Daily Current Affairs: 19 January 2014

1) Netherlands won inaugural Hockey World League title: Constantijn Jonker scored a hat-trick as the Netherlands thumped New Zealand 7-2 to win the inaugural Hockey World League in New Delhi on 18 January 2014. The Dutch, who stunned reigning world champions Australia in the semi-finals, outplayed the Black Sticks in a one-sided final at the Dhyan Chand Stadium in the Indian capital. The International Hockey Federation's (FIH) newest competition opened with 54 teams in August 2012, and, after three rounds played around the world, the top seven joined hosts India for the title round in New Delhi. England took third place with a 2-1 win over Australia earlier on Saturday while India finished at sixth place.

2) Centre issues directive for 150 days work under MGNREGA for STs in forest areas: Ministry of Rural Development has issued a directive to provide 150 days of wage employment under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) for Scheduled Tribe households living in forest areas. The move will benefit about eight lakh people in the states like Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh.

3) NSE top-ranked globally for equity trades for 2nd year in 2013:  The National Stock Exchange (NSE) retained its position as the world's largest bourse in terms of number of equity trades for the second consecutive year in 2013, while China's Shenzhen Exchange overtook the NYSE as the second largest.

4) Dhoni becomes first Indian keeper to cross 300 dismissals:  Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Sunday became the first Indian wicketkeeper and the fourth overall to effect 300 dismissals in one-day internationals when he caught a Ross Taylor nick in the opening ODI against New Zealand. With this, he joined a legendary club which features the celebrated trio of Australia's Adam Gilchrist (472 dismissals in 287 matches), Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakkara (424 dismissals in 362 matches) and South Africa's Mark Boucher (424 dismissals in 295 matches).

5) Technopark in Kerala becomes nation's largest IT park:  Technopark situated in the capital city of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram has become the largest IT park in the country with chief minister Oommen Chandy inaugurating the Phase III of the project. Now, Technopark has a 333-acre campus and 285 companies, making it the country's largest and the greenest IT park. Technopark is all set for further expansion as around 451 acre of land is reserved for Technocity in Phase IV, thus increasing the total available space to 784 acres.

6) Serena Willimas out of Australian Open 2014: Serena Williams' pursuit of history has been put on hold. The 32-year-old American had been hoping to win her 18th Grand Slam title, which would have put her equal with Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert, but the injury jinx which has dashed her hopes at the last three Australian Opens struck again here. Struggling with a back injury, Williams suffered only her sixth defeat in the last 20 months when she was beaten 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 on Sunday by Ana Ivanovic.

7) Wal-Mart sets up new company in India: Global retail giant Wal-Mart has registered a new company in India as it prepares to enter the country's lucrative multibrand retail market with a new partner. The retailer has registered a new company called 'Wal-Mart India Private Ltd' in the country, according to the data available with the ministry of corporate affairs.

8) New Zealand defeat India by 24 runs in first ODI: Despite Virat Kohli's sparking ton hosts New Zealand staged a thrilling 24-run win against India in the first cricket one-dayer at Napier today. With this New Zealand has taken a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.

9) Cyrus Mistry wins DSC Prize for 2014: Reticent author Cyrus Mistry on Saturday beat off stiff competition from five other writers to become the fourth winner of the $50,000 DSC prize for South Asian literature on Saturday for his book “Chronicles of a Corpse Bearer”. The prize, is given to the best work or translations of a work on or about the South Asian region. Last year the award was won by Jeet Thayil for his debut debut novel “Narcopolis”. Mr. Mistry was presented with the award at a ceremony at the Jaipur Literature Festival.