Daily Current Affairs January 01 & 02 2023

 

CURRENT AFFAIRS: IMPORTANT DAYS

Global Family Day: 1st January

• Global Family Day 2023 is observed on the 1st of January 2023.
• Every year, Global Family Day, also known as World Peace Day, is observed to encourage the idea of peace and unity in the world.
• On the first day of the new millennium, in 1997, the United Nations General Assembly declared the International Decade for the Culture of Peace and Nonviolence for the Children of the World.
• A significant contributor to its promotion in the United States was Linda Grover, and other initiatives including the publication of publications like “One Day in Peace – January 1, 2000.”
• The idea of a time in the future when there is only peace and no war permeated this book.
• But this was only the beginning of a new peaceful world, and in 1999, all U.N. member states were officially invited to spend the first day of that year developing peacebuilding plans.
• As a result of the day’s success, the U.N. proclaimed Global Family Day a yearly occasion in 2001

CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL NEWS

Food Processing Industry Invests Rs 4,900 Cr Under PLI Scheme:

• The government has announced that the food processing industry has invested Rs 4,900 crore so far under the production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme.
• The PLI scheme for the food processing industry was approved in March 2021, with a budget outlay of Rs 10,900 crore.
• It will be implemented for seven years until 2026-27.
• A total of 182 applications have been approved under the PLI scheme for the food processing industry
• According to data reported by PLI scheme beneficiaries, the scheme has attracted an investment of approximately Rs 4,900 crores.
• Incentives amounting to Rs 800 crore are likely to be disbursed in the current financial year.
• The sales-based incentive of Rs 107.3 crore has been disbursed so far, it added.
• The implementation of the scheme is likely to facilitate the expansion of food processing capacity by nearly Rs 30,000 crore and create additional direct and indirect employment opportunities for about 2.5 lakh persons by 2026-27.
• PLI beneficiaries’ investments are likely to increase sales and exports of food products.
• The ministry stated that a total of 112 food processing projects were completed and operationalized during 2022, leveraging the private investment of Rs 706.04 crore and generating direct and indirect employment for 25,293 people.
• During the year, approximately 190 food processing projects were approved.
• As per the ministry, the ‘One District One Product (ODOPY) scheme (under the Prime Minister-Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PM-FME) scheme) has been approved for 713 districts across 35 states and union territories, with 137 distinct products.
• About 46 new projects have been approved for the Operation Greens Scheme in 2022.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: INTERNATIONAL NEWS

IISc Bengaluru to be G20 Science working group’s secretariat

• The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) of Bengaluru has been chosen as the secretariat for Science 20 (S20) – the science working group of the G20 summit.
• The G20 is being presided over by India and the theme of the S20 in 2023 is ‘Disruptive Science for Innovative and Sustainable Development’. 
• The G20 forum is made up of 19 countries and includes the European Union (EU).

About the S20 2023 :

• Science 20 (S20) 2023 will work towards resolving global issues like poverty.
• It will focus on three key issues:

1. Universal Holistic Health
2. Clean Energy for Green Future
3. Connecting Science to Society and Culture

• These three issues will be discussed at the events that will be held in Agartala, Lakshadweep, and Bhopal throughout the year 2023
• The S20 will play a major role in resolving global concerns like the hunger crisis and bring together the Group of 20 countries in developmental efforts.
• The S20 2023 will focus on creating a framework that supports the development of responsible technologies, encouraging IP sharing and technological transfers, and startup mentorship programs and
• It will also promote global support for large-scale science projects, and a framework for holistic health programs and mental health programs.
• Also, an inaugural conference will be held in Puducherry from January 30 to 31, 2023 and a summit meeting will be organized in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.
• S20 will be a platform for addressing issues like climate change and sustainable development in G20 nations.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: STATE NEWS

Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari inaugurates the New Zuari Bridge in Goa

• Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari inaugurated the New Zuari Bridge in
• The bridge is an important link between North and South Goa.
• The bridge is located on the Zuari river at Cortalim village on Margao-Panaji National Highway and aims to ease the traffic woes of Goa.
• On the occasion of the inauguration along with the Chief Minister Shri Pramod Sawant, Union Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways and Tourism Shripad Naik, Minister for PWD in Goa government  Nilesh Cabral and Rajya Sabha MP Vinay Tendulkar were present.

Key Highlights :

• This 20-kilometer eight-lane bridge costing 2530 Crores across the Zuari river from Bambolim to Verna will have significant benefits for transport from North Goa to South Goa.
• The entire eight-lane project will be completed by April 2023.
• It will reduce travel time between North Goa to South Goa by 30 minutes by strengthening connectivity for Mormugao Port Trust.
• The bridge is also the second largest cable-stayed bridge in India, the first being Mumbai’s Bandra Worli sea link.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: BANKING & FINANCE

IRDAI makes KYC details mandatory from Jan 1, 2023

• The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has mandated that all policyholders must provide their Know Your Customer (KYC) details when purchasing any type of insurance policy from January 1, 2023.
• The rule applies to all types of insurance – life, general, and health insurance.

Key Highlights :

• Currently, KYC documents are only required when making a claim worth over Rs 1 lakh.
• Under the new insurance rule, KYC documents will be required even while purchasing a new policy.
• With this, experts believe that the claim process may become faster and more seamless as the insurers will have a detailed profile of customers.
• Until now, sharing KYC documents was a voluntary choice while purchasing a policy.
• However, with the new move, the Aadhaar card, PAN (Permanent Account Number) card, and photo of the customer have become mandatory for the purchase of new insurance policies.
• Although KYC documents are required for the renewal of existing policies, customers will be provided sufficient time to intimate the details.
• The time limit will be 2 years for low-risk policyholders and one year for others, including high-risk customers.

About IRDAI :

• Established: 1999
• Headquarters: Hyderabad, Telangana
• Chairperson: Debasish Panda
• The IRDAI is a regulatory body under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Finance, Government of India, and is tasked with regulating and licensing the insurance and reinsurance industries in

CURRENT AFFAIRS: ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS

Adani Group acquires NDTV founders’ 27.26% stake to raise stake to 64.7%

• The Adani Group has acquired a 27.26% equity stake in NDTV from Prannoy Roy and his wife Radhika Roy, founders of the news broadcaster.
• As of December 30, 2022, 64.71 % is the total stake of Adani Group In NDTV.
• Earlier, on December 23, 2022, Prannoy Roy and Radhika Roy announced the sale of 27.26% out of their remaining 32.26% shareholding in the NDTV to the Adani Group.
• Earlier Adani Group acquired a 29.18% stake in NDTV by buying a company backed by the television network’s founders, Radhika Roy and Prannoy Roy.
• Vishvapradhan Commercial Private Limited (an indirect subsidiary of the company) holds an 8.z27% equity stake in NDTV and RRPR (before the present acquisition) held a 29.18% equity stake in NDTV.
• Consequent to the present acquisition, RRPR will hold 56.45%

About Adani Group :

• Founded: 20 July 1988
• Headquarters: Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
• Chairman & MD: Gautam Adani

CURRENT AFFAIRS: BUSINESS NEWS

NDTV founders to get Rs 602 crore from sale of 27.26% to Adani Enterprises

• Gautam Adani’s Adani Group gained full control of New Delhi Television Ltd (NDTV) after acquiring the stake of former founders Prannoy Roy and Radhika Roy.
• The Roys received over Rs 602 crore after selling their stake to Adani Enterprises.
• They sold sell their 27.z26% stake in the news broadcaster at Rs 342.65 per share, a premium of 17% to the open offer price of Rs 294 per share.
• The Roys will continue to hold a 5% stake, valued at Rs 110 crore.
• After the transaction, the stake of the acquirer Adani Enterprises-owned RRRR Holding in NDTV will increase to 56.45% from 29.18% earlier.
• An indirect subsidiary of Adani Enterprises—Visvapardhan Commercial—holds another 8.27% stake in NDTV, taking the overall holding of Adani Enterprises in the broadcaster to 64.72%.
• NDTV announced that Roys, along with four other directors have resigned following the change of ownership.
• NDTV’s board has approved the appointment of Aman Kumar Singh as a non-executive Additional Director and Sunil Kumar as an Additional Director in the capacity of non-executive, Independent Director.
• Shares of NDTV close at Rs 345.60 on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE).

