1. Indo-Russian joint venture has started manufacturing Kalashnikov AK-203 assault rifles in India
Tags: Defence National News
The manufacturing of Kalashnikov AK-203 assault rifles has recently started in Amethi, Uttar Pradesh by an Indo-Russian joint venture.
An overview of the news
Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited plans to ensure 100 percent production of AK-203 rifles in India.
In the future, the company may increase production and upgrade its production facilities to produce advanced rifles based on the Kalashnikov assault rifle platform.
India is the first country to start production of the world famous brand AK-200-series assault rifles.
The first batch of 7.62 mm Kalashnikov AK-203 assault rifles has been produced by the Korwa Ordnance Factory in Amethi, Uttar Pradesh.
Deliveries to the Indian Army are expected to commence soon.
About AK 203 Rifles
The AK-203 assault rifle is considered to be the latest and most advanced version of the AK-47 rifle.
It is a 7.62×39mm variant from the AK-100 rifle family.
This variant will replace the Indian Small Arms System (INSAS) 5.56×45mm assault rifle, which is currently being used by the Army, Navy and Air Force besides other security forces.
INSAS rifles are not suitable for use at high altitudes. These rifles also have problems like gun jamming, oil leakage etc.
Other India-Russia bilateral projects
Indigenous production of T-90 tanks and Su-30-MKIaircraft
Supply of MiG-29-K aircraft and Kamov-31 and Mi-17 helicopters
Upgrade of MiG-29 aircraft and supply of Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher Smerch
Develop and produce supersonic BrahMos cruise missiles in India
2. India announces 100 million Maldivian Rufiyaa for community development projects in Maldives
Tags: International Relations International News
External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar arrived in Maldives on 18 January as part of his three-day visit to Maldives and Sri Lanka.
An overview of the news
To strengthen bilateral ties, India and Maldives signed an MoU on development projects and held talks with top leadership in the country.
The agreement included grant assistance of 100 million rufiyaa (Maldives' currency) for the High Impact Community Development Project (HICDP).
Under this funding, several socio-economic development projects are planned to be implemented in Maldives.
It also includes the development of a sports complex at Gahadhoo and academic collaboration between the Maldives National University and the Cochin University of Science and Technology.
India has handed over two sea ambulances to help the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF).
About Maldives
It is also called Maldives Islands, an independent island country in the north-central Indian Ocean.
It extends more than 510 miles (820 km) from north to south and 80 miles (130 km) from east to west.
Basis of economy -fisheries, tourism
Industries - handicraft or cottage including the making of coir (coconut-husk fibre) and coir products, fish canning, and boatbuilding.
Capital -Male
President -Ibrahim Mohamed Solih
Official Language - Dhivehi (Maldivian)
Official Religion - Islam
Currency - Rufiyaa
3. Jacinda Ardern announced her resignation as Prime Minister of New Zealand
Tags: Person in news International News
On 18 January 2023, the Prime Minister of New Zealand 'Jacinda Ardern' has announced her resignation from her post at the annual meeting of her party.
An Overview of the news
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will hold the post of Prime Minister till 7 February 2023 and will resign after that.
The 2023 general election in New Zealand is going to be held on 14 October.
Prime Minister Ardern's shock decision comes after five and a half years in office as she led New Zealand through the coronavirus pandemic.
Prime Minister Ardern is one of the world's youngest female heads of state at the age of 37 when she came to power in 2017.
Jacinda Ardern
Ms Ardern began her political career in the office of former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark.
Ardern has also served as a policy advisor in Tony Blair's government in the UK.
She was elected to the Parliament of New Zealand in 2008 and became Deputy Leader of Labor in March 2017.
Jacinda Ardern announced her resignation as Prime Minister of New Zealand
New Zealand
Capital: Wellington
Currency: New Zealand Dollar
Prime Minister: Jacinda Ardern
President: Debbie Hockley
4. NASA awards 425 million to Boeing Company for agency's sustainable flight demonstrator project
Tags: Science and Technology International News
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has awarded $425 million to The Boeing Company for a sustainable flight demonstrator project.
An overview of the news
Boeing will work with NASA to validate technologies aimed at 'building, testing and flying a full-scale demonstrator aircraft and reducing emissions'.
Over seven years, NASA will invest $425 million, while Boeing and its partners will contribute the remainder of the agreement, estimated to cost $725 million.
The Transonic Truss-Braced Wing Demonstrator Single-Aisle is an aeroplane that aims to reduce fuel consumption and emissions by up to 30 percent.
The goal of the project is to produce and test a full-scale demonstrator that will help build future fuel-efficient commercial airliners.
The United States has set a goal of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions from the US aviation sector by 2050.
About NASA
NASA was formed under the National Aeronautics and Space Act on July 19, 1948, in place of its predecessor, the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA).
NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Headquarters- Washington D.C.
Administrator - Bill Nelson
5. UN General Assembly adopts Indian Co-sponsored Resolution on 'Education For Democracy'
Tags: International News
To provide education to all, a resolution titled "Education for Democracy" was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on 18 January.
An overview of the news
The resolution co-sponsored by India reaffirms the right to education to strengthen democracy.
Adopted unanimously, this resolution will recognize the importance of ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for all.
This is not the first time that an education resolution has been adopted by the United Nations General Assembly.
Earlier in 2015, a similar resolution was passed in the General Assembly, encouraging all UN entities to use education to promote peace, human rights and democracy.
The purpose of the resolution was to encourage member states to integrate Education for Democracy into their education standards.
United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)
It is the United Nation’s chief policy-making and representative organ and was created in 1945.
