Indian squad announced for ICC Women’s T-20 World Cup

1.Nearly 8,000 Philipinos evacuated as Taal volcano erupts near Manila

About 8,000 residents were evacuated after a small active Taal volcano near Manila spewed a massive cloud of ash.Experts warned of another possibility of “hazardous explosive eruption.”

Taal, one of the world’s smallest active volcanoes, sits in the middle of a lake about 70km (45 miles) south of the centre of Manila.

Authorities said there was a risk an eruption could cause a tsunami in the lake.

The Philippines lies on the Ring of Fire, a belt of volcanoes circling the Pacific Ocean that is also prone to earthquakes.

One of the most active volcanoes in the Philippines, Taal has erupted more than 30 times in the past five centuries, most recently in 1977.

2.World Future Energy Summit begins in Abu Dhabi

The World Future Energy Summit begins in Abu Dhabi.33,500 participants from 170 countries and 800 specialist exhibitors are expected to attend the four-day annual event.

The theme for this year’s summit is “Rethinking Global Consumption, Production, and Investment.”

The World Future Energy Summit is the Middle East’s largest future energy and sustainability event.

3.Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen secures second term in landslide victory

Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen secured a landslide victory in presidential elections with voters resoundingly handing its first female leader a second term.Her main rival, Han Kuo-yu of the China-friendly Kuomintang (KMT) party, has conceded defeat.

As per official results, Tsai was ahead with 57 per cent.

In her victory speech, President Tsai Ing-wen expressed hope that Beijing authorities understand that democratic Taiwan, and its democratically elected government, will not concede to threats and intimidation.

4.India to acquire 200 fighter jets for Air Force

Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar has said, the government is in the process of acquiring around 200 aircraft to cope with the depleting aerial inventories of the Indian Air Force.The contract for HAL-manufactured 83 LCA Tejas Mark 1 A advanced fighter jets are in the final stages.

Apart from these, Expression of Interest has been floated for another 110 aircraft, based on which Request for Proposal will be floated.

The Air Force has Sukhoi 30 MKIs, Mirage 2000s, Mig 29s and the ageing Jaguars and Mig 21 Bisons in its inventory of fighter jets at present.

The last fleet of seven swing-wing MiG-27 fighters, which played an important role during the 1999 Kargil war, was decommissioned on December 27.

5.DRDO’s Naval variant of Light Combat Aircraft makes its first successful landing

The naval version of indigenous Light Combat Aircraft, LCA, made its first successful landing on the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya.This aircraft is developed by the Defence Research and Development Organization, DRDO.

Congratulating the DRDO and Navy for this achievement, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that he is extremely happy to learn about the maiden landing of naval variant of LCA on INS Vikramaditya.

With the successful landing of Light Combat Aircraft, LCA on aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya, India has entered into the club of selected nations having the capability to design a fighter jet which can land on an aircraft carrier.

LCA is the smallest and lightest Multi-Role Supersonic Fighter Aircraft of its class.

6.Dharmendra Pradhan unveils Mission Purvodaya to develop eastern region into a integrated steel hub

Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan unveils Mission Purvodaya in Kolkata.The programme is aimed at accelerated development of eastern India through establishment of integrated steel hub.

Pradhan said that the eastern belt has the potential to add over 75 percent of the country’s incremental steel capacity envisioned by the National Steel Policy.

Through this programme, the government aims to transform logistics and utilities infrastructure which would change the socio-economic landscape in the eastern India.

7.Kolkata Port renamed as Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Port

The Kolkata Port has been renamed as Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Port.The Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi announced this in Kolkata on the occasion of 150th year celebrations of the Kolkata Port Trust.

Mr. Modi launched several Port led development projects worth Rs 600 cr rupees to mark the day.

On the occasion the Prime Minister released a commemorative stamp on 150th years of the Kolkata Port Trust.

8.India finish 2019 as number one shooting nation in world

According to International Shooting Sport Federation’s (ISSF), With its sparkling show through 2019, India finished the year as the top shooting nation in the world, leaving behind Olympic heavyweights China and the USA.In terms of overall medals, the tally stood at 21 gold, six silver and three bronze as India topped all the Rifle-Pistol World Cups and Finals in a unforgettable year.

While India leads the standings with 30 medals overall, China is second with 11 gold, 15 silver and 18 bronze for a total of 44 podium finishes.

The USA is placed third with 15 medals including six gold six silver and three bronze.

9.Indian squad announced for ICC Women’s T-20 World Cup

Harman Preet Kaur-led India squad was announced in Mumbai for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in Australia, starting on 21st February.Bengal’s woman Richa Ghosh was the only new face in a 15-member team.

15-year-old Haryana school girl Shafali Verma will also be playing her first global meet following some good performances at the international level in her first season.

The selectors also announced a 16-member squad for a tri-series in Australia prior to the T20 World Cup, with Nuzhat Parveen being added as the 16th member.

That tournament starts on January 31 and also features England.

10.Japan’s Kento Momota wins Malaysia Masters

World number one Kento Momota won the Malaysia Masters after easily defeating Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen 24-22, 21-11.The victory in Malaysia lends credence to Momota’s drive to win the gold in July’s Tokyo Olympics.

The reigning world champion told reporters that he eyes more success in 2020.

Momota, currently the best player on the planet, won a record 11 titles last year.