Latest Current Affairs For Saturday 10th September, 2022

नासा का मोक्सी उपकरण मंगल पर सफलतापूर्वक ऑक्सीजन बनाता है

The Mars oxygen in-situ resource utilisation experiment (MOXIE) has been successfully producing oxygen from Mars carbon dioxide-rich atmosphere since February 2021.

MOXIE, is a lunchbox-sized gadget that generated breathable oxygen on Mars which is equivalent to the effort of a tiny tree.

MOXIE was landed on the Mars surface as part of Nasa's Perseverance rover mission.

The MOXIE has met its objective of producing 6g of oxygen per hour in each run.

Telangana's Warangal, two cities of Kerala join UNESCO learning cities

Warangal (Telangana), Thrissur (Kerala) and Nilambur (Kerala) have joined the Global Network of Learning Cities (GNLC) of UNESCO.

Reason: For their outstanding efforts to make lifelong learning a reality for all at the local level.

These three cities are among the 77 cities from 44 countries which have joined this network of the world body.

The 77 new members bring the total number of cities to 294 in 76 countries.

Union Culture Minister: G Kishan Reddy

Australia passes legislation to reduce carbon emissions by 43%

Australian Parliament has passed government legislation to reduce carbon emissions by 43% by 2030 and further bring it to zero by 2050.

The legislation needs royal assent before it officially becomes law.

To achieve this target, the government bodies such as clean energy and infrastructure financing agencies, requires to take emissions targets into account in their decisions.

Minister for Climate Change and Energy of Australia: Chris Bowen 

Agribazaar launches Kisan Safalta Card for agri financing

Agribazaar has introduced the 'Agribazaar Kisan Safalta Card to help farmers to meet their pre and post-harvest farm requirements and allied expenses.

Farmers can use this card to obtain financing to purchase farm inputs.

The card's limit, the financing scale, and maintenance costs are determined by the crop yield of each farmer.

The card amount is adjustable for marginal farmers from Rs 10,000 to Rs 50,000.

Repayment period: 12-month

Axis Bank ties up with PayNearby for priority sector lending

PayNearby has partnered with the Axis Bank to aid the private lender in achieving the targets of priority sector lending.

This partnership will be used to set up current and savings accounts for both retail and individual customers in remote areas.

As per the Reserve Bank of India guidelines, 40% of net bank credit is to be extended to the priority sector (includes agriculture and micro, small and medium enterprises).

WAAREE partners with SBI to finance projects for consumers channel partners

WAAREE (Solar Panel manufacturer) has signed an agreement with SBI for providing unsecured financing for solar projects through Surya Shakti Solar Finance Scheme.

The agreement also provide working capital for Channel Partners under EDFS (Electronic dealer finance scheme).

WAAREE intended to leverage over Rs 500 Cr of a credit line through Surya Shakti Solar Finance Scheme.

WAAREE is the only manufacturer in India to get a 650Wp Solar panel listed in ALMM.

Lord’s Mark gets direct insurance broking licence from Irdai

Lord’s Mark Insurance has received direct insurance broking licence from the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI).

The insurance firm has  received the license for selling life and general insurance products.

Lords Mark will collaborate with other insurance firms for launching life and general insurance products on its platform called Policy King.

Policy King: Offer its customers facilities to compare all available insurance offers.

HDFC Bank launched ‘Bank on Wheels’ in Gujarat

HDFC Bank, has unveiled 'Bank on Wheels' service in Gujarat, as a part of Rural Banking service.

Aim: To increase the accessibility of Bank in rural area. 

Currently, the van is part of the pilot project and more vans are planned to be rolled out in various states.

Bank on Wheels:

Bank vans will visit remote villages located 10 - 25 km from the nearest branch.

The van will cover three towns in a day.

The vehicle will also make two weekly trips to each community.

India ranks 132nd out of 191 in 2021 Human Development Index

As per the United Nations Development Program report, India has ranked 132nd among 191 countries and territories on the 2021 Human Development Index.

India had ranked 131st among 189 countries in 2020 report.

Findings: The data show that the performance of the country has declined due to fall in life expectancy.

Top five: Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Hong Kong, Australia. 

Last four: Central African Republic (188), Niger (189), Chad (190), South Sudan (191). 

Britain's Longest-Reigning Monarch, Queen Elizabeth II passes away

The longest-reigning royal of United Kingdom and among the world’s longest-ruling monarchs in history, Queen Elizabeth II has died at the age of 96.

She was ascended the throne in 1952.

She became the UK's longest-serving monarch in 2015, when she surpassed the record of Queen Victoria (1837 to 1901).

Charles III (73) has become king of the UK and the head of state of 14 other realms including Australia, Canada and New Zealand.

His wife Camilla becomes queen consort.

UP govt to provide unique farm ID to farmers

Uttar Pradesh government will provide a unique farm ID that is similar to Aadhar number to the farmers.

This unique ID will be linked with Aadhar to provide them benefits of all government schemes.

With the help of this initiative, the government will bring those families into the ambit of this scheme who are not getting any kind of benefits till now.

With the help of Aadhar, UP Government has given the benefit of the government schemes to maximum number of people.

President Droupadi Murmu to launch Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan

President, Droupadi Murmu has virtually launched two initiatives -  Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan and Ni-kshay Mitra initiative.

Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan:

To revive the mission of TB elimination from the country by 2025.

This initiative was launched in the presence of Union Health Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya.

Ni-kshay Mitra:

A platform for donors to provide various forms of support to those undergoing TB treatment.

