Current Affairs February 16th 2023| Current Affairs News

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CURRENT AFFAIRS : BANKING & FINANCE

SBI opens 3rd specialised Startup branch in Gurugram

• State Bank of India (SBI) has started its 3rd specialised branch for start-ups in the country at Gurugram to support and provide all banking services required by Start-ups under one roof.
• Gurugram has the 3rd highest number of unicorns – startups valued at $100 billion or more in India, behind Bengaluru and Mumbai.

Aim : 

• To provide end-to-end support to startups at every stage of their journey,  starting from the formation of the entity till their IPOs and FPOs.

Key Highlights : 

• In addition to start-ups, the bank also aims to meet the needs of private equity (PE), venture capital (VC) and Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs).
• The startup branch in Gurugram  has also entered into Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) with Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer (FITT) at IIT-Delhi and other entities.

About SBI : 

• Established : 1 July 1955
• Headquarters : Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
• Chairman : Dinesh Kumar Khara

Paytm launches G20-theme QR Code to celebrates India’s presidency

• One97 Communications Limited that owns leading payments and financial services company Paytm, launched a special G20-theme, QR Code to celebrate India’s presidency of the inter-governmental forum and the country’s leadership in mobile payments.
• Minister for Railways, Communications and Electronics & Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw, launched the QR code at ‘Digital Payments Utsav’ at India Habitat Centre in Delhi.
• The special commemorative QR Code includes the logos of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology’s (MeitY’s) ‘DigiDhan Mission’, along with those of the G20 2023 and 75th year of India’s independence.
• Paytm’s associate Paytm Payments Bank has won top award of MeitY for maintaining one of the lowest average Technical Decline in Bharat Interface for Money Unified Payments Interface (BHIM UPI) transactions.
• Paytm Founder Sharma is also the Chair of the Finance Task Force under ‘Startup20’.
• The taskforce will provide a framework on best practices for global investors to fund Startups across G20 member nations and help in constructing model frameworks.

About Paytm : 

• Founded : August 2010
• Headquarters: Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
• Founder & CEO : Vijay Shekhar Sharma

BoM launches its own private cloud infrastructure, Mahabank Nakshatra to strengthen digital infra

• Bank of Maharashtra (BoM) has launched its own private cloud infrastructure, Mahabank Nakshatra, to facilitate high-performance cloud capabilities for digital infrastructure and hosting applications of the bank.

Key Highlights :

• BoM also launched a mobile app, Arjun (Automated Remote Junction for Monitoring of Assets Under Stress),  to give a snapshot of stressed asset (SMA & Slippages) portfolio to bank staff and feet on street (FOT).
• The app will also give analysis to identify the daily variation in stressed asset portfolios with recovery suggestions.
• The bank launched Mykase, a legal case tracking software which will be able to fetch all the cases in various courts of India which are online where BoM.
• The Bank launched Video-know-your-customer (KYC), which allows customers to open an account digitally by providing KYC details online.
• The bank has developed ‘Pension slip facility’ using Digi locker, which is a flagship initiative of Ministry of Electronics & IT (MeitY) under Digital India programme.

About BoM : 

• Established : 16 September 1935 (Commenced Operations in 1936)
• Headquarters : Pune, Maharashtra
• MD & CEO : A. S. Rajeev.
• Tagline : One Family One Bank

CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL NEWS

The President inaugurates the 2nd Indian Rice Congress in Cuttack

• President inaugurates 2nd edition of Indian Rice Congress in Cuttack.
• The Indian Rice Congress-2023 at ICAR- National Rice Research Institute was inaugurated by President Smt. Draupadi Murmu.
• Rice production in India has increased from 89 million tonnes in 2010 to 130 MT in 2022.
• India is the second-largest producer of rice and the largest exporter of rice.
• President said that rice is the basis of food security in India and also a major factor for our economy.
• West Bengal is the highest rice-producing state in India.

