06102022 IBPS RRB PO IBPS PO FEDERAL CURRENT AFFAIRS SNIPPETS

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06th October 2022

 

 

National News

India abstains from voting at UN to debate China's abuse against Uyghur Muslims

India has abstained from voting on a draft resolution in the UN Human Rights Council to debate the human rights situation in China's Xinjiang region. The draft resolution on "holding a debate on the situation of human rights in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China" was rejected after 17 members voted in favour, 19 voted against, and 11 abstentions.

Election Commission launched Matadata Junction awareness program

The Chief Election Commissioner Shri Rajiv Kumar launched a yearlong Voter Awareness Program 'Matdata Junction' during an event organized at Akashvani Rang Bhavan.  The launch event was also facilitated by Election Commissioner Shri Anup Chandra Pandey. The Matdata Junction is a 52-episode radio series produced by the election commission of India, in collaboration with All India Radio.  Matdata Junction is produced in collaboration with All India Radio.  The Matdata Junction aims to connect with the voters across the country with the help of radio.  The programs will be a combination of information and entertainment which will help to address the lack of concern of urban people and inform the audience.

International News

12,000 Meta employees may lose jobs amid 'quiet layoffs': Report

Meta, formerly Facebook, is undergoing "quiet layoffs" that could affect 15% or around 12,000 employees of the company's workforce, Insider reported citing several employees. Meta's executives reportedly told directors across the company to select at least 15% of their team to be labelled as "needs support". These employees will be put on a performance improvement plan and eventually let go.

Saudi Arabia win bid to host 2029 Asian Winter Games at desert megacity

Saudi Arabia has won the bid to host the 2029 Asian Winter Games at a planned Mountain Resort in the Gulf Arab State.  The Asian Games will be held at a $500 billion futuristic megacity in the desert that will feature a year-round winter sports complex. The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) said that the deserts and mountains of Saudi Arabia will be turned into a playground for winter sports.  The bid by Saudi Arabia was approved without any opposition.
The Megacity known as NEOM will be the first West Asian City to host the event.  The Asian winter games will take place in Trojena, an area of NEOM.
In total there are 47 events in the Asian Winter Games and out of that 28 are on snow, and 10 are on ice.

Majestic Hindu temple opens in Dubai 

A majestic new Hindu Temple has been inaugurated in Jebel Ali Village, Dubai. The temple combines both Indian and Arabic architectural designs and gives a powerful message of tolerance, peace, and harmony. The temple is located in a neighborhood that is generally known as the 'Worship Village' of UAE.  The temple was inaugurated by the Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan and Ambassador Sunjay Sudhir.  The temple is 70,000 square feet which were announced in 2020.  The temple has detailed hand carvings, ornate pillars, brass spires, and striking lattice screens that blend Indian and Arabic architecture.

Appointments News

Actor Pankaj Tripathi declared ‘National Icon’ by Election Commission of India 

Election Commission of India (ECI) in creating awareness amongst voters, Actor Pankaj Tripathi has been declared as the ‘National Icon’ of ECI.  The actor was chosen for the honour by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar for keeping in view his commitment to the cause and wide appeal across the country.  An event on the ‘Voter Awareness Program’, CEC Rajiv Kumar complimented ECI state icon, Pankaj Tripathi, for his association with ECI in creating voting awareness across citizens, and henceforth declared him as the National Icon for ECI.

Sanjeev Kishore named as Director General of Indian Ordinance Factory

A 1985 batch officer of the Indian Ordnance Factory Service (IOFS), Sanjeev Kishore has taken over as the Director General of the Indian Ordinance Factory with effect from 01-10-2022 upon the superannuation of M K Grag.  Before taking over the charge of DGO (C &S), Kishore was the Additional Director of General Ordnance at the Directorate of Ordnance (Coordination & Services), Kolkata.  Sanjeev Kishore has held many senior positions, including that of the first CMD of Armoured Vehicles Nigam Ltd (AVNL), one of the seven new DPSUs formed by the Government of India in 2021.

