Author: Shivali Varshney, Vidhyarthi Darpan

NATIONAL NEWS 

Madhya Pradesh to bring law to regulate online gaming

Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narottam Mishra informed on January 13, 2022 that the state government will bring a law to regulate online games after an 11-year-old boy committed suicide by hanging himself due to his addiction to an online game. The Minister said that to prevent such a tragic incident again, we are bringing a law to regulate online gaming. He said that a draft of the law has already been prepared and will be finalised soon. 

Budget Session 2022 to begin from January 31

The Budget Session of Parliament will begin on January 31, 2022. It will be held in two parts. The session will begin with the address of President Kovind to the joint sitting of both the Houses. The Budget will be presented on February 1. The final conclusion of Budget 2022 session will be on April 8.

Critics Choice Awards Awards postponed

The Critics Choice Awards ceremony has been postponed and will now be conducted at a later date. The ceremony is likely to be conducted on a date when BAFTA Awards will be conducted. The 27th edition of the Critics Choice Awards will be hosted by Taye Diggs and Nicole Byer in an in-person event in Century City in California. 

Indian Naval Ships undertook maritime exercise with Japanese ships

Indian Naval ships Kadmatt and Shivalik participated in a Maritime Partnership Exercise with Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force Ships Uraga and Hirado in the Bay of Bengal on January 13, 2022. The maritime exercise included a wide range of operations including flying operations, tactical maneuvers and replenishment approaches. 

Omicron mild, does affect children: Expert

AIIMS Director Dr. Randeep Guleria said during an interactive webinar session on January 13, 2022 highlighted that it is important for us to understand that children are not like adults and need to be treated separately. Another medical expert from AIIMS, Dr. Prof Ashok Deorari said that Omicron does affect children but it is a mild disease. He also spoke about curtailing the fear and panic created among families. 

Omicron wave likely to subside by March 2022: Experts

The current COVID-19 wave caused by Omicron is likely to subside by March 2022 as per public health experts. The spread due to the Omicron variant of COVID-19 is much faster than Delta and the last few days have seen a steep rise in cases. As per experts, the threat level is very high currently especially in regions with low population immunity.

India Open 2022: 7 Indian players test COVID-19 positive including Kidambi Srikanth 

India Open 2022 has been struck with COVID-19 cases with 7 Indian players testing positive on January 13, 2022 including Kidambi Srikanth. The others include Ashwini pappa, Treesa Jolly, Ritika Thaker, Mithun Manjunath, Khushi Gupta and Simran Aman Singh. The Badminton Association of India (BAI) will not be able to replace these players in the main draw and their opponents will get a walk over to the next round automatically.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Rishi Sunak of Indian-Origin to be the frontrunner for Britain’s PM position

Rishi Sunak, Indian-origin Chancellor of the Exchequer, has a major chance of becoming Britain’s next Prime Minister after the odds tipped in his favour. The latest development has come as the pressure mounts on embattled British Prime Minister Boris Johnson even from within his own Conservative Party to exit 10 Downing Street.

Former West Indies Cricketer Clive Lloyd awarded knighthood

The former Captain of the West Indies Cricket team, Clive Lloyd has been given the honour of knighthood for his services to the game of Cricket. The investiture was performed by the Duke of Cambridge at Windsor Castle. The Cricket West Indies (CWI) also congratulated Clive Llyod on receiving the knighthood and acknowledged his massive contribution to the growth of the game in the West Indies.

Prince Andrew stripped of royal patronages

Prince Andrew, Duke of York, has been stripped of all his military and royal titles. He is the third child and second son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.  Prince Andrew who was the ninth in line of succession to the British throne has been forced to relinquish all his ties with royal titles after being involved in a sexual abuse scandal.

Philippines awards Contract for BrahMos Missiles to India

The Philippines Government has accepted the proposal of the Indian BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited to supply shore-based anti-ship missile systems for the Indian Navy. The contract is worth USD 375 million. The move will prove to be a major success for the Indian Government’s plans to increase defence exports.