PM Modi inaugurates year-long celebrations commemorating 200th birth anniversary of Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati

• PM Modi launched year-long celebrations commemorating Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati’s 200th birth anniversary.
• PM Modi inaugurated year-long celebrations in Delhi.
• He also released a logo for commemoration.
• He said that Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati revived the understanding of Vedas in social life.
• He pointed out that Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati launched a campaign against social discrimination and untouchability.

About Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati

• Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati also made efforts to fight inequality.
• Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati was a social reformer.
• He was born on 12th February 1824.
• He founded Arya Samaj in 1875.
• He died on 30 October 1883.
• He wrote the book, Satyarth Prakash.
• He denounced idolatry and ritualistic worship.
• He believed in the authority of Vedas.

PM Modi inaugurated this 246-km section from Dausa in Rajasthan

• PM Modi inaugurated this 246-km section from Dausa in Rajasthan, 2023.
• The new section will cut down the travel time from Delhi to Jaipur from 5 hours to nearly three and a half hours.
• This is the first completed section of Delhi-Mumbai Expressway.
• It has been developed at a cost of more than ₹12,150 crore.
• PM Modi also laid foundation stone of 247 km of national hig hway projects to be developed at a cost of more than ₹5,940 crore.
• PM launched road development projects worth more than ₹18,100 crore from Dausa.
• Delhi-Mumbai Expressway will be India’s longest expressway with a length of 1,386 km.
• It will cut travel distance between Delhi and Mumbai by 12%, from 1,424 km to 1,242 km.
• It will reduce travel time by 50%, from 24 hours to 12 hours.
• It will pass through six states.
• These states are Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra.

Rail tracks too close, scientists air concern for world’s largest radio telescope

• Scientists have expressed apprehension that the proposed Rs 16,000-crore Pune-Nashik high-speed rail project could jeopardise the operations of the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) near Pune.
• GMRT is a low-frequency radio telescope that helps investigate various radio astrophysical problems ranging from nearby solar systems to the edge of the observable universe.
• Located at Khodad, 80 km north of Pune, the telescope is operated by the National Centre of Radio Astrophysics (NCRA).

About GMRT:

• GMRT is a project of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), operating under the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR).
• It consists of 30 fully- steerable dish type antennas of 45-meter diameter each, spread over a 25-km region.
• GMRT is presently the world’s largest radio telescope operating at meter wavelength.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : INTERNATIONAL NEWS

MIIRA: India readies plan to popularise millets on world stage

• During India’s G20 presidency, the top priority in agriculture for India is food security and nutrition, following which India is planning to propose the launch of a global initiative – MIIRA, to encourage the consumption and production of millets.
• India is holding the Presidency of the G20 from December 1, 2022 to November 30, 2023.
• Draft charter of MIIRA is ready and will be placed for approval at 1st meeting of the G-20 Agricultural Deputies at Indore from 13-15 February 2023.

About MIIRA : 

• MIIRA stands for Millet International Initiative for Research and Awareness. 
• Aim : To coordinate millet research programmes at the international level.
• It will be launched considering the millets’ nutritional value and climate resilient nature.
• India plans to provide “seed money” for this initiative to start off, and each G20 member will be required to pay a membership fee.
• The secretariat of MIIRA would be in New Delhi and India will ensure flow of investment from its industry and research bodies.
• It is in line with the UN declaring 2023 as the International Year of Millets and the Centre’s plan to make India a global hub for millets.

About Millets : 

• Millets are rich in calcium, iron, and fibres.
• Bajra, Ragi, Canary, Jawar, and Buckwheat are the varieties of millets exported by India.
• India produces one-fifth of the world’s total millets.
• Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh are India’s top 5 millet producing states.
• Share of export of millets is nearly 1% of the total millet production.

Recent initiatives to promote Millets :

• In Budget 2023, the Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman addressed millets as “Shree Anna” and stated that Indian Institute of Millet Research, Hyderabad will act as Centre of Excellence.
• In 2018, the Agriculture Ministry declared some millets as ‘Nutri Cereals’ for their “high nutritive value”

CURRENT AFFAIRS : STATE NEWS

TN Govt unveils new Electric Vehicle policy 

• The Tamil Nadu (TN) Chief Minister (CM) M K Stalin released the ‘Tamil Nadu Electric Vehicles (EV) Policy 2023’ .