Sandeep Kumar Gupta assumed charge as Chairman of GAIL

Sandeep Kumar Gupta assumed charge as the chairman and managing director of GAIL (India) Limited. Gupta, who will replace Manoj Jain, has a wide experience of over 34 years in the oil and gas industry.  Before joining GAIL, he was working with Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) since 2019. Gupta, 56, is a commerce graduate and a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India. In June, the Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) had selected him for the top role at GAIL after interviewing 10 candidates.  GAIL Limited is a central public sector undertaking under the ownership of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India. It is headquartered in GAIL Bhawan, New Delhi. Its operations are overseen by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.

Agreements News

Historic MoU Signed to launch India’s Rupay debit card in Oman 

National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and Central Financial institution Of Oman signed a historic MoU to launch the Rupay debit card in Oman, paving the best way for a brand new period of monetary connectivity.  Minister of State for Exterior Affairs V. Muraleedharan witnessed the signing of the MoU and met Tahir Al Amri, Govt President, Central Financial institution of Oman. MoS Muraleedharan arrived within the capital metropolis of Oman, Muscat for a two-day go to Muralitharan deepen ties between each nations.

BANKING, BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

 

SEBI nod for IPOs worth ₹5,000 crore to expire this month

₹5,000 crore are set to lapse in October as four firms have delayed the issue launch amid tough market conditions. The companies are One Mobikwik Systems, Skanray Technologies, Penna Cement Industries, and ESAF Small Finance Bank. According to experts, Paytm owner One97 Communications' disappointing listing was another reason for the delay.

ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel gets environmental clearance for Hazira plant expansion

ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India announced it has received environment clearance for expansion of its plant in Hazira to 15 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) from the current crude steel capacity of 9 MTPA. The company said government's National Steel Policy would receive a big boost from the project. The venture will also help the company's own long-term capacity expansion ambitions.

 

SBI launches 'Gram Seva Program' across six states of India 

State Bank of India launched the SBI Foundation's Gram Seva Program across six states of India. On Gandhi Jayanti this year, the State Bank of India announced that it will adopt 30 remote villages across India under the 4th phase of the 'SBI Gram Seva' Program.  The bank will adopt remote villages across Aspirational Districts in Haryana, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal.  The Gram Seva Program was launched under the Corporate Social Responsibility of the bank.  The program emphasizes a comprehensive development of villages by active intervention in areas like education, healthcare, livelihoods, and infrastructure.  Till now, the program has adopted 100 villages across 16 states in 3 phases.

Govt gets ₹1,203 crore dividend from 5 Central Public Sector Enterprises

The government has received ₹1,203 crore as dividend tranches from five Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSE). The total dividend receipts of the government from CPSEs now stand at ₹14,778 crore in this fiscal. Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) Secretary Tuhin Kanta Pandey tweeted that SAIL, HUDCO and IREL paid ₹604 crore, ₹450 crore and ₹37 crore respectively

 

Aditya Birla Health Insurance launches Activ Fit for young & healthy adults

Aditya Birla Health Insurance Co. Limited (ABHICL), the health insurance subsidiary of Aditya Birla Capital Limited (ABCL), has launched 'Active Fit' which is a comprehensive health insurance plan for young and healthy adults. It is first-of-its-kind in the industry.  The 'Active Fit' plan by Aditya Birla Health Insurance Co. Limited provides an upfront 10 per cent good health discount basis an assessment done through a unique facial scan, up to 50 per cent HealthReturns TM on being active and 100 per cent binge refill to ensure that health insurance becomes an attractive proposition for the cohort.

SEBI asks Brickwork Ratings to shut operations in 6 months

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) asked Brickwork Ratings to wind down operations within six months stating "failure to exercise proper skill, care and diligence, while discharging its duties as a credit rating agency". SEBI instructed the agency to not take on fresh clients or new mandates from now. Brickwork is one of seven SEBI-registered credit rating agencies.

 

India’s Economic growth to Decline to 5.7% in 2022: UNCTAD report

India's economic growth is expected to decline to 5.7 per cent this year from 8.2 per cent in 2021, citing higher financing cost and weaker public expenditures, according to the forecast by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Trade and Development Report 2022.  The country's GDP will further decelerate to 4.7 per cent growth in 2023, the top UN agency projected. India experienced an expansion of 8.2 per cent in 2021, the strongest among G20 countries. As supply chain disruptions eased, rising domestic demand turned the current account surplus into a deficit, and growth decelerated, the report stated.

