Current Affairs

 24th January 2023

Top 22 Daily Current Affairs: National & International News:

Here is the Current Affairs 24th January 2023 covering the following news headlines: SARAS Fair 2023, National Girl Child Day, International Day of Education, T20I Team of the Year 2022, India Open Badminton title.

International News

1. Brazilian Government Declares Medical Emergency in Yanomami

·        Brazil’s ministry of health has declared a medical emergency in the Yanomami territory, the country’s largest indigenous reservation bordering Venezuela, following reports of children dying of malnutrition and other diseases caused by illegal gold mining.

·        A decree published by the incoming government of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said the aim of the declaration was to restore health services to the Yanomami people that had been dismantled by his far-right predecessor Jair Bolsonaro.

·        In four years of Bolsonaro’s presidency, 570 Yanomami children died of curable diseases, mainly malnutrition but also malaria, diarrhoea and malformations caused by mercury used by wildcat gold miners.

2. Jeff Zients selected as next chief of staff by Joe Biden

·        US President Joe Biden will appoint former COVID policy coordinator Jeff Zients as his new chief of staff, reviving a crucial position as Biden gets ready for a possible re-election campaign and deals with an investigation into his handling of classified documents.

·        According to sources familiar with the situation who spoke to Reuters, Ron Klain, Biden’s current chief of staff, intends to depart his position in the upcoming weeks.

·        Biden’s decision to run for a second four-year term in 2024, which is expected to happen after the State of the Union address next month, would be made at a crucial time if Jeff Zients returned to the White House.

States News

3. Aska Police Station of Odisha Awarded as the Best Police Station in India

·        Union Home Minister Amit Shah awarded the Aska Police Station of Ganjam, district of Odisha as the number one police station in the country. Aska Police station was awarded in the annual ranking of Police station for 2022. Aska Police station received the prestigious award along with the certificate of appreciation from Union Minister Amit Shah.

·        The award was given during the DGsP/IGsP Conference 2022 which began in the National Agriculture Science Complex in New Delhi.

·        The Inspector in charge of the Aska Police station received the award.

·        The DSP S K Bansal who is attending the DGsP/IGsP Conference said that it was a moment of great pride and honor for the Odisha Police.

Appointments News

4. IIM Ahmedabad named professor Bharat Bhasker as new director

·        Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIM-A) has announced the appointment of IIM-Lucknow professor Bharat Bhasker as IIM-A director for five years with effect from March 1. Incumbent director Errol D’souza’s term will end on January 31.

·        In the interim, the board of governors appointed professor Arindam Banerjee as the director in-charge from February 1 to 28. The announcement for the new director was made by chairman of the IIM-A board of governors Pankaj Patel after a meeting.

5. Shamalbhai B Patel appoints as chairman of Amul

·        Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF) that markets milk and dairy products under the Amul brand has announced the appointment of Shamalbhai B Patel as its chairman and Valamjibhai Humbal as vice chairman.

·        The announcement was made after an election was carried out by the deputy collector, Anand, in presence of 17 out of 18 members who’re chairmen representing their district milk unions within the state. GCMMF is made up of 18 member unions overlaying 33 districts.

Agreements News

6. NABH and HSSC Signed MoU for Recognition and Skilling of Healthcare Professionals

·        The National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers (NABH) and Healthcare Sector Skill Council (HSSC) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU).

·        The pact between NABH and HSSC aims at recognition of the HSSC certificate for NABH accreditation and develops training programs for skilling, reskilling, and upskilling required for healthcare professionals.

·        The collaboration between HSSC and NABH will help achieve the goal of enhancing healthcare quality in the country.

·        National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers abbreviated as NABH, is a constituent board of the Quality Council of India (QCI), set up to establish and operate an accreditation program for healthcare organizations.

Banking News

7. Reserve Bank of India Says No Foreign Investment Cap on Sovereign Green Bonds

·        The sovereign green bonds issued by the Indian government will not have any restrictions on foreign investment, the Reserve Bank of India said. Such securities will be counted as specified securities under the fully accessible route, the central bank said in a notification.

·        The RBI had earlier this month announced an auction of 160 billion rupees ($1.93 billion) of sovereign green bonds in two tranches.

·        The fully accessible route (FAR) introduced by RBI wherein certain specified categories of Central Government securities are opened fully for non-resident investors without any restrictions, apart from being available to domestic investors as well. Now, the central bank has added sovereign green bonds to the list too.

8. Govt Switches Bonds with RBI in a Cash-neutral deal

·        The Indian government bought back bonds maturing in 2024 from the Reserve Bank of India, while also issuing bonds maturing in 2032 worth a similar quantum, the central bank said.

·        The transaction involved buying back a security maturing in FY2024/25 from the Reserve Bank and issuing fresh security for equivalent market value, to make the transaction cash neutral. The transaction was carried out using Financial Benchmarks India Pvt Ltd. (FBIL) prices.

