ECGC CURRENT AFFAIRS SNIPPETS 14092022

 

CURRENT AFFAIRS SNIPPETS

14th September 2022

 

 

National News

President Droupadi Murmu nominated Gulam Ali from J&K to Rajya Sabha 

Gulam Ali, a Gurjar Muslim from Jammu and Kashmir, has been nominated to Rajya Sabha by President Droupadi Murmu on the recommendation of the Central government.  In the notification, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), "In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-clause (a) of clause (I) of article 80 of the Constitution of India, read with clause (3) of that article, the President is pleased to nominate Shri Gulam Ali to the Council of States to fill the vacancy caused due to the retirement of one of the nominated members."

International News

US mortgage interest rates rise above 6% for first time since 2008

US mortgage interest rates increased above 6% for the first time since 2008, Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) data showed on Wednesday. The average contract rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage increased by seven basis points to 6.01% for the week ending September 9. MBA added its Market Composite Index (MCI) declined 1.2% from a week earlier.

Twilio to cut staff by 11% to reduce costs, improve margins

Cloud communications platform Twilio on Wednesday said it plans to cut its staff by nearly 11% to reduce its costs, improve operating margins and create a better selling capacity. The firm's restructuring will be completed by the end of Q4 2022, Twilio added. Twilio estimates it'll incur between $70-$90 million in charges over restructuring plans.

 

India no.1 in sending students to US colleges & universities: US Embassy India

"India is the number one country for sending students to US colleges and universities," Minister Counsellor for Consular Affairs US Embassy in New Delhi Don Heflin said. "We issued 82,000 student visas this summer...a record for us," he said. According to Open Doors report, there were 1,67,582 students from India in the 2020-2021 academic year in the US.

 

Qimingxing-50: China’s First Fully Solar-powered Unmanned Aerial Vehicle(UAV) 

China has successfully tested its first fully solar-powered unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) which can fly for months and can function even as a satellite if required. The maiden flight of Qimingxing-50 has been achieved, making it the first large-sized UAV powered only by solar energy, a Chinese government official informed in a tweet.  The Qimingxing-50, with a wingspan of 50 m, is a high-altitude long-endurance drone that is capable of high altitude aerial reconnaissance, assessing forest fire and can also be used for communications. This technology will bolster Chinese defences in space and at sea.

Norwegian central bank develops National digital currency using Ethereum 

National digital currency using Ethereum: Norges Bank, Norway's central bank, made a significant advancement in its efforts to develop a digital currency by publishing the open source code for the nation's central bank digital currency (CBDC) sandbox based on Ethereum technology. This development was made possible by the ongoing mainstream adoption of cryptographic technology.  CBDCs are a type of electronic fiat money backed by the central bank. Although they are not required to be, CBDCs can be built on blockchain networks. However, the CBDC in Norway is built on Ethereum.  The sandbox is made to provide a way to communicate with the test network.  The Bank's official CBDC partner, Nahmii, stated in a blog post that it has also enabled features including minting, burning, and transferring ERC-20 tokens.

State News

Uttar Pradesh tops in India, 8462 lakes developed under Mission Amrit Sarovar

Uttar Pradesh becomes the first state in India to construct 8,642 Amrit Sarovar (Lakes) in India. Amrit Sarovar is an ambitious mission initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which aims to conserve water for the future.  Madhya Pradesh is in the second position, Jammu and Kashmir in third, Rajasthan in fourth, and Tamil Nadu ranked in the fifth position. Lakhimpur Kheri, Uttar Pradesh, secured the first position within the state by constructing 256 Amrit Sarovar.  Gorakhpur secured the second position by constructing 245 lakes, and Pratapgarh secured the third position by constructing 231 lakes.  15,497 Amrit Sarovar was identified in different villages panchayats of which 8,462 Amrit Sarovar have been already developed.  These Amirt Sarovars are twice the total number of Amrit Sarovar collectively developed in Madhya Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan, and Tamil Nadu.

Appointments News

Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi to be next Attorney General for India

Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi is set to be appointed the 14th Attorney General for India again after KK Venugopal vacates the post. This will be Rohatgi's second time as AG, after his first stint between June 2014 and June 2017.  At the end of June this year, AG Venugopal's tenure was extended for a period of three months or "until further orders". This extension is set to expire on September 30. Rohtagi will take the seat of the country's top law officer from 1st October.  People aware of the matter said Rohatgi gave his consent for assuming the top post last week following a request from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). Rohatgi was Attorney General for the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance government between 2014 and 2017, soon after the new dispensation took over.

