Daily GK Update- 26th Dec, 2022

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Union Minister Anurag Singh Thakur inaugurates Sports Science Centre: Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Anurag Singh Thakur has inaugurated the Sports Science Centre in Udupi, Karnataka. The government has increased the sports budget from 854 crores before 2014 to 3,100 crore rupees (2022) and spent 2700 crore rupees to enhance sporting infrastructure as against 630 crore rupees earlier. For Khelo India Games, the government has spent 3,136 crore rupees for a period of five years. Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Anurag Singh Thakur inaugurated the Sports Science Centre in Udupi yesterday. Speaking on the occasion, he said that the government is making efforts to transform India into a sporting soft power. It has increased the sports budget from 854 crores before 2014 to 3,100 crore rupees this year and spent 2700 crore rupees to enhance sporting infrastructure as against 630 crore rupees earlier.

 

2. India observes Veer Baal Diwas of 26th December: India has observed first 'Veer Bal Diwas' on December 26, to honor the ‘Sahibzadas’, the four sons of Guru Gobind Singh. This day is observed to pay honor and tribute to the sacrifices made by Sahibzada Zorawar Singh (6) and Sahibzada Fateh Singh (9), who were laid down their lives while defending their faith in Sirhind, Punjab. Veer Bal Diwas has been celebrated at an event hosted by PM Narendra Modi at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, Delhi.

 

3. Consumer Affairs Minister, Piyush Goyal unveiled 'right to repair' portal: Consumer Affairs Minister, Piyush Goyal has introduced various initiatives, including a right to repair portal and an NTH mobile app and opened new premises of the National Consumer Helpline centre. On this portal, manufacturers would share the manual of product details with customers so that they could either repair by self, by third parties, rather than depend on original manufacturers.

Initially, mobile phones, automobiles and farming equipment will be covered. Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Piyush Goyal on Saturday introduced a host of new initiatives, including a right to repair portal and an NTH mobile app and opened new premises of the National Consumer Helpline centre in the national capital.

 

4. Ladakh celebrates Losar Festival to mark Ladakhi New Year: Ladakh has celebrated Losar Festival on December 24, to mark the Ladakhi New Year. Ladakhi New Year is the major socio-religious festival of Ladakh celebrated in winter. The Losar festivities continue for nine more days from the new year with the offering of prayers in the name of God and Goddess, dances and songs in honour of Ibex and the pilgrimage of Mount Kailash. During the festival, they perform the traditional role of the three Lama Jogis and Grandparents. Ladakh is celebrating Losar Festival today, December 24, to mark the Ladakhi New Year. Ladakhi New Year is the major socio-religious festival of Ladakh celebrated in winter.

AIR correspondent reports, the lighting of prayer lamps, illumination of buildings, houses, religious places like monasteries, stupas, and other business establishments making appear that the entire Ladakh is lit in lights are part of celebrations of the Losar Festival.

 

5. Railways plans to modernize 1,000 small stations under Amrit Bharat Station Scheme: The railways is planning to modernize 1,000 small yet important stations under the new “Amrit Bharat Station Scheme”. This is apart from the ambitious plan to revamp 200 big stations under a separate redevelopment programme. The aim is to identify developing cities with potential and envisage railway stations as city centres that would link not just various parts of the city but also between different cities in the future. The plan is to map everything connected to it — bridges and different modes of transport. Khurda station in Odisha has been modernized for Rs 4 crore with all contemporary amenities for passengers. The main structure was renovated, the facade was redone and the number of railway tracks was also increased.

 

6. IIT Kanpur developed an artificial heart: IIT Kanpur is ready with an artificial heart that would be of great help to people with acute cardiac problems. Trial on animals will start from February or March. After success in the trial, transplantation can be done in humans in the next two years. An artificial heart is being developed to reduce the suffering of the patients. A team of 10 scientists and doctors has prepared this artificial heart. After the success of the trial on animals, heart transplantation in humans will begin within two years.” India imports 80 percent of equipment and implants from abroad. Only 20 percent of the equipment and implants are being manufactured in India. Most of the implants and stents for heart patients are being imported.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' elected as PM of Nepal for third time: CPN-Maoist Centre chairman, Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda'  has been appointed as the new Prime Minister of Nepal for the third time. He will head the new government until 2025 as part of a deal reached with another party. He has replaced Sher Bahadur Deuba of the Nepali Congress party. Prachanda’s Maoist Centre party has won 32 seats in the 275-member House of Representatives. The UML (Party) has won 78 seats, and the rest won by smaller groups. CPN-Maoist Centre chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda'  appointed  as the new Prime Minister of Nepal for the third time.
President Bidya Devi Bhandari appointed Prachanda as the prime minister as per Article 76 (2) of the constitution this evening.