·        The government bought back 6.18% bonds maturing in 2024 worth 226.10 billion rupees ($2.78 billion) at a price of 98.62 rupees while it issued 8.28% 2032 bonds worth 210.26 billion rupees to the RBI at 106.05 rupees.

9. Banks Transfer Jaypee Infratech’s ₹9,234 Crore debt to NARCL

·        Lenders have transferred the entire Rs 9,234-crore Jaypee Infratech loan to newly constituted National Asset Reconstruction Company (NARCL). This is the maiden acquisition by the government-promoted bad loan bank that was set a year ago.

·        Under the arrangement, the NARCL will only acquire Jaypee Infratech loans that are currently held by 9 public sector banks. In a Swiss challenge auction held on October 27, 2022, in response to NARCL’s Rs 3,570-crore offer for the Rs 9,234 crore of debt, lenders failed to draw counterbids.

·        Sixty-two per cent of the recognised claims against the distressed real estate developer are constituted of homebuyers, owners of fixed deposits, and private banks.

·        The government-sponsored National Asset Reconstruction Company’s (NARCL) pledge to only acquire Jaypee Infratech loans that are currently held by public sector banks (PSB).

Economy News

10. SEBI Launches Information Database on Municipal Bonds

·        Markets regulator SEBI has launched an information database on municipal bonds. As part of efforts to develop the bond markets, an outreach programme on municipal bonds and municipal finance was organised by SEBI in the national capital.

·        Representatives from various stakeholders, including the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, municipal corporations, stock exchanges, credit rating agencies, merchant bankers and debenture trustees, participated in the programme.

·        The information database contains a wide range of information in the form of statistics and regulations, circulars, guidance note and Frequently Asked Questions issued by Sebi in respect of municipal debt securities.

·        The repository contains various checklists for pre-listing requirements and sample letters and certificates from various intermediaries to be obtained by an issuer who plans to tap the municipal bond market.

Defence News

11. Indian Air Force to Conduct Exercise ‘PRALAY’ in Northeastern Part of India

·        The Indian Air Force (IAF) is set to conduct Exercise PRALAY in the northeastern sector of India amid the unresolved contention with China about differing perceptions regarding the Line of Actual Control (LAC) between the two nations.

·        The exercise will involve major air bases of the IAF in the northeast in addition to the recently deployed drone squadron.

·        Exercise PRALAY will include major combat assets including the recently acquired Rafale fighter in addition to Su-30 fighter jets and other transport aircraft.

·        The Indian Air Force is monitoring the situation as there is a significant increase in Chinese activity along the LAC, in Doklam and Tawang.

Awards News

12. Indian films bag award for best script writer and best actress at DIFF

·        Two Indian films bagged awards for the best script writer and best actress in the Asian Film Competition section at the 21st Dhaka International Film Festival (DIFF), Bangladesh concluded.

·        Anik Dutta directed film Aparajito (The Undefeated) got the best scriptwriting award while Ketaki Narayan was judged the best actress for her role in Krishnendu Kalesh directed film Prappeda (Hawk’s Muffin).

13. RV Prassad honoured the most distinguished scientist of the year award 2022

·        R Vishnu Prassad was awarded “The most distinguished scientist of the year 2022” at Vigyan bhawan, Delhi.  Prassad, a scientist with 69 patents has been honored with the Indian Achievers Award as the most distinguished scientist of the year.

·        The award, which recognizes individuals for their outstanding contributions in various fields, including culture, science, sports, and innovation. He contributed to smart cities, solid waste management, large-scale water treatment, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, was selected by a jury headed by Justice Gyan Sudha Mishra.

Summits and Conferences News

14. ECI Hosts 2nd International Conference on ‘Use of Technology and Elections Integrity’

·        The Election Commission of India (ECI) is hosting the 2nd International Conference on the theme ‘Use of Technology and Elections Integrity’ in New Delhi from 23rd to 24th January 2023. ECI is leading the Cohort on Elections Integrity which was established as a follow-up to the ‘Summit for Democracy’ held virtually in December 2021.

·        The first international conference of the Cohort was organized from 31st October to 1st November 2022 in New Delhi on the topic ‘Role, Framework, and Capacity of Election Management Bodies’.

·        In the first international conference of the Cohort, nearly 50 representatives from the Election Management Bodies (EMBs) of 11 countries participated.

·        The two-day international conference will be inaugurated by the Chief Election Commissioner of India Rajiv Kumar.

·        The concluding session will be chaired by the Election Commissioner of India, Anup Chandra Pandey. Arun Goel, Election Commissioner of India will chair the first technical session.

Science and Technology News

15. Norovirus Symptoms and Causes, How does Norovirus spread?

·        Kerala reported 3 cases of norovirus, a gastro-intestinal zoonotic disease that is spread by intimate contact or contaminated food. Two samples were sent to the State Public Laboratory for examination after symptoms were reported by 62 pupils and a few parents at the school, according to a senior medical officer of the Kakkanad district.

