Tag: CLAT

NATIONAL NEWS 

Economic Survey projects 8%-8.5% growth in 2022-23 

The Economic Survey for 2021-22, tabled by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the Lok Sabha, expects the GDP to grow by 9.2% this year and 8% to 8.5% in 2022-23, even as it expressed concerns about the implications of hardening inflation and energy prices.  Growth in 2022-23 will be supported by widespread vaccine coverage, gains from supply-side reforms and easing of regulations, robust export growth, and availability of fiscal space to ramp up capital spending. The year ahead Is also well poised for a pick-up in private sector investment, with the financial system in a good position to provide support to the revival of the economy, the Survey projected.  The Survey’s GDP growth estimate for the coming year is based on the assumption that there will be no further debilitating pandemic-related economic disruption, monsoon will be normal, withdrawal of global liquidity by major central banks will be broadly orderly, oil prices will be in the range of US$70-$75/bbl, and global supply chain disruptions will steadily ease over the course of the year.  The country’s investment to GDP ratio had hit 29.6% in 2021-22, the highest level in seven years, the Survey explained, attributing this capital formation to the government’s policy thrust on quickening the virtuous cycle of growth via capex and infrastructure spending.  While private investment recovery is still at a nascent stage, there are many signals whichh indicate that India is poised for stronger investment, it observed, citing record corporate profits in recent quarters and high mobilisation of risk capital by firms.  

Assembly polls: ECI allows public meetings of up to 1,000 people 

The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday allowed public meetings of political parties and candidates of all phases of the Assembly elections with up to 1,000 people, after reviewing the COVID-19 situation in the poll-bound states.  The ECI had allowed public meetings for candidates of the first two phases only, with up to 500 people. The three-member commission reviewed the COVID-19 situation in the election-going Goa, Manipur, Punjab, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh on Monday with officials of the Health Ministry and the States.  All the State Chief Secretaries informed the commission about reports of COVID-19 infection either plateauing out or tapering as on date. They also said that the positivity rate is showing a decline, with the number of hospitalisation cases also registering a declining trend. The State officers, however, said that COVID protocol precautions need to be continued to be observed so that no undue spurt takes place due to intense public contact because of heightened political activity, the ECI said in a statement.  The ECI extended the ban on road shows, vehicle rallies and processions till February 11. 

Gurugram namaz case: SC agrees to immediately list contempt plea against Haryana officials 

Chief Justice of India N.V. Ramana on Monday agreed to immediately list for hearing a petition to initiate contempt action against Haryana authorities for not reining in hooligans who have created an atmosphere of communal hatred and terror for worshippers offering Friday prayers in Gurugram.  The petition, filed by former Rajya Sabha MP Mohammad Adeeb, was mentioned by senior advocate Indira Jaising for urgent hearing. I will look into it and put it up before an appropriate Bench immediately, the CJI, who was heading a three-judge Bench, addressed Jaising.  Muslims offer Friday prayers at an open site, in Gurugram, on December 17, 2021. File image.   The petition condemned the inaction of the Haryana officials in violation of a Supreme Court judgment of 2018, which mandated that authorities should not be either silent spectators or tolerate communal violence and should use the law against hate crimes.  The petition said the malicious attacks and false narratives on the Friday prayers were made through social media platforms.  It said the prayers were held in the open due to compulsion. However, its conduct was portrayed as illegal and some sort of encroachment. 

Punjab Assembly election: Amarinder terms Rahul’s claims of deciding CM face with inputs from ground ‘farce’ 

Punjab Lok Congress (PLC) chief Captain Amarinder Singh (retd.) on Monday dubbed former Congress president Rahul Gandhi’s claims of deciding the chief ministerial face with inputs from the ground as farce and just theatrics.  After filing his nomination papers from Patiala Urban, Capt. Amarinder said that as per procedure, people elected their MLAs and then the CLP elected the chief minister and so all this talk is just drama.  Asked to comment on farmers’ decision to contest the polls, he stated that it was their right to do so. He personally had alwayss supported them, he stressed. He pointed out that his government had announced jobs and ₹5 lakhs to the kin of each of the farmers who died during the agitation against the Central farm laws.  Capt. Amarinder exuded confidence that the PLC-BJP-SAD (Sanyukt) alliance would form the next government in Punjab. He observed that the decision to allow some of the PLC candidates to contest on the BJP symbol was taken keeping in mind the voter demographics. While four PLC candidates will contest on the BJP symbol in urban segments, two of their candidates will fight on the PLC symbol in the rural constituencies.  Hitting out at Punjab Congress president Navjot Singh Sidhu, Capt. Amarinder predicted an abysmal defeat for the former from Amritsar East. With 38% of the voters in Amritsar East being Hindus and 32% SCs, his defeat is certain. The BJP has fielded a strong candidate from the constituency, he added.  

