Daily Current Affairs 9th February, 2024
Daily Current Affairs 9 February 2024 for Banking/Insurance/SSC and other related exams.
NATIONAL NEWS
NITI Aayog and the Kingdom of the Netherlands release ‘LNG as a Transportation Fuel in Medium and Heavy Commercial Vehicle’ Report
NITI Aayog and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands released report titled ‘LNG as a Transportation Fuel in Medium and Heavy Commercial Vehicle’, at India Energy Week. NITI Aayog and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands have been actively collaborating in the field of energy transition under the Statement of Intent (SoI) partnership since 2020. The report was released as the first outcome of the cooperation.
- This report, jointly prepared by NITI Aayog and the Embassy of Netherlands, focuses on leveraging LNG as a fuel source and customizing its use in the medium and commercial vehicle segment. It examines the coordination issues faced by the various stakeholders and highlights the lessons that can be learnt from other countries in addressing these challenges.
- The report explores different challenges and barriers for LNG adoption in India and recommends a roadmap of actionable solutions. The report further highlights the need for the development of a transparent implementation framework for these recommendations, driven by near-term goals of demand creation and market seeding.
Cabinet Committee of Economic Affairs approves “Doubling of Motumari – Vishnupuram” and “Rail Over Rail at Motumari”
The Cabinet Committee of Economic Affairs approved “Doubling of Motumari – Vishnupuram” and “Rail Over Rail at Motumari” .
- Both projects have been approved at an estimated cost of nearly 1,740 crore rupees. The Projects falling in the States of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh are likely to boost the socioeconomic development of the region.
- Motumari – Vishnupuram section, stretching for a distance of 88.81 Km, connects the Kazipet – Vijayawada High-Density Network with the Secunderabad – Guntur Highly Utilised Network. It is a vital rail link connecting Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, and beyond with the States of Telangana, Karnataka, and Maharashtra.
- The Rail Over Rail at Motumari Station will avoid cross movement of trains, avoid detention of trains, and facilitate seamless movement of trains in the section.
- Both projects will increase the capacity of the section, paving the way for the introduction and operation of more number of trains.
Govt. launches Mobile Health Service ‘Kilkari’ and Mobile Academy in Maharashtra and Gujarat
Union Ministers of State for Health and Family Welfare, Prof. S P Singh Baghel and Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar, virtually launched the Kilkari programme and Mobile Academy, aimed at strengthening public health infrastructure in Maharashtra and Gujarat.
- Kilkari provides timely audio messages on reproductive maternal, neonatal, and child health, while Mobile Academy offers training for Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) via mobile phones. Kilkari audio messages are present in the form of voice of a fictitious doctor character called Dr. Anita.
- Mobile Academy, a free audio training course designed to expand and refresh the knowledge of Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) and improve their communication skills via their mobile phones was also launched. It is an anytime, anywhere training course that can train thousands of ASHAs simultaneously via mobile phone.
Gov approves Sub scheme for PM Matsya Kisan Samridhi -Yojana
The Union Cabinet has approved Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana, a Central Sector sub-scheme under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada for the fisheries sector.
- Union Minister Anurag Singh Thakur said a total of 6000 crore rupees have been earmarked for the scheme over the next 4 years. He said that 3,000 crore rupees will come from public finance including the World Bank and the AFD external financing, and the remaining 50 percent will be contributed by the beneficiaries from the private sector.
- The Minister said the scheme will help to gradually formalize the fisheries sector and enhance access to institutional credit. Mr Thakur said this initiative will support 6.4 lakh micro-enterprises and 5,500 fisheries cooperatives, providing access to institutional credit.
- This sub-scheme will help to create a National Fisheries Digital Platform to provide 40 lakh small and micro-enterprises work-based identities. The scheme will be implemented for 4 years from FY 2023-24 to FY 2026-27 across all the States and UTs.
Uttarakhand Assembly passes UCC Bill; becomes India’s first state to implement Uniform Civil Code
A day after Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami introduced the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill, the state Assembly passed it. With the House nod, Uttarakhand became the first state in the country to implement a Uniform Civil Code, which presents common law for marriage, divorce, inheritance of property, etc.
