NEWS 23-01-2022. NEWS FOR 24th-JAN (MONDAY) 1. Indonesia has decided to change its capital from Jakarta to Nusantara after a bill seeking the same was approved by their parliament. The entire plan to move the country's new capital was put together because Jakarta was massively prone to flooding amid climate change. 2. Indian railway is all set to become the world's first 100percent green railway with net-zero emission by 2030 as the electrification of railway routes in the country is progressing 10 times faster since 2014. The target is expected to be achieved by 2023. 3. India has set up a target of USD 500 billion exports for financial year 2022-23. In Dec 2021, exports stood at USD 37.8 billion, the highest ever for any month. India is on target to reach USD 400 billion for the current year (i.e 21-22). 4. Swedish defence company Saab has been awarded a contract to supply single-shot anti-armour weapon AT4 to the Indian armed forces. The AT4CS AST, can be fired from confined spaces such as from inside buildings, bunkers & other urban environments. Operated by a single soldier, the single shot system offers enhanced power & performance to the Indian Army. 5. India's first indigenously-build aircraft carrier IAC Vikrant has returned after completing its third sea trials. During the trials, various of its equipment was tried & tested along with all needed training. The indigenous aircraft carrier which will be called INS Vikrant after it enters service with the Indian Navy is likely to be commissioned later this year in August. 6. In line with the central government's vision to boost defence exports to friendly foreign countries, the HAL has signed a contract with the Government of Mauritius for export of one Advanced light helicopter (ALH Mk-III) for the island nation's police force. 7. Recently, Tokyo has invited semiconductor manufacturers from around the world to set base in the country. With this, Japan is moving towards absolute control of the global semiconductors supply & is likely to put China's consumer electronics industry in danger which is heavily dependent on semiconductor imports. 8. Tata is looking to invest close to $300 million in an outsourced semiconductor assembly & test (OSAT) plant, which is used in making semiconductor chips. 9. Infrastructure giants MEIL (Megha engineering & infrastructure ltd), has achieved a milestone of completing works of a 5km long tunneling work, as part of the 18-Km long all weather Zojila tunnels in a record time of 14 months. 10. The govt is working on a plan to use methanol as fuel for inland waterway transportation & in army trucks as part of a strategy to cut dependence on imported fuel. For this it is in talks with Pune-based Deccan water treatment pvt ltd to undertake conversion of diesel engines to run on methanol. 11. India has encouraged global chipmakers with 760 billion rupees in incentives as the govt pushes to establish the country as a high tech production hub. 12. Following trials, the govt has placed an emergency order for Kalyani M4 armoured vehicles. The M4 is built in partnership with a South African defence equipment manufacturer - Paramount group. This order is worth Rs. 177.95 crores. Also the MOD has signed a contract with Mahindra defence system worth Rs.1056 crore for Armoured light specialist vehicles to be used by Indian Army. 13. The helicopter-launched Nag Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM), Helina, being developed indigenously, has completed all trials and the process for issuing of Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) by the Army has been initiated. 14. India's renew energy global plc is forming a joint venture with a U.S company backed by Siemens & AES Corp to help develop the South Asian country's emerging energy-storage market. This venture will bring battery-storage technology to the Indian market as the country seeks more stable cleane power. < < Back