INTERNATIONAL NEWS 

African Union says suspends Burkina Faso 

African Union says suspends Burkina Faso after a coup by the military junta. The military junta though informed on January 31st that it had restored the country’s constitution and appointed the coup’s leader as head of state for a transitional period

 

Colombia demands removal from the ’20 hunger hotspots’ list

Colombia demands removal from the ’20 hunger hotspots’ list by UN agencies. The report published by the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Food Programme stated that around 7.3 million people in Colombia are food insecure and require food assistance in 2022.

Russia responds in writing to US ahead of Blinken-Lavrov call on Ukraine crisis

The United States has received a written response from Moscow after it sent its own written answers following face-to-face meetings on the ongoing Ukraine crisis, the latest development in the ongoing diplomatic campaign aimed at deterring a potential Russian invasion of the country. But the Kremlin said Tuesday that Russia had not sent its main reply to the US over Russia’s security concerns, saying there had been a mix-up over the issue. There was a mix-up, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said in a conference call with reporters when asked to confirm the US had received a formal Russian response to a document delivered last week by Washington. It [Russian correspondence] regarded a different matter. The main reply on this issue hasn’t been handed over, it’s still being prepared. Moscow’s response comes days after Washington submitted its own documents to Moscow and ahead of a planned phone call between US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov Tuesday.It would be unproductive to negotiate in public, so we’ll leave it up to Russia if they want to discuss their response, the spokesperson said. We remain fully committed to dialogue to address these issues and will continue to consult closely with our Allies and partners, including Ukraine.

Oil spill pollutes nature reserve in Ecuadoran Amazon.

An oil spill in eastern Ecuador has reached a nature reserve and polluted a river that supplies water to indigenous communities, the country’s environmental ministry said Monday. Nearly two hectares (five acres) of a protected area of the Cayambe-Coca national park have been contaminated, as well as the Coca river – one of the biggest in the Ecuadoran Amazon, the ministry said in a statement. The park of some 400,000 hectares is home to a wide variety of protected animals and holds important water reserves. Heavy rains caused a mudslide in the eastern Napo province on Friday, during which a rock struck and ruptured a pipeline owned by private company OCP Ecuador. Neither the government nor OCP Ecuador have quantified the extent of the spill, but the environmental authority has described it as a major pollution event. 

 

NATIONAL NEWS 

Lunar New Year 2022.

The Lunar New Year 2022 will be observed on February 1, 2022. The Lunar New Year is also known as Chinese New Year and it begins with the rising of the second new moon after the winter solstice on December 21st. The Chinese New Year is associated with the 12 animals representing the 12 zodiac signs. The year 2022 is the year of tiger. 

Budget session 2022 begins

The budget session of the Parliament began on January 31, 2022 with the address by President Ram Nath Kovind in a joint sitting of the two houses- Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. The budget session will conclude on April 8th. It will take place in two parts, the first of which will conclude on February 11, followed by a break till March 13.

India’s GDP projected to grow by 8-8.5 percent in FY 2023

India’s GDP is projected to grow by 8-8.5 percent in Fiscal Year 2022-23, as per Economic Survey 2021-22. The Economic Survey 2022 was tabled by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the Lok Sabha. The survey report has been prepared by Principal Economic Adviser Sanjeev Sanyal and his team of advisors. 

BharatPe Firm begins Independent Audit 

BharatPe has started an independent audit of the company’s internal processes and systems. This comes a week after BharatPe’s co-founder Ashneer Grover took a voluntary leave till March-end after a controversy over an audio clip, in which he was heard verbally abusing a Kotak Mahindra Bank employee. His wife Madhuri Jain Grover, who is the Head of Controls, has also gone on leave.