WTO Forecast A Slowdown Of Global Trade Growth 

 

World merchandise trade volume growth is likely to slow to 1 per cent in 2023, down from the previous forecast of 3 per cent made in April this year, per fresh estimates released by the WTO . This is due to multiple shocks including the Ukraine war, high energy prices, inflation, and monetary tightening, it said.  While global trade in goods in 2022 is now predicted to grow at 3.5 per cent--better than the 3 per cent estimated in April--it is expected to lose momentum in the second half of 2023 , the report pointed out.

Awards News

Nobel Prize in Literature awarded to French author Annie Ernaux

The 2022 Nobel Prize in Literature has been awarded to French author Annie Ernaux. She has been given the award "for the courage and clinical acuity with which she uncovers the roots, estrangements and collective restraints of personal memory", a tweet read. Her writing "examines a life marked by strong disparities regarding gender, language and class", said Nobel Prize's website.

 

 

PR Sreejesh, Savita Punia voted FIH Men's and Women's Goalkeeper of the Year 

PR Sreejesh and Savita Punia have been voted FIH Men's and Women's Goalkeeper of the Year for the second year in a row.  Savita Punia, the captain of the Indian women's hockey team, and veteran goalkeeper PR Sreejesh both received the FIH goalkeeper of the year title in the men's and women's categories on the strength of their performances beneath the bar. Savita is just the third athlete to win Goalkeeper of the Year (Women) for three years in a row since the award's debut in 2014.  The International Hockey Federation announced that young Indian forward Mumtaz Khan, and France’s Timothée Clément have been named the FIH Rising Stars of the Year 2021-22 in the women’s and men’s categories respectively.

IITM scientist Roxy Mathew Koll awarded Devendra Lal Memorial Medal 2022 

Roxy Mathew Koll, a scientist at the Pune-based Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), received the American Geophysical Union’s (AGU) 2022 Devendra Lal Memorial Medal.  Koll was selected for his outstanding research in Earth and space sciences. He will also be conferred as a Fellow of the AGU.  AGU is a non-profit organisation that annually recognises a select number of individuals as part of its honours and recognition programme in Earth and space sciences.  Koll has made breakthrough contributions to science, monitoring, forecasts, and climate change projections for South Asia and the larger Indo-Pacific region. His research provides insights into the mechanisms and impacts of climate change on monsoon floods and droughts, cyclones, heat waves, and the marine ecosystem.

Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel Wins UNHCR's Nansen Refugee Award 

Former German chancellor Angela Merkel won the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) prestigious Nansen award for her “leadership, courage and compassion" in ensuring the protection of hundreds of thousands of desperate people at the height of the Syria crisis.  Dr. Angela Merkel is the 2022 Nansen Award global laureate for her political courage, compassion and decisive action as Federal Chancellor of Germany to protect people forced to flee.  The Nansen Award 2022 regional winner for Africa was given to The Mbera Fire Brigade, an all-volunteer firefighting group in Mauritania led by Ahmedou Ag Albohary.  The award for the Americas went to Vicenta González, a women’s rights advocate and activist whose cacao cooperative in Costa Rica empowers local and asylum-seeking women.  Meikswe Myanmar, a humanitarian organization that assists communities in need, including internally displaced people was announced as the regional winner for Asia and the Pacific and the regional winner for the Middle East and North Africa was given to Dr.  Nagham Hasan, a gynaecologist from Iraq who helps fellow Yazidi women who were forced into slavery by ISIS to recover from their trauma.

Schemes News

Government approves ₹26,000 crore for installation of 25,000 mobile towers in 500 days

The government has approved Rs 26,000 crore for the installation of 25,000 mobile towers in 500 days. According to the Telecom Ministry, the financial support for the project will be provided by the Universal Services Obligation Fund and it will be implemented by Bharat Broadband Network.  The project was announced by Telecom Minister Ashwini Vaishnav at a three-day long 'Digital India Conference of State IT Ministers'.  In the three-day long Digital India Conference of State IT Ministers, IT ministers from 12 states and UTs were present.  The 12 states include Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Goa, Manipur, Uttrakhand, Telangana, Mizoram, Sikkim, and Puducherry.

