CURRENT AFFAIRS22 - 23RD SEPT 1. Angela Merkel wins historic third term in German elections i. Angela Merkel is heading for a third term as Germany’s chancellor, as exit polls showed she could even be on course for the historic achievement of an absolute majority in the country’s parliament. ii. An early projection by the state broadcaster ARD on Sunday evening showed Mrs Merkel’s Christian Democrat party (CDU) winning 301 seats in the 598-seat Bundestag, enough to form a government without a coalition partner. iii. It had been expected that Mrs Merkel would be forced into a “grand coalition” with her main socialist opponents, the Social Democrats. The early results suggested that she might avoid this. iv. Ms. Merkel’s first 2005-09 chancellorship was a grand coalition with the SPD, which scored its second-worst result since World War II on Sunday, with 25.7 per cent. 2. Deutsche Bank first to use FCNR (B) swap window i. Deutsche Bank has become the first bank in India to use the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)’s window to swap fresh foreign currency non-resident (bank), or FCNR (B), dollar funds. ii. Deutsche Bank has raised about $450 million FCNR (B) deposits from about 10 non-resident Indians and swapped it with the central bank, iii. The funds were mobilised for three years and priced at 3-3.5% a year. The window allowed the bank to convert the dollar funds into rupees at 3.5%. iv. In September 4, RBI had announced a swap window to attract FCNR (B) dollar funds. v. “RBI has been receiving requests from banks to consider a special concessional window for swapping FCNR (B) deposits that would be mobilised according to the recent relaxations permitted by RBI. Accordingly, it has been decided to offer such a window to banks to swap fresh FCNR (B) dollar funds, mobilised for a tenure of at least three years, at a fixed rate of 3.5% a year for the tenure of the deposit,” it had said. 3. Tata Power signs pact with EESL for energy efficiency i. Tata Power, countrys largest private power generator, today said it has signed an agreement with EESL for energy efficiency and conservation initiatives. ii. EESL ( Energy Efficiency Services Ltd) is a joint venture of public sector units of the Ministry of Power. iii. Tata and EESL have signed an MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) to carry out collaborative activities and partnerships in the field of Energy Efficiency and Demand Side Management ( DSM), Tata Power said in a statement. iv. The MOU provides a framework and strategy for collaborative activities and partnership for energy efficiency and conservation, the statement added. v. EESL is mandated by the government to be the lead implementing arm to create and sustain markets for energy efficiency. vi. Following this association, Tata Power will approach consumers duly supported by EESL and facilitate successful energy efficiency projects, Anil Sardana, Managing Director, Tata Power said. 4. Remembering Dinkar on his 105th birth anniversary i. Ramdhari Singh Dinkar was an Indian Hindi poet, essayist and academic, and today is his 105th birth anniversary. ii. He is considered as one of the most important modern Hindi poets. iii. Dinkar was greatly influenced by Iqbal, Rabindranath Tagore, Keats and Milton. He translated works of Rabindranath Tagore from Bengali to Hindi. iv. His poetry exuded veer rasa, and he has been hailed as a Rashtrakavi (National poet) on account of his inspiring patriotic compositions.As a mark of respect for him, his portrait was unveiled in the Central Hall of Parliament of India by the Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh on his centenary year, 2008. v. Dinkar was three times elected to Rajya Sabha, and he was the member of this house from April 3, 1952 CE to January 26, 1964 CE, and was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1959. vi. Dinkar was awarded the Jnanpith Award in 1972 for Urvashi. He also became a nominated member of the Rajya Sabha, in 1952. Dinkars fans widely believe that he truly deserved the honour of RashtraKavi (poet of the nation). 5. Virat Kohli Appointed As the Brand Ambassador of Border Security Force i. Indian cricketer Virat Kohli was appointed as the brand ambassador of the Border Security Force (BSF) on 22 September 2013. It is important to note that any central force in India has appointed its brand ambassador. ii. BSF is the second largest paramilitary force of India that guards two crucial Indian borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh. iii. Virat Kohli was roped in for bolstering the appeal of 2.5 lakh personnel capable strong BSF. iv. BSF director general Subhas Joshi explained that he was appointed as the brand ambassador because his name (Virat) meant huge and symbolised the force. 