1. A new ghost shark species discovered in New Zealand
Tags: Science and Technology International News
New Zealand scientists discovered the Australian narrow-nosed spookfish (Harriotta avia) in the deep waters of the Chatham Rise.
An Overview of the News
Ghost sharks, also known as chimeras, are cartilaginous fish related to sharks and rays.
They live in deep ocean waters, making them difficult to study.
The discovery is significant due to the rarity and limited knowledge about ghost sharks.
It aids conservation efforts and deepens the understanding of marine biodiversity.
Naming and Distinction:
The new species was named Harriotta avia in honor of Dr. Finucci's grandmother.
Genetic testing revealed that the species is unique to the waters around Australia and New Zealand.
2. Shigeru Ishiba: New leader of Japan's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP)
Tags: International News
Shigeru Ishiba won a close contest in an unusual LDP election with nine candidates.
An Overview of the News
He replaced Fumio Kishida, who resigned amid corruption scandals and economic challenges.
Ishiba represents reformist views, in contrast to the conservative Sanae Takaichi associated with former PM Shinzo Abe.
His support for progressive policies, such as female monarchs, has highlighted internal divisions in the LDP.
Public appeal:
Ishiba's openness to criticise his party and engage with the public has won him support.
His leadership may lead to early elections to consolidate his position ahead of general elections.
Shigeru Ishiba's background:
Born in 1959, Ishiba is a former defence minister and a supporter of military reforms.
Elected to Japan's House of Representatives in 2000, he is known for his expertise in the defense sector and is active on social media.
3. Harini Amarasuriya Becomes 16th Prime Minister of Sri Lanka
Tags: Person in news International News
Harini Amarasuriya, leader of the National People's Power (NPP), was sworn in as the 16th Prime Minister of Sri Lanka.
An Overview of the News
She replaced Dinesh Gunawardene, who resigned following the recent Presidential election results.
The oath of office was administered by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo.
Harini Amarasuriya is the third woman to hold the position of Prime Minister in Sri Lanka, after Sirimavo Bandaranaike and Chandrika Kumaratunga.
Background of Harini Amarasuriya
She is an academic and human rights activist, previously serving as a university lecturer in the Department of Social Studies at the Open University of Sri Lanka.
Her activism began in 2011 during the Rajapaksa government, where she participated in protests advocating for free education.
She campaigned for Anura Kumara Dissanayake of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) in the 2019 Presidential election.
In 2020, she became a Member of Parliament (MP) for the first time, representing the NPP, an alliance led by the JVP.
New Cabinet Appointments
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has formed a new caretaker cabinet with four members, including himself.
The other three cabinet members are NPP parliamentarians: Harini Amarasuriya, Vijitha Herath, and Laxman Nipunarachchi.
This cabinet will be a caretaker government until the next parliamentary election on 14th November 2024.
Facts About Sri Lanka
Legislative Capital: Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte
Executive and Judicial Capital: Colombo
Currency: Sri Lankan Rupee (SLR)
President: Anura Kumara Dissanayake
Prime Minister: Harini Amarasuriya
4. Rhea Singha Crowned Miss Universe India 2024
Tags: National News
Rhea Singha, a 19-year-old from Gujarat, was crowned Miss Universe India 2024 on September 22, 2024.
An Overview of the News
The pageant took place in Jaipur, Rajasthan. Urvashi Rautela, Bollywood actress and Miss Universe India 2015, crowned her.
Rhea Singha will represent India at the 73rd Miss Universe 2024 pageant, scheduled to be held in Mexico in November 2024.
Rhea Singha will represent India at the 73rd Miss Universe 2024 pageant in Mexico in November 2024.
Runners-Up
1st Runner-Up: Pranjal Priya (Maharashtra)
2nd Runner-Up: Chhavi Verg (New Jersey, USA)
3rd Runner-Up: Sushmita Roy (West Bengal)
4th Runner-Up: Ruopfuzhano Whiso (Nagaland)
Judging Panel
Featured judges include Nikhil Anand, Urvashi Rautela, Nguyen Quynh, Rian Fernandes, and Rajeev Shrivastava.
Additional Notes
This was the first Miss Universe India pageant organized by Glamanand Supermodel India.
Rhea also won the Miss Glamorous subtitle and is one of the youngest titleholders.
Harnaaz Kaur Sandhu, crowned Miss Universe 2021, is the most recent Miss Universe from India.
The first two were Sushmita Sen (1994) and Lara Dutta (2000).
Sheynnis Palacios of Nicaragua won the Miss Universe 2023 crown.