- The UCC Bill, which will now become an Act is based on the draft submitted by a high-level committee formed by the Uttarakhand government under the chairmanship of retired Supreme Court judge Justice Ranjana P Desai.
- Some of the key features of the UCC are provisions for equal property rights for sons and daughters, elimination of the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children, inclusivity of adopted and biologically born children, and equal property rights after death.
Telangana govt to set up a dedicated help desk for youth living in USA and other countries
Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy said that the State government will set up a dedicated help desk for all youth, especially students, living abroad to ensure all their needs are met.
- This program aims to cater to the diverse requirements of students and young professionals from Telangana who are studying or working abroad. Functioning as a hub for advice, aid, and support, the help desk mirrors the government’s unwavering commitment to the well-being of its citizens, regardless of their location.
SCA Stadium in Rajkot to be renamed Niranjan Shah Stadium ahead of Ind-Eng Test
Saurashtra Cricket Association (SCA) Stadium is set to be rebranded as the Niranjan Shah Stadium. This change comes as a tribute to the former first-class cricketer and senior cricket administrator, Niranjan Shah, marking his immense contributions to the sport and the region.
- The renaming ceremony will be a notable event, taking place in Khandheri, where the stadium has been a central hub for national cricket matches for over a decade.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
India, Saudi Arabia explore new avenues of defence cooperation
India and Saudi Arabia discussed ways to strengthen bilateral defence and strategic cooperation including the scope of increasing joint military training exercises and technology transfer for defence industrial engagement.
- The issues figured in the talks between Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt and Saudi Arabia’s Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud in Riyadh.
- Bhatt also met Assistant Minister of Defence of Saudi Arabia Khaled Al-Bayari, with whom he discussed ways to further strengthen the long-standing and multi-faceted defence cooperation between the two countries.
India, Türkiye, and Qatar Named Guests of Honor at 2024 World Governments Summit in Dubai
India, Türkiye, and Qatar have been declared the guests of honor at the 2024 World Governments Summit in Dubai.
- The summit, themed ‘Shaping Future Governments,’ see the participation of over 25 government and state heads from around the world. The delegations from Türkiye, India, and Qatar will be led by their respective leaders: President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani.
- The guest countries will showcase their successful government experiences and best developmental practices during the summit, which will bring together thought leaders, experts, and representatives of over 85 international and regional organisations with 120 governmental delegations, and 4,000 attendees.
PM of Singapore urges married Singaporean couples to have babies during year of Dragon
Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong has urged married Singaporean couples to have babies during the year of the Dragon and assured them of his government’s support. Many Chinese-origin families consider children born in the Year of the Dragon to be especially auspicious.
- The PM also noted that fertility rates around the world have been declining, especially in developed societies such as Singapore. He said, support for infant caregiving and work-life harmony has been progressively strengthened to see parents through their children’s formative years.
India to be largest global oil demand growth driver through 2030 -IEA
India will overtake China as the biggest driver of global oil demand in 2027 as transportation and industry consumption in the world’s fastest-growing major economy will drive growth despite a big push for clean energy and electrification, the International Energy Agency said. China currently is the biggest driver of oil demand and India ranks No.2 in growth.
- The Paris-based agency, in a special Indian Oil Market Outlook to 2030 report released at the India Energy Week in Goa, said the country’s oil demand will rise from 5.48 million barrels per day in 2023 to 6.64 million bpd in 2030. China currently is the biggest driver of oil demand and India ranks second in growth.
- The numbers given by IEA in the report seem to talk of crude oil processed into fuel for domestic as well as for exports. The domestic consumption as per the oil ministry data is around 5 million barrels per day (bpd).
- India currently is the third largest consumer of oil behind the US and China. It imports 85 per cent of its oil needs and this dependence is likely to rise as domestic production falls.