 

NATIONAL NEWS 

S Somanath appointed new ISRO Chief

S Somanath has been appointed as the new ISRO Chief after the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved his appointment on January 12, 2022. Somanath has been appointed as Secretary of the Department of Space and ISRO Chairman for a combined term of three years from the date of joining. He is currently the Director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre. He will be succeeding K Sivan. 

PM Modi to meet all Chief Ministers to discuss COVID situation today

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be meeting with the Chief Ministers of all states at 4.30 pm today, January 13, 2022 to discuss the COVID situation through video conferencing. This is the first meeting of the Prime Minister with all the CMs this year. He had held several such meetings last year during the second wave. 

COVID-19 caused by Omicron should not be considered as common cold: Dr. VK Paul 

Amid a steep rise in COVID-19 cases, NITI Aayog Member Dr. VK Paul cautioned that COVID-19 caused by Omicron variant should not be considered as common cold and taken lightly. He reiterated that Omicron is replacing Delta variant of Covid as it is highly transmissible. He said that normally this transmission takes longer but it is rapid this time because of high transmissibility.

Ganga Sagar Mela begins in West Bengal

Ganga Sagar Mela began on January 12, 2022 with strict COVID-19 protocols after it was given a go-ahead by Calcutta High Court. The Ganga Sagar Mela was inaugurated by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The Mela is held every year at Gangasagar in West Bengal. It is the biggest fair in Eastern India and witnesses over lakhs of devotees every year. 

Antiviral drug Molnupiravir not included in National Treatment Task Force for COVID-19

The ICMR DG Balram Bhargava clarified on January 12, 2022 that the antiviral drug Molnupiravir is not included in the National treatment task force for COVID-19. He said that the decision was taken after a long discussion among national experts. He said that they had reviewed whatever data was available after the three trials. He said that the antiviral drug has certain risks that warrant caution in its use and experts were of the view that its known and unknown harms outweigh its claimed benefits. 

Gangasagar Mela 2022

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee inaugurated Gangasagar Mela following strict COVID-19 protocols after receiving approval from the Calcutta High Court. The Mela is the biggest fair in Eastern India and witnesses footfall from over lakhs of devotees each year. It is held at Gangasagar in West Bengal.

15-year-old student is India’s batonbearer at Queen’s Baton Relay

15-years-old Vinisha Umashankar, a student innovator, has been selected as India’s baton bearer at the ongoing 16th official Queen’s Baton relay (January 12-15, 2022). The student innovator turned environmentalist from Tiruvannamalai district in Tamil Nadu. She had inspired the world with her solar ironing cart, which uses solar panels to power a steam iron box.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS 

India-US agree to advance cooperation in counter-terrorism & cyber security 

India and the United States agreed to advance cooperation in counter-terrorism, cyber security and other areas including global supply chains and securing critical infrastructure on January 12, 2022. This was agreed upon during a senior officers meeting of the India-US Homeland Security Dialogue. Other focus areas of the dialogue were aviation security, maritime security, trade security and customs enforcement.

India, UK to begin Free Trade Agreement negotiations today

India and the United Kingdom will begin negatiations on the Free Trade Agreement today at an event in New Delhi. Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal will meet UK’s International Trade Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan to formally kcik-start the talks. The free trade agreement deal is expected to benefit both the nations.

Nigeria lifts ban on Twitter after 7 months

Nigeria has lifted a ban on Twitter after a period of 7 months. The Government of Nigeria had suspended Twitter in June 2021 after the company deleted a tweet by the country’s president about punishing regional secessionists. Nigerian authorities had accused Twitter of siding with the secessionists; however, the government had said it will reverse the ban after Twitter agreed to the conditions including opening a local office in Nigeria. Twitter did not say that it agreed with the demands but tweeted that it was pleased to be restored in Nigeria. The latest move has allowed millions of people in the most populous country in Africa to use the platform again. 

 

NATIONAL NEWS 

PM Modi to virtually inaugurate 25th National Youth Festivaled

A chemical leak was reported on January 11, 2022 in a fish processing plant in Baikampady, located on the outskirts of Mangaluru city in Karnataka. Around 20 employees were hospitalised out of the 80 present at the time of the accident after they developed breathing problems. 

