NATIONAL
UPDATES
1. Akash missile successfully tested: The Akash missile was successfully
tested with indigenous radio frequency seeker from a test range in Odisha. The
state-of-the-art indigenous missile targeting an UAV 'Banshee', was fired from the launch
complex-III of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur. Akash is Surface
to Air Missile (SAM) with a range of 25 km and carries a 55- kg fragmentation
warhead that is triggered by proximity fuse. This was the first supersonic
surface-to-air missile (SAM) with indigenous seeker that has been test fired.
2. India’s first state to endorse Centre’s stand on triple
talaq: Uttar Pradesh has become the
first State to endorse the Central government’s draft bill that makes instant
triple talaq a cognisable and non-bailable offence. The draft law, which
provides for three-year imprisonment and a fine to a man trying to divorce his
wife by uttering “talaq” three times, got the State government’s approval.
3. MP passes bill awarding death
for rape: Madhya Pradesh assembly
has unanimously passed a bill that will see rapists of girls 12 years or below
being hanged till death. The development comes after the NCRB report revealed
that MP recorded the highest
number of rape cases in the country. The bill also proposes punishment for disrobing,
stalking or sex on the pretext of marriage. The jail term increases for 2nd or
subsequent offences.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES
1. 3rd DRC-NITI Aayog Dialogue held in China: The 3rd edition of the
Dialogue between the NITI Aayog and the Development Research Council of China
was held in Beijing, China.The meeting was co-chaired by Vice Chairman NITI
Aayog, Dr. Rajiv Kumar, and Mr Li Wei, President (Minister), DRC.The meeting
provides an important platform for both sides to discuss key macroeconomic issues
impacting both countries and areas of mutual interest. The 2nd Dialogue was
held in New Delhi in November 2016. The next 4th NITI Aayog - DRC Dialogue
will be held in India in 2018.
2. ISA to be a legal entity: International Solar Alliance
which aims at increasing solar energy deployment in member countries, will
become a treaty-based international intergovernmental organization. ISA is an
Indian initiative jointly launched by PM Modi & President of France on
30 Nov 2015 in Paris, on sidelines of COP-21.
3. US to recognise Jerusalem as
capital: President Donald Trump will recognise Jerusalem as
Israel’s capital despite intense Arab, Muslim and European opposition. In
recognising Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, US becomes the first country to do
so since the foundation of the state in 1948. Israel has always regarded
Jerusalem as its capital city, while the Palestinians claim East Jerusalem as
the capital of a future Palestinian state.
OTHER UPDATES
BUSINESS/ECONOMY:
1. Akshay Kumar to promote
agri-schemes: Akshay Kumar will
promote govt’s flagship agriculture schemes like soil health card & crop
insurance. Union Agriculture Ministry has roped in the actor for television
advertisements to intensify the publicity of the agri-schemes. Besides soil
health card scheme, he will promote Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bhima Yojana, Pradhan
Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana, Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana
& others.
BANKING/FINANCE:
1. RBI keeps key interest rate unchanged in
5th Bi-Monthly Monetary Policy statement: The Reserve Bank of India
(RBI) has announced its Fifth Bi-Monthly Monetary Policy statement for 2017-18
today.The monetary policy committee of Reserve Bank of India kept interest
rates (Repo Rate) unchanged at 6 percent.The reverse repo rate under the LAF
remains at 5.75 percent, and the marginal standing facility (MSF) rate and the
Bank Rate at 6.25 percent.The next bi-monthly monetary policy statement will be
released on 07 February 2018.
SPORTS:
1. IOC bans Russia from 2018 Winter Olympics Games: The International
Olympic Committee (IOC) has
banned Russia from the 2018 Winter Olympics Games. The decision was announced
by the IOC president Thomas Bach and his board members on the findings and
recommendations of a 17-month investigation on the state-sponsored doping at
the 2014 Games hosted by Russia in Sochi. The 2018 Winter Olympics Games will
be held in Pyeongchang, South Korea.
2. India wins South Asian
badminton title: India has won the first-ever
South Asian Regional Badminton
Team Championship by defeating Nepal in the finals. Nepal
started off well, winning the 1st game 21-19. However, Indians came back
stronger & won the next 2 games 21-14, 21-11. Indian team, which
came into the Final without losing a single match, continued their good run
with Aryaman Tandon drawing 1st blood in boys’ singles competition.
