• National

Shri Piyush Goyal launches the IEA’s Report “The Future of Rail”

• Union Minister Shri Piyush Goyal has launched the report “The Future of Rail” of International Energy Agency (IEA) at an event.
• The report reviews the impact of existing plans and regulations on the future of rail and explores the key policies that could help to realise an enhanced future rail.
• “The Future of Rail” the first-of-a-kind report analyses the current and future importance of rail around the world through the perspective of its energy and environmental implications.

• National

Automatic listing of fresh cases in SC

• The Supreme Court launched its new system of automatic listing of fresh cases within three to seven days on January 30, 2019.
• The step was taken in a bid to do away with the system of mentioning of matters for urgent listing every day.
• The new mechanism will come into effect from February 4.

• Economy and Business

Budget session of Parliament Begins

• The budget session of Parliament started on 31st January, 2019 with President Ram Nath Kovind’s address to the joint sitting of both the Houses.
• The Budget will be presented on 1st February, 2019.
• The session will conclude on the 13th February, 2019.

• Economy and Business

ICICI Bank sacks Chanda Kochhar

• ICICI Bank terminated the contract of former managing director and CEO Chanda Kochhar for violating the bank’s code of conduct.
• In June last year, the bank formed the one-member panel to look into the allegations of conflict of interest against her for a loan given to Videocon Industries.
• Kochhar, assumed charge as MD and CEO of ICICI Bank on May 1, 2009 and resigned in October 2018.

• Awards

Piyush Goyal receives Carnot Prize 2018

• The Union Minister Piyush Goyal received the fourth annual Carnot Prize 2018 by the Kleinman Center for Energy Policy at the University of Pennsylvania School of Design.
• Piyush Goyal decided to donate award money (USD 25,000) to International Solar Alliance to institute the Diwakar Award.
• The Diwakar award will recognise every year, an outstanding organisation that has been working for special children and maximising the use of solar energy.
• Earlier, Mr Goyal unable to accept the award in the United States of America, due to the unfortunate train tragedy in Amritsar.

• Science and Tech

Scientists create AI-based system that translates thoughts into speech

• The first time, Scientists have created an artificial intelligence (AI) based system that directly translates thoughts into intelligible, recognisable speech.
• The research will help people who cannot speak regain their ability to communicate with the outside world.
• The technology developed by researchers from Columbia University in the United States can reconstruct the words a person hears with unprecedented clarity.
• The breakthrough, which harnesses the power of speech synthesisers and artificial intelligence, could lead to new ways for computers to communicate directly with the brain.

• Defence

LT Gen Rajeev Chopra Takes Over as Director General of NCC

• Lt Gen Rajeev Chopra assumed the appointment of Director General of NCC (DGNCC).
• Commissioned in the Madras Regiment in December 1980, Lt Gen Chopra is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla and Indian Military Academy, Dehradun.
• Lt Gen Rajeev Chopra has commanded an infantry battalion in Operation Rhino (Assam).
• He has commanded a Brigade in Eastern Command and was Inspector General of HQ IGAR (South) in the insurgency-torn state of Manipur.
• He has been awarded Ati Vishisht Seva Medal for his distinguished service in January 2018.

• Defence

MS Pawar appointed as Deputy Chief of Naval Staff

• Vice Admiral MS Pawar, AVSM, VSM assumed charge as Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff on 30th January, 2019.
• He has an experience of over 25 years in sea on diverse platforms ranging from small ships to aircraft carriers.
• The Admiral is an alumnus of National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, Pune, and he was commissioned on 1st July, 1982.

• States

Civil Aviation Ministry launches first GI Store in Goa

• The Union Civil Aviation minister Suresh Prabhu has inaugurated country’s first Geographical Indication (GI) Store at International Airport at Dabolim, Goa.
• The store jointly set up by Airport Authority of India (AAI) and The Cashew Export Promotional Council of India (CEPCI).
• The GI stores will promote local products made by the artisans and handicrafts at the airport.
• Soon, AAI will sign an agreement with all the state Government in the country to promote their local produce at the airport.
• According to Mr. Prabhu, currently there are 270 GI registered products in the country and the store will be a boon for the global tourists.

• States

Telangana govt declares 2nd February to be appointing day

• The Telangana government has declared 2nd February as ‘appointing day’ for the newly elected Sarpanches of the Gram Panchayats in the state.
• The Telangana State Election Commission has held elections to over 12000 Gram Panchayats and over 1 lakh 13 thousand ward members in three phases during the month following the High Court order.
• Over 34 thousand candidates contested for Sarpanch posts while over 2 lakh candidates competed forward members during these apolitical elections.
• The results of the final phase are yet to be announced.

• Agreements

Israel Aerospace Industries Announces Agreement with Indian Navy and Cochin Shipyard

• Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) announced entering into agreements worth $93 million this for providing Naval Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MRSAM) systems to India.
• The contracts for the air defence system were entered with the Indian Navy and the Cochin Shipyard.
• Under the contracts, IAI will provide complementary systems for the air defense system.
• They involve follow up orders for a range of maintenance and other services for various sub-systems of IAI’s advanced MSRAM ADS.