National Headlines
Consumer Protection Act, 2019 comes into force in India
The Consumer Protection Act, 2019 has been implemented in India since 20th July 2020. It has replaced the Consumer Protection Act, 1986. The new act has been introduced to offer protection to buyers from traditional sellers as well as from the new e-commerce retailers/platforms.
It will protect consumer rights through its various notified Rules and provisions and will empower consumers and hence help them in protecting their rights. Some of the features of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 includes Consumer Protection Councils, Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions, Mediation, Product Liability and punishment for manufacture or sale of products containing adulterant / spurious goods.
It also involves the setting up of the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) which will aim to promote, protect and enforce the rights of consumers. It will also conduct investigations into violations of consumer rights and institute complaints/prosecution.
Useful Notes for all competitive exams:
- Union Minister of Consumer Affairs: Ram Vilas Paswan.
Rare yellow turtle discovered in India
In Odisha’s Balasore district, a farmer Basudev Mahapatra has spotted a turtle which is yellow in colour and according to the experts, it is the product of albinism. The turtle is known as the “Indian flap shell turtle”.
The turtle is commonly found in Pakistan, Sri Lanka, India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Myanmar. It is omnivorous and its diet consists of frogs, snails and even some aquatic vegetation.
Home Minister to launch “Vriksharopan Abhiyan” in New Delhi
“Vriksharopan Abhiyan” will be launched by the Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah in New Delhi. Ministry of Coal will organize the Abhiyan along with all Coal/Lignite PSUs. Under the “Vriksharopan Abhiyan”, large scale plantation would be carried out in mines, colonies, offices and other suitable areas of Coal/Lignite PSUs in order to promote “plantation by the society”.
Useful Notes for all competitive exams:
- Union Minister of Coal, Mines and Parliamentary Affairs: Pralhad Joshi.
International News
SpaceX launches South Korea’s 1st military satellite “ANASIS-II”
SpaceX has successfully launched South Korea’s first military satellite “ANASIS-II”. The satellite was deployed into a geostationary transfer orbit (GTO) by a Falcon 9 rocket and launched from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in the US of Florida. With this launch, South Korea has become the 10th country to own a military-only communications satellite, which will provide permanent and secured military communications.
ANASIS-II was previously named as KMitSatCom-1. It replaces the Koreasat-5/ANASIS-I satellite, a combined civilian and military communications satellite launched in 2006. As part of a package for Lockheed Martin’s F-35A combat aircraft, South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration(DAPA) contracted with Lockheed Martin for the satellite.
Useful Notes for all competitive exams:
- South Korea President: Moon Jae-in.
- South Korea Capital: Seoul.
- South Korea Currency: South Korean Won.
- SpaceX founder & CEO: Elon Musk.
- SpaceX president & COO: Gwynne Shotwell.
- SpaceX Founded: 2002.
- SpaceX Headquarters: California, United States of America.
China launches its 1st independent mission to Mars
China has successfully launched “Tianwen-1” its first independent mission to Mars. A Long March 5 rocket carrying the spacecraft ignited at the Wenchang Space Launch Site in south China’s tropical Hainan province.
China had launched an orbiter destined for Mars on a Russian rocket in 2011, but the mission failed because the rocket malfunctioned. Tianwen-1, whose name means “Questions to Heaven,” is a combined orbiter, lander and rover that aims to explore the Martian environment and search for hints of life.
The spacecraft will travel for about seven months until it reaches Mars. It will orbit the red planet for two to three months before attempting a landing.
Useful Notes for all competitive exams:
- China Capital: Beijing; Currency of China: Renminbi.
- President of China: Xi Jinping.
Business and Banking News
Ola rolls out enterprise solution ‘Ola Corporate’ to global customers
India-based mobility platform, Ola is rolling out its enterprise mobility solution ‘Ola Corporate’ across global markets. It will be rolling out the enterprise offering to customers across Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. The solution had first been introduced in the Indian market and had garnered 10,000 corporate users in the country.
Ola Corporate will also offer a range of safety features under its Ride Safe initiative and will follow in class hygiene and sanitisation protocols for safer mobility amid the pandemic.
Useful Notes for all competitive exams:
- Ola CEO: Bhavish Aggarwal.
- Ola Headquarters: Bengaluru.
NPCI rolls out UPI AutoPay facility for recurring payment
UPI AutoPay facility for recurring payment has been launched by the National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI). The new facility will enable recurring e-mandate with the help of any Unified Payments Interface (UPI) application for recurring payments like mobile bills, electricity bills, EMI payments etc up to Rs. 2000.
