♦ HDFC Standard Life Insurance changed its name to HDFC Life Insurance.

♦ The change in name is effective off the bat and the company will henceforth operate under the name HDFC Life Insurance Company Ltd.

♦ The new HDFC Life three dimensional logo comes together to create a frame, capturing life's special moments that can be looked upon with pride and joy. Red stands for vibrancy, youthfulness, exuberance; blue for dependability, financial expertise; and dark red for (vermillion) long life.

♦ PM Narendra Modi inaugurated the 15th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas at Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh.

♦ The 3-day event is being organized from 21 to 23 January 2019 for the first time.

♦ The theme of this event is, "Role of Indian Diaspora in building New India".

♦ Prime Minister of Mauritius, Pravind Jugnauth was the guest in this function.

♦ Several world leaders of Indian origin, including Chief guest Mr. Pravind Jugnauth

♦ Prime Minister of Mauritius, Pravind Jugnauth, who was chief guest will take part in the event and share their insights on the theme.

♦ Information and Broadcasting Minister Rajyavardhan Rathore inaugurated several exhibitions including a digital on the theme of 'Ek Bharat Swacch Bharat: Sardar Patel and Gandhi ke Sapno ka Bharat.

♦ Defense Minister Nirmala Sitharama inaugurated the Diffo Bridge over Chipu River in Lower Dibang Valley District of Arunachal Pradesh.

♦ The bridge is 426 meters long.

♦ The construction of the bridge started in 2011.

♦ The total cost to build the bridge was Rs 4,847.83 lakh

♦ Nepal's Central Bank has banned the use of Indian currency notes of Rs 2,000, Rs 500 and Rs 200 denomination.

♦ According to Nepal's Central Bank, Indian currency notes of Rs 2,000, Rs 500 and Rs 200 cannot be carried and used for trading.

♦ It could affect Indian tourists visiting the Himalayan nation where currency note is widely used.

♦ Under the new regulation, Nepali citizen cannot carry these denominations to countries other than India.

♦ Nepalis are also not allowed to bring such notes from other countries.

♦ Indian notes of Rs 100 or below are allowed for trading and conversion.

♦ The UNESCO has named the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro as the World Capital of Architecture.

♦ Rio will be the first city to receive the title under a program launched together by United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation and the International Union of Architects (UIA) in Nov 2018.

♦ Earlier Paris and Melbourne secured the position.

♦ As the first World Capital of Architecture, Rio de Janeiro will hold a series of events under the theme "All the worlds, Just one world" and promote the internationally agreed 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development's 11th Goal: "Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable."

♦ The 49th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) began in Davos, Switzerland.

♦ The theme of the event "Globalization 4.0: Shaping a Global Architecture in the Age of the Fourth Industrial Revolution."

♦ According to Global Consultancy firm PwC report India is likely to surpass the United Kingdom in the world's largest economy rankings in 2019, to become the world's fifth largest economy.

♦ The PwC report has projected real GDP growth of 1.6% for the UK, 1.7% for France and 7.6% for India in 2019.

♦ According to the projected real GDP growth rate, India and France are likely to surpass the UK in the world's largest economy rankings in 2019.

♦ 4th Indian Steel 2019 Exhibition and Conference held in Mumbai.

♦ The 3-day event 'India Steel Expo 2019' is organized by the Ministry of Steel, Government of India from 22-24 January 2019.

♦ The event provided an opportunity to International Steel Producers, Technology Companies to deliberate and identify ways to contribute toward building a robust roadmap for further growth of the steel sector and develop a healthy business relationship with the Indian steel industry.

♦ India has moved up one position to rank 80th on Global Talent Competitiveness Index Ranking.

♦ Switzerland retained the top position in the list.

♦ The ranking was released on the 1st day of the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting by INSEAD business school in partnership with Tata Communication and Adecco Group.

♦ Maharashtra cabinet has approved Rs 25 crore for Divyangs (differently-abled). 

♦ Each Divyangs (differently-abled) person will get a financial help of Rs 3.75 lakh to purchase eco-friendly vehicles and mobile vehicle shop.

♦ This will benefit around 650 Divyangs (differently-abled) persons in the state, this decision is aimed at making the differently-abled persons financially independent.