Check PKL 8 League Stats and Records 2022

Check out the Season 8 PKL Updated and latest 2022 stats, player records, tackle points, top raiders and defenders. Pawan Sehrawat of Bengaluru Bulls is PKL 2021-22 season’s top raider so far with 168 successful raids, followed by Jaipur Pink Panther’s Arjun Deshwal with 138 successful raids and Bengal Warriors skipper Maninder Singh with 135 successful raids. Pawan Sehrawat also has the highest player points with 214 Raider points

Vistara cancels several flights for February 

Vistara airlines has cancelled several flights for February month and many more have been rescheduled due to low demand. The cancellation and rescheduling of flights have affected several passengers. Addressing one such complaint, Vistara Spokesperson informed on January 31st that the airlines will offer a waiver of change fee for one-time rescheduling on all direct bookings until March 31. The spokesperson said that after a sharp decline in demand for air travel, due to an increase in COVID-19 cases and restrictions imposed by various state governments, the airlines is observing a marginal increase in traffic in February in comparison to January. 

Road Safety World Series 2022 to be hosted by four venues across India

The Road Safety World Series will be played across four venues in India this year. The tournament organisers are looking to host the series in Indore, Hyderabad, Lucknow and Vishakhapatnam.  The tournament that features cricket legends from across the world will kick start in the last week of February. The series will be hosted between February and March. The matches will be held in Lucknow only after March 10 after the culmination of the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections 2022. The inaugural edition of the Road Safety World Series had witnessed participation from teams from India, Sri Lanka, England, South Africa and West Indies. India legends had defeated Sri Lanka legends by 14 runs in the final to win the series last year. 

Delhi airport implements one-hand bag rule.

The Delhi airport has implemented a one-hand bag rule, as per which a domestic passenger is only allowed to carry one piece of luggage or handbag as cabin luggage. The rule has been implemented with some exceptions. The exclusions include ladies handbag, overcoat or wrap, rug or blanket, umbrella, walking stick, camera or binoculars, infant’s feed or carrying basket or a reasonable amount of reading material or a gift item purchased from duty-free shops and a laptop bag. The one-bag rule has been enforced as passengers carrying 2-3 hand baggage create congestion at the security checkpoint and increase security screening time, resulting in inconvenience for passengers. 

Justice Munishwar Nath Bhandari elevated as Chief Justice of Madras High Court

The Supreme Court Collegium recommended the elevation of Justice Munishwar Nath Bhandari, Judge of Madras High Court as the Chief Justice of the court during its meeting on December 14, 2021 and January 29, 2022. The SC Collegium has also approved the proposal for the elevation of seven advocates as Judges in the Andhra Pradesh High Court. The advocates who are being elevated as Judges include Venkateswarlu Nimmagadda, Gannamaneni Ramakrishna Prasad, Vaddiboyana Sujatha, Konakanti Sreenivasa Reddy, Satti Subba Reddy, Tarlada Rajasekhar Rao and Ravi Cheemalapati. The Collegium also approved the proposal to elevate three advocates as judges in the Madhya Pradesh High Court. The advocates include Maninder Singh Bhatti, Milind Ramesh Phadke and Dwarka Dhish Bansal. The Collegium also approved the elevation of advocates Biraja Prasanna Satapathy, V Narasingh, Raman Murahari and Sanjay Kumar Mishra as Judges in the Orissa High Court. 

INTERNATIONAL NEWS 

Roger Federer slips to 30th rank, hits 21-year low, Djokovic retains world no.1 

Roger Federer, 20-time Grand Slam champion has slipped down 13 places to the 30th position in the latest ATP Rankings published on January 31, 2022, which is his lowest rank in 21 years. The last time Federer was ranked this low in ATP Rankings was way back in January 2001 when he was just 19 years old and yet to win his first tour title. The 40-year-old is currently ranked 30 with 1,665 points. He slipped down 13 places after missing the Australian Open 2022. Federer gave the tournament a miss as he is still in recovery mode from his knee surgery last year. He had last competed at Wimbledon 2021. Novak Djokovic continues to rule as world no. 1 for the 358th week. He is followed by Russia’s Daniil Medvedev. Rafael Nadal, who recently won his record-breaking 21st Grand Slam title, continues to remain at the 5th position. 