6. PepsiCo names Sanjeev Chadha as CEO, AMEA region i. Beverage and snacks maker PepsiCo on Monday named company veteran Sanjeev Chadha as its CEO, Asia, Middle East and Africa (AMEA) region, effective immediately. ii. Chadha will report to chairman and CEO Indra Nooyi and oversee all aspects of PepsiCos business in the AMEA region, the company announced from its headquarters in New York. iii. Chadha was president, PepsiCo Middle East and Africa, prior to the new role. Chadha has worked with PepsiCo for 23 years. An Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad alumni, Chadha will continue to be based at PepsiCos Dubai office. iv. Chadha was heading India operations for the period between 2007-11. 7. ATMs, card terminals to scan UID biometrics i. All new credit card swipe machines and automated teller machines (ATMs) will be required to have a mechanism for Aadhaar authentication using biometrics. ii. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is understood to be preparing such a directive to improve security and promote financial inclusion. iii. The central bank had been debating between the international chip and PIN and Aadhaar-based authentication to provide additional security for card transactions. iv. Although RBI appears to have reconciled to a combination of chip and PIN authentication for existing customers and biometric checks for hitherto unbanked cardholders, the challenge is in the acceptance devices. v. Banks are expected to add around two lakh PoS machines and around 20,000 ATMs next year. All these machines will need to have facilities to scan biometrics. This will significantly increase investment costs. The other implication is that traditional phone lines may not work to send scanned fingerprint images for verification. Banks say that new machines will require the equivalent of 3G data speeds to transmit biometric data. vi. Banks are expected to add around two lakh PoS machines and around 20,000 ATMs next year. All these machines will need to have facilities to scan biometrics. vii. Banks say that new machines will require the equivalent of 3G data speeds to transmit biometric data. viii. Earlier this month, RBI cleared banks to allow customers to open accounts based on eKYC (electronic compliance of know-your-customer norms). Under this, banks can establish the identity and address of the customers by accessing the Aadhaar database after the customer provides his biometric identification. 8. 7th India-Russia Trade Investment Forum held in St. Petersburg i. 7th India Russia meeting on trade and investment was held at St. Petersburg , Russia on 20 September 2013. ii. A high level delegation of 120 Indian business leaders led by Union Minister of Commerce and Industry participated in the meeting. iii. It discussed various business opportunities with their Russian counterparts. The special focus was on Pharmaceutical and Medical Industry, Tourism and Medical Tourism and Trade in goods, services and innovative products. iv. At the forum Pharmaceutical sector received major attention as India is looking at the opportunities that the 2020 Pharma programme offers. India sought regulatory simplifications for Indian companies who not only want to have market access but also look for establishing manufacturing base in Russia. v. In recently concluded 19th India Russia Working Group on Trade and Economic Cooperation (IRWGTEC) meeting in Moscow Indian side had conveyed the details of barriers in the trade of pharmaceutical products to Russia. 9. Seekho Aur Kamao (Learn and Earn) Progrmme Launched by Union Government of India i. Union Ministry of Minority Affairs, Government of India on 23 September 2013 launched a central sector scheme for Skill Development of Minorities Main Objectives of the scheme Learn and Earn i. To bring down unemployment rate of minorities during 12th Plan period (2012-17). ii. To conserve and update traditional skills of minorities and establish their linkages with the market. iii. To improve employability of existing workers, school dropouts etc. and ensure their placement. iv. To generate means of better livelihood for marginalised minorities and bring them in the mainstream. v. To enable minorities to avail opportunities in the growing market. vi. To develop potential human resource for the country. Note: The scheme will be implemented for the benefit of the 5 notified minority communities under National Commission for Minorities Act 1992(Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists and Parsis). However, in the States/UTs where some other minority communities notified by respective State/UT Governments exist, they may also be considered for the programme but they will not occupy more than 5 percent of the total seats. 