 

2. Former Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen sentenced to 11 years: Former Maldives President Abdulla Yameen has been sentenced to 11 years in prison after being found guilty of money laundering and bribery. Yameen was accused of abusing his position and taking one million US Dollar from a private company to facilitate the sale of Aarah for resort development.

Yameen, who lost power in 2018, was sentenced to five years in jail and fined 5 million dollars in 2019 for embezzlement in state funds.

About Maldives

·       Capital – Male

·       Currency – Rufiya

·       President – Ibrahim Mohamed Solih

 

3. Polar bears in a key region of Canada are in sharp decline: According to a government survey, the Associated Press reported, Polar bears in Western Hudson Bay of Canada, an inland sea connected to the Arctic Ocean, are dying at a fast rate. The study has also revealed that females and younger polar bears are the worst affected. When the last survey took place in 2016, there were 842 bears in the area, but now only 618 bears left in Western Hudson Bay.

The polar bear is classified as “vulnerable” on the IUCN Red List Polar bears in Canada’s Western Hudson Bay, an inland sea connected to the Arctic Ocean, are dying at a fast rate, according to a new government survey, the Associated Press reported on Friday. It also revealed that females and younger polar bears are the worst affected.

 

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Arunachal’s Geto Sora won Junior International Badminton Championship: Arunachal Pradesh’s 7-year-old Geto Sora has won the Top Arena Junior International Badminton Championship title in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He won the championship title after beating Malaysia’s second seed Jaryl Teh in straight sets 21-5, 21-16. This is Sora’s second international badminton title in two months. In November, the 7-year-old Sora won the multinational BTY-Yonex-Singha Championship, which was held at the Banthongyord Badminton School in Bangkok, Thailand.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. RBI's revised bank locker rules to come into effect from 1st January: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has mandated banks in the country to renew their locker agreements with existing locker customers by 1st January, 2023. All the existing locker depositors are required to furnish proof of eligibility for a renewed locker arrangement. RBI has advised the banks to install CCTV camera at entry and exit points of the strong room and the common areas of operation. It mandates to preserve its recording for a period of not less than 180 days. RBI has also instructed banks to ensure that any “unfair terms or conditions” are not covered in their locker agreements. The revised guidelines add that the terms of the agreement shall not be more “onerous than required in ordinary course of business” to secure the interests of the bank.

 

2. HDFC gets $400-million loan from IFC for homes, affordable and green: International Finance Corporation (IFC) has provided a loan of USD 400 million to Housing Development Finance Corporation (HDFC) Limited. Reason: To boost the green affordable housing finance in India. The loan will support India's shift towards a more sustainable growth path, creating jobs and ensuring long-term business growth. It focuses on its green affordable housing portfolio, with 75 per cent (USD 300 million) of the proceeds earmarked for this sector.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. NHPC won 2022 ‘Best Globally Competitive Power Company of India' award: NHPC Limited has been awarded the ‘Best Globally Competitive Power Company of India – Hydropower and Renewable Energy Sector’ award at PRAKASHmay ‘15th Enertia Awards 2022’.

Reason: For its leadership in the hydropower sector with a gross asset class renewable energy capacity of more than 7000 MW. The award also recognizes that NHPC has more than 5000 MW of projects under construction and an ambitious 7000 MW plus plan for Solar capacity addition. NHPC Limited has been awarded as Winner of ‘Best Globally Competitive Power Company of India – Hydropower and Renewable Energy Sector’ at PRAKASHmay ‘15^th Enertia Awards 2022’. Shri U.S. Sahi, Executive Director (EMS/CC/CSR), NHPC received the award on behalf of NHPC at a glittering function held at New Delhi Institute of Management, New Delhi on 22^nd December 2022.

 

DEFENCE

 

1. India & Japan to conduct 1st bilateral air combat exercise in Jan 2023: Indian Air Force (IAF) and Japanese Air Self Defence Force (JASDF) will conduct their first Air exercise “Veer Guardian 23” from January 16 to 26 at Hyakuri air base and Iruma air base in Japan. The exercise aims to promote mutual understanding and strengthen defence cooperation between the air forces.