UNSC to meet on Russia-Ukraine conflict today as US intends to highlight mounting tensions

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is set to meet on Monday to discuss the Ukraine conflict with Norway chairing the council. According to TASS News, in the upcoming meeting, the United States plans on underscoring the situation near Ukraine to the council. The UNSC meeting comes after US Ambassador to the United Nations (UN) Linda Thomas-Greenfield confirmed that the mission had requested an open UNSC meeting to discuss the situation around Ukraine. This comes as the West accuses Russia of ramping up its military presence at the Ukraine border. The US envoy to the UN had also said that she was looking forward to direct and purposeful discussions on 31 January, according to Sputnik News. In a statement on Thursday, Thomas-Greenfield said, ‘Today, after weeks of close consultation with Ukraine and partners on the Security Council, the United States called an open meeting of the Security Council to discuss a matter of crucial importance to international peace and security: Russia’s threatening behaviour against Ukraine and the build-up of Russian troops on Ukraine’s borders and in Belarus’, as per the report.

Biden Calls for Release of US Navy Veteran Hostage in Afghanistan.

President Joe Biden on Sunday called for the release of U.S. Navy veteran Mark Frerichs, who was taken hostage in Afghanistan nearly two years ago. Frerichs, a civil engineer and contractor from Lombard, Illinois, was kidnapped in January 2020 from the capital of Kabul. He is believed to be in the custody of the Taliban-linked Haqqani network. Threatening the safety of Americans or any innocent civilians is always unacceptable, and hostage-taking is an act of particular cruelty and cowardice, President Joe Biden said in a statement to mark the second anniversary of the kidnapping on Monday. The Taliban must immediately release Mark before it can expect any consideration of its aspirations for legitimacy. This is not negotiable. The statement came as Afghanistan faces a thorny humanitarian crisis following the U.S. withdrawal in August. The Taliban quickly seized control of much of the country and the foreign aid that been flowing into the country largely halted, putting at risk the lives of millions of Afghans who could starve or freeze to death.

 

NATIONAL NEWS 

Modi-Netanyahu signed deal for Pegasus spyware purchase in 2017, amended U.N. vote: New York Times 

A new political storm erupted over an investigation by the New York Times that said the Indian government purchased Israeli NSO group’s Pegasus software in July 2017 in order to carry out targeted surveillance on citizens, claiming that high-level visits by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and even a U.N. vote on a Palestinian organisation was part of a larger backroom deal.   The revelations that come just two days before the budget session of Parliament has provided fresh ammunition to the Opposition parties to corner the government on the issue. The Opposition parties attacked the government on Saturday, accusing it of misleading parliament and the Supreme Court on the issue, while the Congress said the alleged use of spyware on Opposition leaders, Supreme Court judges, journalists and activists was an act of treason, and said they would raise the issue in the upcoming budget session as well.   Prime Minister Narendra Modi takes a stroll with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu at the Olga Beach near Hadera on Thursday   In the report published on January 28, the New York Times said that ties between Mr. modi and Mr. Netanyahu had warmed because of their agreement for the sale of  a package of sophisticated weapons and intelligence gear worth roughly $2 billion — with Pegasus and a missile system as the center-pieces. 

SBI suspends circular on recruitment of pregnant women 

State Bank of India (SBI) has suspended its revised instructions regarding recruitment of pregnant women candidates after criticism by certain section of the media.  In view of the public sentiments, SBI has decided to keep the revised instructions regarding recruitment of pregnant women candidates in abeyance and continue with the existing instructions in the matter, SBI said in a statement.  SBI said that the revised guidelines were intended to provide clarity on various health parameters where instructions were not clear or were very old. File image.   SBI said it has recently reviewed the various ‘Fitness Standards for Recruitment’ in the bank, including norms for Pregnant Women candidates.   The revised guidelines were intended to provide clarity on various health parameters where instructions were not clear or were very old. In some sections of the media, the revision in norms in this regard has been interpreted as discriminatory against women, it said.  SBI has always been proactive towards the care and empowerment of its women employees who now constitute around 25% of our workforce, it added.  During the COVID period, as per Government instructions, pregnant women employees were exempted from attending office and allowed to Work From Home, the bank said.   

BSF, Pakistan Rangers revive talk After three years, the border guarding forces of India and Pakistan have revived sector commander-level talks. 