Aim : 

• To attract Rs 50,000 crore worth of investment in EV manufacturing during the policy period & gen­er­ate 1.50 lakh jobs.
• The new policy shall be valid for a period of 5 years. 

About ‘Tamil Nadu Electric Vehicles (EV) Policy 2023’ : 

• Subsidies : The policy document shows the state wants to provide reimbursement (repayment of paid money) on SGST (State Goods and Service Tax), turnover-based subsidies, capital subsidy, and special Advanced Chemistry Cell capital subsidy.
• Capital Subsidy : 100% road tax exemp­tion will be provided till Decem­ber 31, 2025 for the EV bat­tery oper­ated vehicles
• Cities like Chennai, Coimbatore Tiruchirappalli Madurai, Salem and Tirunelveli are to be pilot cities for implementing e-mobility solutions.
• MoU : Accord­ing to the policy, TN has signed memor­andum of under­stand­ings (MoUs) with com­pan­ies com­mit­ting invest­ments of nearly ₹ 24,000 crore and employ­ment poten­tial of 48,000 jobs in the EV value chain.

About Tamil Nadu :

• Governor: R. N. Ravi
• Chief minister: M. K. Stalin
• Capital: Chennai
• Dance : Bharatnatyam, Karakattam
• National Park : Mudumalai National Park, Mukurthi National Park, Guindy National Park, Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park
• Wildlife Sanctuaries : Kalakad Wildlife sanctuary, Karikili Bird Sanctuary, Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary
• Tiger Reserve : Anamalai Tiger Reserve
• Biosphere Reserve : Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve

CURRENT AFFAIRS: BUSINESS NEWS

India, US and Brazil to establish a global biofuel alliance

• India, Brazil and the US will work together to establish a global biofuel alliance along with other interested countries.
• The aim of the global biofuel alliance will be to facilitate cooperation and intensify the use sustainable biofuels.
• The global biofuel alliance will emphasize on strengthening markets, facilitating global biofuels trade, and p rovision of technical support for national biofuels programs worldwide.
• The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) said that the alliance will complement the relevant regional and international agencies, and initiatives in the bioenergy, bio-economy, and energy transition fields.
• The global biofuel alliance was announced by Oil Minister H S Puri during the India Energy Week 2023 in Bengaluru.

About Global bioenergy partnership

• Global bioenergy partnership (GBEP) was founded in 2006.
• It was launched during the Ministerial Segment of the 14th session of the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD14).
• Clean Energy Ministerial Biofuture Platform was launched at 11th Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM11).
• The Biofuture Platform is a 22-country effort to promote an advanced low-carbon bioeconomy.

Retail inflation rises to 3-month high of 6.52%

• Retail inflation increased to three month high level of 6.52% in January 2023.
• Retail inflation has increased to 6.52% mainly due to higher prices in the food basket, including cereals and protein-rich items.
• Retail inflation was 6.77% in October 2022.
• It was 5.72% in December 2022 and 6.01% in January 2022.
• Since January 2022, retail inflation has been over the Reserve Bank of India’s upper tolerance level of 6% with the exception of November and December 2022.
• In comparison to urban regions, where inflation was just 6%, rural areas had a higher rate of inflation at 6.85%.
• Headline CPI inflation declined by 105 basis points during November-December 2022.

Govt’s windfall tax collection estimated at ₹25000 crore in FY23

• ₹25,000 crore is estimated to be collected from Special Additional Excise Duty (SAED) for FY23.
• Government expects to collect this amount from windfall tax, or SAED from the production of crude oil, export of Petrol, Diesel, and Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF).
• Windfall tax came into effect from July 1, 2022.
• It is revised fortnightly.
• It is imposed on oil companies making windfall, or exceptionally high profits.
• The SAED does not apply to entities whose annual crude oil production is less than 2 million barrels in the previous financial year.