IAF will be fielding its Russian-origin Sukhoi-30MKI aircraft drawn from a squadron under the Western Air Command. The IAF 150 crew will be flying in IAF’s C-17 transport aircraft. The fighter jets on their journey from India to Japan will be re-fuelled mid-air using the IL-78 planes of the IAF. Japan will field its F-2 jets which are derivatives of the F-16 plane of the US. It will also field the F-15, like the ones used by the US too. The exercise will at Hyakuri Air Base northwest of Tokyo.

 

2. Indian Navy launched indigenously-built ship ‘Arnala’ in Chennai: The Indian Navy launched the indigenously-built ship INS Arnala at the shipbuilding facility of Larsen & Toubro (L&T) in Chennai’s Kattupalli. The Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) built the ship. Arnala is the first of the 8 anti-submarine warfare shallow watercraft (ASW-SWC).

The vessel made its first contact with the water of the Bay of Bengal during a recently-held launch ceremony in Chennai. The launch ceremony is one of the four important ceremonial occasions associated with a ship’s life. The other three are keel laying, commissioning, and decommissioning. The ship has been named ‘Arnala’ to signify the strategic maritime importance accorded to the island of Arnala. The ‘Arnala’ class ships are being built to replace the Indian Navy’s ‘Abhay’ class ASW ships.

Daily GK Update- 25th Dec, 2022

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. P N Vasudevan reappointed as MD, CEO of Equitas Small Finance Bank: P.N. Vasudevan has been reappointed as the managing director and chief executive officer of Equitas Small Finance Bank.His current term as MD, CEO will expire on July 22, 2023.The board of Bank has decided to renew his term for a further period of 3 years with effect from July 23, 2023, subject to approval from RBI.He is the founder of Equitas and has been associated with its journey as a microfinance institution since 2007.It was converted into a bank in 2016. “The Board believes that continuity of management and his leadership would help the Bank sustain its growth in a stable, scalable and inclusive manner. Accordingly the present ongoing process of identifying a successor to him will stand terminated,” the bank said.

 

2. Good Governance Day 2022: 25th December: India observed "Good Governance Day" on the birth anniversary (25th December) of former Indian Prime Minister, Atal Vihari Vajpayee.

In 2014, PM Narendra Modi has announced to observe "Good Governance Day" every year on December 25 in memory of the former PM. Purpose of this day: To increase public access to various government programmes and services via good governance. It was established with the slogan "Good Governance through e-Governance." The Indian government decided that every year December 25 would be a full day of work. The government has been commemorating Good Governance Day every year since 2014. The day is celebrated to t make sure that the country's residents are treated fairly by the government and they receive the advantages of various government services.

 

3. Researchers at IIT Kanpur developed organic solar cell devices: Researchers at IIT Kanpur have developed organic solar cells under the DST-RCUK APEX project.Organic solar cell: It is a combination of an organic polymer and PCBM developed on steel substrates can potentially convert a steel roof into an energy-producing device. The devices consist of a blend of organic polymer PTB7 as a donor and PCBM as an acceptor. It is a jointly developed programme of the Department of S&T and the Research Councils United Kingdom (RCUK).

An organic solar cells consisting of a combination of an organic polymer and PCBM (an organic semiconductor) developed on steel substrates can potentially convert a steel roof into an energy-producing device with greater efficiency than those currently available in the market.

 

4. PM Matsya Sampada Yojana envisages insurance coverage to fishers: Parshottam Rupala (Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying) has informed that Department of Fisheries, under PM Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) has provided an insurance coverage to fishers.The insurance coverage provided under the PMMSY includes:Rs.5,00,000/- against accidental death or permanent total disability Rs.2,50,000/- for permanent partial disability

Hospitalization expenses in the event of accident for a sum of Rs. 25,000/-

 

5. Cabinet approves revision of pension for defence personnel: Union Minister of information and Broadcasting, Anurag Thakur has informed that the Union Cabinet approved the revision of the pension for family pensioners of armed forces under One Rank One Pension (OROP) from July 1, 2019.The revision will entail an estimated annual expenditure of Rs 8450 crore. The arrears will be with effect from July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2022. The decision to implement OROP was taken by the Narendra Modi government on November 7, 2015. The benefit would also be extended to family pensioners including war widows and disabled pensioners, Thakur said. He said benefits will be extended to about 25.13 lakh armed forces pensioners and family pensioners.

