1. Ben Stokes breaks world record for smashing most sixes in Test cricket history
Tags: Sports Sports News
England Test captain Ben Stokes on 18 February became the player to hit the most number of sixes in the history of Test cricket, surpassing England coach and former New Zealand cricketer Brendon McCullum in the match against New Zealand.
An overview of the news
Stokes holds the world record for hitting two sixes in the second innings of the first Test between England and New Zealand at Mount Maunganui (New Zealand).
Stokes played an innings of 31 runs in 33 balls, which included three fours and two sixes.
Wicket-keeper Tom Blundell stumped him off the bowling of all-rounder Michael Bracewell.
In 90 Test matches, Stokes scored a total of 5,652 runs at an average of 36.00 with 109 sixes and 12 centuries and 28 fifties.
His individual best score in Tests is 258.
McCullum has 107 sixes in 101 Tests. He scored 6,453 runs at an average of 38.64. He has 12 centuries and 31 fifties in Tests with a best score of 302.
Batsman who hit most sixes in test cricket
Australia's Adam Gilchrist is third after Stokes (109) and McCullum (107) to hit 100 sixes in Test cricket.
Chris Gayle of West Indies is fourth in the list with 98 sixes and Jacques Kallis of South Africa is fifth with 97 sixes.
India's Virender Sehwag is in sixth place, he has hit 91 sixes. Sehwag is the Indian to hit the most sixes in Tests.
2. Khalistan Tiger Force and Jammu and Kashmir Ghaznavi Force declared as terrorist organisations
Tags: National National News
The central government on 17 February declared Khalistan Tiger Force, and Jammu and Kashmir Ghaznavi Force as terrorist organisations under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
An overview of the news
Apart from this, Punjab resident Harvinder Singh Sandhu alias Rinda, the mastermind of the 2021 attack on the intelligence headquarters of Punjab Police, has been declared a terrorist.
The government has so far designated 54 individuals as terrorists and 44 organisations as terrorist organisations.
Khalistan Tiger Force
It came into existence in 2011 as an offshoot of terrorist organization Babbar Khalsa International.
It is a banned organisation under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).
It is a militant organization whose aim is to revive militancy in Punjab.
This organisation is promoting various acts of terrorism including targeted killings in Punjab.
Its agenda is the formation of a separate state of Khalistan.
Jammu and Kashmir Ghaznavi Force (JKGF)
It has been formed with cadres of terrorist organisations like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed.
It has been found involved in infiltration attempts, smuggling of narcotics and arms and carrying out terrorist attacks in Jammu and Kashmir.
It draws its cadres from Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, Tehreek-ul-Mujahideen, Harkat-ul-Jihad-e-Islami and various banned terrorist organisations.
Harvinder Singh Sandhu alias Rinda
He hails from Lahore and is associated with the banned Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), a terrorist-designated group.
He is accused of masterminding the attack on the intelligence headquarters of the Punjab Police in 2021.
He has direct links with Pakistan-based terrorist groups and is also involved in large-scale smuggling of drugs, arms, ammunition and militant hardware.
He has been involved in various crimes like murder, attempt to murder, contract killing, dacoity and extortion in Punjab, Maharashtra, Haryana, West Bengal, Himachal Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.
He is the 54th person to be declared a terrorist by the government.
3. AICTE and BPRD Jointly Launch KAVACH-2023
Tags: National National News
A national level hackathon KAVACH-2023 was launched on 16 February to identify innovative ideas and technological solutions to address India's 21st century cyber security and cybercrime challenges.
An overview of the news
KAVACH-2023 is a one-of-a-kind national hackathon jointly developed by AICTE, Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPRD) and Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre.
It identifies innovative ideas and technological solutions to address 21st century cyber security and cybercrime challenges faced by law enforcement agencies and common citizens.
KAVACH-2023 will be organised in two phases.
