1. Kevin McCarthy elected as new speaker of the US House of Representatives
Tags: Person in news International News
Republican leader Kevin McCarthy has been elected as the speaker of the US House of Representatives.
An overview of the news
He was serving as the House Minority Leader in the House.
The US Parliament has elected Kevin McCarthy of the Republican Party as the speaker of the House of Representatives after 15 rounds of voting. McCarthy is the 55th speaker of the US House of Representatives.
Kevin McCarthy, 57, has replaced Nancy Pelosi, 82, the leader of the Democratic Party in the House of Representatives.
After the midterm elections held on November 8, the number of members of former President Donald Trump's Republican Party has increased to 222 in the 435-member House of Representatives.
With this, President Joe Biden's Democratic Party has come in the minority in the House of Representatives.
Kevin McCarthy has become the third most senior US position after US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.
About Kevin McCarthy
Kevin McCarthy is a member of the Republican Party.
He was elected as the House Minority Leader from 2019 to 2023.
He previously served as the House Majority Leader from 2014 to 2019 under Speakers John Boehner and Paul Ryan.
McCarthy has been elected as a member of the US Parliament 9 times. He was born in Bakersfield, California.
2. RBI to issue green bonds in two tranches of Rs 8,000 crore each
Tags: Economy/Finance National News
The Reserve Bank of India on 6 January said that maiden Sovereign Green Bonds (SGrBs) would be issued in two tranches of Rs 8,000 crore each on January 25 and February 9.
An overview of the news
The central government is issuing these sovereign green bonds as part of its total market borrowing. These bonds are being issued to promote green infrastructure.
The Central Government had released the framework of Sovereign Green Bond on 9 November 2022.
Sovereign green bonds worth Rs 8000 crore will be issued on January 25, 2023. In this, green bonds worth Rs 4000 crore will be issued for 5 years and sovereign green bonds worth Rs 4000 crore will be issued for 10 years.
Apart from this, Sovereign Green Bonds worth Rs 8000 crores will be issued as the next instalment on 9 February 2023. In which green bonds worth Rs 4000 crore will be issued for 5 years and sovereign green bonds worth Rs 4000 crore will be issued for 10 years.
What are Sovereign Green Bonds?
These are bonds that are used by the government to finance projects that have a positive impact on the environment.
The Green Bond was launched in 2007 by the European Investment Bank and the World Bank.
A Green Bond is an instrument that helps in raising funds for green projects.
Funds from these bonds will be invested in public sector projects that help reduce carbon intensity.
These bonds fall into 9 broad categories. Some of these are projects like renewable energy, energy efficiency, clean transportation, green building.
The government aims to attract foreign investors through these bonds.
Being asset linked, it becomes easier for the government to raise money through these bonds.
3. India to host Voice of Global South Summit
Tags: Summits National News
India will host a special virtual Summit on 12th and 13th of January 2023 called 'Voice of Global South Summit'.
An overview of the news
The theme of the Summit is 'Unity of Voice, Unity of Purpose.
The summit is envisaged to bring together the countries of the South and share their perspectives and priorities on various issues.
More than 120 countries have been invited for this summit.
The initiative is inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas and India's philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.
The summit is India's attempt to provide a common platform to discuss concerns affecting developing countries.
India will work to ensure that the valuable inputs generated by participating countries in the Voice of the Global South deliberations receive due cognizance globally.
4. Arjun Ram Meghwal inaugurates Astro Tourism – A Sky Gazing event at Delhi’s India Gate
Tags: National News
National Council of Science Museums (NCSM) in association with Nehru Memorial Museum and Library organised Astro Tourism - A Sky Gazing event at Delhi's India Gate on 6 January.
An overview of the news
The event was inaugurated by Minister of State for Culture, Arjun Ram Meghwal.
The program will help in developing scientific temper among the people which is a fundamental duty as per our constitution.
Astro tourism event includes the following activities - Astro talks by expert astronomers, Exhibition on Astronomy, Story related to celestial objects, Experience of using telescope to see craters of Moon, Astronomy related activities, Photographic panel exhibition, Astro-Photography.
This 3 day event is a great learning experience for children of all age groups, as it is interactive and practical and the best way to present science in a popular way.
National Council of Science Museums (NCSM)
It is an autonomous society under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India and was formed on April 4, 1978.
It administers 25 Science Centres/Museums spread all over India.
Science City, Kolkata, Birla Industrial and Technological Museum, Kolkata, Nehru Science Centre, Mumbai, Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum, Bangalore and National Science Centre, Delhi are the national level centres of NCSM.
