France Hosts Conference "Standing with the Ukrainian People"
Some 70 countries and institutions worldwide pledged more than 1 billion euros ($1.05 billion) in immediate aid to help Ukraine get through a harsh winter as Russian forces batter its energy grid and other critical civilian infrastructure.
France hosted the global meeting to discuss what could be offered between now and March to maintain water, food, energy, health and transport during Ukraine's typically frigid winter.
Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna said over 1 billion euros had been pledged with some 415 million devoted to Ukraine's energy sector, hammered by Russian air strikes, adding that the participation of non-Western countries such as Qatar and Cambodia showed a widening of support for Ukraine.
The rest of the funds will be channelled to Ukraine's health, food, water and transport sectors, with almost 500 million euros still to be allocated.
EAM Jaishankar Inaugurates India Global Forum 2022 in UAE
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar inaugurated the India Global Forum UAE 2022.
It was a five-day event that brought together leading political, business and cultural personalities from India, the UAE and across the world.
This was the first major international event following India's ascendency to the G20 Presidency, and was held in Dubai and Abu Dhabi from December 12 to 16.
Covering the breadth of bilateral relations between India and the UAE, climate finance, technology, and investments, the five-day event was also an opportunity to discuss India's global aspirations and its presidency of the G20 amid challenging geopolitical scenarios.
The forum also presented opportunities for businesses and entrepreneurs of both countries to work together for regional and global impact.
G-7 Approves 15.5 billion US Dollar Deal with Vietnam to Help Cutting Climate-damaging Pollution
A group of nine rich industrialized nations approved a deal to provide Vietnam with 15.5 billion US dollars to help the Southeast Asian nation move faster from coal power to renewable energy, cutting its climate-damaging pollution. The Group of Seven major economies, along with Norway and Denmark, said that the aim is to help Vietnam reduce its emissions to "net zero" by 2050. It is a goal which experts say needs to be met globally to cap global warming at 1.5 degrees Celsius.
The Just Energy Transition Partnership with Vietnam is among a series of agreements that developing and rich nations are negotiating. The first such deal was signed with South Africa last year, and a similar agreement was reached with Indonesia last month. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said that Vietnam is a dynamic, emerging economy at the heart of Southeast Asia. He said the investment they are making today means the country can cut its emissions while simultaneously creating new jobs and growth.
UP to Develop One Wetland in Every District to Promote Eco-tourism
The Uttar Pradesh forest department decided to develop one wetland in every district as an ecotourism site under the 'One District One Wetland' (ODOW) initiative, which is similar to One District One Product (ODOP) scheme of the state government.
Minister of state for environment, forest and climate change (independent charge) Arun Kumar Saxena has asked the officials to prepare a proposal in this regard.
Wetlands should be developed to promote ecotourism in every district. While there are a lot of wetlands and Important Bird Areas (IBAs) in the state, those which lie outside protected areas will be conserved under the ODOW initiative.
Forest Department Launches Project 'Vanikaran' in Kerala
The forest department in association with Noolpuzha grama panchayat launched the 'Vanikaran' (afforestation) project to root out invasive plants, especially Senna spectabilis, and restore natural forests. The project was executed on 30 hectares of forestland under the Sulthan Bathery forest range of the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, Wayanad, Kerala where exotic invasive plants, including Senna spectabilis, Eupatorium, Mikania micrantha, and Lantana camara, are posing a serious threat to the local species of trees.
RBI Removes Informal Restrictions on Rupee NDF Trades
The Indian central bank lifted the informal restrictions on rupee non-deliverable forward trades it had placed on local banks in October.
All banks are now back to building positions in this segment.
The central bank had in October informally communicated to banks to halt building new positions in the NDF market to manage the rupee's volatility. The rupee had dropped to record low of 83.29 in October.
NDFs are offshore dollar-settled currency derivatives used by investors with limited access to onshore markets to hedge their exposure or speculate.
Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority Launches 'NPS Prosperity Planner' to Calculate Retirement Income
The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) launched "NPS Prosperity Planner" which is a personalised calculator for subscribers to calculate their retirement Income (Annuity) as per the annuity options based on their existing contribution under NPS. This initiative is a part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav (AKAM) and the new calculator will allow subscribers to plan for adequacy retirement income and the NPS Prosperity Planner (NPP) has been made available by the CRAs.