WPI inflation eases for eighth consecutive month to 4.73% in January

• WPI inflation declined for eighth consecutive month to 4.73% in January 2023.
• The wholesale price-based inflation eased mainly due to easing in prices of manufactured items, fuel and power.
• However, inflation in food articles increased to 2.38% in January 2023.
• WPI based inflation rate was 4.95% in December 2022 and 13.68% in January 2022.
• According to Commerce and Industry Ministry, mineral oils, chemicals & chemical products, textiles, crude petroleum & natural gas, textiles, and food products primarily contributed to decline in the rate of inflation in January 2023.
• In January 2023, inflation in pulses was 2.41%.
• Inflation in vegetables was (-) 26.48% in January 2023.
• In January 2023, inflation in oil seeds stood at (-) 4.22%.
• Inflation in fuel and power basket declined from 18.09% in December 2022 to 15.15% in January 2023.
• Inflation in manufactured products was 2.99% in January 2023.
• It was 3.37% in December 2022.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

ICAI Elects Mr Aniket Sunil Talati as New President & Mr Ranjeet Kumar Agarwal as Vice President for the Year 2023-24                                               

• The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has elected Chartered Accountant (CA) Mr Aniket Sunil Talati as President of ICAI & CA Mr Ranjit Kumar Agaarwal as Vice President (VP) for the year 2023-24.
• Both will be responsible for organising the three-tiered CA exam and looking after all administrative affairs.
• Currently, Mr Aniket Sunil Talati is the Director of the ICAI Accounting Research Foundation (ICAI ARF), Indian Institute of Insolvency Professionals of ICAI (IIIPI) as well as Extensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL) India.·

About ICAI : 

• Established : 1 July 1949
• Headquarters : New Delhi, Delhi, India
• President : CA Aniket Sunil Talati
• Vice President : CA Ranjeet Kumar Agarwal
• The ICAI is India’s largest professional accounting body under the administrative control of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India (GoI).

Moldovan PM Ms Natalia Gavrilita resigns & Mr Dorin Recean  appointed as new PM of Moldova                           

• Moldovan Prime Minister (PM) Ms Natalia Gavrilita stepped down from her position citing a lack of support in the former Soviet Republic.
• The pro-Western government had been in power for just 18 months (Aug 2021 to Feb 2023).
• Moldova’s President Mr Maia Sandu, appointed former interior minister Mr Dorin Recean as the new Prime Minister (PM).

About Ms Natalia Gavrilita : 

• She served as PM of Moldova from 2021 & she became the 3rd woman PM of Moldova after Zinaida Greceanii & Maia Sandhu.
• She served as finance minister from June 2019 to November 2019.

About Moldova : 

• President : Maia Sandu
• PM : Dorin Recean
• Capital : Chisinau
• Currency : Moldovan leu.

Mr. Jagdish Capoor Appointed as Chairman of West End Housing Finance                                

• Mumbai-based affordable housing finance company, West End Housing Finance Ltd., has appointed reputed banker Mr. Jagdish Capoor as its Chairman.
• The appointment was made by the board at its meeting held in Mumbai, Maharashtra.

About Mr. Jagdish Capoor : 

• Jagdish has had an illustrious career in the finance sector, having served as the Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
• He has also been the Chairman of HDFC Bank and the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE).
• He has served on the boards of several leading banks like State Bank of India, Bank of Baroda, National Housing Bank, NABARD and EXIM Bank, among others.
• Chairman, West End Group : Mr Pankaj Gupta

CURRENT AFFAIRS : SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

World’s First Cloud-Built Demonstration Satellite – JANUS-1 Launched By ISRO’s mini-Rocket SSLV-D2

• JANUS-1 satellite that rode on Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO’s) new mini-rocket SSLV-D2 and reached its orbit successfully.
• JANUS-1 satellite is the world’s first satellite fully conceived, designed and manufactured using an Indian company’s end-to-end cloud platform.
• Integration and test for JANUS-1 has been conducted in Bengaluru by Ananth Technologies Ltd (ATL).

