NATIONAL:
1. School of Logistics, Waterways and Communication
Why in news - Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated the School of Logistics, Waterways and Communication in Agartala.
Key Points –
• It has been set up under State Institute of Public Administration and Rural Development (SIPARD).
• National Waterways 16 - 121km navigable portion of Barak River between Lakhipur and Bhanga in Assam.
2. PayRup
Why in news - India’s fastest payment app PayRup was launched recently.
Key Points –
• It is built by cutting-edge technology of web 3.0.
• PayRup follows SERVQUAL standards to provide the best service experience.
3. 28th Saarang 2023
Why in news - IIT Madras annual cultural festival Saarang started on Jan 11, 2023.
Key Points –
• Theme 2023 - Mystic Hues.
• ‘Panacea’ (2023) - IIT Madras campaign surrounding health and hygiene awareness to thwart disease breakouts.
4. ‘Aadi Shaurya – Parv Parakram Ka’
Why in news - A Military Tattoo & Tribal Dance Festival ‘Aadi Shaurya – Parv Parakram Ka’ would be organized in New Delhi (Jan 23 & 24).
Key Points –
• To be organised by Minstry of Defence and Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
• 2023 marks the 126th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose (celebrated as Parakram Diwas).
• Traditional dance performances to be showcased - Khukhri Dance, Gatka, Mallakhamb, Kalaripaytu and Thangta.
INTERNATIONAL:
1. French Pension Changes
Why in news - French PM Elisabeth Borne announced to increase the retirement age from 62 to 64 by 2030.
Key Points –
• It would be gradually increased from Sept. 1 by three months each year and reach 64 in 2030.
2. US Navy visit to Diego Garcia
Why in news - US Navy nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine visited the remote island of Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean.
Key Points –
• Submarine name - USS West Virginia.
• Diego Garcia is a highly militarised island, located in the south of the equator.
• Diego Garcia is a part of the Chagos Archipelago, which the UK identifies as British Indian Ocean Territory.
• India is believed to be building a military base of its own in Mauritius' Agalega Island.
3. Constantine II
Why in news - Greece's former King Constantine II died aged 82.
Key Points –
• He ascended to the throne in 1964.
• He remained in Rome until the junta abolished the monarchy in 1973.
SECURITY:
1. ‘Veer Guardian-2023’
Why in news - India and Japan held a joint air exercise named “Veer Guardian” January 12 to 26, 2023.
Key Points –
• Venue - Hyakuri Air Base, Japan.
• Other joint exercises –
A. Japan India Maritime Exercise (JIMEX) 2021 - Arabian Sea.
B. DHARMA GUARDIAN-2022 – Belgaum.
C. Exercise Malabar – India, Japan, the US, and Australia.
• Japan has announced to increase its defence budget from the existing 1% of GDP to 2% by 2027-28.
IMPORTANT DAYS:
1. National Human Trafficking Awareness Day 2023
Why in news – It is observed on January 11, 2022 to raise awareness about the plight of human trafficking victims.
Key Points –
• Theme - Wear blue and raise awareness.
• National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention month – January.
BOOKS & AUTHORS:
1. “Spare”
Why in news – UK’s Prince Harry memoir “Spare” was released on January 10, 2023.
Key Points –
• It is an autobiography of the Duke of Sussex.
2. "Braving A Viral Storm: India’s Covid-19 Vaccine Story"
Why in news – Mansukh Mandaviya officially launched the book.
Key Points –
• Author - Aashish Chandorkar and Suraj Sudhir.
SPORTS:
1. “Hockeyverse”
Why in news – Hockey India launched the 'Hockeyverse' on their social media platforms.
Key Points –
• Hockey India becomes the first National Sports Federation to enter the world of metaverse.
• FIH Hockey Men's World Cup 2023 is being held at Bhubaneswar-Rourkela, Odisha.
2. 15th Hockey World Cup
Why in news – Odisha is set to host the FIH Hockey World Cup from January 13 to January 29, 2023.
Key Points –
• Venue –
A. Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneshwar.
B. Birsa Munda International Hockey Stadium, Rourkela.
• The 16-team tournament will be played on the distinctive blue turf.
• India's lone World Cup win came in 1975 in Kuala Lumpur under the captaincy of Ajit Pal Singh, beating arch-rivals Pakistan 2-1 in the final.
BIHAR:
1. Sharad Yadav
Why in news – Socialist stalwart and former JD(U) chief Sharad Yadav died at a hospital in Gurgaon.
Key Points –
• He was a 7-term Lok Sabha and 4-term Rajya Sabha member.
• Born - July 1, 1947 in Hoshangabad district of Madhya Pradesh.
• Bihar was his political home.
• He had fought Lok Sabha elections and won from three States — Madhya Pradesh ( Jabalpur), Bihar (Madhepura) and Uttar Pradesh (Badaun).
• Sharad Yadav has been a four-time MP from Madhepura seat in Bihar.
• For the first time in 1999, he defeated Lalu prasad from Madhepura seat.
POINTERS:
• Which country’s 33-year-old Dwaine Pretorius has announced her retirement from international cricket - South Africa.
• The central government has extended the term of RBI Deputy Governor Michael Debabrata Patra for how many years – 1 year.
• Which state government has selected three transgenders as teachers in government schools – Karnataka.
• Which state government has decided to take up universal eye screening by covering the entire population of the state under the name “Kanti Velugu” – Telangana.
• Which state government has come out with a new policy that allows private land owners to get licence to harness natural resources - West Bengal.
• Coffee exports from India, Asia's third-largest producer and exporter, rose by what percent to 4 lakh tonne in 2022 - 1.66%.
• Which country has taken over the presidency of the European Union (EU) for the first 6 months of 2023 - Sweden.
• Which state has become the first to have separate registration for Vintage Vehicles - Odisha.
• Which South Indian actress has won the title of 'Most Popular Female Star' - Samantha Ruth Prabhu.
• With which country Qatar has signed the world's longest gas supply deal - China.