Headquarters - Kolkata, West Bengal
5. 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention to be organised from 8th to 10th January in Madhya Pradesh
Tags: National News
The 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) convention is being organised in Indore from 8-10 January 2023 in collaboration with the Government of Madhya Pradesh.
An overview of the news
The theme of this PBD Convention is "Diaspora: Reliable partners for India’s progress in Amrit Kaal”.
Over 3,500 expatriate members from around 70 different countries have registered for the PBD Convention.
The Yuva Pravasi Bharatiya Divas will be inaugurated on 8 January 2023 in partnership with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
Ms. Zaneta Mascarenhas, Member of Parliament of Australia will be the guest of honour at the Yuva Pravasi Bharatiya Divas.
On 9 January 2023, the PBD Convention will be inaugurated by Narendra Modi.
The convention will feature addresses by the Chief Guest, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, the President of Republic of Guyana, and the Special Guest of Honour, Chandrikapersad Santokhi, President of the Republic of Suriname.
A commemorative postage stamp 'Go Safe, Go Trained' will be released to underline the importance of safe, legal, orderly and efficient migration.
The Prime Minister will also inaugurate the first-ever digital Pravasi Bhartiya Divas exhibition on the theme “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav – Contribution of Diaspora to the Indian Freedom Struggle” to highlight the contribution of our overseas freedom fighters to India's independence.
On 10 January 2023, Hon’ble Rashtrapati Droupadi Murmu will confer Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards 2023 and preside over the Valedictory Session.
Five thematic Plenary sessions of PBD Convention
‘Role of Diaspora Youth in Innovations and new Technologies’, chaired by Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Anurag Singh Thakur.
Chaired by Minister of Health and Family Welfare Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya and co-chaired by Minister of State for External Affairs Dr. Rajkumar Ranjan Singh 'Role of Indian Diaspora in Promoting Indian Healthcare Ecosystem in AMRUT Kaal: Vision @ 2047'.
‘Leveraging the soft power of India - Goodwill through craft, cuisine & creativity’, chaired by Minister of State for External Affairs, Meenakashi Lekhi.
‘Enabling global mobility of Indian workforce – Role of Indian Diaspora’, chaired by Minister of Education, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Dharmendra Pradhan.
‘Harnessing the potential of diaspora entrepreneurs towards an inclusive approach to nation building’, chaired by Minister of Finance, Nirmala Sitharaman.
6. Anurag Thakur launches the themes of the Y20 summit, logo, and website
Tags: National National News
Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Anurag Singh Thakur launches the themes of the Youth 20 summit, logo, and website in New Delhi on 6 January in the curtain raiser event of Y20 Summit India.
An overview of the news
India is hosting the Y20 summit for the first time.
In the Youth 20 Engagement Group, India's main focus is to bring together young leaders from around the world to discuss ideas for a better tomorrow and create an agenda for action.
Activities to be undertaken by Y20 during India's presidency will focus on global youth leadership and partnerships.
About Youth 20 (Y20)
Youth 20 (Y20) is the official youth engagement group of the G20.
It provides a platform for youth to express their vision and views on G20 priorities.
It is a process that brings together young leaders from around the world to discuss and debate global challenges.
The list of policy recommendations is known as a communiqué, which is publicly announced at the Y20 summit and presented to world leaders as part of the official G20 summit.
7. Anurag Thakur launches the themes of the Y20 summit, logo, and website
Tags: National National News
Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Anurag Singh Thakur launches the themes of the Youth 20 summit, logo, and website in New Delhi on 6 January in the curtain raiser event of Y20 Summit India.
An overview of the news
India is hosting the Y20 summit for the first time.
In the Youth 20 Engagement Group, India's main focus is to bring together young leaders from around the world to discuss ideas for a better tomorrow and create an agenda for action.
Activities to be undertaken by Y20 during India's presidency will focus on global youth leadership and partnerships.
About Youth 20 (Y20)
Youth 20 (Y20) is the official youth engagement group of the G20.
It provides a platform for youth to express their vision and views on G20 priorities.
It is a process that brings together young leaders from around the world to discuss and debate global challenges.
The list of policy recommendations is known as a communiqué, which is publicly announced at the Y20 summit and presented to world leaders as part of the official G20 summit.
8. India deploys a platoon of women peacekeepers to the UN Mission in Sudan
Tags: International News
India deployed a platoon of women peacekeepers in the Abyei region of Sudan on 6 January as part of the Indian battalion in the United Nations Interim Security Force (UNISFA).
An overview of the news
It is India's largest single contingent of women peacekeepers in a UN mission since it deployed its first all-women contingent to Liberia in 2007.