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari tests Covid positive

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari tested positive for Covid-19 on January 11, 2022. He tweeted saying that he has mild symptoms and has isolated himself following all the necessary protocols. The Minister is currently under home quarantine. Earlier, Defence Minister Rajnath Sing had also tested positive for Covid-19. 

IPL Mega auction to be held on February 12-13

The IPL mega auction will take place in Bengaluru on February 12-13, 2022. The news was confirmed after the two new IPL teams- Ahmedabad and Lucknow- received formal clearance from the BCCI. Both teams have now been given a time frame to sign up players before the mega auction. 

Republic Day celebrations to take place with stricter restrictions

The Republic Day celebrations will continue to take place amid the ongoing third wave of COVID-19 with stricter restrictions. The restrictions will be stricter than the ones imposed last year. The number of visitors allowed to witness the parade might be further limited. The route of the parade will also be shorter, similar to last year. The marching contingent will end at India Gate C instead of the Red Fort. 

Lakshadweep achieves 100 percent COVID vaccination in the 15-18 age group

Lakshadweep has achieved 100 percent COVID-19 vaccination of children in the age group of 15-18 years. Lakshadweep has become the first among the states and the Union Territories to achieve the feat. According to the District Collector, the vaccination drive for children was launched by Administrator Praful Patel in Kavaratti as part of the nationwide campaign. The target of 3,492 children was achieved within a week after the launch of the vaccination drive through the various campaigns that were conducted in schools and the mobilization drives. Lakshadweep was also the first among the Uts and the states to have achieved 100% vaccination in other categories as well.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS 

PCB Chairman to propose 4-nation T20I series involving India?

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Ramiz Raja said on January 11, 2022 that he will make a proposal to ICC about holding a 4-nation T20I series comprising both India and Pakistan every year. He stated that he wants to see India, Pakistan, England and Australia face each other in the series every year. The matches can be hosted by the four nations on a rotation basis, as per the proposal. 

Spinner Washington Sundar testes positive for COVID-19, out of SA ODIs

Washington Sundar, Team India off-spinner, has been ruled out of the forthcoming ODI series against South Africa after testing positive for Coronavirus. The All-India Senior Selection Committee has named Jayant Yadav as a replacement for Washington Sundar. Fast bowler Navdeep Saini has also been added by the Committee to the ODI squad as a back-up for Mohammed Siraj who is recovering from his hamstring injury. India and South Africa will lock horns in three ODIs starting from January 19, 2022, under the Captaincy of KL Rahul.

Oscars to have host after 3 years absence

Oscars 2022 which is scheduled to air on March 27, 2022, will be the first since the 2018 ceremony to have a host. Craig Erwich, ABC Entertainment, and Hulu Originals, has announced that the Oscars will return with a host, however, he did not elaborate on who that might be. Jimmy Kimmel had served as the last host of Oscars, having emceed the ceremony in 2017 and 2018. The Academy Awards went hostless in 2019 when the Academy at first announced Kevin Hart for hosting the gig. However, he was later dropped out after the organisation had asked him to apologize for years-old homophobic tweets.

Poet Maya Angelou becomes first Black Woman to feature on US Coin

Activist and Poet Maya Angelou has become the first black woman to appear on the US quarter, in a new version of the coin which was unveiled by the US Mint on January 10, 2022. The author of ‘I Know Why the Caged Birds Sings’, will also become the first figure commemorated through the American Women Quarters Program. It was signed into law in January 2021. As per the press release from the agency, the US Mint has started shipping the first coins with Maya Angelou’s likeness on the American Quarter, a 25-cent piece. Maya Angelou was born in Missouri in 1928. She was an essayist and poet who had worked with Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X during the Civil Rights Movement.

NATIONAL NEWS 

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to address media at 12 pm today

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is scheduled to address a press conference at 12 pm today. He is likely to introduce stricter COVID-19 restrictions in the wake of spiking COVID-19 cases in the capital city. 