5. Anura Kumara Dissanayake Sworn in as Sri Lanka's 9th President
Tags: International News
On September 23, 2024, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, aged 55, was sworn in as the 9th President of Sri Lanka.
An Overview of the News
The swearing-in ceremony took place at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo, officiated by Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya.
This election marks the first presidential election since the 2022 economic collapse that led to the resignation of former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
Election Results
Anura Kumara Dissanayake, leader of the Marxist-Leninist party Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), won the election with 42.31% of the vote.
His main rival, Sajith Premadasa of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), finished second, securing 32.76% of the vote.
Background on Anura Kumara Dissanayake
Dissanayake began his political journey as a student leader during the second insurrection in the 1980s, a period marked by violence and mass killings in Sri Lanka.
He was first elected to parliament in 2000 and served as Minister of Agriculture under President Chandrika Kumaratunga Bandaranaike from 2004 to 2005.
In 2014, he became the leader of JVP, succeeding Somawansa Amarasinghe.
Previous Presidential Election
Anura Kumara Dissanayake contested his first presidential election in 2019 but finished in third place, obtaining only 3% of the valid votes against Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
6. Tata Steel Unveils India’s Largest Blast Furnace at Kalinganagar
Tags: National News
Tata Steel successfully commissioned India’s largest blast furnace at its Kalinganagar facility in Odisha.
An Overview of the News
This is part of the Phase II expansion, which involved an investment of ₹27,000 crore.
The expansion increases the plant’s capacity from 3 MTPA to 8 MTPA, marking a significant growth in production capabilities.
Technological Advancements and Eco-Friendly Features
The new blast furnace, with a volume of 5,870 m³, incorporates advanced technology for enhanced operational life and environmental sustainability.
It includes four top combustion stoves, a first in India, and a dry gas cleaning plant for energy recovery.
Features the world’s largest Top Gas Recovery Turbine (TRT) with a 35 MW capacity, contributing to a 10% energy recovery.
Utilises an evaporative cooling system to optimise space and reduce power and water consumption by around 20%.
Focus on Sustainability
The Kalinganagar facility has implemented a zero-process water discharge system, along with rainwater harvesting.
Phase II expansion includes a Pellet Plant, Coke Plant, and Cold Rolling Mill, all equipped with sustainable technologies.
Tata Steel Kalinganagar aims for a significant reduction in carbon emissions while producing high-end, value-added steel.
Impact on Socio-Economic Development
Tata Steel has invested over ₹1,00,000 crore in Odisha over the past decade, making the state its largest investment hub in India.
The Kalinganagar plant contributes to regional socio-economic development through initiatives in education, healthcare, and livelihood opportunities.
Over 2,00,000 people in surrounding areas benefit from these community development programs.
Global Recognition and Safety Standards
The Kalinganagar facility is the first Indian manufacturing plant recognised as a Global Lighthouse by the World Economic Forum (WEF).
It received the ResponsibleSteel™ Certification in 2024 for its sustainability practices.
The plant is known for its strong ‘Safety First’ culture, adhering to high safety standards and being considered one of the safest steel plants globally.
7. PM Modi to Visits Jharkhand, Gujarat, and Odisha: Sept 15-17, 2024
Tags: National News
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits Jharkhand, Gujarat, and Odisha from 15-17 September 2024.
An Overview of the News
Visit to Jharkhand (15 September 2024)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the Tatanagar-Patna Vande Bharat train at Tatanagar Junction.
He laid the foundation stone and dedicated railway projects worth over Rs. 660 crores.
Madhupur Bye Pass line in Deoghar district.
Hazaribag Town Coaching Depot.
Kurkura-Kanaroan doubling project.
Dedicated four road under bridges (RUBs) to improve public safety.
Flagged off six Vande Bharat trains to enhance connectivity, benefiting passengers and promoting regional tourism.
Distributed sanction letters to 20,000 PMAY-G beneficiaries and participated in Griha Pravesh celebrations for 46,000 houses.
Visit to Gujarat (16 September 2024)
Interacted with PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana beneficiaries in Gandhinagar.
Inaugurated the 4th Global Renewable Energy Investor’s Meet and Expo (RE-INVEST) at Mahatma Mandir.
Inaugurated Ahmedabad Metro Rail Project and took a metro ride from Section 1 Metro Station to GIFT City.
Laid foundation stone and inaugurated development projects worth over Rs. 8,000 crores.
Quadrupling of railway lines and construction of flyover bridges.