 

6. CJI D Y Chandrachud constituted committee to conduct accessibility audit of SC premises: The Chief Justice of India (CJI) D Y Chandrachud has constituted a committee to conduct an audit of “physical and functional access” of the top court premises to make them disabled-friendly. The committee will be headed by Supreme Court Judge S Ravindra Bhat. The ‘Supreme Court Committee on Accessibility’ has been given a broad mandate to prepare and release a questionnaire for persons with disabilities, including the apex court employees, advocates, litigants and interns, who visit the top court premises to assess the nature and extent of problems they face.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Sitiveni Rabuka becomes new Prime Minister of Fiji: Sitiveni Rabuka has become the 12th prime minister of Fiji after a coalition of parties voted to elect him. His appointment has ended 10 days of uncertainty after an election delivered a hung parliament. Social Democratic Liberal party held the balance of power and voted to form a coalition with Rabuka’s People’s Alliance and the National Federation party. In secret parliamentary votes, 28 members of parliament voting for Rabuka while 27 voted in support of Bainimarama. The appointment of Rabuka on Saturday ended 10 days of uncertainty after an election delivered a hung parliament. Fiji’s Social Democratic Liberal party (Sodelpa) held the balance of power and on Friday voted to form a coalition with Rabuka’s People’s Alliance and the National Federation party. Saturday’s secret parliamentary vote for prime minister was closer than had been expected, with 28 members of parliament voting for Rabuka while 27 voted in support of Bainimarama.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Geto Sora wins 2022 Junior International Badminton Championship title: Badminton player, Geto Sora (7) from Arunachal Pradesh has won title of 2022 Junior International Badminton Championship in the below 9 years category, organised in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He has defeated Jaryl Teh from Malaysia in straight sets 21-5, 21-16. In November 2022, he had won the U-9 boys singles title in the Yonex-Singha-BTY Championships 2022, held at the Banthongyord Badminton School in Bangkok, Thailand. Budding badminton sensation Geto Sora once again made Arunachal proud by winning the Top Arena Junior International Badminton Championship title in the below 9 years category, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Friday, December 23.

 

2. Harmanpreet Singh to captain Indian team at the FIH men’s world cup 2023: Hockey India has announced Dragflicker Harmanpreet Singh as the captain of the Indian men’s Hockey team for the FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup 2023. Amit Rohidas has been named as the vice-captain of the squad. The team coach is Graham Reid. The FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup is held every four years and the 2022 event was postponed to 2023 due to the corona pandemic. The last 14th FIH Men’s World Cup Hockey was also played in Odisha in 2018.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. IMF predicts 6.8% growth in current fiscal for India: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has predicted the India's GDP growth rate of 6.8 per cent for the current fiscal year (2022-23). IMF has also estimated the India's growth rate of 6.1 per cent in the next fiscal years (2023-24). In its report, IMF has stated that the growth of India is expected to moderate as it is navigating a "very difficult" external environment. IMF has also highlighted that Indian economy has rebounded from the deep pandemic-related downturn.

 

2. IFC provides $400 million loan to HDFC to promote green housing: World Bank’s investment arm, International Finance Corporation (IFC) has provided to make a $400 million (around ₹3,400 crore) loan to mortgage lender HDFC Ltd, with an aim to drive India’s green housing growth. The capital will help HDFC boost its green affordable housing portfolio, with 75% (around $300 million) of the proceeds earmarked for this sector. Earlier in April, HDFC Ltd decided to merge with its banking subsidiary HDFC Bank. Green Houses are built with sustainable, environmentally-friendly, energy-efficient, and recyclable resources. These houses are constructed in such a way that water, air, solar, and geothermal energy are optimally utilized, thus reducing energy waste. Affordable houses means that it will target Middle-income groups.

 

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Football player, Beth Mead wins BBC Sports Personality of Year 2022 award: English football player, Beth Mead (27) has been awarded the 2022 BBC Sports Personality of the Year as she was the player of the tournament and top scorer at Euro 2022. Beth Mead has defeated Germany in the finals at Wembley to win England’s first major women’s football trophy. She has competed against Ben Stokes and Ronnie O’Sullivan for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year for 2022 award. While, Sarina Wiegman (England's manager) has won the Coach of the Year. However, Beth was the favorite to win. While Mead won, Stokes came in second place. Beth said she was speechless and massively honoured to win the BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2022.

