12 January, 2020
International
Tehran Dialogue Forum-23rd gulf conference; India supports Hormuz Peace initiative 2020
India participated in the Tehran Dialogue Forum, the 23rd Persian Gulf International Conference held in Tehran, Iran from January 06- 07, 2020. During the forum, India supported the Hormuz Peace initiative 2020. The initiative was done so as to seek stability in one of the world’s busiest and strategically located shipping lanes i.e, Strait of Hormuz amid escalating US-Iran tensions. Oman, India, China and Afghanistan were the key participants.
National
HM Amit shah 2-day visit to Gujarat; launches project VISHWAS & Cyber AASHVAST in Gandhinagar
Union Home Minister (HM) Amit Shah has paid a 2- day visit to Gujarat from January 11-12, 2020.
He addressed the 9th convocation function of Gujarat Technological University (GTU) & also attended an event at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar to digitally launch India’s 1st cyber AASHVAST (Assured Assistance Service Helpline for Victims at Shortest Time ) & project VISHWAS (Video Integration and State Wide Advanced Security).
Overview of Prime Minister Modi’s 2 day official visit to Kolkata,West Bengal
The Prime Minister(PM) of India shri Narendra Modi paid a two-day official visit to Kolkata, West Bengal from January 11-12, 2020. The visit in detail are as follows:
Shri Modi renamed Kolkata Port as Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Port on the occasion of sesquicentenary (150th year) celebrations of the Kolkata Port Trust (KoPT).
Govt promulgated ordinance for amendment in laws to ease coal mine auctions
The central govt has promulgated ordinance for amendment in the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act 1957 (MMDR act 1957) and The Coal Mines (special provisions) act, 2015 (CMSP act 2015) in order to ease new areas of growth in the coal & mining sector. The amendments in detail are as follows:
‘Yashaswini scheme’ was launched by the Union Minister Smriti Irani in Goa
Union Minister for Women and Child Development and Textiles, Smriti Zubin Irani launched Yashaswini scheme for Women entrepreneurship at Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee stadium in Taleigao town near Panaji district of Goa. Swasthya Sakhi Project and breast cancer screening initiative were also inaugurated on the occasion.
Under the Yashaswini scheme, interest free loans up to Rs. 5 lakhs with a tenure of five years will be given to women self-help groups by the state government of Goa.
Petroleum minister Pradhan launched PURVODAYA mission in steel sector in Kolkata, West Bengal
The Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas & Steel (MoPNG&S) Shri Dharmendra Pradhan launched mission PURVODAYA with the aim of driving accelerated development of eastern India through integrated steel hub in Kolkata, West Bengal.
Economy
SEBI extends April 2022 deadline for separation of chairman & MD posts for top 500 listed entities firms
Stock market regulator SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India) has extended the deadline for the separation of the posts of Chairman and MD (Managing Director) or chief executive officer (CEO) for 500 listed companies by 2 years. Now this rule has to be followed by April 1, 2022. It’s aim to separate the board and the management of the top companies.
About SEBI:
Formation– April 12, 1988
Headquarters– Mumbai, Maharashtra
Chairman– Ajay Tyagi
RBI curbs functions of Sri Guru Raghavendra Sahakara Bank; withdraw limit set to Rs.35000
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has curbed Sri Guru Raghavendra Sahakara Bank, a private bank in Bengaluru, Karnataka from doing business with immediate effect. This has been done after finding alleged irregularities in transactions. The bank’s savings and current account customers and depositors can however withdraw cash up to ₹35,000 only till further notice.
Act: RBI’s Chief General Manager Yogesh Dayal issued the directive under Sections 35A and 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, from Mumbai, Maharashtra.
About Sri Guru Raghavendra Sahakara Bank:
Established- 1964
Headquarters- Bangalore, Karnataka.
Tagline- A cooperative bank with corporate vision.
President- Dr. K Ramakrishna.
Motto- Service to the Common Man.
Sports
BCCI annual awards 2018-19 announced: Jasprit Bumrah receives Polly Umrigar award
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Annual Awards were presented in 25 different categories for the 2018-19 season in Mumbai, Maharashtra to honor all the legendary cricketers.
Indian pacer Jasprit Jasbirsingh Bumrah has received the highest prize of Indian cricket – the prestigious Polly Umrigar Award for the best international cricketer (2018-19) in men’s category.The award carries a citation, trophy & cheque for Rs. 15 lakh.
Tennis legend Novak djokovic defeats Nadal to make Serbia winner of 1st ATP Cup 2020 held in Sydney, Australia
Serbian professional tennis player, Novak Djokovic has defeated Rafael Nadal of Spain to make Serbia the champion of 1st edition of ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) Cup i.e. ATP Cup 2020 held at Ken Rosewall Arena in Sydney, Australia from 3–12 January,2020.
About ATP Cup 2020:
Participation– 24 teams
Prize money– $15,000,000
It is an international outdoor hard court men’s tennis tournament organized by the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP).
Location– (Pat Rafter Arena) Brisbane,( RAC Arena) Perth, and (Ken Rosewall Arena) Sydney, Australia
Miscellaneous
Two Coast Guard ships Annie Besant and Amrit Kaur commissioned at Kolkata
The two Indian Coast Guard Ships (ICGS) namely Annie Besant and Amrit Kaur were commissioned and deployed along the eastern coast by Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar at Khidderpore park, Kolkata.
With a target of becoming a $ 5 trillion economy by 2024, $ 250 billion will be coming from the maritime zone.
Shopper malware affects 14.23% Indian users: Kaspersky report
According to the researchers from cybersecurity and anti-virus solutions provider Kaspersky, a new Trojan malware application called ‘Shopper’ (‘Trojan-Dropper. AndroidOS.Shopper.a’ ) has affected more than 14.23% Indian users. This malware boosts shopping app ratings, spreads ads, installs apps without the permission of the smart phone user. The malware also has a capability to use the Google Accessibility Service to spread false information through social media channels and other platforms.
About Kaspersky:
Founded– 1997
Headquarters– Moscow, Russia
CEO– Eugene Kaspersky
Tsai Ing-Wen wins Taiwan’s Presidential election for the second time
Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen has won the presidential election for second time with 57.1% of total votes. She belongs to Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). She defeated Han Kuo-yu of the rival Nationalist Party.
About Tsai Ing-Wen:
i.63-years-old Tsai Ing-Wen joined DPP in 2004 and nominated for the presidential election in 2012 and 2016.
ii.In 2016 she won the Presidential election for the first time.
About Taiwan:
Capital- Taipei
Currency- New Taiwan dollar.
Robert Abela named as 14th Prime minister of Malta
Malta’s governing party has elected a new leader Robert Abela of Labour Party as 14th prime minister of Malta. He replaces Joseph Muscat, who resigned over the murder of a journalist, Daphne Caruana Galizia. Robert Abela is the son of the Malta’s Former President George Abela.
Robert Abela, 42-years old lawyer won the Labour Party Leadership contest with 57.9% of the vote and beat his closest rival Chris Fearne 56-years old surgeon by more than 2,500 votes.
About Malta:
Capital- Valletta.
Currency- Euro.
President- George Vella.
Result:
