NATIONAL NEWS
Vice President of India tests positive for COVID-19
Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu tested positive for COVID-19 on January 23, 2022. The Vice President is currently under self-isolation in Hyderabad. He had earlier paid floral tributes to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose on his 125th birth anniversary yesterday in Hyderabad. The VP had also attended the first convocation ceremony of the Indian Institute of Petroleum and Energy (IIPE) in Visakhapatnam on January 22nd.
National Girl Child Day 2022 observed today
National Girl Child Day is celebrated in India every year on January 24th since 2008. The day aims to spread awareness among the public about inequities faced by girls in the Indian society. It also aims to promote awareness about girl child’s rights and the importance of female education, health, and nutrition.
India suffers 3-0 ODI series whitewash against South Africa
N suffered 3-0 whitewash in its ODI series against South Africa after a narrow loss in the third and final ODI against South Africa by four runs at the Newlands Cricket ground on January 23, 2022. India had won the toss and chosen to field first. Chasing 288 runs to win, India stumbled early after losing captain KL Rahul in the 5th over for 9 runs. India fell short of the target by 4 runs after being bowled out for 283.
Omicron wave to turn to villages after metros: Expert
The Omicron variant of COVID-19 is likely to spread in small towns and villages after its transmission in metro cities, said Dr Rajeev Jayadevan who is advising the COVID-19 task force at IMA Kochi, Kerala. The medical expert said that each time, a wave first hit mobility areas that include metro cities and then smaller areas and villages.
India withdraws from AFC Women’s Asia Cup 2022
The Indian women’s football team has withdrawn from the ongoing AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2022. The decision came after several players tested positive for COVID-19. India is the host of the ongoing football tournament. The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) confirmed that India has withdrawn and their remaining matches stand canceled.
Health Minister Mandaviya launches revamped central govt health schemes websites
The Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya launched the revamped Central Government Health scheme website and the mobile app. The Minister stated that the mobile app has several features which will benefit more than 40 lakh beneficiaries with the real-time information from the convenience of their homes. Among the various features of the upgraded website is also that it has been made bilingual with Hindi and English with a provision to make it multi-lingual in the future. The website also has a link to the beneficiary login to access various online facilities such as tracking of the grievances, medical claims, downloading of CGHS card, and the online appointment system.
12th National Voters’ Day to be observed on January 25
The 12th National Voters’ Day will be observed on January 25. The theme is ‘Making Elections Inclusive, Accessible and Participative’. Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu will be the Chief Guest for the event. The National Awards for the Best Electoral Practices for 2021-22 will also be conferred on the State and District Level Officers for their outstanding performance in the conduct of elections. During the National Voters’ Day function, the newly enrolled voters will also be felicitated and will be handed over their Elector Photo Identity Card. National Voters’ Day in India has been celebrated since 2011 on January 25 to mark the foundation day of Election Commission of India.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Russia planning to install pro-Russian leader in Ukraine: UK
The UK foreign office informed on January 22, 2022 that it has information that the Russian government is planning to install a pro-Russian leader in Ukraine while it considers whether to invade and occupy the country. Former Ukrainian MP Yevhen Murayev is reportedly being considered as a potential candidate for the role.
New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern cancels her wedding amid new Omicron restrictions
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Arden has cancelled her wedding as the nation imposes new restrictions to slow the community spread of the COVID-19 Omicron variant, she told reporters on Sunday. New Zealand will impose mask rules and limit gathering from midnight on Sunday after a cluster of nine COVID-19 Omicron cases showed community spread from the North to South islands after a wedding. New Zealand will move to a red setting under its COVID-19 protection framework, with more mask wearing. Indoor hospitality settings such as bars and restaurants and events like weddings will be capped at 100 people. The limit is lowered to 25 people if venues are not using vaccine passes, Ms. Arden said. The country has kept its borders shut to foreigners since March 2020. The government pushed back plans for a phased reopening from mid-January to the end of February out of concern about a potential Omicron outbreak in neighbouring Australia. About 94% of New Zealand’s population over the age of 12 is fully vaccinated and about 56% of those eligible have had booster shots.
Beijing to test 2 million ahead of Winter Olympics
China’s capital, Beijing, will test more than two million residents as it deals with a new cluster of COVID-19 cases just two weeks before it hosts the Winter Olympics, city officials said on Sunday. Beijing’s Fengtai district, the centre of the latest outbreak, reported nine new cases on Sunday — a small number in most places but a break from normalcy in a city where a strict zero-COVID strategy has been in place — with the total number over the weekend nearing two dozen. Xu Hejian, a spokesperson for the Beijing government, said all of Fengtai’s two million residents would be tested in coming days. Under China’s Zero-COVID approach, the country still maintains tight restrictions on international travel, and carries out mass testing and quarantining of all close contacts in centralised facilities until cases are brought to zero. The approach has helped China avoid a major second wave and maintain normalcy at home for much of the past year, although it has come at the cost of continued international isolation. Beijing is particularly on edge ahead of the Winter Olympics, which President Xi Jinping will open on February 4. Russia’s Vladimir Putin and Pakistan’s Imran Khan are among foreign leaders expected to attend.