CURRENT AFFAIRS: APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu to take oath as Israel’s new PM 

• Benjamin Netanyahu was sworn in as Israel’s prime minister (PM) for a sixth time, leading the Jewish state’s most right-wing government to date.
• He Succeeds Yair Lapid, who served as PM of Israel from July 2022 to Dec 2022.
• Benjamin Netanyahu was the 25th Prime Minister of Israel.
• Netanyahu has the support of 63 lawmakers in the 120-member Knesset (Israeli parliament).
• In the house, 54 lawmakers voted against his government.
• The lawmakers supporting the new government are all right-wing, including Netanyahu’s Likud party supported by the ultra-orthodox Shas, United Torah Judaism, the far-right Otzma Yehudit, Religious Zionist Party, and Noam.
• Netanyahu announced the appointment of 31 ministers and 3 deputy ministers.
• Three government ministries – defense, education, and welfare – will have two ministers serving at the same time.
• However, women remain in the minority with only 5 ministerial posts, marking a new low in their representation.

About Benjamin Netanyahu :

• Benjamin Netanyahu was born on 21 October 1949, in Tel Avi, Israel.
• He is the longest-tenured prime minister in the country’s history, having served for a total of over 15 years.
• He is also the first PM to be born in Israel after its Declaration of Independence.
• He is also the Chairman of Likud – National Liberal Movement.
• He previously served as PM from 1996 to 1999 and again from 2009, 2013, 2015, and 2020.

About Israel :

• President : Isaac Herzog
• Prime Minister: Benjamin Netanyahu
• Capital: Jerusalem
• Currency : New shekel

Ex-ITDC MD Mr. G Kamala Vardhana Rao takes charge as CEO of FSSAI

• G Kamala Vardhana Rao was appointed as the chief executive officer (CEO) of the Food Safety & Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
• Before Mr. G Kamala Vardhana Rao, Arun Singhal was the CEO of FSSAI from 2020 to 2022.

About Mr G Kamala Vardhana Rao :

• Rao was employed with the Indian Tourism Development Corporation Ltd. (ITDC), a Miniratna PSU under the Ministry of Tourism, as its Chairman & Managing Director (CMD).
• He has served as Principal Secretary of, the Public Works Department, and as Principal Secretary, of Finance and Expenditure, Government of Kerala.
• He has also served as Secretary, of Kerala Tourism, and Director of Culture at, the Government of India.

About FSSAI :

• Headquarters: New Delhi, Delhi
• Chairperson: Shri Rajesh Bhushan
• CEO : Shri Ganji Kamala V Rao
• The FSSAI is a statutory body established under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: DEFENCE NEWS

IAF successfully test-fires extended range version of the BrahMos air missile

• The Indian Air Force (IAF) successfully test-fired the extended-range version of BrahMos air-launched missile against a ship target from a SU-30MKI aircraft.
• The missile achieved the desired mission objectives in the Bay of Bengal region.
• The dedicated and synergetic efforts of the Indian Air Force (IAF), Indian Navy, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), BrahMos Aerospace (BAPL), and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) have proven the capability of the nation to achieve this feat.

About BrahMos air-launched missile :

• BrahMos Aerospace is an Indo-Russian joint venture which produces supersonic cruise missiles. 
• The missiles can be launched from submarines, ships, aircraft, or land platforms.
• A BrahMos missile travels at a speed of 2.8 Mach or almost thrice the speed of sound.
• The first test of the initial version of the Cruise Missile was conducted in 2017, making it a significant addition to the IAF’s operational capabilities from stand-off ranges.
• It was the first launch of an extended-range version of BrahMos missile from Su-30MKI aircraft.
• With this, the IAF has achieved the capability to carry out precision strikes from Su-30MKI aircraft against a land/ sea target over very long ranges.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: SPORTS NEWS

Koneru Humpy wins India’s first-ever silver medal at World Blitz Chess Championship in Almaty, Kazakhstan:

• Former world rapid champion Koneru Humpy has won India’s first-ever Silver medal in the FIDE World Blitz Chess Championships in Almaty, Kazakhstan.
• Humpy defeated China’s Zhongyi Tan to win Silver in the 17th and final rounds.
• Fourth-seeded Humpy scored an impressive 12.5 points, just half a point behind the gold medal winner Bibisara Balabayeva of Kazakhastan.
• Humpy is the second Indian to win a medal at World Blitz, after Viswanathan Anand.
• Humpy has received compliments from Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Anurag Singh Thakur for taking home the silver medal at the World Blitz Chess Championships.

Cristiano Ronaldo joins Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr:

• Portugal Football team captain Cristiano Ronaldo has joined the Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr on a contract until 2025.
• The club in a tweet described the signing as history in the making.
• The club said it would inspire their league, nation, and future generations, boys and girls to be the best version of themselves.
• The 37-year-old Ronaldo said he is eager to experience a new football league in a different country.
• The Portugal captain was free after leaving Manchester United following a controversial interview in which he had criticized the club.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: OBITUARY

Football legend & 3-time FIFA World Cup winner Pele passed away

• Former Brazilian football legend, Edson Arantes do Nascimento, who was popularly known as Pele passed away at the age of 82 in São Paulo, Brazil.

About Pele :

• He was regarded as one of the greatest players of all time and labeled “the greatest” by FIFA.
• He began playing for Santos at age 15 and the Brazil national team at
• During his international career, he won three Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) World Cups: 1958, 1962, and 1970 & he is the only player to have won 3 FIFA world cup titles.
• He was nicknamed O Rei (The King) following the 1958 tournament.
• His 1977 autobiography, “My Life and the Beautiful Game,” made the phrase part of football’s lexicon.
• He was named “Athlete of the Century” by the International Olympic Committee in 1999, co-“Football Player of the Century” by the world soccer body FIFA in 2000, and a “national treasure” by Brazil’s government.
• During his 21-year career, he has scored the most career goals 1,283 in 1,363 games including 77 goals in 92 matches for his country.
• In January 1995, he was appointed by Fernando Cardoso as minister of sports.
• He was named Fifa’s Player of the Century in 2000.
• In 2000, he was voted World Player of the Century by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS).
• He proposed legislation to reduce corruption in Brazilian football, which became known as the “Pelé law.
• The Pelé law is a Brazilian law that forces professional sports clubs to observe business law and pay tax within two years.

Daily CA on January 1 & 2

• Global Family Day 2023 is observed on the 1st of January 2023.
• The government has announced that the food processing industry has invested Rs 4,900 crore so far under the production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme.
• Gautam Adani’s Adani Group gained full control of New Delhi Television Ltd (NDTV) after acquiring the stake of former founders Prannoy Roy and Radhika Roy.
• Former world rapid champion Koneru Humpy has won India’s first-ever Silver medal in the FIDE World Blitz Chess Championships in Almaty, Kazakhstan.
• Portugal Football team captain Cristiano Ronaldo has joined the Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr on a contract until 2025.
• The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) of Bengaluru has been chosen as the secretariat for Science 20 (S20) – the science working group of the G20 summit.
• Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari inaugurated the New Zuari Bridge in
• The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has mandated that all policyholders must provide their Know Your Customer (KYC) details when purchasing any type of insurance policy from January 1, 2023.
• The Adani Group has acquired a 27.26% equity stake in NDTV from Prannoy Roy and his wife Radhika Roy, founders of the news broadcaster.
• Benjamin Netanyahu was sworn in as Israel’s prime minister (PM) for a sixth time, leading the Jewish state’s most right-wing government to date.
• G Kamala Vardhana Rao was appointed as the chief executive officer (CEO) of the Food Safety & Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
• The Indian Air Force (IAF) successfully test-fired the extended-range version of BrahMos air-launched missile against a ship target from a SU-30MKI aircraft.
• Former Brazilian football legend, Edson Arantes do Nascimento, who was popularly known as Pele passed away at the age of 82 in São Paulo, Brazil.