Current Affairs | National | International | SSC | UPSC - 13th September 2023

 

National News

1. G20 leaders endorse the Goa Roadmap and the "Travel for LIFE" program 

• The G20 Leaders’ Summit, held in Delhi, culminated in a resounding endorsement of the Goa Roadmap’ and the 'Travel for Life' program, propelling India to the forefront of sustainability tourism initiatives. 
• The "Goa Roadmap," a flagship initiative of India’s G20 Tourism Track, serves as a groundbreaking blueprint for global sustainable tourism. 
• Aligned with the theme of India’s G20 Presidency, it underscores the role of tourism in society and economic and environmental stewardship. 
• The roadmap addresses five interconnected priorities identified by G20 Tourism Working Group: Green Tourism, Digitalization, Skills, Tourism MSMEs, and Destination Management. 
• It offers a comprehensive strategy for nations to align their tourism policies with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030. 
• This initiative will serve as a global repository showcasing best practices and case studies of sustainable tourism practices and policies from G20 nations, aiding nations and industry stakeholders in their journey towards achieving SDGs through tourism. 
• The Ministry of Tourism plans to foster the implementation of the Goa Roadmap through education and awareness campaigns.

2. Union Minister Harsh Shanghvi grants Indian citizenship to 108 Pakistani Migrants in Ahmedabad 

• Union Minister Harsh Shanghvi provided citizenship to 108 migrants from Pakistan in Ahmedabad. 
• The right to grant Indian citizenship to minority communities in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan came through gazette notifications issued in 2016 and 2018. 
• District collectors from Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, and Kutch in Gujarat are empowered to follow the process under the Citizenship Act for granting Indian citizenship. 
• Ahmedabad District Collectorate has already granted Indian citizenship to about 1,149 Pakistani Hindu immigrants

3. CBI allowed to freeze bank accounts of Goldman's Dixit 

• The Delhi High Court on Tuesday gave the CBI the go-ahead to freeze the bank accounts of self-styled spiritual preacher Virender Dev Dixit, who is facing rape charges and has been absconding for years. After going through the status report with regard to the steps taken to arrest Mr. Dixit, the court said it was "satisfied with the attempts and progress made by the CBI in the matter" and asked the agency to continue with its efforts. The court granted the agency six weeks to take further steps.

4. SC Refers Plea Against Sedition Law to a Constitutional Bench 

• The Supreme Court on Tuesday referred petitions challenging Section 124A, the provision for sedition. in the Indian Penal Code: (IPC), to a Constitution Bench while Refusing to wait for Parliament's word on the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita Bill, a draft law proposed to replace the British-made penal code of 1860. 
• Three-Judge Bench headed by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud found no merit in a suggestion from the government to defer the case instead of referring it to a larger Bench of five judges. 
• Attorney-General R. Lead, Venkataramani, told a "substantive hearing" of the case. will immediately be done as untimely as the Bharatiya fire. Nyaya Sanhita Bill is before a parliamentary standing committee and may be tabled in the Winter Session along with the Bhartiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita and Bharatiya Sakshya Bills, which are meant to replace the Code of Criminal Procedure and the Indian Evidence Act, respectively.
• Solicitor-General Tushar Mehta, also for the Union, urged the court not to "pre-empt" Parliament. 
• The court said its resolve against postponing the case was based on a well-established legal principle that a new penal law would apply only prospectively. Pro- secutions under Section 124A, presently on hold following a Supreme Court order in May 2022, would persist even if Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita Bill man of age to pass muster in Parliament. 
• "Assuming the new law does come into force, that law will govern only future cases. Insofar as the pending prosecutions under Section 124A are concerned, they will continue... unless the new law says it has retrospective effects or Parliament says all pending cases under Section 124A will lapse... There is no way we can avoid looking into the constitutionality of Section 124A on the grounds that a new law may come," Chief Justice Chandrachud observed. 
• Senior advocates Kapil Sibal, Arvind Datar and Gopal Sankaranarayanan, accompanied by advocates Vipin Nair, P.B. Suresh and Prasanna S., have argued for the petitioners that "words or actions conveying disaffection to the government cannot necessarily be treated as seditious in character in relation to the state. The state cannot be equated with the government of the time". 
• Mr. Sibal said the new clause proposed in place of Section 124A was "unfortu nately worse". Section 150 in the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita Bill avoids using the term 'sedition', but describes the offense as any act of "endangering sovereignty, unity and integrity of India". 
• However, the court refused to comment on the Bill or its provisions. 
• Advocate Kaleewaram Raj, for a petitioner, said a reference to a five-judge bench was not warranted as the Centre, in an affidavit filed earlier, had cast doubts about the Constitution of Section 124A. 
• However, Chief Justice Chandrachud said any re-examination of Section 124A would should consider a Constitution Bench judgment of 1962 in the Kedar Nath Singh versus the State of Bihar case, which upheld the legality of Section 124A through limiting its applicability to "activities involving incitement to violence or intention to create a disturbance of public peace". 
• The court also said the Kedar Nath judgment had to be re-evaluated, taking it into consideration of the substantial advancements made in evolving new rights since 1962.