The Border Security Force (BSF) and the its counterpart-the Pakistan Rangers have held two meetings in the past six months. The recent one was held on January 5.  A senior government official said that both meetings were on the request of Pakistan and that the first one was on July 24, 2021.  The talks between the sector commanders were last held in August 2018.  After 2017, the Director-General talks between the two forces have not taken place.  The sector commander-level talks were led by a Deputy Inspector-General rank officer in the BSF and a Brigadier rank officer of the Pakistan Rangers.  After the January 5 meeting, held at the octroi outpost In Jammu, the BSF said in a statement that both sides agreed to conduct such meetings at regular intervals for better understanding and to maintain peace and tranquility on border.  It added, BSF also strictly objected to the drone operationss carried out by Pakistan regularly violating the IB [International Boundary].  In 2021, the BSF spotted more than 70 drones along the Pakistan border and two of them were shot down. Dropping of arms and ammunition through unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) is one of the biggest challenges being faced by the BSF along the border.  At the meeting, BSF delegation emphasised on the infiltration attempts from the Pakistan side and regular recovery of arms, ammunition and narcotics on the international border.  The official said the talks were revived to also ensure accountability. If the senior officers communicate, then it helps in resolving many issues and any wrong can be pointed out, he noted.   

No anti-incumbency against Congress, says CM Charanjit Singh Channi Ahead of the Punjab Assembly elections, Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi, who was among the Congress leaders to revolt against former Chief Minister Captain (retd.) Amarinder Singh, asserts that there is no anti-incumbency against the Congress in Punjab.  In an exclusive interview with The Hindu, Mr. Channi said the party has decided to announce a Chief Ministerial candidate for the upcoming elections because the people of Punjab wanted it.  Taking credit for taking action against powerful Akali leader Bikram Singh Majithia, Mr. Channi says he has launched ‘Mission Clean’ to curb sand, drug, and liquor mafia in the State. He said that after becoming Chief Minister, he had constituted a new Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe sacrilege cases. He said the action was also taken against powerful people including Mr. Majithia, who he alleged had been sheltered by former Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh for four and half years.  Hitting out at the Opposition, Mr. Channi said these parties were levelling allegations against him on sand mining etc. because they are frustrated and don’t have anything to use against me as I had done such work in just four months which they couldn’t do in decades.  

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Chance for Philippines to script history, Chinese Taipei too hopeful

A win away from scripting history, Philippines will do all they can in their Women’s Asian Cup quarterfinal match against an equally determined Chinese Taipei, in Pune on Sunday.

China starts favourites against Vietnam

Chasing their first title in 16 years, Shui Qingxia’s China will expect nothing less than victory when they face Vietnam in the Women’s Asian Cup quarter-finals in Navi Mumbai on Sunday.

Japan start favourites in quarterfinals against COVID-hit Thailand

Defending champions Japan will fancy their chances against a COVID-hit Thailand team that has asserted it will be no pushovers when the two sides meet in a quarterfinal match of the Women’s Asian Cup in Navi Mumbai on Sunday.

Rafael Nadal wins Australian Open for record 21st Grand Slam

Rafael Nadal roared back from two sets down to win a titanic five-set duel with Daniil Medvedev and claim a record 21st Grand Slam men’s title in the Australian Open final on Sunday. The Spanish great looked dead and buried as the Russian world number two carved out a two-set lead but Nadal surged home for one of his mightiest comeback wins 2-6, 6-7 (5/7), 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 in 5hr 24min on Rod Laver Arena. Nadal came out on top in the physical war of attrition to move ahead of era rivals Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer on the all-time list of men’s major winners. Djokovic missed his chance to improve on his nine Australian Open wins when he was deported over vaccination issues on the eve of the tournament, while Federer is injured. It was one of the 35-year-old Spanish warrior’s greatest title victories in his 29th Grand Slam final winning his second Australian Open, 13 years after his first in 2009. Nadal also became only the fourth man to win each of the four Grand Slams twice and the third oldest man in the Open Era to win a Grand Slam title, behind Ken Rosewall and Federer.

 

NATIONAL NEWS 

1000 drones to light up sky during Beating Retreat Ceremony

10000 drones will dazzle the sky during the ‘Beating Retreat’ ceremony in New Delhi today. This will be the first time ever that there will be drone show at the ceremony. The event is scheduled to take place at Vijay Chowk and will see in attendance the President of India and Supreme Commander of the armed forces, Ram Nath Kovind. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also be present on the occasion along with Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and many other dignitaries.