Burjeel Holdings appoints SRK as brand ambassador

Burjeel Holdings, a private healthcare services provider in the MENA region has signed Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan as its new brand ambassador. The company is owned by UAE-based Indian entrepreneur Shamsheer Vayalil. The actor will appear in a multi-platform advertising campaign in the region for the group that will be unveiled in the coming weeks. This will be the actor’s first healthcare ambassador role.  In the past, the actor has also tied up with Dubai’s tourism board to be one its brand ambassadors. But that partnership ended as of early 2022. He was also the first Indian celebrity to have received the UAE golden visa.

IBM and IIT Madras collaborate to promote quantum computing in India 

IBM and IIT Madras collaborate: Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IIT-Madras) and International Business Machines (IBM) have cooperated to improve quantum computing research and talent development in India.  IIT Madras joins the IBM Quantum Network's global membership of over 180 organisations through this agreement. IIT Madras also joins the global network of Fortune 500 corporations, start-ups, academic institutions, and research labs using IBM Quantum technology to enhance quantum computing and investigate business application cases as the "first Indian university."

Agreements News

MeitY Startup Hub and Meta Collaborate to speed up XR technology startups in India

MeitY Startup Hub and Meta Collaborate: In association with Meta, MeitY Startup Hub (MSH) will introduce a programme to help and accelerate XR technology entrepreneurs in India.  The program's announcement is scheduled for September 13, 2022. At the event will be Joel Kaplan, Vice President, Global Policy, Meta, and Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Hon'ble Minister of State for Electronics & Information Technology, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship.  The government's initiatives to develop skills in cutting-edge and future technology include this collaboration.  With a big talent pool of creators, developers, and a thriving technology environment, India is perfectly positioned to play a crucial role in the metaverse.  The world turns to it for supply-side innovation, talent, and technology to meet the growing need for digital goods.

Vedanta And Foxconn to Invest 1.54 Lakh Crore In Gujrat For Chip Manufacturing 

The Anil Agarwal-led-Vedanta Limited and Foxconn Group will invest more than Rs 1.54 lakh crore to set up an semiconductor ecosystem in Gujarat.  The oil-to-metals conglomerate said Vedanta Displays Limited will set up a Display Fab Unit with an investment of Rs 94500 crore and Vedanta Semiconductors Limited will set up an integrated Semiconductor Fab Unit and OSAT (Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test) facility with investment of Rs 60000 crore.  The proposed semiconductor manufacturing fab unit will operate on the 28nm technology nodes with wafer size 300mm; and the display manufacturing unit will produce Generation 8 displays catering to small, medium and large applications.

BANKING, BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

SBI authorised to promote Rupee trade with Russia: Export industry body Prez

India has decided to authorise State Bank of India (SBI) to promote Rupee trade with Russia and soon, Russia will name its bank to operationalise the mechanism, said Federation of Indian Export Organisation President A Sakthivel. "[Commerce Secretary BVR Subrahmanyam] said very soon Russian government is going to identify a bank...Rupee trade with Russia will happen," Sakthivel said.

India's trade deficit widens to $27.98 billion in August: Govt

India's merchandise trade deficit widened to $27.98 billion in August 2022 from $11.71 billion a year earlier, revised data released by the government showed on Wednesday. The country's merchandise exports rose to $33.92 billion in August from $33.38 billion in the same period last year. Meanwhile, India's imports rose to $61.90 billion in August from $45.09 billion last year.

 

Govt to soon invite bids for privatisation of IDBI Bank: DIPAM Secy

Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) Secretary Tuhin Kanta Pandey on Wednesday said the department would soon invite preliminary bids from investors for the privatisation of IDBI Bank. "It's...first of its kind transaction where through a bidding route we'll be privatising...bank," he said. The government presently holds 45.48% stake in the bank and LIC owns a 49.24% stake.

 

35,000 buses in Karnataka to go electric by 2030: Minister

Karnataka Transport Minister B Sriramulu said the state government is planning to convert 35,000 buses to electric by 2030 keeping in mind environment and pollution related concerns. He added that with the rising costs of diesel, they were incurring losses. The Minister also said that the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) is operating electric buses on a contractual basis.

'Moonlighting' not ethically right for full-time employees: IBM's India MD

Sandip Patel, the MD for IBM India/South Asia region, said, "All of our workers when they are employed, they sign an agreement which says that they're going to be working full-time for IBM." He added, "So moonlighting is not ethically right for them to get into." 'Moonlighting' refers to the practice of taking up secondary jobs after regular work hours.