BANKING & FINANCE
Juspay, Zoho, Decentro secure RBI nod for payment aggregator
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has recently granted final authorization to fintech firms Juspay and Decentro, along with software-as-a-service company Zoho, to operate as payment aggregators. 
- This approval comes in the wake of stringent criteria set by the regulator and positions these entities alongside other notable players in the payments aggregator landscape.
- Juspay, Decentro, and Zoho have secured the coveted payment aggregator licences from the RBI.They join established names such as Stripe, Zomato, and Tata Pay, who received approval in January, as well as leading fintech players like Razorpay and Cashfree, which acquired the license last year.
- Payment aggregator licenses empower companies to offer payment services to merchants, facilitating transactions between customers and businesses.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
UAE wealth fund plans $4-5 billion in investments via India’s new finance hub
Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA), the largest sovereign wealth fund in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), is setting up a $4-5 billion fund to invest in India through a tax-neutral finance hub in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s home state of Gujarat, according to two sources with direct knowledge of the matter.
- The regulatory authority for financial services at Gujarat International Finance Tec-City, or GIFT City, has granted in-principle approval to ADIA to set up the fund, sources said.
- ADIA’s intention to establish a presence in the hub was first announced last July in a joint statement by India and UAE. The amount of investment planned and the approval from the regulatory authority has not been previously reported.
- With the approval, ADIA will become the first sovereign wealth fund to begin investing in India via GIFT City. The greenlight comes days before Modi is set to visit Abu Dhabi to inaugurate a large temple.
Tata Group crosses ₹30 lakh crore market cap
Tata Group has made history by becoming the first Indian conglomerate to surpass the ₹30 lakh crore mark in combined market capitalization. This significant achievement is driven by strong performances from key subsidiaries, including Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Tata Motors, Tata Power, and Indian Hotels.
- TCS shares reached a new peak on February 5, with a remarkable surge of over 4 percent, propelling its market capitalization beyond ₹15 lakh crore. This resurgence marks a significant milestone for the leading IT services company.
- While TCS and other key subsidiaries have witnessed substantial gains, certain Tata Group stocks such as Tejas Network, Tata Elxsi, and Tata Chemicals have experienced declines exceeding 10 percent in 2024. Nonetheless, the majority of Tata Group stocks have recorded positive gains ranging from 1 to 5 percent.
Maharashtra government signs MoU with Google to utilize AI for solutions in different sectors
The Maharashtra government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Google to utilize Artificial Intelligence, AI for solutions in sectors like healthcare, education, and agriculture.
- This collaboration will empower citizens with critical future-ready skills, revolutionize essential sectors like healthcare and agriculture, and create a thriving environment for the Maharashtra AI startups through the AI Center of Excellence at IIIT Nagpur.
SPORTS
Wei Yi wins Tata Steel Masters 2024
Grand Master Wei Yi emerged triumphant in the highly anticipated 2024 Tata Steel Chess Tournament, showcasing his exceptional skill and tactical prowess.
- His victory in the thrilling four-player tiebreak, which featured esteemed grandmasters Anish Giri, Gukesh Dommaraju, and Nodirbek Abdusattorov, solidified his position as one of the premier chess players on the global stage. Notably, this victory marks Wei Yi’s ascent into the esteemed ranks of the world’s top 10 players.
- Wei Yi’s journey to chess stardom is nothing short of extraordinary. Achieving the title of grandmaster at the tender age of 13 years, 8 months, and 23 days, he secured his place in history as the 9th youngest grandmaster ever. His meteoric rise continued as he shattered records, becoming the youngest player to attain a rating of 2700 at just 15 years old.
Mission Olympic Cell Approves Judokas and Shooter for Global Competitions
Mission Olympic Cell (MOC), Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, has approved Judokas Himanshi Tokas, Shraddha Chopade and Asmita Dey for participation in multiple competitions.
- The MOC has also approved shooter Elavenil Valarivan’s proposal to participate in the upcoming International Shooting Sport Federation World Cup in Spain.
- The Ministry said, under its ‘Target Olympic Podium’ (TOP) Scheme funding will cover the airfare, boarding, lodging, insurance and local transportation costs for all the competitions and training periods.