4. Farmers to approach SC against Indo-U.S. deal on poultry 

• As India and the United States decided to end disputes over import of poultry products and to reduce import tariff on apples, almonds, chickpeas and lentils, farmers and traders associations have raised an alarm. They fear that the new agreements, signed when U.S. delegations headed by President Joe Biden were here for the G-20 meetings, will harm the interests of farmers and small and medium industries in the poultry sector. 
• Talking to The Hindu, Poultry Federation of India's president Ranpal Dhanda said his organisation will move the Supreme Court against the unilateral decision of the Union government. 
• "This agreement is against the interest of poultry farmers in the country. Tonnes of chicken legs will now be imported, rather dumped, to our country. We are also keen to know if the U.S. authorities will certify that pork or beef are not used in the poultry feed. Beef and pork consumption is a sensitive issue in the country," Mr. Dhanda said. 
• He said the Centre is allowing big American companies to make profit at the cost of small and medium poultry outlets in the country. 

International News

5. Eruption in Hawaii's Kilauea Volcano

• The US Geological Survey (USGS) has reported that Kilauea Volcano, one of the world's most active volcanoes on the Big Island of Hawaii, had a massive eruption on September 11, 2023. 
• The flow of this volcano is currently limited to the surrounding craters. Lava is flowing on the surface of these craters. Kilauea is one of six active volcanoes on the island of Hawaii. It erupted almost continuously between 1983 and 2019. 
• The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency warned that volcanic gases could be a problem for people exposed to them. Hawaii's Kilauea volcano has erupted for the third time this year after January and June. 
• The volcano observatory raised the volcano's alert status from "monitoring" to "warning", "The height of the lava fountain has decreased since the eruption began, but remains about 20–25 meters (65–82 ft) high. 
• Earlier, a massive fire in the forests of Maui island of Hawaii had caused widespread destruction. The Hawaiian Islands became the 50th US state in August 1959. Hawaii is a volcanic archipelago consisting of 8 major islands and 124 islets, stretching in a 1,500-mile (2,400 km) crescent from Kure Island in the west to Hawaii Island in the east. 

6. US & Vietnam sign deal on semiconductor supply chains 

• The United States and Vietnam have signed a deal on semiconductor supply chains to expand the capacity of the semiconductor ecosystem in Hanoi, in support of the US industry. 
• Newly-signed Memorandum of Cooperation on Semiconductor Supply Chains and Workforce and Ecosystem Development will formalize this bilateral partnership to expand the capacity of the semiconductor ecosystem in Vietnam, in support of US industry. 
• The US and Vietnam have also launched comprehensive workforce development initiatives in Vietnam to jointly develop hands-on teaching labs and training courses for semiconductor assembly, testing, and packaging. 
• The US government will provide initial seed funding of 2 million US Dollars to launch the initiatives, in conjunction with future support from the Government of Vietnam and the private sector.

7. Germany won the 'FIBA World Cup 2023' for the first time by defeating Serbia

• The FIBA World Cup 2023 Final is scheduled to be held at the Mall of Asia Arena, Manila, Philippines on September 10, 2023. Germany defeated Serbia 83-77 to win the 2023 FIBA World Cup of Basketball for the first time. 
• Tournament Most Valuable Player Dennis Schröder led Germany with 28 points, well above his average of 17.9 points per game. Germany, which won all eight tournament games, won the FIBA World Cup crown, making its debut in the finals in 2006. 
• The 19th edition of FIBA was hosted by multiple countries for the first time in its history – Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia from 25 August to 10 September 2023 among 32 teams. Qatar will host the next 2027 World Cup. 
• Serbia lost in the final for the second time after losing 129–92 to the United States in the 2014 final in Madrid, Spain. International Basketball Federation 
• It is commonly known by the French acronym FIBA (Fédération Internationale de Basketball), is a federation of national organizations that governs international competition in basketball. Its Its original name was Fédération Internationale de Basketball Amateur. 
• The association was founded in Geneva on 18 June 1932, two years after the sport was officially recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). 
• Eight nations were founding members: Argentina, Czechoslovakia, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Portugal, Romania and Switzerland.

8. MoU signed between the Supreme Court of India and Singapore for Judicial Cooperation

• During an official visit to Singapore, the Chief Justice of India Dr. DY Chandrachud met the Chief Justice of Singapore Sundaresh Menon and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by both countries in the field of judicial cooperation. 
• Earlier, Justice Menon had visited India and even sat on the bench of the Supreme Court of India on 3 February 2023. Justice Menon, who has been serving as the fourth Chief Justice of Singapore since 2012, attended a ceremony to mark the 73rd anniversary of the founding of Singapore. 
• The National Judicial Academy of India has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Singapore Judicial College to pursue cooperation in judicial education and research. 
• Supreme Court 
• With the enactment of the Regulating Act of the year 1773, the Supreme Tribunal was established in Calcutta as a Court of Record with full power and authority. In Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa it was established to hear and dispose of complaints about all crimes.
• It had the distinction of being the supreme court for all matters until the establishment of the Federal Court of India under the Government of India Act 1935. After India gained independence in 1947, the Constitution of India came into force on January 26, 1950. Along with this, the Supreme Court of India also came into existence and its first meeting was held on January 28, 1950. 

9. Storm Daniel Devastates Eastern Libya, Over 5,300 Lives Lost 

• Eastern Libya Is in a State of Emergency After a Powerful Storm Named Daniel Caused Terrible Damage. Thousands of People Have Been Affected, With More Than 5,300 Lives Lost and Many Still Missing. 
• Libya has been in turmoil for over ten years. It’s divided into different parts, with each having its own leaders. This division has led to neglect of basic things like infrastructure. It took a long time for outside help to reach the city of Derna, where the situation is critical. Roads leading to Derna were damaged or destroyed by the floods. 
• The health minister for eastern Libya reported over 1,500 people have been found dead, with half of them already buried. While one official estimated that more than 5,000 people died, another source mentioned that more than 5,300 lives were lost in Derna alone. Ambulance authorities in Derna had reported 2,300 deaths earlier.

10. India and Britain launch 'Infrastructure Financing Bridge'

• India and the United Kingdom have jointly announced the launch of the UK-India Infrastructure Financing Bridge’ (UKIIFB) during the 12th Economic and Financial Dialogue (EFD). This collaborative initiative reflects the continued commitment of both countries to work together to unlock substantial infrastructure investment opportunities in India. 
• A joint statement issued by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt outlined the primary objectives of this partnership. The formal launch of UKIIFB under the joint leadership of NITI Aayog (a policy think tank in India) and the City of London is the centerpiece of this collaboration. 
• The statement highlights that the UK has significant expertise in finance and project management, making it a valuable partner for India in infrastructure development. 
• Recognizing India's position as an investment powerhouse in technology, fintech, and green transition, the collaboration aims to leverage India's critical role in driving global economic growth. 
• UKIIFB's primary objective is to unlock infrastructure investment opportunities and utilize the City of London's expertise in structuring and phasing major infrastructure projects. 

11. The Indian Coast Guard participated in the meeting of heads of Asian Coast Guard agencies in Istanbul, Turkey 

• The Indian Coast Guard participated in the 19th Asian Heads of Coast Guard Agencies Meeting (HACGAM) in Istanbul, Turkey on 05-08 September 2023. A four-member ICG delegation led by Indian Coast Guard Director General Rakesh Pal participated in the annual event. 
• This multilateral forum is a part of the Japanese initiative to promote cooperation among the regional Coast Guard following the capture of pirate ship MV Alondra Rainbow by the Indian Coast Guard in November 1999. 
• During the three-day high-level meeting, which was attended by the Chiefs of Coast Guards of all member states, a number of important issues including maritime law enforcement, safety and security of life at sea, marine environment protection, illicit trafficking of drugs, and weapons were, as discussed, gone. 
• HACGAM primarily focuses on promoting cooperation among Coast Guard members. 
• The Indian Coast Guard is the Chairman of the Search and Rescue (SAR) Working Group and is an active member of other working groups including environmental protection and controlling illegal acts at sea and information sharing. The last edition of HACGAM was held in New Delhi in 2022. 

State News

12. Alert issued after death due to Nipah virus in Kozhikode, Kerala 

• Two people have died and four others are undergoing treatment due to the Nipah virus in Kozhikode district of Kerala. The four people undergoing treatment are close relatives of one of the victims.
• Nipah virus alert in Kozhikode, Kerala The case of Nipah was first reported in Kozhikode, Kerala in 2018, in which 17 people lost their lives. Earlier, after two deaths, the health department had issued an alert to the district. 
• Samples of dead people and those under treatment with symptoms similar to the Nipah virus infection was sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune for final testing and confirmation. Once Nipah is confirmed, there will be a ban on social gatherings and programs in those areas. Nipah Virus
• According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Nipah virus infection is a zoonotic disease that spreads from animals to people and can also spread through contaminated food or directly from one person to another. 
• Nipah virus infection can cause mild to severe disease, the latter leading to severe swelling of the brain (encephalitis) and even death. Nipah virus, the organism responsible for encephalitis, is an RNA or ribonucleic acid virus of the Paramyxoviridae family and Henipavirus genus and is closely related to the Hendra virus.
• It was first observed in domestic pigs and is found in many species of domestic animals including dogs, cats, goats, horses and sheep.

13. MCD releases 4 crore for teaching learning material' 

• Mayor Shelly Oberoi on Tuesday said the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has released over 4 crore as funds on 'teaching learning material' for 1,531 schools. Released on Monday, these funds will be used to procure stationery items and photocopies of evaluation papers or assignments for the students of academic session 2023-24, MCD officials said. Ms. Oberoi added that the funds will help ensure that students get stationery and assignments on time.

Defence News 

14. Raksha Mantri Inaugurates 90 BRO Infrastructure Projects Valued At More Than Rs 2,900 Crore 

• Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh is dedicated to the nation's 90 infrastructure projects of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), worth over Rs 2,900 crore, spread across 11 State/Union Territories. The project was inaugurated by Raksha Mantri at an event in Jammu on September 12, 2023. 
• These include the Nechiphu Tunnel in Arunachal Pradesh; two airfields in West Bengal; two Helipads: 22 roads and 63 bridges. Of these 90 projects, 36 are in Arunachal Pradesh; 26 in Ladakh; 11 in Jammu & Kashmir; five in Mizoram; three in Himachal Pradesh; two each in Sikkim, Uttarakhand & West Bengal, and one each in Nagaland, Rajasthan and Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