·        The stomach flu and stomach bug are additional names for norovirus. But norovirus disease has nothing to do with the flu, which is brought on by an influenza virus. Millions of Norovirus particles are shed by those who have the disease, and only a small number of these particles can infect unaffected individuals.

16. SpaceX Launches 51 Starlink satellites from California

·        A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carried more than four dozen Starlink satellites into the low-Earth orbit  in a launch from the California coast. California time from Vandenberg Space Force Base, located northwest of Santa Barbara.

·        Fifty-one Starlink satellites were on board. Onboard cameras showed the rocket burst through a cloud bank over the coast. After stage separation, Falcon 9’s first stage returned to Earth and landed on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship stationed in the Pacific Ocean.

·        Starlink is a SpaceX project to build a broadband network with a cluster of orbiting spacecraft that could eventually number thousands.

·        The Starlink satellites carry Hall thrusters, which use electricity and krypton gas to generate an impulse, to manoeuvre in orbit, maintain altitude and guide the spacecraft back into the atmosphere at the end of their mission.

·        The Starlink network is one of several ongoing efforts to start beaming data signals from space.

Sports News

17. Thai shuttler Kunlavut Vitidsarn wins India Open Badminton title

·        Shuttler Kunlavut Vitidsarn from Thailand won the India Open Badminton Championship 2023 by defeating Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen in the men’s singles by 22-20, 10-21 and 21-12.

·        In the Women’s Singles category, An Seyoung of South Korea won the title by defeating Japanese Akane Yamaguchi by 15-21, 21-16, and 21-12.

Table showing Winners in all categories:

18. ICC Men’s and Women’s T20I Team of the Year 2022 revealed

·        The International Cricket Council Team of the Year recognises 11 outstanding individuals who have impressed one and all – be it with the bat, the ball or their all-round exploits in a calendar year.

·        Here, we take a look at 11 players who make the cut in the shortest format of the game for men’s cricket. Among them were India’s star players including the likes of Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav and Smriti Mandhana, among others.

Important Days

19. International Day of Education celebrates on 24 January 2023

·        The United Nations General Assembly has proclaimed 24 January as International Day of Education, in celebration of the role of education for peace and development. Education plays a key role in building sustainable and resilient societies.

·        Providing quality education for all is of utmost importance for the creation of a peaceful and prosperous world. Moreover, education gives people the knowledge and skills they need to grow as human beings.

·        The fifth International Day of Education will be celebrated on 24 January 2023 under the theme “to invest in people, prioritize education”.

·        The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution on December 3, 2018, which proclaimed January 24 as the International Day of Education. The aim of the UNGA was to recognise and celebrate the role of learning for peace and development.

20. National Girl Child Day celebrates on 24 January 2023

·        On January 24, the nation celebrates National Girl Child Day. This day was established in 2008 by the Ministry of Women and Child Development. The goal of National Female Child Day is to highlight the prejudice and injustice that girl children face.

·        To raise awareness of the injustices girls face in Indian society, the Ministry of Women and Child Development and the Indian government started it in 2008. The day is celebrated with planned activities, such as awareness campaigns for Save the Girl Child, child sex ratios, and the development of a safe and healthy environment for girls.

·        The Ministry of Education will host a celebration with the theme “Self Defence Training for Girls.”

·        In 2008, National Girl Child Day was established by the Ministry of Women and Child Development. The purpose of the day is to raise awareness of the injustices that girls experience in Indian society.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

·        Minister of Women and Child Development: Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani.

Obituaries News

21. Former Vice Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Harjeet Singh Arora passes away

·        Former Vice Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Harjeet Singh Arora passed away at the age of 61. Air Marshal Harjit Singh Arora PVSM, AVSM, ADC (25 June 1961 – 21 January 2023) was an officer of the Indian Air Force and served as the Vice Chief of the Air Staff from 1 October 2019 to 30 June 2021.

·        He was succeeded by Air Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari. Arora was commissioned as a fighter pilot in the Indian Air Force in December 1981. He had flying experience of over 2600 hours on Mig-21, Mig-29, and also helicopters.

Miscellaneous News

22. Jammu and Kashmir Government to Host its First SARAS Fair 2023

·        The Jammu and Kashmir Government is set to host their first SARAS Fair 2023 from 4th February to 14th February 2023. In the SARAS Fair 2023, artisans and women’s self-help groups from across the country will showcase their crafts, Handicrafts, handloom, and food. The fair would be organized at Bagh-e-Bahu, in Jammu.

·        The fair is expected to witness the participation of women’s self-help groups from around 15 states and UTs across the country.

·        The SHGs will be encouraged to sell their self-made products at the SARAS Fair 2023.

·        The SARAS Fair 2023 is the first of its kind in the union territory.

·        The fair will be an 11-day exhibition that is going to witness several cultural events, aids, and plays on several government schemes and campaigns.