 

2. UIDAI gets DSCI AISS Award for ‘Best Security Practices in Govt Sector’: Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has won Data Security Council of India's (DSCI) award 2022 in Best Security Practices in Government Sector category. The award was given to UIDAI during DSCI's three-day Annual Information Security Summit (AISS) in New Delhi.

Reason: For its significant role in securing national critical Aadhaar infrastructure that provides digital identity-based welfare services to residents. UIDAI CEO: Dr. Saurabh Garg Sahitya Akademi Awards 2022 announced: Sahitya Akademi has announced its annual Sahitya Akademi Awards in 23 languages. 7 books of poetry, 6 novels, 2 short stories, 3 Play/Dramas, 2 Literary Criticisms, one each of Autobiographical Essays, Collection of Articles, and Literary History have won the Sahitya Akademi Awards 2022. The awardee will receive an engraved copper plaque, a shawl, and Rs. 1,00,000 in Cash. It also announced the ‘Sahitya Akademi Translation’ awards for 2022.

Daily GK Update- 24th Dec, 2022

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Revamped probity, e-HRMS portal to be launched for central govt employees: Union minister Jitendra Singh is set to launch revamped probity portal and e-HRMS 2.0 portal for central government employees. At the  revamped e-HRMS 2.0 portal, employees could avail of limited services and it was not connected with other human resource applications. The revamped portal is the first digital system in the government of India to provide end-to-end HR services. The revamped e-HRMS 2.0 will save several thousand man-hours and tons of printing paper.  The minister of state for PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space will also launch e-books on major initiatives and achievements of the ministry of personnel, public grievances and pensions on Sunday to mark Good Governance Day in the national capital.

 

2. 10th Edition of North East Festival begins at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium: The 10th Edition of the North East Festival began at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi. Objective – To promote the North East region’s diverse life, culture, traditions, and tourism. Micro Small and Medium Enterprises Minister Narayan Rane has inaugurated the MSME Exhibition at the North East Festival. The festival will provide an opportunity to entrepreneurs from North East regions especially women and SC/ST entrepreneurs to showcase their skills, products and create new opportunities for growth.

 

3.  Singh Thakur launched new dashboard for Khelo India: Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Anurag Singh Thakur has launched Khelo India’s new Dashboard. The Dashboard is inclusive of all the statistical data related to the Khelo India Scheme and the Khelo India events. It will be updated in real-time and it aims to be a unique one-stop platform for the citizens to access all the information regarding various offerings of the Khelo India Scheme. The platform will also help in accessing information regarding progress made regarding the development of sports infrastructures, Fit India & playfield development.

 

4. PM Modi addressed 75th Amrut Mahotsav of Shree Swaminarayan Gurukul Rajkot Sansthan: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has addressed the 75th “Amrut Mahotsav” of Shree Swaminarayan Gurukul Rajkot Sansthan via video-conferencing. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel at Sahajanand Nagar in Rajkot inaugurated the five-day Amrit Mahotsav celebrations. As part of the Amrit Mahotsav celebrations, mega blood donation camps, and free medical check-up camps are being organized at Sahajanand nagar where renowned multi-specialty doctors are providing free medical services and free-of-cost medicine to the people. Established in 1948 by Shri Dharmajivandasji Swami. Shree Swaminarayan Gurukul Rajkot Sansthan has more than 40 branches all over the world.

 

5. PV Sindhu among top 25 highest-paid female athletes in Forbes annual list: India’s badminton star PV Sindhu is the only player in the top 25 in Forbes’ annual list of the highest-paid female athletes in the world. Sindhu, the 2016 Tokyo Olympics silver medalist, occupies the 12th spot in the list. Japanese tennis star Naomi Osaka tops the list. The 27-year-old made 7 million US Dollars of her earnings, having won a singles gold and doubles silver at the Commonwealth Games earlier this year in Birmingham. For the third straight year, Osaka tops Forbes’ annual list of the World’s highest-paid female athletes.

