Current Affairs search results for tag: national-news
By admin: Sept. 29, 2022

1. Jio Chairman Akash Ambani included in the Time's 100 emerging leaders' list

Tags: National Person in news National News

The Jio company chairman and Mukesh Ambani son  Akash Ambani has been included in the prestigious US Magazine Times  , list of 100 next world's rising stars .

 He is the only Indian  who has made it to the list. American born Indian  Amrapali Gan,CEO of ONlyFans website has also been included in the list.

The Time’s list highlights 100 emerging leaders who are shaping the future of business, entertainment, sports, politics, health, science and activism, 

The 30 year old Akash Ambani was made the Chairman of India’s largest telecom company Jio, in June 2022.

By admin: Sept. 29, 2022

2. Swachch Shehar Samvad and Tech Exhibition

Tags: National National News

The Swachch Shehar Samvad and Tech Exhibition was organized by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs under the Swachh Bharat Mission in New Delhi on 29 September.

Important facts

  • Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri inaugurated the Exhibition.

  • He said that after achieving 100 percent Open Defecation Free (ODF) status in urban local bodies in the country, India's next mission will focus on Swachh Bharat.

  • He said that projects worth eight thousand crore rupees have been approved for the treatment of old dump sites containing 16 crore metric tonnes of waste.

  • With an aim of zero dum site challenge a total of 15 thousand acres of lands will be freed and reclaimed under this initiative.

  • Puri also inaugurated a series of programs aligned with the Garbage Free India campaign, including an internship program for students called Tulip.

  • During the dialogue, sixteen states shared their experiences, knowledge and best practices.

By admin: Sept. 29, 2022

3. Swedish defence firm SAAB announced to manufacture Carl-Gustaf M4 weapon in India

Tags: National Defence National News

Swedish defence firm Saab on 28 September announced its plan to set up a manufacturing facility in India for the Carl-Gustaf M4 weapon system under the NDA government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative to bolster indigenous defence manufacturing.

Important facts

  • Production at the new facility is expected to begin in 2024, with the name of the production site yet to be disclosed.

  • Manufacturing will be carried out by Saab FFV India Pvt Ltd, a new subsidiary wholly owned by SAAB.

  • This will be the company's first manufacturing facility for the Carl-Gustaf M4 outside Sweden.

  • The Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) was manufacturing the Carl-Gustaf M3 with a range of up to 1,200 metres under a tie-up with Saab.

  • Saab will continue its partnership with Munitions India Limited (MIL) and Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited (AWEIL) for the manufacture of Carl-Gustaf arms and its ammunition.

About Carl-Gustaf M4 weapon systems

  • Carl-Gustaf M4 is a shoulder-fired weapon system with a range of 1,500 metre.

  • It weighs less than seven kilos and is under one metre in length. 

  • It helps soldiers with a multitude of missions they may have to accomplish on the battlefield.

  • This weapon system has been in service with the Indian Army since 1976, and its earlier M2 and M3 variants have been produced in India.

By admin: Sept. 29, 2022

4. All women, married or unmarried, have right to legal and safe abortion : Supreme Court

Tags: National National News

The Supreme Court, in a landmark judgment on September 29, held that all women have the right to a safe and legitimate abortion and it is unconstitutional to distinguish between married and unmarried women in the matter.

Important facts

  • The Supreme Court said that even unmarried women have the right to abort a fetus between 20 and 24 weeks of age arising out of consensual relations.

  • The court held that depriving married or unmarried women the right to terminate unwanted pregnancies is a violation of fundamental rights.

  • A bench headed by Justice DY Chandrachud was hearing an appeal by a woman who wanted to abort a 24-week-old foetus after her relationship with a man failed and her partner abandoned her.

  • The bench also ruled that the definition of rape under the Medical Abortion Act should include marital rape.

  • A division bench of the Delhi High Court had refused to grant any interim relief to the woman.

About Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act, 1971

  • Abortion in India has been a legal right under various circumstances since the introduction of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act in 1971.

  • The Act was amended in 2003 to enable safe and legal abortion of women.

  • The Act was also amended in the year 2021.

Major Provisions of MTP Amendment Act, 2021

  • Under this Amendment Act, abortion can be done in the following circumstances -

  1. If there is any danger to the life or mental health of the mother by continuing the pregnancy

  2. If there are any serious abnormalities in the fetus

  3. If pregnancy occurred as a result of failure of contraception (but this is applicable only for married women)

  4. If the pregnancy is the result of sexual assault or rape

  • A pregnancy up to 24 weeks can be terminated in different circumstances after taking the opinion of two registered medical practitioners.

By admin: Sept. 29, 2022

5. CBI launches Operation GARUDA

Tags: National National News

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on 29 September launched a multi-phase 'Operation GARUDA' to dismantle drug networks with international linkages.

Important facts

  • The CBI has initiated this to coordinate enforcement operations in International Courts of Justice through Interpol and the Narcotics Control Bureau, with a special focus on the Indian Ocean region.

About Operation GARUDA 

  • The goal of the Garud campaign is to take action against drug dealers, their production areas and those who help in this work on the basis of international intelligence.

  • During the operation, searches, seizures and arrests have been made in several states and union territories of the country.

  • Apart from this, the police of Union Territories including Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Delhi and Manipur have also taken action.

  • Around 6,600 people were screened and 127 new cases were registered during this special drive.

  • During the operation 5 kg heroin, 33 kg ganja, more than 3 kg charas and several intoxicants have been recovered.

  • Around 175 people have been arrested.

By admin: Sept. 29, 2022

6. Sports Minister Anurag Thakur to launch Clean India 2.0 Programme on 1st October

Tags: National National News

Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Anurag Thakur will launch Clean India 2.0 Programme on 1st October 2022. 

