megawatt power will come from the first unit
of Adani power plant in Godda in March 2023. Another 750 megawatt of power will
come from the second unit of the Godda power plant in April 2023. The
Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) signed an agreement with Adani group
for importing electricity from its plant at Godda in Jharkhand. Consequently, the Adani power company to supply electricity exclusively to
Bangladesh is building two units of 800 MW each. It has also constructed a
dedicated transmission line to supply power from India to Bangladesh.
OTHER UPDATES:
SPORTS
1. ITBP won the title of National Ice
Hockey Championship 2023: The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), one of the seven central
arm forces, have won the National Ice Hockey Championship 2023 for
the third consecutive time. The ITBP team won the title for the third
consecutive time by defeating Ladakh Scouts in the final with a score of 1-0. They
won the 12th edition of the tournament organized by the Ice Hockey Association
of India (IHAI). The Ice Hockey Association of India (IHAI) in Ladakh, Leh,
organized the championship.
2. Australia’s Aaron Finch announced
retirement from International Cricket: Australian men’s T20 captain Aaron Finch has announced his
retirement from international cricket. Finch, who retired as the One Day
International (ODI) captain of the Australian team last year, has confirmed his
retirement from T20Is. Finch guided Australia to its maiden ICC World T20 title
in 2021. Finch made his international debut in 2011 in a T20 International
match against England. He made his ODI debut in 2013 against Sri Lanka. He made
his Test debut against Pakistan in 2018. Finch played 146 ODIs at an average of
around 39 and 103 T20 Internationals at an average of 34.28 and a strike rate
of 142.53.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. Canara bank appoints K Satyanarayana
Raju as the new MD and CEO: The Union government appointed K Satyanarayana Raju as the new
managing director and CEO of Canara bank, with effect from February
7, 2023. He has replaced L V Prabhakar, who resigned on 31 December
2022. He has 33 years of experience in all banking segments, like
branch banking, corporate credit, etc. He also served as the executive
director of Canara bank. He joined the Vijaya Bank in 1988 and has
risen to the level of chief GM at the Bank of Baroda.
2. RBI hikes repo rate by 25 bps to
6.5%: The Reserve Bank of India increased its repo rate by 25 basis points
(bps) to 6.5%. Reason: Core inflation remained high The repo rate has now
been increased by 250 (225 + 25) bps since May 2022 by the panel. RBI
predicted the real GDP growth for FY24 at 6.4%, while growth for FY23 has
been pegged at 7%. RBI projected retail inflation at 6.5% (FY23) from
6.7% and 5.3% for the next fiscal year. Other rates:- SDF: 6.25%;
MSF: 6.75%; Bank Rate: 6.75%
3. South Indian Bank launches wealth
management platform: The South Indian Bank has launched a wealth management
platform in partnership with Geojit Financial Services Ltd. SIB Wealth is
an exclusive value-added service. It will help the bank's high net
worth (HNI) customers to invest their money in the best financial instruments
available in the market. Under this platform, SIB will be offering: Portfolio
management services Alternative investment fund Systematic investment plan Mutual
funds, Bonds, and Real estate funds
4. PhonePe becomes first Indian fintech
to allow UPI payments abroad: PhonePe has launched a service that
will allow the fintech firm’s Indian users traveling abroad to pay foreign
merchants using Unified Payments Interface (UPI). UPI international'
support merchant outlets in UAE, Singapore, Mauritius, Nepal, and Bhutan
that have a local QR (quick response) code. Users will be able to make direct
payments in a foreign currency from their Indian bank. Walmart-backed PhonePe
claimed it is the first Indian fintech app to launch the service.
5. Airtel Payments Bank launched
BizKhata for Small Businesses & Merchant: Airtel Payments
Bank launched its current account "BizKhata" which
offers unlimited transactions and instant activation for account
holders across the country. This account was designed specifically for
small merchants and business owners. It brings all business transactions
to one platform and allows them to maintain clear records while enjoying
multiple banking benefits, like Zero Minimum Balance, Secure, hassle-free
payments, Auto Sweep Out etc.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1. Peggy Mohan won ‘Mathrubhumi Book of The Year’ award 2023: Author Peggy Mohan has bagged the ‘Mathrubhumi Book of The Year’ award at the fourth edition of the Mathrubhumi International Festival of Letters (MBIFL 2023). Her book ‘Wanderers, Kings and Merchants,’ portraying evolution of language as the outcome of migrations, won the award that carries Rs two lakh as cash prize and a sculpture. Nobel Laureate Abdulrazak Gurnah presented the award to Mohan at the valedictory ceremony of the four-day MBIFL 2023. MBIFL 2023, also known as ‘Ka’ in Malayalam, featured Nobel and Booker Prize winners and Jnanpith awardees and others among over 400 names in creative fields.
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