 

6. 24 December – National Consumer Rights Day: National Consumer Rights Day is observed every year on 24 December. The Consumer Protection Act, of 1986 received the assent of the President on this day. It also provides awareness about consumer rights and responsibilities. While World Consumer Day is celebrated on 15th March every year.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Suhel Ajaz Khan appointed India’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia: Suhel Ajaz Khan has been appointed as the next envoy to Saudi Arabia. Presently he is India’s ambassador to the Republic of Lebanon. A member of the 1997 batch of the IFS, Khan has spent much of his diplomatic career in the Middle East and can speak Arabic. This will be Khan’s third stint in Saudi Arabia.

He served a stint in Jeddah as Consul at the Consulate-General of India in that city. He was also deputy chief of mission in Riyadh between 2017 and 2019. A member of the 1997 batch of the Indian Foreign Service, Khan has spent much of his diplomatic career in the Middle East and can speak Arabic. This will be Khan’s third stint in Saudi Arabia. He served a stint in Jeddah as Consul at the Consulate-General of India in that city. He was also deputy chief of mission in Riyadh between 2017 and 2019 and held the personal rank of ambassador. He was subsequently appointed India’s ambassador in Beirut in 2019.             

 

2. Spain, Scotland pass Gender Recognition Reform Bill: Scotland and Spain have recently passed a bill to make it easier for people to change their legally recognized gender.  Scotland has now become the first region of the United Kingdom to approve a self-identification process for changing gender. Other countries, including Ireland, Denmark and Argentina have adopted self-ID laws to make it simpler and less invasive to change gender. Under the Spanish law, drawn up by the center-left coalition government, minors ages 12and 13 will need a judge’s authorization to make the change, while those between 14 and 16 will have to be accompanied by their parents or legal guardians.

 

3. Puma India appointed Anushka Sharma as its brand ambassador: Puma India has appointed Bollywood actor Anushka Sharma as its new brand ambassador. The actor will endorse the brand’s footwear, apparel and accessories, including select collections, through myriad activities and brand campaigns throughout the year. Puma India has a total of 30-35 brand ambassadors in India which include Sharma’s husband and cricketer Virat Kohli. Other brand ambassadors associated with Puma India include Kareena Kapoor Khan, Yuvraj Singh, Mary Kom, Sunil Chhetri and Harrdy Sandhu.

 

4. Sitiveni Rabuka elected as new Prime Minister of Fiji: Sitiveni Rabuka has been elected as Fiji’s new Prime Minister. After 16 years, Fiji is preparing to welcome its new prime minister.

It also signals the end of former Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama’s 16 years in power. In the 55-member Parliament of Fiji, Sitiveni Rabuka secured 28 votes against Bainimarama’s 27 votes.

About Fiji

·       Capital- Suva

·       Currency- Fijian dollar

·       President – Wiliame Katonivere

 

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. England's Sam Curran became the Most Expensive Player in 2023 IPL Auction: England all-rounder Sam Curran emerged as the most expensive player in the IPL’s history as Punjab Kings bought him for Rs 18.50 crore. The most expensive player in IPL so far was South African all-rounder Chris Morris, who received Rs 16.25 crore at the 2021 auction. Australia all-rounder Cameroon Green was the second-highest earner, fetching ₹17.5 crore bid from Mumbai Indians. England test skipper Ben Stokes was the 3rd-highest gainer, fetching ₹16.25 cr from CSK. 

 

2. Anurag Thakur inaugurated the National Level Kabaddi Championship: Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Anurag Singh Thakur has inaugurated the National level Kabaddi championship in Udupi in Karnataka. The National level Kabaddi tournament will be held under the floodlights on MGM grounds where 12 teams from different states will take part.

The winner will get the Atal trophy and a prize money of one lakh rupees The runner-up will be awarded Rs 75,000, the third prize winner Rs 50,000 and the fourth prize winner Rs 25,000.

 

3. Harmanpreet Singh to captain Indian team at the FIH men’s world cup 2023.: Hockey India has announced Dragflicker Harmanpreet Singh as the captain of the Indian men’s Hockey team for the FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup 2023.Amit Rohidas has been named as the vice-captain of the squad. The team coach is Graham Reid. The FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup is held every four years and the 2022 event was postponed to 2023 due to the corona pandemic. The last 14th FIH Men’s World Cup Hockey was also played in Odisha in 2018.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. NSE to set up Social Stock Exchange (SSE) as a separate segment: The National Stock Exchange of India received in-principle approval from SEBI to set up a Social Stock Exchange (SSE) as a separate segment.  The creation of the SSE was proposed by FM Sitharaman in her Union Budget speech for 2019-20. The SSE will work for listing social enterprises and voluntary organisations working for the realisation of a social welfare objective. The SSE will help these organisations to raise capital as equity, debt or as units like a mutual fund. The National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) received in-principle approval from market regulator Securities Exchange Board of India (SEBI) on December 19, 2022, to set up a Social Stock Exchange (SSE) as a separate segment of the NSE.

