Hockey World Cup - India out
- The 15th Hockey World Cup series is being held in Odisha capital Bhubaneswar and Rourkela. With 16 teams participating, the top teams in each division at the end of the league round directly entered the quarter-finals.
- In that way, Australia, Belgium, Netherlands and England teams have advanced directly to the quarter-final round. The 2nd and 3rd placed teams in each division will play in the 2nd round.
- Accordingly, India, who came second in Group 'D', clashed with New Zealand, who came third in Group 'C'. Both the teams were tied at 3-3 in this thrilling match.
- A penalty shoot out was followed to decide the winner. Both teams were given 5 chances each. The New Zealand team won 5-4 and advanced to the quarter finals. As a result, the Indian team missed the opportunity to advance to the quarter-finals.
- In September last year, the International Monetary Fund approved a $2.9 billion loan to Sri Lanka. It was decided to disburse the loan for a period of 4 years after approval was given by the officers of the fund.
- At the same time, the countries that have given loans to Sri Lanka, taking debt restructuring measures such as extending the loan repayment period, reducing the loan interest rate, and providing additional financial support from the banks will help to maintain Sri Lanka's public debt level, the International Fund said.
- Also, before the foreign fund gives loans to Sri Lanka, the countries that have given loans to the country, including banks, must provide loan guarantees. The International Fund noted that the guarantee was important to restore Sri Lanka's public debt to sustainability.
- In this context, India sent a letter to the International Monetary Fund last week assuring support to Sri Lanka in the debt restructuring issue. Now China has given support and guarantee for foreign fund lending to the country.
- The International Fund's Board of Directors is expected to approve the loan to Sri Lanka in March. If this loan is available, Sri Lanka will be able to raise debt from the World Bank, Asian Development Bank and the markets.
- The 57th All India DGP and IGs Conference started on 20th in the capital Delhi. Yesterday, on the concluding day of the 3-day conference, Prime Minister Modi spoke: Police should be made a more sensitive department. For that, the police should be trained on the emerging technology.
- Borders and coastal defenses should be strengthened with frequent inspections by authorities. The quality of police systems across the country should be improved.
- Obsolete criminal laws should be repealed. State police and Union intelligence agencies should improve cooperation between themselves to leverage capabilities and share best practices.
- To discuss emerging challenges and develop best practices, DGPs should hold consultative meetings at state and district levels, such as conferences. This is what he said.
- Various aspects related to national security including counter-terrorism, cyber security were discussed in the conference. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and others participated in it. About 600 top police officers from across the country participated.
- The Republic Day parade on January 26, 2023 will feature 23 decorated floats depicting the country's rich cultural heritage, economic progress and strong security. 17 vehicles from states and union territories and 6 vehicles from various ministries and departments are taking part in the parade.
- States and Union Territories of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura, West Bengal, Jammu - Kashmir, Ladakh, Dadra Nagar Haveli, Daman - Diu, Gujarat, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu 17 decorative floats will be displayed during the Republic Day parade to depict the geography and rich cultural diversity of the country.
- 6 decorated vehicles from Ministry of Culture, Central Armed Police Forces of Ministry of Home Affairs, Narcotics Control Unit of Ministry of Home Affairs, Central Public Works Department of Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Ministry of Tribal Welfare, Indian Council of Agricultural Research of Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare will be present in the Republic Day Parade. These past few years of work and achievements are showcased in their respective decorative vehicles.
- The Expert Committee examined the proposals received from various States and Union Territories regarding decorative vehicles. Thematic, presentational, aesthetic and technical elements of the decoration were examined by the expert committee members with the representatives of the states and based on that, the selection process of the decorated vehicles to participate in the Republic Day parade was carried out.
