NATIONAL:
1. Superior Kerosene Oil (SKO)
Why in news – BPCL has announced the launch of low-smoke superior kerosene oil (SKO) for the Indian Army in Jammu.
Key Points –
• BPCL became the first oil marketing company to commence the supply of the new LSLA grade low-smoke superior kerosene oil supplies to the Army.
• Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) is a Maharatna and Fortune Global 500 company
INTERNATIONAL:
1. Earthquake in Indonesia
Why in news - A powerful 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck off Indonesia’s Tanimbar islands.
Key Points –
• Indonesia, owning to its geographical position in the highly seismic 'Ring of Fire', is highly susceptible to earthquakes.
GOVERNMENT SCHEMES:
1. Aspirational Block Programme
Why in news - PM Narendra Modi launched the government’s Aspirational Block Programme (ABP) on Jan 7, 2023.
Key Points –
• Aim - To improve the performance of blocks lagging on various development parameters.
• It was launched during the 2nd National Conference of Chief Secretaries (Jan 5-7, 2023).
• It would cover 500 districts across 31 states and Union Territories initially.
• Over half of these blocks are in 6 states—Uttar Pradesh (68 blocks), Bihar (61), Madhya Pradesh (42), Jharkhand (34), Odisha (29) and West Bengal (29).
• Aspirational District Programme was launched in 2018 and covers 112 districts across the country.
ENVIRONMENT:
1. Ozone Hole, Filling UP Now
Why in news - A United Nations-backed panel of experts released a report on Ozone layer.
Key Points –
• The ozone ‘hole’ is expected to be completely repaired by 2066 (over Antarctica).
• Over the rest of the world, the ozone layer is expected to be back to where it was in 1980 by 2040 itself.
• Ozone ‘hole’ - A reduction in the concentration of the ozone molecules (O3).
• Global compliance to the Montreal Protocol would ensure the avoidance of 0.5 to 1 degree Celsius of warming by 2050.
• Montreal Protocol (1989) - To phase-out of production and consumption of Ozone Depleting Substances.
• Kigali Amendment (2016) - To eliminate 80-90% of the hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) currently in use by the year 2050.
ECONOMY:
1. Domestic Credit Rating Agencies
Why in news – RBI released a list of 6 domestic credit rating agencies to assess banks' Basel-III capital regulations.
Key Points –
• The six credit rating agencies are –
A. Acuite Ratings & Research Limited
B. Credit Analysis and Research Limited (CARE)
C. CRISIL Ratings Limited
D. ICRA Limited,
E. India Ratings and Research Private Limited (India Ratings)
F. INFOMERICS Valuation and Rating Pvt Ltd.
• In October 2022, SEBI has cancelled the Certificate of Registration (CoR) granted to Brickwork Ratings India Private Limited as a Credit Rating Agency (CRA).
AWARDS & HONOURS:
1. Surya Kumar Yadav
Why in news - ICICI Prudential Life Insurance signed Surya Kmar Yadav.
Key Points –
• ICICI Prudential Life Insurance has announced the launch of its ‘360° Financial Protection with ICICI Prudential Life Insurance’ digital-first campaign.
2. 80th Annual Golden Globe Awards 2023
Why in news - SS Rajamouli’s RRR won best original song for ‘Naatu Naatu’.
Key Points –
• MM Keeravani (Composer), Kaala Bhairava (singer) and Rahul Sipligunj (singer) has won the award for the track “Naatu Naatu”.
• It has also been nominated in the Best Non-English Language Film category at the 80th Golden Globes.
• India’s previous awards in this category – AR Rahman’s Slumdog Millionaire.
PERSON IN NEWS:
1. Dr Tehemton E Udwadia
Why in news - The father of laparoscopic surgery in India, Dr Tehemton E Udwadia passed away.
Key Points –
• He was awarded the Padma Bhushan, the country’s third highest civilian award, in 2017.
2. Rahman Rahi
Why in news - Kashmiri poet and the Valley’s only Jnanpith awardee, Prof Rahman Rahi, passed away.
Key Points –
• His awards –
A. Sahitya Akademi award (1961)
B. Padma Shri (1999)
C. Jnanpith award (2007).
• He was conferred the Jnanpith award for his Kashmiri collection ‘Siyah roode jaren manz’ (In black vernal showers) published in 2004.
FESTIVALS:
1. Imoinu Eratpa Festival
Why in news - Emoinu Iratpa is a festival celebrated majorly by the Meitei community in Manipur.
Key Points –
• It is dedicated to the Goddess ‘Imoinu Ahongbi’.
2. ‘Cherchera’ Festival
Why in news - Chhattisgarh celebrated the traditional Cherchera festival.
Key Points –
• It is celebrated in the happiness of taking the crops to their homes after cultivation.
BOOKS & AUTHORS:
1. “Roller Coaster: An Affair with Banking”
Why in news - Journalist Tamal Bandyopadhyay has released his latest book "Roller Coaster: An Affair with Banking".
Key Points –
• The book delves into the stories and insights of the Indian banking industry.
SPORTS:
1. British Junior Open
Why in news - India's Anahat Singh won the Girls' Under-15 squash title in the British Junior Open.
Key Points –
• She beat Sohaila Hazem of Egypt, 3-1 in the final.
• Venue - Birmingham, U.K.
• Asian Junior team championships to be held in Chennai in February 2023.
2. Sania Mirza
Why in news - Sania Mirza has confirmed her retirement from professional Tennis.
Key Points –
• She would retire at the WTA 1000 event in Dubai in February 2023.
• Mirza has won six Grand Slam doubles titles.
• Mirza became the first Indian to win a WTA singles title (Hyderabad 2005).
• She broke into the top 30 by 2007 and reached her career-high ranking of world number 27.
BIHAR:
1. Bihar Municipality Area Advertisement Rules 2023
Why in news - The government has started implementation of the Bihar Municipality Area Advertisement Rules-2023.
Key Points –
• With this, Patna Municipal Corporation's (Permission for display and use of advertisement and similar permission) Regulation 2012 has been repealed.
• Advertisements have been placed under four categories in the new rules.
• Registration would be valid for three years.
• Railways would make available 25% of the revenue received through advertisements to the municipal bodies.
POINTERS:
• Which state's chief minister has demanded national status for "Gangasagar Mela" - West Bengal.
• The Chief Minister of which state has unveiled the mascot, torch and anthem of Khelo India Youth Games-2022 - Madhya Pradesh (Shivraj Singh Chouhan).
• Who has been appointed as the chairman of the Gems and Jewellery Council - Saiyam Mehra.
• Which country has announced over $3.75 billion in military aid to Ukraine and European allies – USA.
• Who is the author of the book "Human Anatomy" - Dr. AK Dwivedi.
• Which state will set up 122 new sports complexes in rural areas recently – Maharashtra.
• Where was the country's first Purple fest organized – Goa.
• Indian Army has tied up with which state government for the treatment of ex-servicemen – Assam.
• In which city the first meeting of “Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion” of the G-20 group held – Kolkata.
• Who has been elected as the next Speaker of the 'US House of Representatives' - Kevin McCarthy.