 

2. CIBIL, SIDBI, Online PSB loans launch MSME rankings: TransUnion CIBIL, in collaboration with Online PSB Loans and MSME lender SIDBI, launched FIT Rank – a comprehensive ranking model for MSMEs. FIT Rank will leverage the details available with Goods and Services Tax (GST) filings, Bank Statements, and Income Tax returns (ITR) information to provide a ranking model for MSME lending. This is the first-ever credit default predictor model developed by CIBIL in collaboration with OPL.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. PV Sindhu 12th highest-paid female athlete in world: India's badminton star PV Sindhu is the only Indian player in the top 25 in Forbes' annual list of the highest-paid female athletes in the world. Sindhu, the 2016 Rio Olympics silver medallist, occupies the 12th spot in the list.  Japanese tennis star Naomi Osaka tops the list. The 27-year-old made 7 million US Dollars of her earnings.  For the 3rd straight year, Osaka tops Forbes' annual list of the World's highest-paid female athletes. India's badminton star PV Sindhu is the only Indian player in the top 25 in Forbes' annual list of the highest-paid female athletes in the world. Sindhu, the 2016 Rio Olympics silver medallist, occupies the 12th spot in the list.  Japanese tennis star Naomi Osaka tops the list. The 27-year-old made 7 million US Dollars of her earnings, having won a singles gold and doubles silver at the Commonwealth Games earlier this year in Birmingham.

 

DEFENCE

 

1. India to receive 3rd squadron of S-400 air defence missile from Russia:

Russia will begin supplying India with the third squadron of the S-400 air defence missile system in January or February of next year. India has already put its first two missile system squadrons into service. India and Russia have agreed to a three-year, more than ₹35,000 crore deal for India to buy five squadrons of S-400 air defence missiles, and all deliveries are anticipated to be completed by the end of the following fiscal year. Russia will begin supplying India with the third squadron of the S-400 air defence missile system in January or February of next year. India has already put its first two missile system squadrons into service. India and Russia have agreed to a three-year, more than ₹35,000 crore deal for India to buy five squadrons of S-400 air defence missiles, and all deliveries are anticipated to be completed by the end of the following fiscal year.

 

2. India, Japan to conduct first-ever air combat exercise ‘Veer Guardian 23': India and Japan are set to conduct their first-ever bilateral combat air exercise over 10 days in Japan next month. The exercise ‘Veer Guardian 23’ will be conducted from Jan 16 to Jan 26 The Japan Air Self-Defence Force (JASDF) will conduct bilateral fighter training with the Indian Air Force (IAF). The exercise aims to promote mutual understanding and strengthen defence cooperation between the air forces. The exercise will be held at Hyakuri Air Base northwest of Tokyo.

 

3. Navy launches indigenously-built ship ‘Arnala’ in Chennai :The Indian Navy launched ‘Arnala’, the first of the eight indigenously-built anti-submarine warfare shallow water craft (ASW-SWC), at the shipbuilding facility of L&T in Chennai’s Kattupalli. The ship was built by the Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE). The ship has been named ‘Arnala’ to signify the strategic maritime importance accorded to the island of Arnala The ‘Arnala’ class ships are being built to replace the Indian Navy’s ‘Abhay’ class ASW ships.  Built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), ‘Arnala’ made its first contact with the water of the Bay of Bengal at 10.40 am at the launch ceremony presided over by Rasika Chaube, financial adviser (defence services) of the defence ministry. In keeping with the Naval maritime tradition, Chaube launched the ship to the chanting of invocation from Atharva Veda.

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. Telugu actor Kaikala Satyanarayana passed away: Legendary Telugu actor Kaikala Satyanarayana passed away at the age of 87. Sri Ranga Neethulu was one of his well-known films. He was also a producer, director, and politician. In his career spanning over six decades, Satyanarayana received a number of awards, including a Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award and two Nandi Awards.