Important facts

  • This one month long nationwide program will be started mainly to collect single use plastic waste and create awareness among the people.

  • The program is being organized in all villages across the country through a network of Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS), affiliated youth clubs and National Service Scheme affiliated institutions.

  • Following the success of last year's Clean India Drive, 10 million kilograms of waste (plastic, e-waste and other waste) will be collected and disposed of this year with the support and voluntary participation of citizens.

  • Hotspots for waste collection will be tourist places, educational institutions, bus stands/ railway stations, national highways, historical and heritage buildings, religious places, hospitals and water resources etc.

  • Through this campaign, the mantra of "Clean Kaal: Amrit Kaal" will be given and through public participation, this program will be made a mass movement.

By admin: Sept. 29, 2022

7. Cabinet approves redevelopment of three railway stations

Tags: National National News

The Union Cabinet on 28 September approved the redevelopment of three railway stations at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), Mumbai, Delhi, Ahmedabad.

Important facts

  • The total cost of this redevelopment project is Rs 10,000 crore.

  • New Delhi Railway Station will integrate train services with buses, auto and metro rail services.

  • The redesign of Ahmedabad Railway Station is inspired by the Sun Temple of Modera.

  • The heritage building of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus will not be changed, the buildings around it will be redeveloped.

  • The redevelopment of these three stations is part of an overall redevelopment plan for 199 stations with a total cost of Rs 60,000 crore.

  • The projects will be implemented on Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) basis instead of Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode.

By admin: Sept. 29, 2022

8. NASSCOM Foundation, DXC Tech to offer digital-skilling to over 1 million people

Tags: National Economy/Finance National News

NASSCOM Foundation on September 28 announced its partnership with DXC Technology to open resource centres for imparting digital skills to rural communities in 20 aspirational districts.

Important facts

  • It will focus on skilling Indian youth as part of an eight-month project that is expected to collectively benefit 1 million people.

  • It will address the digital divide, especially in Tier-II and Tier-III cities where there are access barriers to technology.

  • 20 resource centers for digital literacy and e-governance will be set up in aspirational districts of seven states namely Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

  • These centres will help in providing need-based information, e-resources and digital services that will impact citizens’ lives in alignment with the United Nation's 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

  • Resource centers will be equipped with digital resources such as computers and printers, online resources such as subscription channels, and physical resources such as books, magazines and newspapers to make digital tools accessible to the entire community.

  • Communities will also be linked to appropriate government schemes and e-governance services apart from receiving training in digital skills.

  • Through this initiative, youth in India will receive advanced technical training that will improve their employability skills to meet the market demands and 60% of the beneficiaries will get placement facilities after completing the course.

National Association of Software and Services Companies- NASSCOM

  • It is a not-for-profit industrial association which is the apex body for the IT industry in India.

  • It was established in 1988.

  • Due to its significant efforts, India's IT (Information Technology) and BPO (Business Process Outsourcing) industry is getting a lot of support.

  • NASSCOM has made unprecedented contributions to India's GDP, exports, employment, infrastructure and global visibility.

By admin: Sept. 28, 2022

9. Union Cabinet approves sharing of Kushiyara River between India and Bangladesh

Tags: National International News

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi on 28 September 2022 , has given its ex-post facto approval for a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Government of the Republic of India and the Republic of Bangladesh on withdrawal of upto 153 cusecs of water each by India and Bangladesh from common border river Kushiyara.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on 6th September, 2022 between the Ministry of Jal Shakti, and Ministry of Water Resources, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh during the visit of the Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to India.

This MoU will enable Government of Assam to withdraw upto 153 cusecs of water from the common stretch of Kushiyara river during dry season (1st November to 31st May) for their consumptive water requirement.

A Joint Monitoring Team shall be set up by both the countries to monitor the withdrawal of water by each side during the dry season. 

India and Bangladesh share 54 rivers  including Ganges, Teesta, Manu, Muhuri, Khowai, Gumti, Dharla, Dudhkumar and Kushiyara and others.

Kushiyara River

  • It is a branch of the Barak River. The Barak River rises in Manipur Hill in Manipur and after flowing through Mizoram it enters Assam.
  • The river next splits into two branches, the Surma (north) and the Kushiyara (south), which enter Bangladesh and turn southwest. 
  • The Kushiyara River forms the boundary between Assam and Sylhet district of Bangladesh.

By admin: Sept. 28, 2022

10. Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman appointed as the Prime Minister

Tags: Person in news International News

The Saudi King Salman has appointed the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as the Prime Minister of the country, according to a royal decree published on 27 September 2022.

Prince Mohammed is already de facto ruler of the world’s largest oil exporter, and the appointment formalises his role as leader of the kingdom’s government.

The crown prince, known by his initials MBS, previously served as deputy prime minister as well as defence minister. He is being replaced as defence minister by his younger brother, Khalid bin Salman, who was deputy defence minister.

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 

  • Saudi Arabia is a West Asian kingdom founded by Ibn Saud in 1923. The country is known for its oil and Islam.
  • According to the BP Statistical Review of World Energy 2020, Saudi Arabia has the world’s 2nd largest oil reserves in the world after Venezuela.
  • At present it is the world's largest exporter of crude oil. 
  •  It has two of the holiest shrine of Islam, Mecca and Medina mosque
  • The world's largest mosque Al-Haram or forbidden mosques is in Mecca.
  • The world's second largest mosque, Mosque of the Prophet, or Masjid al-Nabawi is in Medina. 
  • The Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) headquarters is also in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
  • The world’s largest sand area, the Rub al-Khali (“Empty Quarter”) which is spread around 647,500 square km, is also in Saudi Arabia.

Capital of Saudi Arabia: Riyadh 

Currency: Saudi Riyal 

King of Saudi Arabia: King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud