1. Lok Sabha Speaker to lead Parliamentary delegation to Kenya, Tanzania
Tags: International News
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will lead a delegation to Kenya and Tanzania from January 16 to 21.
An overview of the news
The delegation includes Chirag Paswan, Manoj Kishorbhai Kotak and S Phangnon Konyak (all Members of Parliament) and Utpal Kumar Singh, Secretary General, Lok Sabha.
During their visit to Tanzania, apart from meeting their host, the delegation will also call on the Vice President of Tanzania, Philip Mpango.
The delegation will also visit places of cultural and historical importance.
About Kenya
Kenya is a country in East Africa.
President: William Ruto
Capital: Nairobi
Currency :Kenyan shilling
About Tanzania
Tanzania, East African country situated just south of the Equator.
President: Samia Suluhu Hassan
Capital: Dodoma
Currency: Tanzanian shilling
2. Lakshadweep MP Mohammed Faizal disqualified from Lok Sabha over attempt to murder case
Tags: National News
The Lok Sabha Secretariat has issued a notification disqualifying Lakshadweep MP Mohd Faizal, who was recently convicted in an attempt to murder case by a court in the Union Territory.
An overview of the news
According to a notification issued on January 13, Faizal has been disqualified from the date of his sentencing by a sessions court in Kavaratti on January 11.
This decision has been taken under Section 8 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 under the provisions of Article 102 (l) (e) of the Constitution of India.
The court in Lakshadweep had sentenced four people, including Faizal, to 10 years in jail after they were found guilty in an attempt to murder case.
The Kavaratti sessions court also imposed a fine of Rs one lakh each on the convicts for attempting to murder Mohd Salih, son-in-law of late Congress leader and former Union minister P M Sayeed, during the 2009 Lok Sabha elections.
3. EU Inaugurates First Mainland Satellite Launch Port
Tags: Science and Technology International News
European officials and Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf inaugurated the EU's first mainland orbital launch complex on 13 January during a visit to Sweden by members of the European Commission, which is the 27-nation bloc's executive arm.
An overview of the news
The European Union is looking to boost its ability to launch small satellites into space with a new launchpad in arctic Sweden.
The new facility inaugurated at the Esrange Space Center near the city of Kiruna will complement the EU's current launching capabilities in French Guiana.
The tiny satellites are vital for tracking natural disasters in real time and helping to guarantee global security in light of Russia's war in Ukraine.
The total number of satellites could reach 100,000 by 2040 as compared to the current 5,000 operational satellites.
European Union (EU)
It is an international organisation made up of European countries, which was formed in 1993.
It is a group of 27 countries that act as a cohesive economic and political bloc.
19 of these countries use the euro as their official currency.
Its goal is to promote peace and the well-being of all citizens of the EU.
Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium
4. Vidisha becomes first Indian district to implement state-of-the-art 5G use cases proposed by startups
Tags: National National News
Vidisha, an aspirational district of Madhya Pradesh became the first ever district in India for on ground deployment of innovative 5G use cases offered by startups.
An overview of the news
This feat has been achieved through a joint initiative of Vidisha district administration and Center for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), Department of Telecom (DoT) under the guidance of Additional Secretary (Telecom) and Administrator USOF.
Department of Telecom (DoT) is promoting digital communication technology - partnership of startups and SMEs for potential user communities.
This partnership is being done through Telecom Startups and MSME Mission (TSuM) and 5G Vertical Engagement Partnership Program (VEPP).
This has been accomplished to accelerate digital transformation across socio-economic verticals.
What is 5G technology?
The fifth generation mobile network is called 5G.
The 5G network will operate in the millimeter-wave spectrum (30-300 GHz) which can send huge amounts of data at very high speeds.
It is the newest upgrade in Long Term Evolution (LTE) mobile broadband networks.
Internet speeds in the high-band spectrum of 5G have been tested to exceed 20 Gbps (gigabit per second).
5. Startup firm IG Drones develops India's first 5G-enabled drone
Tags: Science and Technology National News
Tech startup firm IG Drones has developed India's first 5G-enabled drone capable of vertical take-off and landing.
An overview of the news
This drone has been named Skyhawk.
It can be used in other areas apart from defence and medical applications.
The Skyhawk can fly for about five hours with a payload of 10 kg, as this drone is also equipped with capabilities like artificial intelligence and thermal imaging.
Due to the facility of vertical take-off and landing (VTOL), it does not require any special runway or track for take-off or landing, so it can be operated in any area.
The drone is IP67 rated and can be controlled through a combination of NavIC + GPS navigational satellites.
This drone can travel 100 km in 12 to 15 minutes at its maximum speed.
About IG Drones
IG Drones is an India-based tech company providing drone survey, mapping and inspection services.
It was established at Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology in Sambalpur, Odisha.
Its headquarter is located in New Delhi.
6. Uganda declares end of Ebola disease outbreak: WHO
Tags: International News
According to the statement released by the World Health Organization (WHO) Uganda declared the end of the Ebola disease outbreak caused by Sudan ebolavirus on Jan 11, 2023.
An overview of the news
Uganda has managed to bring the outbreak to an end in less than four months after the first case was confirmed on September 20, 2022, in Central Mubende District.
Ebola Virus Disease (EVD)
Formerly known as Ebola hemorrhagic fever, it is a rare, severe and fatal disease in humans.
The Ebola virus was first discovered in 1976 near the Ebola River in what is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The first case of the disease was reported in Guinea in December 2013. Later, the disease spread to neighbouring Liberia and Sierra Leone.
Transmission of disease
The virus is transmitted from wild animals to people and through human-to-human transmission (zoonotic nature) to human populations.
Symptoms of the disease
Fever, fatigue, muscle aches, headache, and sore throat.