India witnesses dip in daily positivity rate

India reported 2,35,532 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, taking the total active case count to 20,04,333. The daily positivity rate has fallen further to 13.39 percent. India also reported  871 deaths and 3,35,939 recoveries in the last 24 hours.

No Zero Hour on January 31st, February 1st

There will be No Zero Hour on January 31st and February 1, 2022, as the President will be addressing both the houses jointly on January 31st and the Union Budget will be presented on February 1st. All matters of urgent Public Importance will raised during the ‘Zero Hour’ on February 2nd. 

Anti cut-Anti climb fence set up along India-Bangladesh border

Anti Cut-Anti Climb fencing has been introduced along the India-Bangladesh border. The new fence cannot be cut or climbed upon and is economically better and long-lasting, according to BSF IG N Bengal Frontier Ajai Singh.

INS Khukri to be India’s 1st full warship museum

INS Khukri, the first built missile corvette, which was decommissioned after 32yrs of service in December 2021, was handed over to the Diu Admin on January 26, 2022. The INS Khukri will be turned into India’s 1st full warship museum.

Haryana allows opening of cinema halls, schools

Haryana government allows all cinemas/multiplexes to open with 50 percent seating capacity and schools for classes 10th to 12th, universities, colleges and coaching/training institutes to open with effect from February 1, 2022.

Mumbai reports first case of Black Fungus

Mumbai has reported the first case of Black Fungus this year amid the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. The case is a 70-year-old man, who tested positive for COVID-19 on January 5. He soon started showing symptoms of mucormycosis on January 12. He is currently undergoing treatment at Wockhardt Hospital in Mumbai Central.

Delhi Cabinet approves compensation for farmers’ crop loss

Delhi Cabinet on January 28, 2022 approved compensation worth Rs 20000 per acre to the farmers for loss incurred due to unseasonal rain.

Earthquake of 6.4 magnitude hits South Pacific Ocean

Earthquake of magnitude 6.4 on the Richter Scale hit the Kermadec Islands region in South Pacific Ocean at 8:16 am on January 29, 2022.

Aaradhya Yadav replaces Vasu Vats in India U19 WC squad

The International Cricket Council (ICC) on January 29, 2022 approved Aaradhya Yadav as a replacement for Vasu Vats in India’s U19 World Cup squad. Vats will no longer be able to play in the tournament as he has sustained a hamstring injury. Any request for player replacement has to first get an approval from the Event Technical Committee. India is scheduled to take on Bangladesh today in their Super League quarter-final at Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua and Barbuda.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS 

US warns of war if Russia invades Ukraine. 

The Pentagon warned on January 28, 2022 that the destruction and human cost of a full-scale incursion by Russian forces into Ukraine would be “horrific,” but that there was still time for diplomacy to avoid a war. This comes as US President Joe Biden announced the deployment of a small troop to eastern Europe in near term. 

Russia sees historic dip in population 

Russia sees a historic decline in its population, as the nation’s population reduced by over a million people in 2021. Such a drop in population has not been seen since the collapse of the Soviet Union. Over 660,000 people have died of COVID-19 in the country since the outbreak of the pandemic. 

Former Zimbabwe batsman Brendan Taylor admits receiving money from Indian businessman for spot-fixing 

Former Zimbabwe batsman Brendan Taylor is facing a ban from the International Cricket Council (ICC) after admitting he received a $15,000 deposit for spot-fixing, though he said he was blackmailed and never went through with the arrangement. Taylor said he was coerced into accepting the money from an Indian businessman in October 2019 and that it took him four months to report the incident to the ICC anti-corruption unit because he feared for his safety.  Taylor travelled to India to discuss the launch of a new T20 competition in Zimbabwe with the promise of $15,000 as payment. We had drinks and during the course of the evening, they openly offered me cocaine, which they themselves engaged in. I foolishly took the bait, Taylor said in a statement released via Twitter on Monday. Former Zimbabwe all-rounder and coach Heath Streak was banned by the ICC for eight years last April for his role in revealing inside information which could be used for betting purposes.  

 

NATIONAL NEWS 

Parliament launches Digital Sansad A

Parliament has launched Digital Sansad App to make its live proceedings accessible to citizens of the country. Now, people can watch parliamentary proceedings and other initiatives taken by clicking a button on the phone. The app will also allow citizens to check what their members of Parliament are doing. The app will contain members’ speeches and participation in all proceedings. 

FM Nirmala Sitharaman to present 2nd paperless budget on February 1st

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the second paperless budget on February 1, 2022. This time again, there will be no customary halwa ceremony due to the COVID situation, keeping in mind the health and safety concerns of all people. The Union Budget was delivered in paperless form for the first time last year.

LS Speaker Om Birla calls all-party meeting on January 30th

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has called an all-party meeting on January 30, 2022 ahead of the Budget 2022-23 presentation. The customary meeting will be attended by the floor leaders of various political parties to discuss the smooth functioning of the parliament session under the chairmanship of Lok Sabha speaker. 

Union Health Minister to hold Covid review meeting with southern states today

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya is scheduled to chair a virtual meeting today with the health ministers of southern states and union territories to review the COVID situation and the response measures being taken concerning the new Omicron variant of COVID-19. The health ministers of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Puducherry, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep will attend the meeting.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to Convene all-party meeting on January 30

Lok Sabha Speaker, Om Birla, ahead of the Union Budget 2022 session, will convene an all-party meeting on January 30, 2022, to ensure the smooth functioning of the house. Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu has also called an all-party meeting virtually on January 31. The Government of India has also convened a party meeting on the same day to seek cooperation from all political parties to ensure the smooth functioning of the Budget session. The Union Budget 2022 session will begin on January 31 with President Ram Nath Kovind’s address to both the Houses of Parliament. The Budget 2022 will be presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on February 1.

Central Government likely to issue advisory on reopening schools soon

As the COVID-19 vaccination drive for children aged 15 years and above gathers pace, the Central Government is most likely to issue an advisory to reopen the schools across the country. The Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has asked the National Expert Group to suggest ways and work on modalities to open the schools worldwide. Reportedly, the Government wants to reopen the schools in a staggered manner and under strict adherence to the COVID-19 protocols. Ever since the outbreak of the pandemic, schools have remained by and large shut. The COVID-19 vaccination campaign in the country for adolescents in the age group of 15-18 years started on January 3, 2022.

Research portal of National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research launched

The Chemicals and Fertilizers Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has launched a research portal of the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research. It aims at disseminating the information and details of the research activities, publications, and patents of all NIPERs. While speaking on the occasion, the Union Minister said that healthy competition between academia and research is extremely significant and that research and innovation are necessary for sustained growth of the pharmaceutical sector. He further added that India has young talent and human resources, however, this pool needs to be channelized effectively.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Bangladesh passes bill for Election Commission formation

The Bangladesh Parliament has passed a bill for the appointment of Election Commissioners and Chief Election Commissioner for the formation of the next Election Commission. The bill which was passed by the voice vote gives a legal shield to the appointments of the Chief Election Commissioner and the Election Commissioners to form the EC. The tenure of the current Election Commission will end on February 14, 2022. The bill passed by the Parliament envisages a six-member search committee appointed by the President to recommend the names of the Election Commissioners and CEC. The opposition Bangladesh National Party, however, has criticized the bill for being passed in a hurry.

Australian Government announces billion-dollar package to protect Great Barrier Reef

A billion-dollar plan has been unveiled by the Australian Government to protect the Climate ravaged Great Barrier Reef. The plan aims to prevent the vast networks of corals from being removed from UNESCO’s World Heritage List. The plan has been announced months after narrowly avoiding the reef being placed on UNESCO’s in danger list. As per the recent study, bleaching had affected 98% of reefs since 1998, leaving just a fraction of untouched. People in Australia are also in favour of action to limit climate change after experiencing strings of global warming-worsened disasters.

India, five Central Asian nations establish joint working group on Afghanistan

India and five Central Asian nations discussed the ongoing situation in Afghanistan on January 27, 2022 and decided to set up a joint working group on Afghanistan. This was decided during the first India-Central Asia Summit that was hosted by PM Narendra Modi in a virtual format. The leaders of all five central Asian nations- Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and the Kyrgyz Republic attended the meeting.

 

NATIONAL NEWS 

PM Modi to host first-ever India-Central Asia Summit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will host the first-ever India-Central Asia Summit virtually on January 27, 2022. The virtual event will see participation from Presidents of five central Asian nations- Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and the Kyrgyz Republic. The key focus of the summit is likely to be regional security, Afghanistan issue and trade and connectivity, culture, development partnership and people-to-people ties. This will be the first such high-level engagement between India and the Central Asian countries.

Neeraj Chopra conferred Padma Shri 

Tokyo Olympics Gold Medalist Neeraj Chopra was conferred the Padma Shri on January 26, 2022, the fourth-highest civilian award of India. The 24-year-old had created history by becoming the first Indian to win Olympic gold in athletics. He also got the Param Vishisht Seva Medal by the 4 Rajputana Rifles for his distinguished service. Chopra is a Subedar in the Indian Army. 

ICC ODI Rankings: Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma retain second, third spot

Indian batsmen Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma retained their rankings on ICC Men’s ODI Player Rankings. South Africa’s wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock moved up four places and broke into the top five for the first time and batsman Rassie van der Dussen moved up 10 places to reach his career-best 10th rank after they helped their team achieve a memorable 3-10 whitewash in the ODI series against India. 

Plinth construction starts at Ram Temple in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh

The third phase of the construction of the Ram Temple started at Ramjanmabhoomi in Ayodhya on January 24, 2022, with a laying of granite stones for the plinth. With an aim of achieving physical strength and other physical and chemical features and consequent longevity, the work of plinth with granite stone has begun. Digital instrumentation is also being used for monitoring the safety parameters of the temple and the data of these instruments will be used to study the behaviour of the structure in respect of earthquake, loading, etc. On the basis of the judgment of the Supreme Court on November 9, 2019, Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust was entrusted to undertake the work of Ram Temple construction in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh.

Ministry of State for Culture released pictorial comic book ‘India’s Women Unsung Heroes’

The Minister of State for Culture Meenakshi Lekhi released the pictorial comic book ‘India’s Women Unsung Heroes’. The comic book has been prepared by the Ministry of Culture in partnership with Amar Chitra Katha. The latest comic book portrays the tales of valour of India’s forgotten women freedom fighter. It is a fitting tribute to them as it celebrates the lives of women who lit the flame of rebellion in the country. The Minister further informed that the book contains the stories of queens who had battled imperialism and also dedicated their lives to Maa Bharati.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar tests positive for COVID-19

The External Affairs Minister of India S Jaishankar has tested positive for COVID-19. The union minister while announcing the news also urged all those who came in close contact with him to take suitable precautions. EAM S. Jaishankar shared the latest news via Twitter and stated that he has tested positive for COVID. Earlier, he had taken part in a virtual event along with the Foreign Minister of France Jean-Yves Le Drian.

G Balasubramaniam is next High Commissioner of India to Nigeria

The Ministry of External Affairs announced on January 27, 2022, that G Balasubramaniam has been appointed as the next High Commissioner of India to Nigeria. Balasubramaniam has been currently serving as the Joint Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs. G Balasubramaniam is expected to take up his latest assignment shortly.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS 

North Korea fires two ballistic missiles in latest tests, says South Korea’s military

According to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, it detected the launch of what has been presumed to be two ballistic missiles from around Hamhung, on the east coast of North Korea on January 27, 2022. This would be the sixth round of missile tests this month. The suspected missiles reportedly landed outside of Japan’s exclusive economic zone.

SpaceX Rocket Junk to crash into Moon in March: Experts

A chunk of a SpaceX rocket, which had blasted off seven years ago and was abandoned in space after completing its mission, is expected to crash into the Moon in March 2022. The rocket was launched in 2015 to put into orbit NASA’s Deep Space Climate Observatory (DSCOVR). The second stage of the rocket has been floating in space in a chaotic orbit, according to astronomers. 

England ends face mask rules and COVID restrictions

England lifted the face mark rules and most of the COVID-19 restrictions on January 26, 2022. The move came after the British Government announced that its vaccine booster roll-out plan has successfully reduced serious illness and COVID-19 hospitalizations. Health officials in Britain have also been saying that they are planning a longer-term post-pandemic strategy that treats COVID-19 more like the flu. Earlier, the World Health Organisation had warned against the dangers of treating Coronavirus like the flu and dropping pandemic restrictions.