For the amount exceeding Rs. 2000, the customer has to execute every mandate with UPI PIN. UPI users will be able to create e-mandate through UPI ID, QR scan or Intent.
Useful Notes for all competitive exams:
- MD & CEO of National Payment Corporation of India: Dilip Asbe.
Agreements & MoUs
CBIC has signed MoU with CBDT for data exchange
The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has signed an MoU with the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) to facilitate smoother bilateral exchange of data.
According to the MoU, both the organisations will share data and information with each other on an automatic and regular basis. They will also share any information available in their respective databases which may be useful for the other organisation.
This MoU will also supersede the MoU signed between CBDT and the erstwhile Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) in the year 2015.
Useful Notes for all competitive exams:
- Chairman of Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs: M. Ajit Kumar.
Chairman of Central Board of Direct Taxes: Pramod Chandra Mody.
India-Maldives sign agreement to establish “Emergency Medical Services”
India and Maldives have signed an agreement for the establishment of ‘Emergency Medical Services’ in Male, Maldives. The Emergency Medical Service is financed by India under grant assistance of 20 million USD for neighbouring countries.
This will help to increase the collaboration between the countries, especially in the areas of health care facilities, disaster responses during critical times, etc.
Useful Notes for all competitive exams:
- President of the Maldives: Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.
- Capital of Maldives: Male; Currency of the Maldives: Maldivian Rufiyaa.
LIC signs agreement with UBI to distribute latter’s policies
Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) and Union Bank of India, after its amalgamation with Corporation Bank and Andhra Bank, have announced a corporate agency agreement to distribute LIC policies. The bank will market LIC products of term insurance, pension, plan, children plan, ULIPs, and endowment schemes.
Union Bank of India can act as a financial supermarket by offering a basket of products to its account holders, whereby they can select products according to their choice.
Useful Notes for all competitive exams:
- LIC Chairman: MR Kumar.
- LIC Headquarter: Mumbai, Maharashtra.
- Union Bank of India MD & CEO: Rajkiran Rai G.
- Union Bank of India Headquarter: Mumbai, Maharashtra.
- Tagline of Union Bank of India: Good People to Bank with.
Punjab Govt tie-up with IIT-Ropar for skill development
The Punjab government has signed an agreement with the Indian Institute of Technology, Ropar, in the area of skill development. The agreement provides IIT’s technical education department to become an academic mentor for the state’s engineering colleges at Gurdaspur and Ferozepur, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Skill Institute at Chamkaur Sahib, five government polytechnics and 10 government ITIs.
Useful Notes for all competitive exams:
- Punjab Capital: Chandigarh.
- Chief Minister of Punjab: Amarinder Singh.
- Governor of Punjab: VP Singh Bandnore.
- IIT Ropar Director: SK Das.
Appointments
Ramesh Boddu appointed as MD & CEO of Karur Vysya Bank
Board of Directors of the Karur Vysya Bank has appointed Ramesh Babu Boddu as a Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer of the bank. He has also been co-opted as an Additional Director.
The appointment of Ramesh Babu Boddu has been made for a period of three years from the date of taking charge. He will succeed PR Seshadri who resigned on 31st March 2020.
Bajaj Finance Chairman Rahul Bajaj resigns
The present non-executive chairman of Bajaj Finance, Rahul Bajaj has decided to step down on July 31, 2020. He will be replaced by his son Sanjiv Bajaj (the present Vice Chairman of the company). Rahul Bajaj will continue to serve as a non-executive non-independent director of the company.
Useful Notes for all competitive exams:
- Bajaj Finserv Headquarters: Pune, Maharashtra.
- Bajaj Finserv established: 2007.
Arun Kumar nominated as Vice-Chairman of UIC
The Director General of Railway Protection Force (RPF), Arun Kumar has been nominated as the Vice-Chairman of UIC (Union Internationale Des Chemins/International Union of Railways), Security Platform from July 2020 to July 2022.
He will take over as Chairman of the Security Platform from July 2022 to July 2024. The decision to nominate Arun Kumar was taken during the 96th UIC General Assembly.
Useful Notes for all competitive exams:
- Headquarter of International Union of Railways: Paris, France.
- Director General of International Union of Railways: Francois Davenne.
PC Kandpal appointed as MD & CEO of SBI General Insurance
Prakash Chandra Kandpal has been appointed as the managing director and chief executive officer of the Non-life insurer SBI General Insurance. He is serving as the deputy CEO of SBI General Insurance since June 2019. He will replace Pushan Mahapatra who has been appointed as director (strategic investments & digital initiatives).
