NATIONAL NEWS

49th border co-ordination conference between Director Generals of BSF and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) held in New Delhi

• Border guarding forces of India and Bangladesh held Directors General level talks from 25th Dec 2019 to 30th Dec 2019 in New Delhi. Indian delegation was headed by DG BSF Shri Vivek Johri and BD delegation was headed by DG of BGB Maj Gen Md Shafeenul Islam, BGBM (BAR), ndc, psc.
• The items for agenda items for talks related to all issues related to the border including but not limited to smuggling of drugs, gold, fake currency, cattle, action against remnant of Indian Insurgent Groups, construction of fence within 150 yards of IB, developmental works within 150 yards of IB, deaths and injuries to civilians and BSF personnel along the IB, death/injuries to Bangladesh civilians, human trafficking and illegal immigration.
• Discussions were held74 on each agenda point to make the border guarding more effective despite the difficulties posed by the topography.

Home Minister Amit Shah lays foundation stone of CRPF Headquarters

• CRPF played prominent role in combating terror and militancy. He said that CRPF personnel have played prominent role in eliminating terror from Punjab and militancy from Tripura.
• He also said that govt is considering various initiatives for the welfare of family members of CRPF as well. Home Minister said that home Ministry has created 35,000 new posts for CRPF.

ECONOMIC AND FINANCE

Finance Minister Sitharaman launches 'eBkray' auction platform for assets attached by banks

• Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman launched eBkray, an e-auction platform to enable online auction of attached assets by banks.
• The eBkray platform provides navigational links to all PSB e-auction sites, property search feature and presents single-window access to information on properties up for e-auction, comparison of similar properties, and also contains videos and photographs of the uploaded properties.

BANKING

SBI to Introduce OTP-based ATM Transactions for Withdrawal of Amounts above Rs 10,000

• From January, SBI customers will be able to make ATM withdrawal above Rs 10,000 only after OTP verification during 8 PM to 8 AM. The OTP-validated ATM transaction has been introduced to minimise the number of unauthorised transactions.
• With the introduction of its OTP-based cash withdrawal facility, State Bank ATMs have added another layer of security for cash withdrawals. OTP will be received on the customer's mobile number registered with the bank.

HDFC Life partners with Paytm to expand its distribution

• HDFC Life Insurance has partnered with Paytm to expand its distribution. The partnership is aimed to enable customers of Paytm to purchase insurance products from HDFC Life.
• HDFC Life Insurance is constantly exploring opportunities to create and sustain new partnerships to strengthen its distribution network.
• With the partnership, HDFC Life Insurance aims to increase insurance penetration in India and to simplify the customers experience right from the purchase to the claim process.

Mastercard signs agreement to acquire RiskReckon

• Mastercard has announced an agreement to acquire RiskRecon. RiskRecon is one of the leading providers of data analytics solutions and artificial intelligence focused on cyber-risk and security and offering solutions to mitigate cyber risks faced by the companies.
• The acquisition would enhance the cyber-security systems for MasterCard which offers payment processing services on a global scale.

RESIGN

Australia pacer Peter Siddle announces retirement from international cricket

• Australia pace man Peter Siddle has announced his retirement from international cricket at the age of 35 after taking 221 wickets in a distinguished 67-Test career.
• Siddle broke the news to his teammates at the Melbourne Cricket Ground after being released from the squad for the third and final test against New Zealand in Sydney.
• Siddle will continue to play domestic cricket for Victoria State and Twenty20 side Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash League, along with English county cricket for Essex.

SPORTS

Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah Named In Wisden's T20I Team of the Decade

• India skipper Virat Kohli and pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah were the only two Indians who found a place in Wisden’s T20 International team of the decade.
• There was no place for former India captain MS Dhoni as well as star opener Rohit Sharma.
• Australia’s limited overs captain Aaron Finch was named captain of the team, which has two more of his compatriots in Shane Watson and Glenn Maxwell, two England cricketers – Jos Buttler and David Willey, two Afghanistan all-rounders – Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan, and New Zealand’s Colin Munro and Sri Lanka’s Lasith Malinga.