APPOINTMENTS
Kazakhstan appoints Olzhas Bektenov as new Prime Minister
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed a decree appointing Olzhas Bektenov(43) as the new Prime Minister of Kazakhstan.
- Bektenov, formerly the head of the President’s Executive Office since April of the previous year, assumed his new role following his relief from the executive office position.
- During the plenary meeting of the Mazhilis, the lower chamber of the Kazakh Parliament, Bektenov’s candidacy, nominated by the Amanat party, received significant support from the majority of deputies.
Tata Digital appoints Naveen Tahilyani as CEO and MD
Tata Digital has announced the appointment of Naveen Tahilyani as the new Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Tata Group’s e-commerce unit.
- Tahilyani, who presently holds the position of CEO and MD at Tata AIA Life Insurance, is set to transition into his new role on February 19, taking over from Pratik Pal.
- Tata Digital said Tahilyani comes with a strong understanding of the Indian consumer landscape and extensive experience in the financial services sector. He has a proven track record of driving innovation, fostering collaboration, and achieving operational excellence.
AWARDS
Former PMs Chaudhary Charan Singh and PV Narsimha Rao and Dr. MS Swaminathan to be conferred with Bharat Ratna
The government has announced India’s highest civilian award Bharat Ratna to Former Prime Ministers PV Narasimha Rao, Chaudhary Charan Singh, and Father of Green Revolution, Dr. M S Swaminathan. The announcement was made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
- The announcement comes days after 96-year-old BJP stalwart LK Advani and two-time Bihar chief minister and socialist icon Karpoori Thakur (posthumously) were conferred with the highest civilian honour.
- Serving in various capacities, PV Narasimha Rao is widely credited with initiating pivotal economic reforms and appointing Manmohan Singh as Finance Minister during a challenging economic period. He died in 2004.
- Chaudhary Charan Singh, India’s fifth prime minister, founded the Lokdal party in 1980 and is often hailed as India’s farm hero.
- The father of green revolution, Dr Swaminathan played a key role in introducing high-yielding varieties of wheat and rice, saving India from famine-like conditions in the 1960s.
Polar bear sleeping on iceberg wins wildlife photography competition
An image of a polar bear sleeping on a small iceberg has bagged the 2023 Wildlife Photographer of the Year People’s Choice Award.
- As per reports, Nima Sarikhani, the winner, captured the image after searching for polar bears for three days on Norwegian islands.
- Each year, this photography competition is organised by the Natural History Museum. The organisation also shared a blog about the pictures that made it to the top of the list in the recently concluded competition.
Super 30 founder Anand Kumar granted ‘Golden Visa’ by UAE
Super 30 founder Anand Kumar joined the elite list of Indian celebrities, including Bollywood actors Shah Rukh Khan and Sanjay Dutt, who have been granted the ‘Golden Visa’ by the United Arab Emirates government.
- The coveted Golden Visa, introduced by the UAE in 2019, grants long-term residency, permitting independent living, working, and studying.
OBITUARIES
Veteran journalist and Sahitya Akademi awardee Farooq Nazki passes away
Mir Mohammad Farooq Nazki, veteran broadcaster, poet and Sahitya Akademi winner, passed away in a hospital in Katra. He was 83.
- Nazki held several important positions in All India Radio Kashmir and Doordarshan and inn 1995, Nazki was awarded the Sahitya Academi award in Kashmiri for his poetry book Naar Hyutun Kanzal Wanas (Fire in the eyelashes). He was also the media advisor to two chief ministers – Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah.
Former Chilean president Sebastián Piñera dies in helicopter crash
Former Chilean President Sebastián Piñera dies in a helicopter accident. He was 74.
- The Harvard-educated economist and billionaire businessman served two terms as a centre-right president from 2010 to 2014, and from 2018 to 2022.
- Having amassed a fortune bringing credit card technology to Chile in the 1980s, he acquired sizeable stakes in an airline, a television station, and one of the country’s biggest football teams.
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