Award News

15. Army doctor awarded Dr AM Gokhale award for ophthalmology in Pune

• Renowned ophthalmologist Brig Sanjay Kumar Mishra of the Indian Army’s Research and Referral The hospital was conferred with the prestigious “Dr AM Gokhale Award” in Pune. 
• Dr. AM Gokhale was a renowned ophthalmology teacher and his students progressed to become the doyens of Ophthalmology in the country. 
• Brig Mishra is one of the highest decorated officers of Indian Armed Forces Medical Services. 
• Sanjay Kumar Mishra has performed surgeries on two serving Presidents of India. 

Recent Awards 

• Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award for 2022 – 12 scientists selected 
• Leading Fintech Personality of the Year Award by Gulf Cooperation Countries (GCC) – Adeeb Ahamed 
• M S Swaminathan Award – P V Satyanaryana
• National Diabetologist of the Year Award – Dr Navneet Agrawal 
• Top central banker globally by US-based Global Finance magazine – Shaktikanta Das (rated A+) 

16. Najma Akhtar honored with lifetime achievement award in academia 

• Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) Vice Chancellor, Professor Najma Akhtar was presented with the "Lifetime" Achievement Award - Academia. 
• The award was presented to her by Dr. Raghunath Anant Mashelkar (Padma Vibhushan) at the Grand Conference and the award function titled “Making India Employable” was organized by Team Lease EdTech. 
• Akhtar was selected for the award by a jury panel comprising of educationists and industry experts. She has been awarded for her “great efforts to connect education to employment”. 

Recent Awards 

• Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year 2023 – Manoj Bubna 
• Dr. V. G. Patel Memorial Award 2023 – Satyajit Majumdar 
• Mrs Universe India 2023 – Madhuri Patle 
• Miss Earth India 2023 – Priyan Sain 
• Miss International India 2023 – Praveena Aanjna

Economy News

17. Indian Retail Inflation Eases to 6.83% in August 

• In August, India’s retail inflation, as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), showed signs of moderation, dropping to 6.83% from 7.44% in July. However, it remained above the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) target range of 4+/-2%. 
• Vegetable prices cooled, contributing to the decline in inflation. August’s CPI is 61 basis points lower than July’s 15-month high. Despite the decrease, it continues to exceed the RBI’s acceptable range. This is the fourth instance of CPI breaching the RBI’s upper limit in 2023. 
• Urban CPI: Urban CPI slowed to 6.59% from 7.20% in July. Rural CPI: Rural inflation fell to 7.02% from 7.63% in the previous month. Food Inflation: Food inflation, accounting for half of the CPI basket, rose to 9.94% from 2.91% in the previous month.

Business News

18. Cashfree Payments Partners With NPCI For ‘AutoPay On QR’ 

• Cashfree Payments is a prominent player in the payments and API banking solutions sector has joined forces with the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) to unveil a groundbreaking solution called ‘AutoPay on QR.’ This innovative offering is poised to empower subscription-based businesses, boosting their customer acquisition, retention, and overall growth prospects. 
• One of the standout features of Cashfree Payments. AutoPay on QR is its ability to Simplify the
  process of mandate creation for subscription services. This two-click solution not only enhances user convenience but also promises to significantly improve return on investment (ROI) for businesses investing in advertising campaigns. 
• CEO & Co-founder of Cashfree Payments, Akash Sinha 

19. NPCI Introduces Innovative Contactless Payment Wearable Ring: ‘OTG Ring’

• The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has introduced a groundbreaking A contactless payment wearable ring is known as the "OTG Ring." This innovative device has been developed in collaboration with the Indian fintech startup LivQuik. 
• The "OTG Ring" represents a significant advancement in contactless payment technology. Designed and made in India, this wearable ring is set to transform the way people make payments and engage in various financial transactions. 
• The "OTG Ring" is tailored for National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) customers, opening up a world of possibilities for convenient and secure transactions. NCMC is a critical component of India’s digital payments ecosystem. 

