International News
1. World Health Organisation launches Quit Tobacco App
- World Health Organization (WHO) South-East Asia Region (SEAR) has launched a ‘Quit Tobacco App’. This application helps people to give up the use of tobacco in all forms, including smokeless and other newer products.
- The App was launched by Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director, WHO-SEAR, during WHO’s year-long ‘Commit to quit’ campaign, is the latest tobacco control initiative by the WHO South-East Asia Region.
Appointments News
2. Bihar ropes in Manoj Tiwari as brand ambassador for Khadi
- Bhojpuri singer and BJP MP, Manoj Tiwari will be the brand ambassador of Khadi and other handicrafts of Bihar. He will be the “brand ambassador” for Khadi and other handicrafts of Bihar, state minister Syed Shahnawaz Hussain announced.
Bankings News
3. Yes Bank launches ‘Agri Infinity’ programme
- Private sector lender, Yes Bank has launched an ‘Agri Infinity’ programme for digital financing solutions in the food and agriculture sector ecosystem by mentoring entrepreneurial ventures in this field.
- Agri-fintech start-ups working on financial innovations across the food and agriculture value chain are eligible to apply under this programme and can work with Yes Bank for digital solutions.
Economy News
4. India’s wholesale inflation declines to 12.96% in January
- India’s wholesale inflation has eased to 12.96 % in January from 13.56 % in the previous month. The Wholesale Price Index (WPI) based inflation has declined consistently in recent months.
- It fell from 14.87 % in November 2021 to 13.56 % in December 2021 and further to 12.96 % in January 2022. However, inflation still remains at an elevated level and is a matter of concern for economic policymakers.
Business News
5. Jio Platforms picks up 25% stake in US-based tech startup TWO Platforms
- Jio Platforms has picked up a 25% stake in US-based deep-tech startup company TWO Platforms for $15 million. Two Platforms is an artificial reality company that focuses on building interactive and immersive AI experiences.
- The two companies have joined hands to fast track the adoption of new technologies and build disruptive technologies such as AI, metaverse and mixed realities. TWO’s platform enables real-time AI voice and video calls, digital humans, immersive spaces and lifelike gaming.
6. SIDBI launches ‘waste to wealth creation’ programme 2022
- Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) has launched the ‘Waste to Wealth Creation’ programme for women in the Sundarbans in West Bengal. In this, the women will make ornaments and showpieces from the fish scales. SIDBI will extend benefits to 50 women indirectly generating revenues from alternate livelihoods.
- Under this programme, Later, these women are expected to become a trainer for replicating and disseminating the knowledge among other aspirants. This is a part of mission Swavalamban of SIDBI that aims to support artisans to become sustainable.
7. Sebi makes provision of separation of chairperson & MD/CEO roles voluntary
- Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) board has decided to make provision for separation of the roles of chairperson and MD/CEO as ‘voluntary’ against ‘mandatory’ earlier.
- The market regulator had in June 2017 set up a committee on corporate governance under Uday Kotak with a view to seek recommendations to further enhance corporate governance norms for listed companies.
Summits and Conferences News
8. Union Minister RK Singh co-chairs 4th India-Australia Energy Dialogue
- The 4th India-Australia Energy Dialogue was co-chaired by Union Minister for Power and New & Renewable Energy, RK Singh and Australian Energy and Emissions Reduction Minister Angus Taylor.
- Energy Transition was a major area of discussion in the dialogue and both the Energy Ministers. Energy Transition activities in their respective countries with a focus on renewables, energy efficiency, storage, EVs, critical minerals, mining etc.
9. GoI forms G20 Secretariat in view India’s G20 Presidency
- India will hold the Presidency of the G20 from 1 December 2022 to 30 November 2023 and the G20 Summit will be held in India in 2023 (18th edition). For its preparation, the government has approved the setting up of a G20 Secretariat and its reporting structures.
- The G20 Secretariat will be guided by an Apex Committee headed by Prime Minister and it will have the following members: Finance Minister: Nirmala Sitharaman, Home Minister: Amit Shah, External Affairs Minister: S. Jaishankar, and G20 Sherpa: Piyush Goyal.
10. TERI’s World Sustainable Development Summit begins
- The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi has delivered the inaugural address at The Energy and Resources Institute’s (TERI) World Sustainable Development Summit.
- Mr Luis Abinader, President of the Dominican Republic, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, Ms Amina J Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General, United Nations and Union Minister Shri Bhupender Yadav were among those present on the occasion.
- The 21st edition of WSDS is scheduled from 16th-18th February 2022. The theme for this year’s summit is Towards a Resilient Planet: Ensuring a Sustainable and Equitable Future.
11. Narcotics Control Bureau organises “Darkathon-2022”
- The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) is organising a “Darkathon-2022” to find solutions to counter drug trafficking through the darknet. The initiative aims at involving students, youth and technical experts to find effective solutions to unravel the anonymity of darknet markets.
- The agency recently smashed three groups of drug peddlers that were operating on the network that is accessed through encryption software which enables anonymity of users.
Schemes and Conferences News
12. Social Justice Ministry launches Scheme for Economic Empowerment of DNTs
- Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, Dr Virendra Kumar has launched a central sector scheme named the Scheme for Economic Empowerment for DNTs, (SEED) at Dr Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi.
- The total financial outlay for SEED Scheme is approximately Rs 200 crore to be spent over a period of 5 years starting Financial Year 2021-22 to 2025-26.
The scheme will have the following four components:
- To provide coaching of good quality for DNT/NT/SNT candidates to enable them to appear in competitive examinations.
- To provide health insurance to DNT/NT/SNT Communities.
- To provide financial assistance for the construction of houses to members of the DNT/NT/SNT Communities.
Books and Authors News
13. A book titled ‘Humane: How the United States Abandoned Peace and Reinvented War’ released
- A new book titled “Humane: How the United States Abandoned Peace and Reinvented War” authored by Samuel Moyn was released. Samuel Moyn is the Professor of Jurisprudence at Yale Law School and a professor of History at Yale University.
- This provocative book argues about the endless wars the USA created in the past including Vietnam War (1955-1975), Korean War (1950-1953), World War II (1939-1945) etc and this development might not represent progress at all.
Obituaries News
14. Bengali singer Sandhya Mukherjee passes away
- Legendary Bengali singer, Sandhya Mukherjee has passed away at the age of 90 years due to cardiac arrest. Her full name was Geetashree Sandhya Mukhopadhyay. She had recently refused to accept the Padma award from the central government that was awarded in January 2022.
- The music was composed by Rai Chand Boral. She sang under the direction of famous composers such as S D Burman, Roshan and Madan Mohan.
Miscellaneous News
15. LAHDC launched the “Kunsnyom scheme” for differently-abled persons
- Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Leh has launched Kunsnyoms scheme for differently-abled persons. Kunsnyoms meant Equal for All, Fair for All, aims inclusive and accessible Ladakh.
- Under the new scheme, Leh Hill council is providing assistive devices, technologies to needy people at 90 per cent subsidy.
