Daily Current Affairs, 22nd January 2019

1) Andry Rajoelina Sworn In As Madagascar President

•Madagascar president, Andry Rajoelina, has sworn into office after taking the oath in Antananarivo before nine judges of the High Constitutional Court. He won nearly 56% to defeat another former president, Marc Ravalomanana.

2) India Among The Most Trusted Nations Globally: Report

•India is among the most trusted nations globally when it comes to government, business, NGOs and media. The 2019 Edelman Trust Barometer report, noted that the Global Trust Index witnessed a marginal increase of 3 points to 52. China topped the Trust Index among both the informed public and the general population segments.

•India was at the 2nd place in the informed public category and 3rd place in the general population category. The findings are based on an online survey in 27 markets covering over 33,000 respondents. In terms of trust in companies headquartered in each market, the most trusted are those from Switzerland, Germany, and Canada.

3) India Signs MoU With Sri Lanka to Modernize Facilities At Vipulananda Institute of Aesthetic Studies in Batticaloa

•India and Sri Lanka signed an MoU to provide modern infrastructural facilities to Swami Vipulananda Institute of Aesthetic Studies of Eastern University in Batticaloa district of Sri Lanka.

•The project involves refurbishment of the auditorium and construction of a modern building complex with recording cum editing facilities and supply vehicles to the institute through a grant of over 27 crore Sri Lankan rupees from the Government of India.

4) China’s Economy Grew At 6.6% In 2018, Slowest Rate In 3 Decades

•China’s economy grew at 6.6% in 2018, its slowest rate in almost 3 decades. The world’s 2nd biggest economy was grappling with the effects of the current trade war with the US and declining exports.

•In the 3 months to December, the economy grew 6.4% from a year earlier, down from 6.5 % in the previous quarter. China’s National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) stated that last year’s growth rate was down from 6.8% in 2017 and was the lowest since 1990 when the growth rate was 3.9%.

5) Microsoft Launches e-Commerce Platform for Handloom Weavers

•Microsoft India has launched a new e-commerce platform re-weave.in for handloom weavers under its Project ReWeave, part of its philanthropic initiatives. This e-commerce platform will help connect artisans to buyers directly, enabling them to expand to newer customers and markets.

•The new e-commerce website hosts signature collections created by weaver communities and showcases traditional designs and products created from natural dyes. Project ReWeave aims to help weavers with working capital support through non-profit organizations.

6) 2018 ICC Awards: Virat Kohli Takes 3 Major Honours

•Virat Kohli has become the first player in history to win the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for ICC Cricketer of the Year, the ICC Men’s Test Player of the Year and the ICC ODI Player of the Year awards following an extraordinary 2018.

•The International Cricket Council also announced the men’s Test and ODI teams of the year with Virat Kohli named captain of both sides. Kohli’s 1,322 runs at an average of 55.08 with five centuries in 13 Tests and 1,202 runs at an astounding average of 133.55 with six hundreds in 14 ODIs saw him selected to both sides by every voting member of the Academy with the majority of them also opting to name him at the helm of each.