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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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