Key Highlights : 

• JANUS-1 is a software defined 6U technology demonstration satellite designed and built using the Antaris cloud software platform and SatOSsoftware, as well as XDLinx’s modular spacecraft bus.
• ATL has also contributed various avionics subsystems for ISRO’s earth observation satellite EOS-7 that was the main payload of SSLV-D2.
• From concept to launch readiness, JANUS-1 was designed and built in just 10 months at a cost saving of 75% over comparable satellite missions.
• JANUS-1 carries 5 payloads, including IOT (internet of things) and communication systems.

About ATL : 

• Founded : 17 August 1992
• Headquarters : Hyderabad, Telangana, India
• CEO : Adithya Anand
• Chairman & MD : Subba Rao Pavuluri
• ATL is an Indian aerospace manufacturer that provides hardware and software services.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : PERSON IN NEWS

Rayyana Barnawi Becomes First Woman Astronaut from Saudi Arabia to Visit Space Station                       

• Rayyana Barnawi will be the first woman astronaut from Saudi Arabia to Visit International Space Station (ISS). 
• She will join fellow Saudi male astronaut Ali Al-Qarni on a 10-day mission to the International Space Station (ISS) “during the second quarter of 2023”.
• She also has around 9 years of experience in Research for Cancer Stem Cells and worked as a research laboratory technician.
• The astronauts “will join the crew of the AX-2 space mission” and the space flight will “launch from the USA”

Key Highlights : 

• In 2019, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) became the first Arab country to send an astronaut into space.
• Nicknamed the “Sultan of Space”, 41-year-old Neyadi will become the first Arab astronaut to spend 6 months in space when he blasts off for the ISS aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.

Recent developments in Saudi Arabia : 

• Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is doing many reforms after he came into power in 2017 to change the image of Saudi Arabia.
• Women have been allowed to drive and travel abroad without a male guardian.
• Women’s contribution to the workforce has increased from 17% in 2016 to 37%.
• Saudi royal Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz is the first Arab Muslim to travel into space.
• Saudi Arabia has launched a space programme in 2022 to send astronauts into space.

About AX-2 Space Mission : 

• Axiom Space initiated its 1st mission to the ISS in April 2022, under which 4 private astronauts travelled to the space station.
• All crew members will be sent to the space station through a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

About Saudi Arabia : 

• Prime Minister : Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud
• Capital : Riyadh
• Currency : Saudi riyal

CURRENT AFFAIRS: AWARDS AND HONOURS

Angela Merkel receives UNESCO Peace Prize in Ivory Coast

• Angela Merkel has been awarded the Felix Houphouet-Boigny UNESCO Peace Prize in Yamoussoukro, the capital of the Ivory Coast.
• The jury for Felix Houphouet-Boigny Peace Prize was impressed by Merkel’s courageous decision in 2015 to open her country to refugees.
• 2018 Nobel Peace Prize laureate Denis Mukwege was the jury president.
• Mukwege said the jury was touched by her decision in 2015 to take in over 1.2 million refugees, especially from Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan and, Eritrea.
• Former German chancellor Angela Merkel said she will donate the prize money to an Ivorian NGO called “L’enfance en danger.”
• In 1991, Nelson Mandela and Frederik Willem de Klerk received the award for their efforts to put an end to apartheid in South Africa.
• Felix Houphouet-Boigny Peace Prize is named after the first president of Ivory Coast.
• The prize carries $150,000 in prize money, a gold medal, and a certificate signed by UNESCO’s director general.
• Since 1991, the prize has been given annually to organisations or people who have made remarkable contributions to peace and human rights throughout the world.

