Today's Current Affairs 16h February 2023

INTERNATIONAL

The World Bank chief David Malpass to step down early.

World Bank chief David Malpass has announced his resignation nearly a year early. He ending a tenure at the head of the development lender that was clouded by questions over his climate stance. The veteran of Republican administrations in the United States was appointed to the role in 2019 when Donald Trump was president and previously served as Under Secretary of the Treasury for international affairs. Malpass’s term would have originally ended in 2024.

Rolls-Royce Announced Order of Trent XWB-97 Engines from Air India.

British engineering company Rolls-Royce on Tuesday announced that it has received an order from Air India for 68 Trent XWB-97 engines, in addition to an option for 20 more.

Former Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi Acquitted In 'Bunga-Bunga' Bribe Case.

Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has been acquitted of the charges of bribing witnesses to lie about his notorious "bunga-bunga" parties, reported BBC. Apart from him, 28 other defendants have also been acquitted.

Italy’s PM Giorgia Meloni hailed his acquittal as "excellent news that puts an end to a long legal case that also had important repercussions on Italian political and institutional life". Berlusconi’s Forza Italia party is a part of the Meloni-led coalition government.

NATIONAL

3.6 Magnitude Earthquake Jolts J&K's Katra.

Tremors were felt in Jammu and Kashmir's Katra early morning on Friday, as a 3.6 magnitude earthquake hit the area at 5.02 am as per the National Centre for Seismology. The depth of the earthquake was 10 kilometres under the surface.

SPORTS

UEFA Champions League: Benfica Ease Past Brugge To Secure First-Leg Win In Round Of 16.

João Mário converted a penalty and David Neres made a cool finish which earned Benfica a comfortable win at Club Brugge in the first leg match in the Round of 16 stage of the Champions League. Roger Schmidt's Benfica took a major step towards the Champions League quarterfinals following a 2-0 victory as they will take a two-goal advantage back to Lisbon.

India's Asian Games Gold-Medal Winning Footballer Tulsidas Balaram Dies At 87.

Tulsidas Balaram, India's Asian Games gold-medal winning footballer and Olympian, has passed away aged 87 after a prolonged illness. The same has been confirmed by sources close to his family, as reported by news agency PTI. A widower, Balaram, was living in a flat on the banks of the river Hooghly in Uttarpara.

 BANKING AND ECONOMY

Adani company gives up bid to acquire DB Power.

Gautam Adani-led Adani Power said on Wednesday an agreement signed last year to acquire DB Power, which operates a thermal power plant in Chhattisgarh, for an enterprise value of Rs 7,017 crore, has expired. The date to complete the process was extended four times after the initial deal was signed in August 2022. “We wish to inform that the long stop date under the memorandum of understanding (MoU) dated August 18, 2022, has expired,” Adani Power said in a stock exchange notice on Wednesday, but did not provide details as to whether the date will be extended or the agreement will be renegotiated

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

Karnataka Bank awarded ‘Prathista Puraskar’.

Karnataka Bank was awarded with ‘Prathista Puraskar’ under ‘Digidhan Awards 2021-22’ by Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), government of India for achieving target with highest percentage in BHIM-UPI transactions in private sector bank category. Labelled as ‘KBL-NxT’, the bank is currently undertaking an accelerated digital drive under its transformation journey ‘KBL VIKAAS 2.0’. This award is an ideal tribute to the founding fathers of this great institution as Karnataka Bank is stepping into its 100th year of its fruitful existence.”.

IMPORTANT DAYS

World Anthropology Day 2023.

World Anthropology Day is a holiday that falls on the third Thursday of February — it takes place on February 16 this year. The day is set aside to celebrate the field and share information about anthropology with the public. Anthropology can be explained as the scientific study of humanity. It covers human behavior, biology, and how human societies function. It considers past and present information and looks to explore the future. Anthropology helps explain the origins of humans and what makes us unique as a species. It helps us understand how our world works, why we behave the way we do, and how we influence our environments.

National Almond Day,

National Almond Day is a reason for foodies to celebrate! It's generally believed and agreed by historians (and food historians in particular) that almonds were one of the earliest cultivated foods by mankind. Almonds are mentioned as far back in history as the Bible!

Innovation Day.

Innovation Day is commemorated on February 16 to recognize the role that new knowledge plays in making a country more advanced and powerful. This day is a great way to not only make the existing crop of scientists feel valued and appreciated, but it also inspires young people to pursue a career in technology and innovation. This special day celebrates the achievements of the scientific community and opens the doors to new technologies, inventions, and careers for the younger generation.