Sachin Bansal helmed Navi Technologies approved by Sebi, for IPO

Navi Technologies approved by SEBI: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has given Sachin Bansal's fintech business Navi Technologies the go-ahead for an Initial Public Offering (IPO), which will help the Flipkart co-founder in his efforts to build a financial services conglomerate.  Navi Technologies submitted draft papers to SEBI in March of this year in order to raise up to Rs 3,350 crore through a new share offering.  Sachin Bansal, who has a 97.39 percent ownership in fintech, stated that there will not be an offer for sale (OFS) by shareholders in the IPO.

Science and Technology News

Hughes, ISRO Have Launched A Satellite Internet Service

Hughes Communication India (HCI), has collaborated with the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), to launch its first high throughput satellite (HTS) broadband internet service in the country. Since last year, the company has been testing its operations in northern India.  Through the first high throughout satellite (HTS) broadband internet service, the company has promised to deliver high-speed satellite broadband service to remote locations across India from the desolate part of Leh Ladakh to the northeastern part of India.

Awards News

74th Primetime Emmy Awards 2022: Check the complete list of winners

The 74th Primetime Emmy Awards were held, to mark some remarkable American television performances until mid-2022.  Overall, there are 40-plus categories, where writers, actors, directors and editors were awarded for their remarkable work from June 1, 2021 to May 31, 2022. The 74th annual Emmy Awards hosted by Kenan Thompson at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

74th Emmy Awards 2022: List of winners

 

Category	Winner
Outstanding lead actress in a comedy series	Jean Smart-Hacks
Outstanding lead actor in a comedy series	Jason Studeikis – Ted Lasso
Outstanding comedy series	Ted Lasso

 

Category	Winner
Outstanding lead actor in a limited or anthology series or a movie	Michael Keaton - Dopesick
Outstanding lead actress in a limited or anthology series or a movie	Amanda Seyfried – The Dropout
Outstanding limited or anthology series	The White Lotus
Outstanding lead actress in a drama series	Zendaya – Euphoria
Outstanding lead actor in a drama series	Lee Jung-jae- Squid Game
Outstanding drama series	Succession
Supporting actor in a comedy series	Brett Goldstein – Ted Lasso
Supporting actress in a comedy series	Sheryl Lee Ralph – Abbott Elementary
Guest actor in a drama series	Colman Domingo – Euphoria
Guest actress in a drama series	Lee You-mi- Squid Game
Supporting actor in a drama series	Matthew Macfadyen-Succession
Supporting actress in a drama series	Julia Garner- Ozark
Supporting actor in a limited series or TV movie	Murray Bartlett- The White Lotus
Supporting actress in a limited series or TV movie	Jennifer Coolidge- The White Lotus
Television movie	Chip ‘n’ Dale: Rescue Rangers
Guest actor in a comedy series	Nathan Lane- Only Murders in the Building
Guest actress in a comedy series	Laurie Metcalf- Hacks
Outstanding writing for a comedy series	Abbott Elementary- Quinta Brunson
Outstanding writing for a drama series	Succession – Jesse Armstrong

 

Category	Winner
Outstanding writing for a limited or anthology series or movie	The White Lotus – Mike White
Outstanding writing for a variety series	Last Week Tonight With John Oliver
Outstanding writing for a variety special	Jerrod Carmichael: Rothaniel
Outstanding writing for a nonfiction program	Lucy And Desi
Outstanding competition program	Lizzo’s Watch Out for the Big Grrrls
Structured reality program	Queer Eye
Unstructured reality program	Love on the Spectrum
Host for a reality or competition program	Rupaul - Rupaul’s Drag Race
Variety sketch show	Saturday Night Live
Variety special (live)	The Pepsi Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show Starring Dr. Dre- Snoop Dogg- Mary J. Blige- Eminem- Kendrick Lamar And 50 Cent
Variety Special (pre-recorded)	Adele: One Night Only
Short form comedy, drama or variety series	Carpool Karaoke: The Series
Short form nonfiction or reality series	Full Frontal With Samantha Bee Presents: Once Upon A Time In Late Night
Documentary or nonfiction special	George Carlin’s American Dream
Documentary or nonfiction series	The Beatles: Get Back
Exceptional merit in documentary filmmaking	When Claude Got Shot
Actor in a short form comedy or drama series	Tim Robinson- I Think You Should Leave With Tim Robinson
Actress in a short form comedy or drama series	Patricia Clarkson – State of the Union

 