This is followed by vomiting, diarrhea, rash, liver and kidney dysfunction, and in some cases, internal and external bleeding.
Treatment of the disease
The Arvebo vaccine has been shown to be effective in protecting people from the Zaire ebolavirus species.
Remdesivir was also tested as an Ebola treatment.
7. Indian economy to grow at robust rate of 6.6% in FY24: World Bank
Tags: Economy/Finance National News
The World Bank projected the Indian economy to grow at a robust 6.6 per cent in 2023-24 (FY24), slowing down from an estimated 6.9 per cent in 2022-23 (FY23).
An overview of the News
According to the World Bank's latest “Global Economic Prospects” India's economic growth will slow to 6.6% in the next fiscal year from an expected 6.9% in the current year.
It said that the slowdown in the global economy and rising uncertainty will have an impact on export and investment growth.
After March 2024, India's potential growth rate is likely to return to above 6%.
According to the World Bank, India will be the fastest growing economy among the seven largest emerging markets and developing economies.
For the South Asian region, growth is expected to slow down to 3.6% and 4.6% in 2023 and 2024, respectively, due to weaker growth in Pakistan.
Global position
The World Bank has predicted a sharp, long-lasting recession globally, with global growth slowing to 1.7% in 2023 from 3% six months earlier.
Europe, which has long been a major exporter to China, will likely suffer from a weaker Chinese economy.
8. India to send three person to 6,000 metre below sea level under Samudrayaan Mission
Tags: Science and Technology National News
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India will send three men six thousand metres below sea level to search for mineral resources under the Samudrayaan mission.
An overview of the news
Earth Sciences Minister Dr Jitendra Singh said, a vehicle named MATSYA 6000 will carry three people and this mission is expected to be realized in the next three years.
The vehicle is being designed and developed by the National Institute of Ocean Technology, Chennai.
It can bear 12 hours under normal operation and 96 hours under emergency for human safety.
PM Narendra Modi mentioned the Deep Ocean Mission in his Independence Day address for two consecutive years in 2021 and 2022.
About Samudrayaan Mission
It is a part of the Deep Ocean Mission.
It was announced by the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) with ISRO's Gaganyaan mission.
It aims to develop a self-propelled manned submersible to carry 3 humans to a depth of 6000 meters in the ocean with scientific sensors and equipment for deep sea exploration.
Under this mission, a manned submersible vehicle named MATSYA 6000 will be sent for deep underwater studies.
What is the Deep Ocean Mission?
It was approved by the Ministry of Earth Sciences in June 2021.
It aims to explore deep sea marine resources, develop deep sea technology for sustainable utilization of ocean resources and support the blue economy initiatives of the Government of India.
The cost of the mission is about Rs 4,077 crore over a period of five years and will be implemented in phases.
9. ICG ship ‘Kamla Devi’, last vessel of FPV series, commissioned
Tags: Defence National News
Fast Patrol Vessel (FPV) ICG ship 'Kamala Devi' was commissioned on 12 January in Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal.
An overview of the news
This Fast Patrol Vessel (FPV) designed, built and delivered by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd to the Indian Coast Guard.
A passenger-cum-cargo ocean going ferry 'MV Ma Lisha' built by the shipyard for the Republic of Guyana was also flagged off.
This is the first such ship built by a Defense Public Sector Shipyard for export to a Latin American country.
About ICG Kamla Devi
ICG Kamla Devi is 48.9 meters long and 7.5 meters wide with a displacement of 308 tonnes.
It is capable of a top speed of 34 knots and an endurance of over 1,500 nautical miles, with three engines and water jets.
She also has an integrated bridge system and is fitted with a 40/60 gun as the main armament.
The ship has advanced livable facilities with fully air-conditioned accommodation for 35 personnel.
ICGS Kamla Devi will patrol the seas and undertake anti-smuggling, anti-poaching and search and rescue operations when required.
About MV Ma Lisha
It has been designed and built by GRSE and will be housed at Chennai, a semi-submersible vessel MV Sun Rise for the long voyage to Guyana.
The ship was launched on June 15, 2022 and within six months, GRSE secured the 'technical acceptance' of the ship on December 16.
The 70 metre long vessel with a displacement of 1,700 tonnes is propelled by two diesel engines and can attain a maximum speed of 15 knots.
The ship can accommodate 294 passengers including 14 crew members along with 14 cars, two trucks and 14 containers and cargo.
10. Centre approved ₹2,600 crore as incentive for banks to promote digital payments
Tags: Economy/Finance National News
The Union Cabinet on 11 January approved a ₹2,600 crore scheme for promoting RuPay debit cards and low-value BHIM-UPI transactions.
An overview of the news
Under the scheme, banks will be given financial incentives in the current financial year 2022-23 to promote 'Point of Sale' (PoS) i.e. payment machines and e-commerce transactions using RuPay and UPI.
The Cabinet has approved this incentive scheme to promote small amount transactions between individuals and merchants through RuPay Debit Cards and BHIM-UPI.
This will further strengthen India's progress in digital payments. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had said in the last budget, will continue to provide financial help to increase digital payments.
India has remained a cash-dependent economy since independence. India's Cash to GDP ratio is 13% while the global average is at most 8%.
Significance of the Incentive Scheme
The government had approved an incentive scheme in pursuance of the budget announcement for FY 2022 to promote digital transactions.
As a result, total digital payment transactions registered a year-on-year growth of 59 percent.
This increased from ₹5,554 crore in FY21 to ₹8,840 crore in FY22.
BHIM-UPI transactions registered a year-on-year growth of 106 per cent, from Rs 2,233 crore in FY21 to Rs 4,597 crore in FY22.
This incentive scheme will promote as a digital payment solution and enable further deepening of digital payments in the country.