10. Bharat Nirman- Public Information Campaign launched at Viramgam block of Ahmedabad i. Bharat Nirman- a Public Information Campaign launched at Viramgam block of Ahmedabad District in Gujarat on 23 September 2013 to spread the information of Government flagship programmes like MGNREGA, NRHM etc. ii. This Bharat Nirman -Public Information Campaign has been organised by the various media units of Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting- including Press Information Bureau, Diroctorate of Field Publicity, Directorate of Audio Visual Publicity, All India Radio, Doordarshan etc. About Bharat Nirman Campaign i. It is a three day campaign organised at a rural venue particularly in a Minority Dominated Area and Naxalite affected Area, Border Area, SC-ST Dominated Area or other backward areas. ii. Bharat Nirman Public Information Campaign is designed as a more inclusive tool of information dissemination and envisages direct contact with the Aam Aadmi. iii. The campaign seeks to empower ordinary citizen particularly from the rural areas with knowledge of the flagship programmes so that they can avail the advantages of these programmes to improve the quality of their life. 11. Justice Darmar Murugesan Appointed as NHRC Member i. Justice Darmar Murugesan, the former Chief Justice of Delhi High Court on 21 September 2013 appointed as member of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) for a five-year term. ii. Justice Darmar Murugesan (62) was a Judge of the Madras High Court from March 2000 before his elevation as Chief Justice of Delhi High Court in September 2012. He retired in June 20. 12. Durga Sakthi Nagpal reinstated i. A day after she met Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, the Uttar Pradesh government today revoked the suspension of woman IAS officer Durga Sakhti Nagpal. ii. “The state government has revoked the suspension of IAS officer Nagpal and reinstated her,” a one-line official statement issued in Lucknow. iii. With inquiry pending against her, Nagpal along with her husband Abhishek Singh, also an IAS officer, yesterday met Akhilesh and gave clarification over the issue which led to her suspension. iv. Nagpal was suspended on July 27 allegedly for taking on the powerful sand mining mafia when she was the SDM of Gautambudh Nagar. v. The Chief Minister had said she was suspended for arbitrarily ordering the demolition of a wall of an under-construction mosque in Kadalpur village. vi. The IAS officer’s suspension had triggered a public outcry with opposition parties targeting the UP government over the issue. 13. India, South Africa to hold govt, business meet i. South Africa and India will jointly hold an inter-ministerial conference as well as a business meet later this month to enhance bilateral trade relations, officials said, here today. ii. The annual meeting aims to enhance trade relations between Africa and India on the basis of mutually agreed priority areas, as well as to review the progress of the partnership in terms of commitments undertaken and implemented. iii. The South African Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the African Union Commission and the Indian government will jointly host the third annual Africa-India Ministerial Conference and the second Africa-India Business Council Meeting from September 30 to October 1 in Johannesburg. iv. O n the first day, the DTI will host the African Business Council and this will be followed by the third Africa-India Trade Ministerial meeting and Africa-India Business Council (AIBC) on October 1. v. The Ministerial and the AIBC meetings are held annually and hosted on a rotational basis by both India and Africa. 14. Anand Amritraj is new Davis Cup captain of India i. The AITA has appointed former Davis Cupper Anand Amritraj as the new non-playing captain of the Davis Cup team, which will take on Chinese Taipei in the Asia/Oceania Group I tie next year. ii. The 61-year-old Amritraj replaced S P Misra, who lost his job after eight top players revolted, calling for changes in Davis Cup playing conditions, early this year. iii. The decision to appoint Amritraj was taken at All India Tennis Associations Executive Committee meeting in Goa on Saturday. He will remain in job for year 2014. iv. The venue for the Chinese Taipei tie has not been decided as yet. v. It was also decided by the committee that Davis Cup venue should be rotated from state to state to allow more states to get an opportunity to host the Davis Cup Tie, the release added. 15. Russia to hand over Bushehr nuclear reactor to Iran today i. Russia would hand over 1,000 Megawatt Bushehr nuclear reactor to Iran today. ii. The project under IAEA Control, began 35 years ago with Germany’s help and was finished by Russia. Iran’s Atomic agency chief Ali Akbar Salehi said he expected work to start soon on a second plant upon completion of talks with Moscow. iii. The official IRNA news agency quoted Salehi saying that for another two years it will be under Russian guarantee and a number of Russian experts will remain in place to give advice and technical assistance. iv. Under the deal, Moscow also agreed to provide its fuel for 10 years and Teheran would return the spent fuel, amid Western concerns over its controversial uranium enrichment program. v. Construction of the Bushehr facility, located east across Gulf waters from southern Kuwait, has sparked concern among Gulf Arab states. However both Iran and Russia say it is subject to International Atomic Energy Agency ,IAEA safeguards. 