Daily Current Affairs Updates

An Indian-origin cancer research expert Harpal Singh Kumar was honoured with a Knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II for his influential work on prevention and treatment of cancer. Mr. Singh̢۪s name has appeared in the 2015 New Year̢۪s Honours list that includes several other Indian-origin individuals.

• Ashwin is ICC's No. 1 Test bowler, first Indian since Bedi’s feat in 1973.
• Laxmi Ratan Shukla announces retirement
• Kohli named BCCI Cricketer of the Year

Ravichandran Ashwin has ended 2015 as the No. 1 Test bowler in the ICC rankings on the back of his strong showing against South Africa in the recent home series.

Indian Test captain Virat Kohli was named ‘Cricketer of the Year’, while Mithali Raj was picked for the top women’s award in the BCCI annual honours to be given away on January 5 in Mumbai.

Laxmi Ratan Shukla announced his retirement from all forms of cricket.

Qatar has agreed to lower the price of gas it sells to India on a long-term contract by about USD 6 billion to reflect the slump in global energy rates and also waived the Rs 12,000-crore penalty for ‘short-lifting’ in 2015.

State-run Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) has commissioned a 660 MW unit of Prayagraj Super Thermal Power Project at Bara town in Allahabad district of Uttar Pradesh.

Union Government has unveiled National Biotechnology Development Strategy (NBDS) 2015-2020 to establish India as a world-class bio-manufacturing hub.

The Union Cabinet has approved the construction of 69 Bridges including Approach Roads on the Tamu-Kyigone-Kalewa (TKK) road section of the Trilateral Highway in Myanmar.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved introduction of Amended Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme (ATUFS) for technology upgradation of the textiles industry.

The Union Cabinet has given its approval to sign Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) on the Conservation of Migratory Birds of Prey in Africa and Eurasia.

Eminent Marathi poet Mangesh Padgaonkar passed away in Mumbai, Maharashtra on after a brief illness. He was 86.