Ranks and Reports News

UNESCO publishes a list of 50 exclusive Indian heritage textile crafts

UNESCO has released a list of 50 exclusive and iconic heritage textile crafts of the country.  Toda embroidery and Sungadi from Tamil Nadu, Himroo weaves from Hyderabad and Bandha tie and dye weaving from Sambalpur in Odisha were some of the textiles that made the cut.  According to UNESCO, one of the major challenges to the safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage in South Asia is lack of proper inventory and documentation. The publication, which aims to bridge this gap, brings together years of research on the 50 selected textiles.

Science and Technology News

Alphabet Inc's Google to build its first cloud region in Greece 

Alphabet Inc's Google will set up its first cloud region in Greece, the company, giving a boost to the country's efforts to become a world cloud computing hub.  The deal is estimated to contribute some 2.2 billion euros ($2.13 billion) to Greece's economic output and create some 20,000 jobs by 2030.  The investment would enable organisations to better use their data, help improve low latency and ensure users' security in the face of cybersecurity threats.

NASA's SpaceX Crew-5 Launches to International Space Station

A SpaceX rocket soared into orbit from Florida carrying the next long-term International Space Station crew, with a Russian cosmonaut, two Americans and a Japanese astronaut flying together in a demonstration of US-Russian teamwork in space despite Ukraine war tensions.  SpaceX Crew5 astronauts, Russian cosmonaut Anna Kikina, NASA astronaut Josh Cassada, NASA astronaut Nicole Mann and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Koichi Wakata pose for a photo as they leave the Operations and Checkout building before heading to Launch Pad 39-A at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, for a mission to the International Space Station.  The mission is notable for the inclusion of Anna Kikina, 38, the lone female cosmonaut on active duty with Roscosmos, making it the first spaceflight with a Russian launched from US soil in two decades.

 

SPORTS

Baghel inaugurates 'Chhattisgarhiya Olympics' to boost traditional sports

Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel on Thursday inaugurated 'Chhattisgarhiya Olympics', which will have 14 types of traditional sports and will continue till January 6, an official said. The event is being held at Balbir Singh Juneja Indoor Stadium in Raipur. "The CM...tried his hand at a few traditional games...like 'langdi', 'bhaura', 'bati' and 'pitthul' to motivate participants," the official said.

 

India lose an ODI on home soil for 1st time in 2022

South Africa defeated India by 9 runs in the rain-curtailed first ODI in Lucknow on Thursday. With this, India suffered their first defeat in ODI cricket on home soil in 2022. South Africa put up a total of 249/4 in their 40 overs and restricted India to 240/8. The match witnessed Sanju Samson register his highest ODI score (86*).

Important Days

Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2022: 01st to 31st October

Every year Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM) is observed in the month of October, from 01 to 31.  The annual international health campaign aims to increase awareness of the disease and to raise funds for research into its cause, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure.  The pink ribbon is an international symbol of breast cancer awareness.  An annual campaign to raise awareness of this complex disease and fund research into its causes, treatment, and cure.  Since 1985, individuals, businesses, and communities have come together every October to show their support for the many people affected by breast cancer. Breast Cancer Awareness Month can be a time to reflect, give back, or even celebrate.

Miscellaneous News

Amit Shah Announces ST Status For Paharis In Jammu And Kashmir

Union Home Minister Amit Shah announces that Pahari Community in Jammu and Kashmir will get a Scheduled Tribe (ST) status and political reservations before Assembly elections.  The abolition of Articles 370 and 35A in August 2019 paved the way for providing reservations to deprived sections of Jammu and Kashmir.  The ST quota in J&K carries 7% spots in government jobs and educational institutions.  The Gujjars and Bakerwals community were getting ST benefits since 1991.  The Paharis were given a 4 percent quota in the OBC category from January 2020.  The Centre formed the Justice Sharma Commission in March 2020, however it seemed to upset the Gujjars and Bakerwals.

KVIC holds SFURTI Mela at Dilli Haat from Oct 1-15

Khadi and Village Industry Commission (KVIC), a statutory body under the Ministry of MSME, is organizing a Scheme of Fund for the Regeneration of Traditional Industries (SFURTI) Mela at Dilli Haat, New Delhi. The SFURTI Mela will be organized from 1st October 2022 to 15th October 2022.  The national-level exhibition of Traditional products from SFURTI clusters is being organized for the first time to promote Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav. SFURTI is nitiated by MSME Ministry to promote cluster development.

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