PM Modi to inaugurate 11 new medical colleges in Tamil Nadu on January 12th

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate 11 new government medical colleges across the state of Tamil Nadu on January 12, 2022. He will also inaugurate the new campus of Central Institute of Classical Tamil, Chennai through video conferencing. The new medical colleges are being built at a cost of Rs 4000 crore, of which around Rs 2145 crore was provided by the centre and the rest by the state government.

UNESCO’s WHC to publish Hindi descriptions of India’s world heritage sites

UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre will publish Hindi descriptions of India’s UNESCO world heritage sites on its website. This was announced by World Heritage Centre’s Director on the occasion of World Hindi Day on January 10. 

Contact testing not required unless high-risk people are involved: ICMR 

The ICMR said in its latest guidelines issued on January 10, 2022 that those who have come in contact with an infected COVID-19 patient do not need to be tested unless any person is in the high-risk category. The asymptomatic individuals or patients discharged as per home isolation guidelines or those discharged from a covid-19 facility as per revised discharged policy need not be tested as well.  However, individuals with symptoms like cough, fever, sore throat, loss of smell and taste or any respiratory symptom or breathlessness should be tested. 

INTERNATIONAL NEWS 

US closely monitoring India-China border dispute

The White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki informed on January 10, 2022 that the US is closely monitoring the India-China border dispute and is concerned by China’s attempts to intimidate its neighbours. Psaki said that the US will continue to support dialogue and peaceful resolution of these border disputes. 

Russia has no intentions of attacking Ukraine: Russian Deputy FM

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said on January 10, 2022 that Russia has no intentions to attack Ukraine. He stressed that there is no need to fear that there would be any kind of escalation of the situation. Russia and the US had security talks on January 20th in Geneva, which went on for almost 7.5 hours. 

Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas appointed as Chief Economist of IMF

Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas, a French-born University of California-Berkley Economist, has been appointed as the next Chief Economist of the International Monetary Fund. He has replaced the Indian-Origin Gita Gopinath. Gourinchas will succeed Gita Gopinath who has been appointed as the First Deputy Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund. Gourinchas will begin his work as the new Chief Economist on January 24, 2022, initially on a part-time basis as he will conclude some prior teaching commitments. He will transition to full time on April 1. As per IMF, Pierre-Olivier will bring his expertise in analysing today’s most pressing economic problems. He is known for his agility in spotting emerging trends in the field of economics.

Chris Morris, South African all-rounder, announces retirement from all forms of cricket

Chris Morris, the South African all-rounder, announced his retirement from all forms of cricket on January 11, 2022. The cricketer thanked everyone who was part of his journey and also expressed excitement for his new role as a coach. Chris Morris had made his international debut in December 2012 against New Zealand and had played his first One Day Internationals in 2013. The all-rounder featured in four tests, 23 T2Ois and 42 ODIs for South Africa. He last played an international game in 2019.

NATIONAL NEWS 

Assembly polls in 5 States from Feb. 10, ECI bans physical campaigning till Jan. 15 

The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Saturday announced the election schedule for the Goa, Manipur, Punjab, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh State Assemblies. The Commission also banned all physical campaigning till January 15 due to the increasing COVID-19 cases across the country.  Announcing the poll schedule, Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra said the decision was taken after taking inputs from health officials and much deliberation.  Polling for Uttar Pradesh’s 403 Assembly seats would be held over seven phases on February 10, February 14, February 20, February 23, February 27, March 3 and March 7.  Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra addresses a press conference in New Delhi to announce dates for elections in five States.    Punjab, Goa and Uttarakhand will all vote on a single day, February 14. Elections in Manipur will be spread over two phases on February 27 and March 3.  Counting for all 690 constituencies across five States, where a total of 18.34 crore citizens are eligible to vote, would be carried out on March 10.  

Use only Covaxin for 15-18 age : Bharat Biotech  COVID vaccine maker Bharat Biotech has appealed to healthcare workers to be “highly vigilant and ensure that only Covaxin is administered to individuals in the 15-18 years age group”.  The appeal was issued late on Friday night and comes following reports of other COVID-19 vaccines being administered to this cohort.  Currently only Covaxin is approved for the 15-18 age group. “Covaxin received approval based on clinical trial evaluation for safety and immunogenicity in the 2-18 years age group,” Bharat Biotech said in its announcement.  Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation on Saturday called for stringent implementation of public health and social measures as COVID-19 cases increased in most countries of southeast Asia, with some witnessing an exponential rise.  