16. Sandeep wins Indias first ever bronze medal in Senior World Wrestling Championships i. Sandeep Tulsi Yadav has created history by winning Indias first-ever medal in the 66kg Greco-Roman category at the Senior World Wrestling Championships in Budapest, Hungary. ii. Sandeep overwhelmed Serbias Aleksandar Maksimovic, 4-0 to bag the bronze medal. iii. Losing their opening bouts, other Indian wrestlers Rajbir Chhikara in 74kg and Naveen Kumar in 120kg made early exits on the final day of the Championships yesterday. iv. This is Indias best-ever show at the World Championships with three medals. Freestyle wrestlers, Amit Kumar Dahiya and Bajrang Kumar had, earlier, won a silver and a bronze in their respective weight categories. v. The freestyle wrestlers finished a commendable sixth in the overall team rankings, which also earned the country its maiden berth in the World Cup to be held in March next year. 17. Deepika settles for silver in Archery World Cup in Paris i. A gold medal in the prestigious World Cup Final eluded Deepika Kumari once again as she settled for her third successive silver after being pipped by Korean Olympic champion Ok-Hee Yun, in Paris on Sunday. ii. According to news update, the 19-year-old started wonderfully with three perfect 10s and led 3-1 but a shocking time lapse in the third set enabled the Korean rally past the Indian for a 6-4 win in the showpiece annual fixture held after four stages of World Cup. iii. This was Deepikas fourth successive World Cup Final appearance. After ranking fifth in 2010, Deepika clinched silver medals in both 2011 and 2012. 18. Japan paddlers out of World Cup i. It was a disappointing day for hosts Japan as all their players were eliminated from the 2013 womens table tennis World Cup after Fukuhara Ai and Ishikawa Kasumi both lost in the quarterfinals Sunday. ii. Fukukara was beaten by 21-year-old Wu Yang from China by 11-7, 7-11, 8-11, 9-11, 2-11. Earlier in the day, Ishikawa, the No. 4 seed, lost to Singapores Feng Tianwei, the No. 2 seed 19. Award-winning Colombian writer Alvaro Mutis dies i. Alvaro Mutis, an award-winning Colombian poet, essayist and novelist influential throughout the Spanish-speaking world, died on Monday in Mexico City, officials said. ii. Mutis, who was 90, won the prestigious Principe de Asturias award in 1997 and the Cervantes award in 2001, two of the top Spanish language literature prizes. iii. The official announcement of his death came via a Twitter message from Mexicos National Council of Culture and Arts, and gave no cause of death. Mutis had been living in Mexico City since 1956. iv. Millions of friends and admirers of Alvaro Mutis lament the death of their compatriot, one of the most influential Spanish-language authors, wrote Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos in a Twitter message. Mutis was also a close friend of Colombian Nobel Prize winner Gabriel Garcia Marquez. v. Mutiss best known works include Diary of Lecumberri (1959) about his time in prison; The Araucaima Mansion (1973), The Adventures and Misadventures of Maqroll (1986); and The last stop of the Tramp Steamer (1990). 20. SP leader Mohan Singh no more i. Samajwadi Party general secretary and Rajya Sabha member Mohan Singh, who was recently removed from the post of party national spokesman over differences with Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, passed away at AIIMS on Sunday after a prolonged battle with cancer ii. Singh, 68, was admitted to AIIMS on 18th September, SP spokesman Rajendra Chaudhary. Singh is survived by his wife Urmila and two daughters. iii. Two days back his condition became serious and he was shifted to ICU. He died at 4:15 PM today. His body will be taken to Lucknow on Monday and put in party office at Vikramaditya Marg, SP general secretary Ram Gopal Yadav said. iv. After the demise of Janeshwar Mishra and Brij Bhushan Tiwari, the demise of Mohan Singh is a setback for the socialist movement. v. On 6th January, 2012 Singh was removed from the post of SP national spokesman after he disagreed with Akhilesh Yadavs decision to keep controversial leader DP Yadav out of the Samajwadi Party, who accused party leadership of dictatorship. 21. Nepal Army Chief to visit India on 29th Sept i. Nepalese Army Chief General Gaurav Shamsher J B Rana will undertake a week-long visit to India from 29th September to strengthen military-to-military ties, including supply of hardware to Nepal Army. ii. This is Ranas third visit to India after assuming charge as Army Chief and second official visit to the country this year. iii. Matters including supply of military hardware to Nepalese Army, exchanges in military trainings are among his agenda. iv. Indian Army Chief Gen. Bikram Singh, while visiting Nepal in June, had invited Rana besides assuring Nepal that it would provide necessary military equipment to the Nepalese army for securing the polls.
Posted on: Tue, 05 Nov 2013 16:30:06 +0000
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