In the first phase, topics related to Fake News/Social Media, Dark Web, Women Safety, Phishing Detection, Video Analytics/CCTV, Obscene Content Detection, Spam Alerts, and Malware Analysis/Digital Forensics will be covered.
4. Cabinet approves signing of the MoU between the India and South Africa for cooperation in Disability Sector
Tags: National National News
The Union Cabinet on 15 February approved the signing of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between India and South Africa for cooperation in the 'disability sector'.
An overview of the news
It aims to encourage cooperation between the Department for the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities and South Africa through joint initiatives in the disability sector.
It will strengthen bilateral relations between India and South Africa.
This MoU will benefit a large number of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in both the countries, especially those who are in need of modern, scientific, durable, low cost aids and assistive devices.
South Africa
President: Cyril Ramaphosa
Capitals: Cape Town (Legislative), Pretoria (Executive), Bloemfontein (Judicial)
Currency : Rand
5. India and Fiji sign MoU on visa exemption for holders of diplomatic and official passports
Tags: International Relations International News
India and Fiji signed a Memorandum of Understanding on visa exemption for diplomatic and official passport holders on 16 February in presence of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka.
An overview of the news
Under this agreement, holders of diplomatic and official passports will be able to enter, transit and stay in each other's territory without a visa for a period of 90 days.
India and Fiji share close and long-standing relations and the two countries also reviewed bilateral relations.
India and Fiji have inaugurated the solarisation of the State House in Suva and this is the first of a series that India is supporting in the Pacific Islands.
It shows India's commitment towards climate action.
The Visa Waiver Agreement will be helpful in encouraging greater travel between the two countries.
Republic of Fiji
It is an archipelago consisting of around 300 islands in the South Pacific Ocean.
Capital: Suva
Currency: Fijian Dollar
President : Wiliame Katonivere
Prime Minister: Sitiveni Rabuka
6. Bollywood actor Javed Khan Amrohi passes away
Tags: Person in news
Bollywood actor Javed Khan Amrohi passed away due to lung failure at a Mumbai hospital on 14 February.
An overview of the news
Amrohi is survived by a son and a daughter.
He worked in more than 150 films with many big stars including Shah Rukh Khan to Aamir Khan and Salman Khan.
Javed Khan last worked in the year 2020 in Alia Bhatt and Aditya Roy Kapur starrer film 'Sadak 2'.
He started his career in 1973 with the film 'Jalte Badan'.
Apart from this, he worked in many best films like Satyam-Shivam-Sundaram, Prem Bandhan, Jhootha Kahin Ka, Prem Rog, Pasand Apni-Apni, Ram Teri Ganga Maili.
Apart from this, Doordarshan's famous show 'Nukkad' also gave him a lot of recognition, after that he also worked in Gulzar's 'Mirza Ghalib', in which his role of a fakir was highly appreciated.
Javed Khan was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor in 2001 for the film 'Lagaan'.
7. WPL 2023: Smriti Mandhana created history, became the most expensive player
Tags: Sports Sports News
India's star opener Smriti Mandhana has become the costliest player in the ongoing player auction for the Women's Premier League (WPL).
An overview of the news
She joined Royal Challengers Bangalore for Rs 3.4 crore after winning the highest bid in the ongoing Women's Premier League 2023 auction in Mumbai.
A total of 448 players were included in the auction, out of which 87 players were bought by the franchises. 30 foreign players were also involved in this.
Ashley Gardner (Australia) was at number two in the list of expensive players. He was bought by Gujarat Giants for Rs 3.20 crore.
Natalie Sciver is at number three. She was bought by Mumbai Indians for 3.20 crores.
India's all-rounder Deepti Sharma is at number four. Deepti is included in UP Warriors for 2.60 crores.
Jemima Rodrigues was at number five. He was included in their team by Delhi Capitals for 2.20 crores.
About Smriti Mandhana
Smriti Mandhana is a young and talented left-handed Indian batsman and former captain of the Indian women's cricket team.
Mandhana is known for her attacking batting style and has been a consistent performer in the T20I format.