Category	Winner
Animated program	Arcane
Short-form animated program	Love-Death + Robots
Character voice-over performance	Chadwick Boseman-What if…?
Narrator	Barack Obama-Our Great National Parks
Hosted nonfiction series or special	Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy
Outstanding directing for a comedy series	Ted Lasso- MJ Delaney
Outstanding directing for a drama series	Squid Game – Hwang Dong-hyuk
Outstanding directing for a limited or Anthology series or movie	The White Lotus- Mike White
Outstanding directing for a variety series	A Black Lady Sketch Show – Bridget Stokes
Outstanding directing for a variety of special	Adele: One Night Only – Paul Dugdale
Outstanding Directing for a documentary/nonfiction program	The Beatles: Get Back- Peter Jackson
Outstanding Directing for a reality program	Lizzo’s Watch Out For The Big Grrrls- Nneka Onuorah

 

Alireza Firouzja wins Sinquefield Cup & The Grand Chess Tour

Iranian-French chess grandmaster, Alireza Firouzja beat Ian Nepomniachtchi in play-offs to win the ninth edition of the Sinquefield Cup. Firouzja also grabbed an extra $100,000 for winning this year’s Grand Chess Tour.  Wesley So and Maxime Vachier-Lagrave came in second and third place, respectively. The fifth leg of the Grand Chess Tour, the Sinquefield Cup was held in Saint Louis, Missouri, US.  The 9th Sinquefield Cup was played from September 1 to September 13, 2022, and was the fifth leg of the Grand Chess Tour 2022. Before the start of the fourth round, Magnus Carlsen withdrew from the tournament.

 

SPORTS

Vinesh creates history, becomes 1st Indian woman wrestler to win 2 World C'ships medals

Wrestler Vinesh Phogat on Wednesday created history by becoming the first-ever Indian woman wrestler to win at least two medals in World Championships. The 28-year-old defeated Sweden's Jonna Malmgren 8-0 to bag bronze in the 53-kg category at the 2022 World Wrestling Championships in Belgrade. She had bagged her first World Championships medal, a bronze, in 2019.

Who are the highest-ranked Indian cricketers in the latest rankings?

As per the latest men's cricket rankings, Rishabh Pant is the highest-ranked Indian Test batter, while Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja are top-ranked Indian bowler and Indian all-rounder, respectively. In ODIs, Virat Kohli is the top-ranked Indian batter, while Suryakumar Yadav is the top-ranked Indian batter in T20Is. Hardik Pandya is the top-ranked Indian all-rounder in ODIs and T20Is.

 

Books and Authors News

Army Hospital in New Delhi opened the Early Intervention Center "Prayas"

Former Dutch field hockey player and former Indian Women’s Hockey Coach, Sjoerd Marijne, authored a new book titled “Will Power: The Inside Story of the Incredible Turnaround in Indian Women’s Hockey”. The book published by HarperCollins Publishers India will be launched in September 2022.  The book highlights the experiences of Sjoerd Marijne, when he was appointed the Chief Coach of the Indian Women’s Hockey Team in 2017. It also talked about how the Indian Women’s Hockey team dealt with setbacks, mental health issues, internal politics and maintained team chemistry along with high-performance culture.  The book is a memorable account of Sjoerd Marijne’s innings and will inspire readers to perform for the best, be it in life, their careers or as part of teams.

Important Days

Hindi Diwas 2022: Check history and Interesting facts

Hindi Diwas or Hindi Day is observed every year on 14 September to mark the popularity of Hindi as an official language of India. The language was adopted under Article 343 of the Indian Constitution.  The first Hindi day was celebrated on 14th September 1953. Hindi is one of the major languages used in India as a large portion of the country's population knows and uses the language. Schools, colleges and other educational institutions celebrate Hindi Diwas by organising various programs.  Hindi Diwas is celebrated to commemorate the adoption of Hindi in the Devanagari script as one of the official languages of the nation. Hindi was adopted by the National Constitution on September 14, 1949 and it became the official language of the country. India's first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, decided to celebrate September 14 as Hindi Diwas.  Hindi Diwas also marks celebrating the birthday of Beohar Rajendra Simha who played a crucial role in getting Hindi in the Devanagari script approved as an official language of India. He was born on 14 September 1916.

Miscellaneous News

Los Angeles named September 17 as ‘Squid Game’ Day

The City of Los Angeles has officially designated September 17 Squid Game Day, in recognition of the South Korean Netflix series’ achievements.  “Squid Game” was nominated for 14 Emmy Awards in July and is the first non-English language series to earn a nomination for Outstanding Drama Series.  It was also the first Korean and first non-English language series to win a Screen Actors Guild Award. 

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