Solar energy projects at Kutch Lignite Thermal Power Station.
Launched Single Window IT System (SWITS) for financial services.
Sanctioned over 30,000 houses under PMAY and released the first installment for these homes.
Visit to Odisha (17 September 2024)
Launched ‘SUBHADRA,’ a women-centric scheme aimed at benefiting over 1 crore women with financial aid.
Laid foundation stone and dedicated railway projects worth over Rs. 2,800 crores.
Laid the foundation stone for national highway projects worth over Rs. 1,000 crores.
Released the first installment of PMAY-G assistance to nearly 10 lakh beneficiaries and participated in Griha Pravesh celebrations for 26 lakh PMAY beneficiaries.
Launched Awaas+ 2024 App and PMAY-U 2.0 Operational Guidelines.
8. Lt Gen Muhammad Asim Malik Appointed as New DG ISI
Tags: International News
Lt Gen Muhammad Asim Malik was appointed as the new Director General (DG) of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) on September 23, 2024.
An Overview of the News
Malik will officially take over the position on September 30, 2024, replacing the current DG, Lt Gen Nadeem Anjum.
Current Role and Key Military Positions
Adjutant General: Lt Gen Malik is currently serving as the adjutant general at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi.
Previous Commands: He has commanded the Infantry Division in Balochistan and the Infantry Brigade in Waziristan.
Prime Minister and Army Chief Consultation
Appointment Procedure: Although the ISI chief is officially appointed by the Prime Minister of Pakistan, the decision is traditionally made in consultation with the Army Chief.
Significance of the ISI Chief Role
Influence of the Post: The DG ISI is considered one of the most powerful positions within the Pakistan Army, and it has played a central role in the country’s security and foreign policy.
Historical Context: The military has ruled Pakistan for more than half of its existence and continues to wield significant influence.
Education and Military Training
Sword of Honour: Lt Gen Malik received the prestigious Sword of Honour award during his military course.
Instructor Roles: He has served as the chief instructor at the National Defence University (NDU) and as an instructor at Command and Staff College in Quetta.
International Training: He is a graduate of Fort Leavenworth in the USA and the Royal College of Defence Studies in the UK.
9. 10th CPA India Region Conference Begins in New Delhi
Tags: National News
The two-day 10th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) India Region Conference began in New Delhi.
An Overview of the News
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Chairperson of the CPA India Region, is chairing the meeting.
Attendees include 46 Presiding Officers, 4 Chairmen, 25 Speakers, 3 Deputy Chairmen, 14 Deputy Speakers, and various Principal Secretaries, Secretaries, and officers from State and Union Territories Legislatures.
Theme of the Conference
The theme of the conference is “The Role of Legislative Bodies in the Attainment of Sustainable and Inclusive Development.”
Key Address by Lok Sabha Speaker
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla emphasized the need to strengthen legislative bodies to meet the evolving needs of the people.
He highlighted the importance of adapting to new technologies and communication methods.
The aim is to bring those excluded from development into the mainstream and provide new direction to legislative institutions.
About CPA India Region
Established in 2004, the CPA India Region was formed from the former CPA Asia Region.
It is one of nine global CPA Regions and currently consists of 31 Member Branches, including the Parliament of India and 30 State and Union Territory Legislatures.
This is the second time the CPA India Region Conference is being held in New Delhi.
10. EaseMyTrip Introduces ScanMyTrip.com, India’s First Travel Marketplace on the ONDC
Tags: National News
EaseMyTrip, a leading online travel aggregator, has launched ScanMyTrip.com, entering the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC).
An Overview of the News
This makes EaseMyTrip the first Online Travel Agency (OTA) to offer and purchase travel services through the ONDC network.
ScanMyTrip.com is a marketplace for travel services, allowing OTAs, MSMEs, travel agents, and homestays to list and access services such as flights and accommodations.
Vision and Goals
EaseMyTrip aims to enhance digital infrastructure for businesses in the travel and tourism sector.
Rikant Pittie, cofounder of EaseMyTrip, highlighted that the platform is designed to support travel service providers like homestays and MSMEs, helping them compete in a digital market.
The goal is to provide advanced digital tools for businesses of all sizes to scale and reach more customers.
Financial Performance and Share Movements
EaseMyTrip reported a net profit of INR 33.9 Crore for Q1 FY25, up 31% year-on-year.
Quarterly revenue increased by 23% to INR 152.6 Crore, driven mainly by air ticket sales.
Despite the financial growth, its shares closed 1.8% lower, at INR 41.08 on the BSE.