 

FCRA nod for Missionaries of Charity restored 

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on January 7 restored the FCRA registration of Missionaries of Charity (MoC), the Catholic religious congregation set up by Nobel laureate Mother Teresa.  The Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) registration is mandatory to receive foreign donations.  The move comes just days after the Ministry issued a statement that the FCRA registration of the MoC was not renewed as “some adverse inputs were noticed”.  The registration was renewed, making MoC eligible to receive and utilise foreign funds in its bank accounts even as the U.K Parliament debated the issue, seeking to know if the British government had raised the issue of blocking of overseas funds of the MoC and other NGOs with India.   

Court documents show Novak Djokovic had COVID-19 last month 

Novak Djokovic’s lawyers filed court papers Saturday in his challenge against deportation from Australia that show the tennis star tested positive for COVID-19 last month and recovered, grounds he used in applying for a medical exemption to the country’s strict vaccination rules.  The No. 1-ranked Djokovic was denied entry at the Melbourne airport late Wednesday after border officials canceled his visa for failing to meet its entry requirement that all non-citizens be fully vaccinated for COVID-19.  Melbourne: Protesters and fans of Serbia’s Novak Djokovic gather outside the Park Hotel, used as an immigration detention hotel where Djokovic is confined in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022.   Djokovic was given a medical exemption backed by the Victoria state government and Australian Open organisers on Jan. 1, based on information he supplied to two independent medical panels, and he was approved for a visa electronically.  But it has since emerged that the Victoria state medical exemption, allowed for people who tested positive for the coronavirus within the last six months, was deemed invalid by the federal border authorities.   

‘Bulli Bai’ | Niraj Bishnoi not cooperating in probe: police 

Main accused in the Bulli Bai app case Niraj Bishnoi has tried to harm himself twice while in police custody but he is being taken care of, police officials said on Saturday.  Police said Bishnoi is trying to delay the investigation and not co-operating in interrogation.  “He had also tried to harm himself twice and is also threatening to end his life. He is being take care of while he is in custody. His medical examination has been conducted and he is stable and unharmed. This may be due to his mental condition or perhaps, he wants to delay the investigation,” a senior police officer said.   

PM Modi lauds feat of 2 crore children getting vaccinated 

Lauding the feat of over two crore youngsters in the 15-18 age group getting vaccinated against COVID-19, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday called for continuing the momentum.  He tweeted, “Excellent! Well done my young friends. Let us continue this momentum. Urging everyone to follow all COVID-19 related protocols and get vaccinated, if you haven’t already.” He was reacting to Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya’s tweet regarding the feat.  “Shielding Young India against COVID-19. Over 2 crore children between the age group of 15-18 vaccinated against #COVID19 since 3rd January. Congratulations to all my young friends who got vaccinated,” he had said.  Vaccination of children in the 15-18 age group began on January 3 in the country.   

PM security breach: Union minister 

Thakur rues statements by Congress leaders, questions Sonia Gandhi’s ‘silence’ Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Anurag Thakur on Saturday questioned remarks made by Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi and other Congress leaders following the breach of Prime Minister’s security.  He also questioned Congress president Sonia Gandhi’s ‘silence’ on the issue.  In a major security lapse, prime minister Narendra Modi’s convoy was stranded on a flyover due to a blockade by farm protesters in Ferozepur on Wednesday.  “The states are responsible for the prime minister’s security wherever he visits. The entire country expressed concern over what happened in Punjab,” Mr. Thakur told reporters here.  The Punjab government did not take the incident seriously, he alleged.  The law will take its own course now as the matter was before the Supreme Court, Mr. Thakur said.  “But the way Punjab chief minister, the state Congress president and other leaders made comments on this issue was sad. It shows what they think and how they speak about the prime minister,” he said.  

