NATIONAL:
1. Export of Aviation Gasoline
Why in news - Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) has started the exports of aviation gasoline.
Key Points –
• The first consignment of 80 barrels of aviation gas was shipped from the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) to Papua New Guinea.
• Indigenously produced gas name - AV gas 100 LL.
• Aviation gasoline is a high-octane aviation fuel.
• IOC began the production of aviation gasoline at its Vadodara facility.
• Currently, the IOC is the sole manufacturer in India.
• It is used to operate unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and small planes.
• For the first time in the nation's history India exported fuel.
• Global Fuel market - $2.7 billion.
2. Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET)
Why in news - NSA Ajit Doval and his US counterpart Jake Sullivan formally launched the iCET.
Key Points –
• PM Modi and Biden announced to elevate the Strategic Technology Partnership and Defence Industrial Cooperation in 2022 on the sidelines of the QUAD summit in Tokyo.
Outcome of the meeting –
• 'Innovation Bridge' - To connect US and Indian defence startups.
• Joint Indo-US Quantum Coordination mechanisms - To promote collaboration on high performance computing.
• General Electric to jointly produce engines that will power the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft `Tejas’.
3. Suez Canal Economic Zone
Why in news – Egypt is considering allocating land for the Indian industries in the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCEZ).
Key Points –
• India’s present investments in Egypt - US $ 3.15 bn.
• It is one of the world's busiest trade routes.
About Suez Canal -
• It is an artificial sea-level waterway running north to south across the Isthmus of Suez in Egypt.
• The Suez Canal connects the Mediterranean Sea with the Red Sea.
• About 12% of global trade passes through the canal each day.
• The canal separates the African continent from Asia.
• In the Suez Canal region, the correct order of lake is Lake Manzala - Lake Timsah – Great Bitter Lake – Little Bitter Lake.
INTERNATIONAL:
1. Csaba Korosi
Why in news - Mr. Csaba Korosi, President of the 77th Session of UNGA, visited India from January 29-31, 2023.
Key Points –
• He assumed UNGA Presidency in September 2022.
• He delivered a public address at the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA) on the theme of “Solutions through Solidarity, Sustainability and Science in the UN”.
• He is a Hungarian diplomat.
ECONOMY:
1. Port of Haifa
Why in news – The Adani Group recently acquired the strategic Israeli port of Haifa for USD 1.2 billion.
Key Points –
• Adani also announced opening an artificial intelligence lab in Tel Aviv.
• Location: Northern Israel, adjacent to the city of Haifa along the Mediterranean Sea.
• It has a natural deep-water harbour.
• It was constructed in 1933 by the British.
2. ‘Unity Mall’
Why in news – FM Nirmala Sitharaman announced in the Budget that states would be encouraged to set up a “Unity Mall”.
Key Points –
• Aim - Focus on the promotion and sale of the state’s own “ODOPs (one district, one product), GI products and other handicraft products.
• Proposed location – State capitals, prominent tourism centres or their financial capitals.
• At present, an Ekta Mall is operational near the Statue of Unity, in Kevadia (Gujarat).
IMPORTANT DAYS:
1. World Wetlands Day 2023
Why in news – It is marked every year on February 2.
Key Points –
• World Wetlands Day was established in 1971 by the Ramsar Convention (officially the Convention on Wetlands).
• Theme - ‘It’s Time for Wetlands Restoration’.
• India signed the Ramsar Convention on 1st Feb 1982.
• Total Ramsar sites in India (Aug 2022) – 75, covering an area of 13,26,677 ha.
• Maximum Ramsar sites - Tamil Nadu (14), UP (10).
• Most Ramsar Sites - United Kingdom (175) and Mexico (142)
• Bolivia has the largest area with 148,000 sq km under the Convention protection.
2. World Interfaith Harmony Week
Why in news – UN General Assembly (UNGA) designated the first 7 days of February as World Interfaith Harmony Week in 2010.
Key Points –
• Aim - Creating mutual understanding and interreligious dialogue between people regardless of their faith.
• The idea was first proposed by Jordan’s King Abdullah II.
SECURITY:
1.“Exercise Trishakri Prahar”
Why in news – Armed forces carried out Trishakri Prahar Exercise in North Bengal from 21 January to 31 January 2023.
Key Points –
• Aim - Synergising the firepower assets of Indian army and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF).
• Venue - Integrated Fire Power Exercise in Teesta Field Firing Ranges.
AWARDS & HONOURS:
1. Lifetime Achievement Honour
Why in news – Former PM Dr Manmohan Singh was recently conferred a Lifetime Achievement Honour by the India-UK Achievers Honours in London.
Key Points –
• It would be handed over to Dr Singh in New Delhi by the National Indian Students and Alumni Union (NISAU) UK.
• Outstanding Achievers awardees included - Parineeti Chopra, Raghav Chadha, Adar Poonawalla and Aditi Chauhan.
RANKS & INDICES:
1. Digital Payments Index (RBI-DPI)
Why in news – The RBI released the newly-constituted Digital Payments Index (RBI-DPI).
Key Points –
• RBI-DPI stood at 377.46 (24% annual growth) in September 2022.
• RBI-DPI measures the adoption of online transactions.
• Parameters are –
A. Payment Enablers (25%)
B. Payment Infrastructure – Demand-side factors (10%)
C. Payment Infrastructure – Supply-side factors (15%)
D. Payment Performance (45%)
E. Consumer Centricity (5%).
• The central bank had announced the construction of a composite RBI-DPI in March 2018.
BIHAR:
1. Nursing Studies in Bihar
Why in news – In the Union Budget, FM Sitharaman has announced the setting up of new Nursing Colleges in the 157 Medical Colleges Hospitals.
Key Points –
• 3 medical colleges of Bihar would get the benefit. They are located in Purnea, Bettiah and Madhepura.
• There would be a provision of 100-100 seats for nursing studies.
• Bihar is expected to get more than Rs 1700 crore under the National Health Mission.
• As per NFHS-5, Bihar has achieved the target of full immunization of more than 85% children.
• Second AIIMS in Bihar would be constructed in Shobhan of Darbhanga in Bihar.
POINTERS:
• Which country will be the partner country for Telangana's flagship pharma - biotech event, BioAsia 2023. - United Kingdom.
• Who has been appointed as the new Drugs Controller General of India - Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi.
• Who has launched the Visit India Year-2023 initiative in New Delhi on 31 January and also unveiled its logo - G Kishan Reddy.
• Which Bengaluru-based start-up has developed a robot to clean oil tanks - Beta Tank Robotics Private Ltd.
• Recently, an exciting Mega 'Khadi fashion show' was organized at which place - 'Rann of Kutch'.
• How many Indian movies were awarded at the International Science Film Festival of India (ISFF) – 9.
• A two-day meeting of QUAD's Senior Cyber Group to strengthen cyber security cooperation was held in which city - New Delhi.
• The International Monetary Fund has approved a support loan package for Bangladesh to help it cope with soaring energy and food costs that have sparked huge protests
of what amount - $4.7 billion.
• Which athlete has won the gold medal in the decathlon at the 1981 Asian Athletics Championships in Tokyo who has recently passed away - Sabir Ali.
• Who has won the men's singles title of Australian Open champion 2023 - Novak Djokovic.