Mandhana made her T20I debut in April 2013 against Bangladesh.
In the T20 International format, he has played 65 matches and scored 1743 runs at an average of 27.61.
His highest score in T20 International format is 83 and he has 9 fifties to his name.
In June 2018, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) awarded her as the Best Female International Cricketer.
In December 2018, the International Cricket Council (ICC) awarded her the Rachael Hayhoe-Flint Award for the best female cricketer of the year.
8. New Zealand declares national emergency after Cyclone Gabrielle lashes North Island
Tags: International News
The New Zealand government has declared a national emergency after Cyclone Gabrielle hit the North Island.
An overview of the news
Cyclone Gabrielle causes widespread flooding, landslides and huge ocean swells across the North Island.
This is an unprecedented weather event that is having widespread impacts across much of the North Island.
Gabriel appeared over some small islands about 100 km north-east of Auckland, but is now moving south-west.
National State of Emergency in New Zealand
A national state of emergency has been declared in New Zealand on two previous occasions – the first in 2011 after a magnitude 6.3 earthquake in Christchurch and the second in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.
9. Viacom18 gets 'WIPL' media rights for Rs 951 crore
Tags: Sports Sports News
On January 16, 2023, BCCI Secretary Jai Shah tweeted that Viacom 18 has acquired the media rights of the Women's Indian Premier League (WIPL), which is going to start from March-April 2023.
An Overview of the news
Viacom18 has bought the media rights of the women's IPL for five years from 2023 to 2027 for Rs 951 crore.
Viacom18 gets this deal for the next 5 years (2023-27) at Rs 7.09 crore per match, which is quite attractive. Because the per match price of PSL (Pakistan Super League) organised by Pakistan is Rs 2.44 crores.
It is worth mentioning in this context that the per match value of Indian Premier League (IPL) is Rs 107.5 crore.
The auction process for the media rights of the WIPL took place on January 16, 2023. Disney+ Hotstar, Sony-Zee and Viacom18 were the frontrunners in the race for the media rights of the league, which was finally bagged by Viacom18.
Five franchises in WIPL
Five of the 10 IPL franchises have confirmed to The Times of India that they are keen on buying a women's team.
Their names are Chennai Super Kings, Rajasthan Royals, Delhi Capitals, Kolkata Knight Riders and Punjab Kings. All are showing interest in investing in a team in WIPL.
10. DEXA: BCCI introduces new selection criteria for Team India
Tags: Sports Sports News
The BCCI announced a major change in the selection criteria of players on 1st January.
Important facts
To review the team's performance in 2022, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president Roger Binny and secretary Jay Shah met India captain Rohit Sharma, head coach Rahul Dravid and chief selector Chetan Sharma on January 1.
The future of Indian cricket was discussed in the meeting, which was also attended by National Cricket Academy (NCA) director VVS Laxman.
The new criteria have been brought in to ensure the fitness of players before their selection as the team has been facing a serious injury crisis for the last one year.
The fitness of Indian cricketers has been a matter of concern with players like Deepak Chahar not playing regularly.
Fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah is also out for a long time due to a back injury.
What are the new selection criteria?
The new rule brought back the Yo-Yo test and made it mandatory for players to be selected for the national team.
Players must take a 'DEXA' before being selected for the Indian team across all formats.
Emerging players have to play enough domestic seasons to be eligible for selection in the national team.
What is a Yo-Yo test?
The Yo-Yo test is an aerobic endurance fitness test that involves running between markers placed 20 metres apart at increasing speed.
The test was introduced during Virat Kohli's tenure as India captain and initially the passing score was 16.1, which was increased to 16.5.
What is Dexa?
DEXA, also called 'bone density test', is an X-ray technique used to measure bone strength.
From this it can be ascertained whether there is any risk of breaking or losing bones of the test taker or whether a player is at risk of fracturing any part of the body.
It also helps measure body composition and record body fat and muscle mass.
