1. Virat Kohli-led India become first team to win bilateral series across formats versus Australia Down Under

• Yuzvendra Chahal returned to ODIs with a bang as he bagged a career-best 6 for 42 to help India fold Australia for a score of just 230 runs in the series decider at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
• It was India's first win in the format since 1947 that includes a total of 12 tours to the nation.
• The win also made India the first nation since South Africa in 2008/09 to win both the Test and ODI series on a tour of Australia.

2. Japan launches Epsilon-4 rocket with 7 satellites

• Japan successfully launched the Epsilon-4 rocket carrying seven satellites from the Uchinoura Space Center in Kagoshima.
• The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency or JAXA shouldered the cost of the launch, which adds up to roughly USD 50 million, to encourage space exploration by the private sector, reports NHK World.
• In fact, the largest satellite has been successfully placed in orbit shortly after take-off at an altitude of 514 kilometres.

3. Kerala HC disqualifies LDF-backed Independent MLA Karat Razack for defaming rival leader

• The Kerala High Courtdisqualified Left-backed Independent MLA Karat Abdul Razackfrom the Koduvally Assembly constituency for his defamatory campaign against the IUML's M.A. Razack Master during the May 2016 Assembly polls.
• The HC found that he had indulged in a corrupt practice hence his election was declared void, as it was in violation of the Representation of People's Act.
• The disqualification was as per the provisions of the Representation of the Peoples Act 1951. The Representation of the Peoples act defines the corrupt practices for the disqualification of the elected representative.

4. Justice Asif Saeed Khosa takes oath as 26th Chief Justice of Pakistan

• Chief justice Khosa will serve as top judge for approximately 337 days and is scheduled to retire on Dec 21, 2019.
• The ceremony started with recitation from the Holy Quran after which notification of his appointment was read out.
• Prime Minister Imran Khan and other attendees congratulated Justice Khosa for assuming the office of Chief Justice of Pakistan.

5. Reliance Retail, Jio to launch new e-commerce platform

• Reliance Retail, Jio to launch new e-commerce platform
• Reliance Industries Ltd Chairman and managing director Mukesh Ambani said group companies Reliance Retail and Reliance Jio Infocomm would jointly launch a new e-commerce platform in the country.
• The new e-commerce project would empower 1.2 million shopkeepers in Gujarat, Ambani said, adding the company was committed to making the western Indian state a fully digital one.
• The company’s consolidated net profit of Rs 10,251 crore for October-December was 7.7% higher than the September quarter.

6. 2nd World Orange Festival begins in Nagpur

• The second World Orange Festival will be organised in Nagpur.
• The festival, while offering its famed oranges to the world, will also showcase and brand the exquisite fruit in order to boost its export.
• Agricultural experts and scientists from various countries will participate in the workshops and guide farmers.

7. Vinesh Phogat first Indian to be nominated for Laureus World Sports Awards

• Asian Games gold medallist Vinesh Phogat has become the first Indian athlete to earn a nomination in one of the seven main categories of the Laureus Sports Awards
• She was nominated due to her comeback after battling a long injury lay-off to win a gold medal at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games and Jakarta Asian Games.
• She had become the first Indian woman wrestler to win the yellow metal in wrestling at the continental meet.