20. ITI Limited Develops Self-Branded Laptop & Micro PC ‘SMAASH’ 

• ITI Limited is a premier telecom company with a multi-unit central public sector undertaking India has made significant strides in the technology market by developing its own Branded Laptops and Micro PCs, branded as "SMAASH." These products have taken the market by storm, competing successfully against well-established MNC brands like Acer, HP, Dell, and Lenovo. 
• The SMAASH PC lineup offers a variety of options, including i3, i5, i7, and more. One notable feature is the compatibility with solar solutions, as SMAASH PCs can accept DC input. Additionally, SMAASH laptops are available in various configurations, including i3, i5, i7, with a base model featuring Celeron processors, catering to the needs of students.

Appointments News

21. India’s Sindhu Gangadharan Appointed As Nasscom Vice-Chairperson 

• Sindhu Gangadharan, who holds the position of Senior Vice President and Managing Director at SAP Labs India and is also responsible for SAP User Enablement, has been named the Vice-Chairperson of The National Association of Software and Service Companies (Nasscom). 
• Sindhu will be the first woman to lead SAP Labs India, which is SAP’s largest R&D center worldwide. In her new role, she will use her extensive experience in technology and corporate leadership, acquired over many years in India and Germany, to help shape India’s TechAde initiative. 
• The National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM) is the apex body for the Indian technology industry. It is a non-profit organization that was founded in 1988.

Sports News

23. Maharashtra Beats Karnataka to Win 5th National Wheelchair Rugby Championship 

• Maharashtra clinched the title of champions in the 5th National Wheelchair Rugby Championship 2023 by securing a convincing victory over Karnataka, concluding with a final score of 31-10. 
• The championship saw the overwhelming participation of over 120 athletes from different parts of India, making it a truly national event. This massive turnout reflected the growth interest and enthusiasm for wheelchair rugby in the country.
• State rankings for 5th National Wheelchair Rugby Championship 2023:

24. Subroto Cup 2023: Bengaluru Joins Delhi and Gurugram as Host City 

• Subroto Cup International Football Tournament, India’s oldest national inter-school The football competition is set to make history in its 62nd edition. Bengaluru, the Silicon Valley of India, has been added to the list of host cities for this prestigious event. Previously held in Delhi and Gurugram, the tournament is scheduled to take place from September 19 to October 23, 2023, across three venues. 
• The 62nd Subroto Cup will see participation from 109 teams hailing from 27 states and Union Territories in India. Adding an international flavor to the event, teams from Bangladesh and Nepal will also take part. With over 180 matches scheduled to be played across the three categories, football enthusiasts can expect a thrilling and action-packed tournament. 

25. Simona Halep Receives 4-Year Ban From Tennis For Doping

 

• ITIA (International Tennis Integrity Agency) has taken decisive action against two-time Grand Slam champion Simona Halep, handing her a four-year ban from professional tennis due to violations of the sport’s anti-doping program. The move follows Halep’s positive test for Roxadustat at the US Open last year, which led to her provisional suspension. 
• With her four-year ban, Simona Halep is ineligible to compete in professional tennis until October 2026, assuming the ruling remains unchallenged. However, there is still a glimmer of hope for Halep. She has the option to appeal the decision and plans to take her case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

Obituary News

26. Noted Rudra Veena Exponent, Ustad Ali Zaki Hader Passes Away 

• Noted Rudra veena exponent, Ustad Ali Zaki Hader, passed away in New Delhi. He was 50. Disciple of Ustad Asad Ali Khan, Ali Zaki Hader was the last exponent of the Khandarbani (Khandaharbani) style of the Jaipur Beenkar gharana of Dhrupad. 
• A sizable plucked string instrument called the Rudra veena is employed in Hindustani music, particularly in the style of music known as dhrupad. It is one of the main veena kinds used in Indian classical music and is renowned for its deep bass resonance