NPS Prosperity Planner is futuristic and offers personalized retirement planning for the subscribers based on their past contribution, expected income rise in the future and their cost of living. The calculator thus can provide the subscriber with the reasonable projections which aid in better retirement planning to ensure adequate and sustainable old age income.
Vedanta Emerges as Successful Bidder for Bicholim Mining Block in Goa
In a development paving the way for resumption of iron ore mining in Goa, the state government announced that Vedanta Limited emerged as successful bidder for a mining block auctioned earlier this year.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said that Vedanta was the highest bidder with 63.55 per cent revenue for Bicholim Mining Block, spread over 485 hectares. The state government had started the process to auction four mining blocks in the state including the Bicholim one earlier this year.
The existing block was being operated by Vedanta itself before iron ore mining was stopped in the coastal state on the Supreme Court's orders in 2012.
Scientists Make First-ever Audio Recording of Extraterrestrial Whirlwind on Mars
When the rover Perseverance landed on Mars, it was equipped with the first working microphone on the planet's surface. Scientists have used it to make the first-ever audio recording of an extraterrestrial whirlwind.
The microphone is not on continuously; it records for about three minutes every couple of days. Getting the whirlwind recording was lucky, though not necessarily unexpected. In the Jezero Crater, where Perseverance landed, the team has observed evidence of nearly 100 dust devils -- tiny tornadoes of dust and grit -- since the rover's landing. This is the first time the microphone was on when one passed over the rover.
The sound recording of the dust devil, taken together with air pressure readings and time-lapse photography, help scientists understand the Martian atmosphere and weather.
Ferrari Appoint Frederic Vasseur as Formula One Team Boss
Ferrari appointed Frenchman Frederic Vasseur as Formula One team principal and General Manager, replacing Mattia Binotto whose resignation was announced last month.
Vasseur's departure from Swiss-based Sauber, which runs the Alfa Romeo team, had been announced earlier. Ferrari said he would join them on January 9.
Vasseur and his compatriot Nicolas Todt, son of Jean and manager of Ferrari's Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc, are close and founded the junior series ART racing team together.
Messi Announces Retirement after Qatar FIFA 2022
Argentina football team Captain Lionel Messi will retire after the FIFA World Cup 2022 final. This was confirmed by the footballer himself after his country reached final after beating Croatia.
It may be mentioned that Messia is playing his fifth World Cup, surpassing the four of Diego Maradona and Javier Mascherano. Along with this he also surpassed Gabriel Batistuta with his fifth goal in Qatar as the top Albiceleste scorer at World Cups.
Tata Steel Signs MoU with Hockey India to Become Official partner of WC
Tata Steel Limited signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Hockey India to become an official partner of the FIH Hockey Men's World Cup 2023 in Bhubaneswar-Rourkela.
The 15th edition of the Hockey Men's World Cup will take place in Bhubaneswar-Rourkela from January 13 to January 29, 2023.
The FIH Odisha Hockey Men's World Cup 2023 Bhubaneswar-Rourkela will be the fourth time that India will be hosting the prestigious tournament after having played hosts in 1982 in Bombay, 2010 in New Delhi, and 2018 in Odisha.
Karnataka Sets up Ministerial Panel on Providing Internal Reservation for SCs
In a significant political move ahead of the 2023 Assembly elections, the BJP government in Karnataka constituted a five-member cabinet sub-committee to make recommendations on providing internal reservation for Scheduled Castes (SCs).
Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister J.C. Madhuswamy is heading the sub-committee.
The other members in the panel are Water Resources Minister Govind M. Karjol, Fisheries Minister S. Angara, Animal Husbandry Minister Prabhu Chavan and Health & Family Welfare Minister K. Sudhakar. Mr. Karjol, Mr. Angara and Mr. Chauhan belong to scheduled castes.
In a meeting held in November the State Cabinet had decided to constitute a sub-committee for classification of internal reservation among SCs.
The Justice A.J. Sadashiva Commission report, which was submitted in 2012, recommended reclassification of the SCs for equitable distribution of reservation.
The Congress has been accused of not taking a decision on the report when it was in power between 2013 and 2018.
NTPC Commissions Capacities of 150 MW & 90 MW Devikot Solar PV Projects at Jaisalmer in Rajasthan
NTPC announced that consequent upon successful commissioning, entire capacities of 150 MW & 90 MW Devikot Solar PV Projects at Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, are declared on Commercial Operation.