It is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations (UN).
It serves as the main deliberative, policy making and representative organ of the United Nations.
Its powers, structure, functions and procedures are set out in Chapter IV of the United Nations Charter.
Its main functions are to prepare the budget of the United Nations, appoint non-permanent members to the Security Council, appoint the Secretary-General of the United Nations, receive reports from other parts of the United Nations system, and make recommendations through resolutions.
6. World’s oldest person, Lucile Randon dies at the age of 118
Tags: Person in news International News
World's oldest person, Lucile Randon, died on 17 January at the age of 118.
An overview of the news
Ms Randon, who was known as Sister André, died in her sleep at her nursing home in Toulon, France.
She was born on 11 February, 1904 in Southern France.
Despite being blind and dependent on a wheelchair, Andre took care of other elderly people.
In the year 2022, the world's oldest person Ken Tanaka of Japan died. He was 119 years old.
After Tanaka's death, 118-year-old Sister Lucille Randon became the oldest person in the world.
Guinness World Records had officially recognised her status in April 2022.
Randon became a Catholic when she was 19 years old. Eight years later she became a nun.
7. Bill tabled in US House to terminate Pakistan's status as Major Non-NATO ally
Tags: International News
A US lawmaker has introduced a bill in the US House of Representatives that would end Pakistan's designation as a major non-NATO ally and require annual certification from the President with certain conditions for Islamabad to be granted such a designation.
An overview of the news
The bill said that giving such a status to Pakistan would require annual certification from the President, subject to certain conditions.
The bill was introduced by Andy Biggs, who represents Arizona's Fifth District.
The bill has been referred to the House Foreign Affairs Committee for necessary action.
It will need to be passed by the House and Senate before the US President can sign it into law.
Pakistan has always been giving shelter to terrorism in its country. Therefore, the US MP has introduced this bill.
The bill states that Pakistan will have to prove that it has shown speed in action against senior leaders of the Haqqani network in its country and is conducting military operations against them.
The US President's Office will certify Pakistan regarding this.
Major Non-NATO ally
Major non-NATO ally (MNNA) is a designation given by the United States to close allies that have strategic working relationships with the US Armed Forces.
They are not members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
Major non-NATO allies are eligible for loans related to material, supplies or equipment for research, development, test or evaluation purposes.
18 major non-NATO allies
Argentina, Australia, Bahrain, Brazil, Colombia, Egypt, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, New Zealand, Pakistan, the Philippines, Qatar, South Korea, Thailand and Tunisia.
In September 2022, the US terminated the designation of Afghanistan as a major non-NATO ally.
8. First G20 Health Working Group Meeting begins in Thiruvananthapuram
Tags: National News
The first G-20 Health Working Group (HWG) meeting under India’s G-20 presidency began on 18 January at Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala. This meeting will be held from January 18 to 20, 2023.
An overview of the news
These HWG meetings will be held in various places in the country including Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala, Goa, Hyderabad in Telangana and Gandhinagar in Gujarat.
It will highlight PM Modi's call to showcase India's rich and diverse cultures.
The meeting will be attended by representatives of G-20 member states, special invitees and relevant international organisations.
India is currently part of the G-20 Troika which refers to the top grouping within the G-20 which includes countries like Indonesia, Brazil and India.
This is the first time that three developing countries are part of this troika.
Under the presidency of India, the G-20 health track will include four Health Working Group (HWG) meetings and a Health Ministerial Meeting (HMM).
Three priorities for achieving India's G-20 Presidency mission
Prevention, preparedness and response to health emergencies (with a focus on health and AMR).
Strengthening Cooperation in Pharmaceutical Sector with an emphasis on Access and Availability to safe, effective, quality and Affordable Medical Countermeasures (Vaccines, Therapeutics and Diagnostics).
Digital Health Innovations and Solutions to Aid Universal Health Coverage and Improve Healthcare Service Delivery.
9. “Virasat” – Handloom Home Decor Festival
Tags: National News
The Ministry of Textiles will organise a special handloom exhibition “VIRASAT” - from 20-30 January 2023 at Handloom Haat, New Delhi to showcase home decor products made from handlooms.
News Overview
The special handloom saree exhibition “Virasat” – a celebration of 75 handwoven sarees of India was organised by the Ministry of Textiles in two phases from 16 to 30 December and 3 to 17 January 2023 at Handloom Haat, Janpath, New Delhi.
The Sari Mahotsav was inaugurated by Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman on 16 December 2022.
In which 160 participants from different parts of the country displayed famous hand made sarees.
A social media campaign was also launched on the occasion under a common hashtag #MySariMyPride to support handloom weavers.
10. Think-20 group meeting concludes in Bhopal
Tags: Summits National News
A two-day meeting of the Think-20 group was organised under the G-20 on 16-17 January 2023 in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. Think-20 was launched by Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
An Overview of the news
Under the Think-20 grouping of the G-20, the overarching theme of the meeting is "Global Good Governance with an Environment-Friendly Lifestyle, Moral Values and Well-Being".
A program of two plenary sessions and round table meetings was organised on the topics to be taken up in Think-20.
In the first plenary session, the topic 'Role of Triangular Cooperation in Localization of SDGs' was discussed, while in the second plenary session, the topic 'New Complementaries in Trade and Value Chains' was discussed.
Along with this, a round table meeting was also organised on 'Global South and Global Governance for Life'.
After the conclusion of the meeting on January 17, the representatives of the G20 countries visited the world-famous tourist destination Sanchi in Raisen district of Madhya Pradesh.