In 2007, India became the first country to deploy an entirely women contingent for a UN peacekeeping mission.
Police units formed in Liberia provided 24-hour guard duty, night patrols in the capital Monrovia, and helped increase the capacity of the Liberian Police.
The Indian contingent, comprising two officers and 25 other ranks, will form part of an engagement platoon and specialise in community outreach; they will also undertake extensive security work.
United Nations Interim Security Force (UNISFA)
The United Nations Security Council responded immediately to the deteriorating situation in the Abyei region of Sudan by establishing UNISFA by its resolution 1990 of 27 June 2011.
The UN Security Council was deeply concerned by the violence, rising tensions and population displacement.
UNISFA was established after the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) reached an agreement in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
About UN Peacekeeping
UN peacekeeping began in 1948 when the UN Security Council authorised the deployment of UN military observers in the Middle East.
It helps to bring countries from conflict to a difficult path of peace.
It deploys soldiers and police from all over the world for peacekeeping.
India is one of the largest military and police contributors to UN peacekeeping operations.
There are currently more than 5,700 Indian peacekeepers deployed in nine of the 12 UN peacekeeping missions.
9. Government declares The Resistance Front, TRF as a terrorist organisation
Tags: National National News
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has declared The Resistance Front (TRF) as a terrorist organisation under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967.
An overview of the news
The Home Ministry's notification states that "the activities of the TRF are prejudicial to the national security and sovereignty of India."
As per the Home Ministry notification, The Resistance Front (TRF) is recruiting youth through online medium for furthering terrorist activities, recruiting terrorists, infiltrating terrorists and smuggling arms and narcotics from Pakistan into J&K.
The ministry also designated Sheikh Sajjad Gul, a commander of the TRF, as a terrorist under the Fourth Schedule of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act 1967.
The government also designated Mohammad Amin alias Abu Khubaib, who hails from Jammu and Kashmir but currently lives in Pakistan as a terrorist.
For some years TRF was behind most of the attacks on civilians including Kashmiri Pandits and migrant workers as well as security forces in Kashmir.
The Resistance Front (TRF)
TRF came into existence in the year 2019 as a proxy organisation of Lashkar-e-Taiba.
It is a banned terrorist organisation listed at serial number 5 of the first schedule under UAPA.
The TRF, an offshoot of the Lashkar led by Hafiz Saeed, was formed with the support of the Pakistan Army and the ISI.
It was formed in response to the abrogation of Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir by India.
It is headed by TRF Commander Sheikh Sajjad Gul.
A large number of cases have been registered against members/associates of TRF related to planning to kill security force personnel and innocent civilians of J&K.
Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, (UAPA) 1967
It is a preventive detention Act aimed at preventing activities directed against the integrity and sovereignty of India.
It was enacted by the Parliament in 1967.
Unlawful activity refers to any action taken by a person or association with the aim of disrupting the territorial integrity and sovereignty of India.
10. Government declares The Resistance Front, TRF as a terrorist organisation
Tags: National National News
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has declared The Resistance Front (TRF) as a terrorist organisation under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967.
An overview of the news
The Home Ministry's notification states that "the activities of the TRF are prejudicial to the national security and sovereignty of India."
As per the Home Ministry notification, The Resistance Front (TRF) is recruiting youth through online medium for furthering terrorist activities, recruiting terrorists, infiltrating terrorists and smuggling arms and narcotics from Pakistan into J&K.
The ministry also designated Sheikh Sajjad Gul, a commander of the TRF, as a terrorist under the Fourth Schedule of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act 1967.
The government also designated Mohammad Amin alias Abu Khubaib, who hails from Jammu and Kashmir but currently lives in Pakistan as a terrorist.
For some years TRF was behind most of the attacks on civilians including Kashmiri Pandits and migrant workers as well as security forces in Kashmir.
The Resistance Front (TRF)
TRF came into existence in the year 2019 as a proxy organisation of Lashkar-e-Taiba.
It is a banned terrorist organisation listed at serial number 5 of the first schedule under UAPA.
The TRF, an offshoot of the Lashkar led by Hafiz Saeed, was formed with the support of the Pakistan Army and the ISI.
It was formed in response to the abrogation of Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir by India.
It is headed by TRF Commander Sheikh Sajjad Gul.
A large number of cases have been registered against members/associates of TRF related to planning to kill security force personnel and innocent civilians of J&K.
Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, (UAPA) 1967
It is a preventive detention Act aimed at preventing activities directed against the integrity and sovereignty of India.
It was enacted by the Parliament in 1967.
Unlawful activity refers to any action taken by a person or association with the aim of disrupting the territorial integrity and sovereignty of India.
