#Latest Current Affairs 29th January 2019 30 January 2019

Ayodhya case: Centre files plea in Supreme Court: Union Government approaches Supreme Court in Ayodhya case, files plea to hand over all excess acquired land at the Ram Janmabhoomi site to Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas.

Former Defence Minister George Fernandes passes away: Veteran Socialist leader and former Union Defence Minister George Fernandes pass away after Prolonged illness, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, senior cabinet ministers, and political leaders mourn the passing away of the veteran leader, Bihar Govt. announces 2 Day State Mourning.

Beating the Retreat ceremony held at historic Vijay Chowk: Republic Day Celebrations conclude with a grand Beating Retreat Ceremony at historic Vijay Chowk in National Capital; Bands from Army, Navy, Air Force, State, and Central Armed Police Forces participate in 27 musical performances; Rashtrapati Bhavan and adjacent buildings lit up.

Jharkhand: 5 Maoists killed in the encounter with security forces: Five Maoists were killed and one suffered injuries during an encounter with security forces in Jharkhand’s West Singhbhum district. In the early hours, security forces comprising of the Central Reserve Police Force’s 209 CoBRA battalion and Jharkhand Police launched a special operation to target Naxals in the areas, said police.

Finance Minister asks public sector banks to step up lending to MSME, agriculture & housing sectors: Finance Minister Piyush Goyal has exhorted state-run banks to step up lending to micro, small and medium enterprises, agriculture and housing sectors. He was talking to media after his first meeting with the heads of Public Sector Banks (PSBs). He said the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) has helped the PSBs recover over Rs 1 lakh crore in the three-quarters of the current fiscal.

Govt enhances allowances for teachers & other staff in Central Universities, colleges: Human Resources Development Ministry has issued orders on a revision of allowances and special allowances for teachers and equivalent academic cadre, Registrars, Finance Officers and Controller of Examinations in Central Universities and Colleges. This also includes centrally funded Deemed to be Universities.

India won’t hesitate to take steps to ensure national security: PM Modi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said that India was a strong proponent of peace but will not hesitate to take steps to ensure its national security. He announced that his government will take all “big and tough” decisions that are necessary for the country’s security in the coming days.

PM Modi: Don’t force kids to ‘fulfill’ your ‘unfulfilled’ dreams:Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacts with students, teachers, and parents as part of Pariksha Pe Charcha 2.0; asks students to stay focused, manage time well and not to succumb to stress; PM also requests parents not to impose their ambitions on children.

U.S. imposes sanctions on Venezuelan state oil firm PDVSA: The Trump administration imposed sweeping sanctions on Venezuelan state-owned oil firm PDVSA, aimed at severely curbing the OPEC member’s crude exports to the United States and at pressuring socialist President Nicolas Maduro to step down.

Indian-origin US Senator Kamala Harris launches 2020 presidential bid: Indian-origin US Senator Kamala Harris has launched her 2020 presidential bid. In a scathing criticism of President Donald Trump’s policies, Harris today said the US is at an inflection point in the history due to the attack on democracy like never before.

US files charges against China’s Huawei and CFO Meng Wanzhou: The United States has filed criminal charges against Huawei, escalating its fight against the Chinese tech giant and potentially complicating efforts by Washington and Beijing to negotiate an end to their bruising trade war.

Indian eves beat New Zealand by 8 wickets; clinch series: Indian women cricket team beat New Zealand by 8 wickets in 2nd ODI at Mount Maunganui; Chasing a target of 162 runs,  India have now taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

India’s Ambati Rayudu banned from bowling by ICC over suspect action: India’s Ambati Rayudu has been banned from bowling in international cricket. Part-time bowler Rayudu was reported after India’s one-day international defeat by Australia on 12 January.