Singapore's meritorious service Medal to Former Navy chief Sunil Lanba

President of Singapore, Halimah Yacob has conferred the prestigious military award of Singapore, the Pingat Jasa Gemilang (Tentera) or Meritorious Service Medal (Military) to former India Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Sunil Lanba.

Reason: For enhancing the strong and long-standing bilateral defence relationship between the Indian Navy and Singapore Navy.

The award has been presented by Defence minister of Singapore, Ng Eng Hen.

Neeraj Chopra becomes first Indian to win 2022 Zurich Diamond League

Gold medallist javelin thrower, Neeraj Chopra has become the first Indian to win the prestigious Zurich Diamond League Final 2022 in Switzerland with best throw of 88.44m.

While, Olympic silver medallist, Jakub Vadlejch of Czech Republic has finished second with a best throw of 86.94m.

Julian Weber of Germany was third with a best of 83.73metre.

He was also awarded a USD 30,000 prize money and a wild card for the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Hungary.

PM Narendra Modi to be awarded prestigious Lokmanya Tilak Award 2023

The Tilak Smarak Mandir Trust (Hind Swaraj Sangh) would confer the prestigious Lokmanya Tilak National Award 2023 to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Pune on August 1, 2023.

Reason: This award recognizes PM Modi's supreme leadership under which India has climbed the ladder of progress

It is presented annually on the occasion of Lokmanya Tilak's death anniversary.

Other awardees: Indira Gandhi, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Sharad Pawar, Cyrus Poonawalla, and Manmohan Singh. 

J&K Bank wins award for Best Performance in CASA

Jammu & Kashmir Bank has been felicitated for the Best Performance in CASA-India (1st Runner up in Small Bank Category) at ICC Emerging Asia Banking Conclave & Awards 2022.

The event was participated by banks from India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka & Myanmar.

The function was organized by the Indian Chamber of Commerce in Goa.

Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) is a non-governmental trade association and advocacy group headquartered in Calcutta.

India poised to become world’s 2nd-largest economy by 2075: Goldman Sachs

According to the Investment Bank Goldman Sachs, India is poised to become the world’s second-largest economy by 2075.

As per the report, India would cross Japan, Germany, and the US With a population of 1.4 billion people.

India’s GDP is estimated to expand remarkably, reaching 52.5 trillion dollars surpassing the US GDP projection.

The labour force participation set to make India the second-largest economy in the world by 2075.

L&T and Spain's Navantia sign agreement for submarine project

L&T has signed a teaming agreement with Spanish-based Navantia for the submission of a techno-commercial bid for the Indian Navy’s prestigious P75 (India) submarine program.

P75 (India) Submarine Project is expected to be valued at €4.8 billion.

Navantia would carry out the design of P75(I) submarines based on its S80 class of submarines.

The first S80 class submarine was launched in 2021 and is undergoing sea trials prior to its delivery to Spanish Navy. 

India overtakes China as most attractive emerging market for investing

According to a study by Invesco Global Sovereign Asset Management, India has overtaken China to become the most attractive emerging market for investing in sovereign wealth funds this year.

Reason: This is due to its solid demographics, political stability, and proactive regulation. 

Positives for the nation also include the rapidly expanding demography, strong regulatory actions, and a welcoming climate for sovereign investors.

World Population Day 2023: 11 July

World Population Day is observed every year on July 11 in order to raise awareness about global population issues, including population control.

2023 theme: Unleashing the power of gender equality: Uplifting the voices of women and girls to unlock our world’s infinite possibilities. 

It was established by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in 1989, after the day the world approximately reached a population of five billion, which was observed on 11 July 1987.

MoHUA conducts SBM-U 2.0 Planning & Implementation Review-cum-Workshop

The Housing Ministry organized a review-cum-workshop to evaluate and accelerate the planning and implementation of the SBM-Urban 2.0.

PM Modi launched the 2.0 versions of SBM-U and AMRUT on October 1, 2021.

SBM-U 2.0: Achieving 100% waste segregation in all households and premises and 100% door-to-door collection of segregated waste from each. 

AMRUT 2.0: To provide complete coverage of water supply to all households and sewerage and septage in 500 AMRUT cities. 

Gujarat CM launches pilot project of ‘Antyodaya Shramik Suraksha Yojana’

Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel launched the Antyodaya Shram Suraksha Accident Insurance Scheme from Kheda

All those registered under the e-Shram portal from Nadiad will benefit from the scheme.

It is being implemented through the Indian Postal Department, the IPPB, and the Ministry of Labour and Employment.

Under this scheme, insurance with a premium of Rs. 289 and Rs. 499 per year will be a big support to workers in the event of death or partial disability.

OCA elects Sheikh Talal as the new President

Kuwait’s Sheikh Talal Fahad Al Ahmad Al Sabah has been elected as the new President of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA).

He replaced his older brother Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, who led the OCA for 30 years until 2021.

The OCA was founded in 1982 by his father Fahad Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, who led it until 1990.

The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) is a governing body of sports in Asia, currently with 45 member National Olympic Committees.

Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance wins Insurer Innovation Award 2023

Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance has won the Insurer Innovation Award 2023 for the APAC region at the 8th World Digital Insurance Awards, hosted by TDI - The Digital Insurer.

Recognition: Bajaj Allianz Life's ground-breaking WhatsApp Conversational Platform - empowering customers to digitally services their policies seamlessly. 

The award entries were shortlisted by industry experts and the winner was selected by the community through pre-voting and live event voting.