INTERNATIONAL NEWS 

Google Doodle pays tribute to Stephen Hawking on his birth anniversary

The Google doodle on January 8 marks the birth anniversary of the iconic physicist and cosmologist Stephen Hawking, who is known for his work on the origins of the universe. Hawkins was born in Oxford in England in 1942 into a family of physicians. He went on to study at the University College in Oxford and then the Trinity Hall, Cambridge. He completed a PhD degree in theoretical physics and applied mathematics.

 

India and 5 Other Nations Begin Anti-Submarine Exercise ‘Sea Dragon 22’ with US Navy

The United States (US) Navy Seventh Fleet announced the beginning of the multilateral anti-submarine warfare (ASW) exercise, ‘Sea Dragon $ \ mathbf {2 2} $ ‘in Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, in the western Pacific. The six nations that are participating in the exercise are the US, Australia, Canada, India, Japan and South Korea. The P-8 Poseidon Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft (MPRA) with Patrol Squadron (VP) $-47 and Tridents of VP- 26 will Join the exercise. The ‘Golden Swordsmen of VP-47’, part of Commander Task Force (CTF) 72, are stationed in Whidbey Island, Washington, and are currently deployed to Misawa Air Base in Aomori, Japan. The ‘Tridents of VP-26’, part of CTF 72, are stationed in Jacksonville, Florida, and are currently deployed to Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan. Throughout their deployment, ‘Golden Swordsmen of VP-47’ & ‘Tridents of VP 26 will conduct maritime patrol and reconnaissance and theater outreach operations within the 7th Fleet area of operations.

 

 

 

NATIONAL NEWS 

Election Commission of India to announce assembly elections schedule for five states today

The Election Commission of India will announce the schedule for the upcoming assembly elections to Goa, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Manipur, and Uttarakhand on January 8, 2022, at 3.30 pm.

India may see Omicron wave peak in February 2022: US-based Health Expert

The Director of the Institute of Health Metrics Sciences Dr. Christopher Murray has said that India will witness a peak in the number of COVID-19 cases by February 2022 with an expectation of reporting 5 lakh cases every day.

14th Round of talks between India and China to be held on January 12

India and China will hold the 14th round of Corps Commander level talks on January 12, 2022. According to the Government, the talks between the two countries will be held to resolve the ongoing stand-off on the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

Uttarakhand imposes restrictions on political rallies and protests amid Omicron scare

The Government of Uttarakhand, in view of the rising COVID-19 cases, has imposed a new set of restrictions in which all the political rallies and protests in the poll-bound state will be prohibited till January 16, 2022. All the schools and Anganwadi centers will also remain closed till January 16.

UP tops in ‘Best State Category’ in National Water Awards-2020

The 3rd National Water Awards-2020 were announced on January 7, 2022, by the Union Minister of Jal Shakti Gajendra Singh. Uttar Pradesh has secured top position in the ‘Best State Category’, followed by Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu.

No new registration required to receive precautionary dose in India

The Ministry of Family and Health Welfare has announced that no new registration will be required for the beneficiaries of the precautionary COVID-19 vaccine dose. The precautionary dose will be given to the healthcare and frontline workers and those above the age of 60 years from January 10, 2022.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Child Marriage banned in Philippines

The President of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte signed a law prohibiting child marriage in the country. The law came into force on January 6, 2022, making child marriage illegal in the Philippines. The latest law stipulates that marrying and cohabiting with anybody under the age of 18 can result in a prison sentence of 12 years.

Sydney Poitier, Oscar-winning actor dies at 94

Sydney Poitier, a Bahamian-American actor who won an academy award passed away at the age of 94. Poitier’s film in Arizona ‘Lilies in the Field’ in 1963 led to a huge milestone in his acting career and made him the first black winner of a lead-acting Oscar. The Hollywood star was known for films such as Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, In the Heat of the Night, and Lilies of the Field, for which he became the first Black man to win a Best Actor Oscar.

South Africa’s ruling party marks birthday amid divisions

The African National Congress celebrates its 110th anniversary on Saturday amid deep divisions, graft allegations and broad challenges that saw it perform dismally in local government elections last year.