Sumit Deb appointed as new CMD of NMDC
Sumit Deb has been appointed as the Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC). Deb is presently serving as Director (Personnel) in the NMDC.
His tenure as the CMD of NMDC would be applicable till 28 February, 2023. He will succeed N Baijendra Kumar as the CMD of NMDC who will retire as CMD on 31st July 2020.
Awards & Rewards
Arnab Chaudhuri to receive Toonz Media Award
The ‘Legend of Animation’ award instituted by the Toonz Media Group as part of the Animation Masters Summit (AMS) 2020 – Digital Edition will be posthumously conferred to the legendary animation director Arnab Chaudhuri. The award is being presented for his invaluable contribution to the animation and entertainment industry of India.
Arnab, who passed away on December 25, 2019, was one of the pioneers of the Indian Animation industry, and his animation movie ‘Arjun: The Warrior Prince’ is the only animation from India to date to be longlisted for Oscar awards.
Science & Technology
Oxford Covid-19 vaccine’s human trial shows positive result
The human trial of COVID-19 vaccine candidate developed by the University of Oxford and backed by AstraZeneca Plc has shown a positive result. The researchers found their experimental COVID-19 vaccine produced a dual immune response in people aged 18 to 55.
Oxford’s vaccine is designed to reduce disease and transmission. Director at the Jenner Institute of Oxford University, Dr Adrian Hill, explains the mechanism of this vaccine “this vaccine triggers both arms of the immune system”. The vaccine was officially known as AZD1222, prompted a protective immune response in hundreds of people who got the shot and did not prompt any serious side effects.
Defence News
India & US conducts Passage Exercise in Indian Ocean
Indian Navy has conducted a Passage Exercise (PASSEX), a high-end joint naval exercise with the US Navy in the Indian Ocean. The Passage Exercise has been designed to maximize training and interoperability, including air defence.
PASSEX featured the participation of four Indian naval ships, including a stealth corvette which teamed up with USS Nimitz along with Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59) and Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Sterett (DDG 104) and USS Ralph Johnson (DDG 114) in the Eastern Indian Ocean.
Useful Notes for all competitive exams:
- Chief of Naval Staff: Admiral Karambir Singh.
Indian Air Force Commanders’ Conference begins in Delhi
Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh has inaugurated the Air Force Commanders’ Conference (AFCC) at Air Headquarters (Vayu Bhawan) New Delhi. The Air Force Commanders’ Conference (AFCC) will be held with the theme “IAF in the Next Decade”.
AFCC is a three days conference which will be chaired by the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria. The plan of action for operational capability enhancement of the IAF in the next decade would be deliberated during the conference.
India successfully tests fires ATGM “Dhruvastra”
India has successfully conducted flight tests of its indigenously developed anti-tank guided missile ‘Dhruvastra’. The flight tests were conducted from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur in Odisha.
‘Dhruvastra’ is an anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) which has been developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). It is a helicopter version of ‘Nag Helina’.
Useful Notes for all competitive exams:
- Chairman of Defence Research and Development Organisation: G Satheesh Reddy.
- Headquarters of Defence Research and Development Organisation: New Delhi.
Obituaries
Spanish novelist Juan Marse passes away
Spanish novelist, Juan Marse passed away. He was one of Spain’s most-respected novelists over the past few decades and the winner of the 2008 Cervantes Prize, the Spanish-speaking world’s top literary award.
His most important novel was “Úlitmas trades on Teresa” (“Last Afternoons with Teresa”) published in 1965.
Creator of 1980 Olympic Mascot Viktor Chizhikov passes away
The creator of the brown bear mascot “Misha” for the 1980 Moscow Summer Olympics, Viktor Chizhikov passed away.
The artist’s drawings were used in popular magazines, including “Young Naturalist”, “Twinkle”, “Funny Pictures” and “Murzilka”.
- Daily Current Affairs in English 11 Sep 2022 – Useful for all Competitive Exams
- Hindu Editorial with Vocabulary: Sep Month – Day 10
- 11 Sep 2022 Daily Current Affairs in Hindi – सभी प्रतियोगी परीक्षाओं के लिए महत्वपूर्ण
- 10 Sep 2022 Daily Current Affairs in Hindi – सभी प्रतियोगी परीक्षाओं के लिए महत्वपूर्ण
- Hindu Editorial with Vocabulary: Sep Month – Day 9
- Daily Current Affairs in English 10 Sep 2022 – Useful for all Competitive Exams
