NEWS 03/01/2021. NEWS FOR 4-JAN (MONDAY) 1. The Medium Range Surface to Air Missile, MRSAM was recently tested from a defence facility in Odisha. It was jointly developed by the Defence Research development Organisation and the Israel Aerospace Industries. It is equipped with advanced active radar Radio Frequency seeker, bidirectional data link and phased array radar. The combat management system of the missile simplifies the process of engaging variety of threats. The system tracks the threat using a tracking radar. The system calculates the distance between the launcher and the target and determines if the target is a friend or foe.2. The Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh recently handed over three systems developed by DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organization) to the chiefs of the Defence Forces. The IMSAS (Indian Maritime Situational Awareness System) was handed over to the Indian Naval Chief Admiral Karambir Singh. The Astra Mk-1 was handed over to the Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria. BOSS, Border Surveillance System was handed over to the Army Chief General MM Naravane.3. India is to emerge as the net-gainer from the Brexit deal recently signed between the European Union and United Kingdom. The gains for India from the EU-UK Brexit deal are mainly in the service sector. This is because, the UK currencies are becoming cheaper. Therefore, it will be less expensive for the Indian firms, especially the service sectors offering more incentives such as easy regulations, tax breaks and opening up markets.4. The World Health Organization Director recently announced that a new strain of Corona Virus has been detected in eight European countries. The new strain is spreading rapidly among the younger groups.5. Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched Ayushman Bharat Jan Arogya Yojana SEHAT in Jammu and Kashmir. The scheme will provide free-of-cost health insurance up to Rs 5 lakhs per family. < < Back