With this, standalone installed and commercial capacity of NTPC became 58041.27 MW, while group installed and commercial capacity of NTPC became 70656.27 MW.
US Space Force's First Overseas Base in South Korea
The US Space Force launched its first foreign command in South Korea.
As per reports, the new unit will help the US monitor security threats from North Korea, Russia and China.
The facility is the first of its kind outside American soil since the creation of the US Space Force in 2019.
Its opening was marked in a ceremony at Osan Air Base, 40 miles (65 kilometres) south of Seoul, where the unit will be based.
The US Space Force - the newest branch of the US military in more than 70 years - was launched three years ago as a way to protect American assets in space, including hundreds of satellites used for communication and surveillance.
McDonald's India-North and East Ropes in Actor Kartik Aaryan as Brand Ambassador
McDonald's India (North and East), one of the most loved restaurant brands in the country, roped in Kartik Aaryan, the most popular and charismatic superstar of India, as its brand ambassador. The heartthrob's strong youth connection will further strengthen the bond between McDonald's and its fans.
The actor, through his versatile, magnetic and influential personality, will engage people from all age groups, especially Gen Z and millennials, in a myriad of settings, thus generating high brand awareness.
Meghalaya Health Department Awarded for Best Practice in Tuberculosis ACSM
The Meghalaya government, which adopted a 'Jan Andolan' (people's movement) against Tuberculosis received an award for best practices in controlling the disease that affects 2.6 million people in India every year. The award for Best Practice in Advocacy, Communication and Social Mobilisation (ACSM) in Tuberculosis control was presented to representatives of the health department at a national workshop, aimed at ending TB infections, in the national capital.
Rajya Sabha Members Pass Bill to Include Gonds in UP in Scheduled Tribes List
Cutting across party lines, Rajya Sabha members passed a bill for recognising the Gond community hailing from four districts of Uttar Pradesh as a Scheduled Tribe after excluding them from the Scheduled Castes list.
The four districts are Chandauli, Kushinagar, Sant Kabir Nagar and Sant Ravidas Nagar.
Some opposition members also demanded a similar review of more communities for inclusion in the Scheduled Tribes list and a caste-based census in the country during the debate on the Constitution (Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes) Orders (Second Amendment) Bill, 2022.
The Bill was moved by Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda.
Lok Sabha already passed the bill which amends the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950 and the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) (Uttar Pradesh) Order, 1967 to exclude the Gond community as a Scheduled Caste and amends the ST order to recognise it as a Scheduled Tribe in the four districts.
BTech Third most Employable Degree; MBA, BCom Set to Become most Popular Courses
BCom and MBA courses are set to become the most popular courses in 2023, with the most employable talent at 60.62 per cent and 60.1 per cent respectively, according to the Wheebox India Skills Report 2023. In addition to this, BE/ BTech domain candidates are the third most employable, in the domain-wise employability category, with employability being 57.44 per cent.
According to the report, India will be hiring most in the automotive, engineering and internet business. Companies across India show a hiring intent of 36.08 per cent for the demand forecast of 2023.
When it comes to the skills market, according to the study, the demand for skilled labour is being driven by the BFSI, pharmaceutical, e-commerce, and IT/ ITES sectors. Freshmen hiring in these fields is projected to increase by 20 per cent in 2023 compared to 2022.
Direct Evidence of Demand of Bribe Not Necessary to Convict Public Servant under Prevention of Corruption Act: Supreme Court
The Supreme Court ruled that a public servant can be held guilty under the Prevention of Corruption Act based on circumstantial evidence. It further added that direct evidence of demand of bribe is not necessary to convict a public servant under the Act.
A Constitution Bench comprising Justice S. Abdul Nazeer, Justice V. Ramasubramanian, Justice B.R. Gavai, Justice A.S. Bopanna, and Justice B.V. Nagarathna said that even if the direct evidence of the complainant is not available, owing to any reasons, there can be conviction of the public servant under the PC Act, if the demand for illegal gratification is proved through inferential evidence based on circumstances.
The Court held that if there is an absence of evidence of the complainant (direct or primary), it is permissible to draw an inferential deduction of culpability," the Court held.
The Court however added that foundational facts have to be proved in the cases.
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