About UNESCO:

• The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations aimed at promoting world peace and security through international cooperation in education, arts, sciences and culture. Wikipedia
• Headquarters: Paris, France
• Founded: 16 November 1945, London, United Kingdom

Union Home Minister Amit Shah to present President’s Colour Award to Haryana Police

• Union Home Minister will present the President’s Colour Award to the state police at a ceremony at the Haryana Police Academy.
• The President’s Colour is one of the highest honour that can be awarded to any military unit, military training establishments, and state/UT Police Forces of India.
• It is bestowed upon in recognition of exceptional service rendered to the Nation, both in peace and in war.
• It is also known as “Rashtrapati ka Nishaan” in Hindi.
• Indian Navy was the first Indian Armed Force to be awarded the President’s Colour by Dr. Rajendra Prasad on 27 May 1951.
• A special flag, also known as ‘Nishaan,’ is given to a unit as part of the award.
• The flag consists of a golden border in the middle; it has insignia of a respective military unit, training establishments, and police forces in the center.
• The flag may also contain the motto, important achievements, and battle participation of those military units to which the award is bestowed.
• During any ceremonial parade, the President’s Colour is kept at a special position, and soldiers often march with the President’s Colour on important dates like on their establishment anniversary

CURRENT AFFAIRS: RANKING AND REPORTS

Mumbai, Bengaluru among five best performing residential markets in APAC: Knight Frank

• Mumbai and Bengaluru are among five best performing residential markets in Asia Pacific in terms of annual price growth with 7 per cent increase in rates in both the cities, according to Knight Frank.
• In its Asia-Pacific Residential Review Index, real estate consultant Knight Frank said that Mumbai and Bengaluru have found place in the top five best performing Asia-Pacific residential mark ets in terms of annual price growth in H2 (second half) of 2022.
• As many as 14 out of 23 Asia-Pacific (APAC) cities have recorded positive annual price growth with Metro Manila ranked as the best-performing Asia-Pacific market with 24 per cent year-on-year (YoY) growth.
• Singapore was at second position with 9.3 per cent growth in price, while Tokyo ranked third with 9 per cent appreciation in residential prices.
• Mumbai and Bengaluru shared the 4th position on the Asia-Pacific Residential Review Index as both registered a price growth of 7 per cent YoY (year-on-year) in H2 2022.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: SPORTS NEWS

Real Madrid win 2022 FIFA Club World Cup by beating Al Hilal

• Real Madrid won the Club World Cup by defeating Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal by 5-3 in the final in Rabat, Morocco.
• Madrid last won the club world cup in 2018 while it won the Club World Cup also in 2014, 2016 and 2017.
• Vinicius Junior and Fede Valverde scored two-two goals each while Karim Benzema scored one goal.
• Madrid also won three Intercontinental Cups in 1960, 1998 and 2002.
• The 2023 FIFA Club World Cup has been hosted by Morocco.
• Chelsea was the winner of the 2021 FIFA Club World Cup.
• Real Madrid is a Spanish professional football club based in Madrid.

Daily CA One- Liner: Feb 16

• President inaugurates 2nd edition of Indian Rice Congress in Cuttack.
• PM Modi launched year-long celebrations commemorating Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati’s 200th birth anniversary
• PM Modi inaugurated this 246-km section from Dausa in Rajasthan, 2023.
• Scientists have expressed apprehension that the proposed Rs 16,000-crore Pune-Nashik high-speed rail project could jeopardise the operations of the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) near Pune
• India, Brazil and the US will work together to establish a global biofuel alliance along with other interested countries
• Retail inflation increased to three month high level of 6.52% in January 2023.
• ₹25,000 crore is estimated to be collected from Special Additional Excise Duty (SAED) for FY23
• WPI inflation declined for eighth consecutive month to 4.73% in January 2023.
• Angela Merkel has been awarded the Felix Houphouet-Boigny UNESCO Peace Prize in Yamoussoukro, the capital of the Ivory Coast.
• Union Home Minister will present the President’s Colour Award to the state police at a ceremony at the Haryana Police Academy.
• Mumbai and Bengaluru are among five best performing residential markets in Asia Pacific in terms of annual price growth with 7 per cent increase in rates in both the cities, according to Knight Frank.
• Real Madrid won the Club World Cup by defeating Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal by 5-3 in the final in Rabat, Morocco
• State Bank of India (SBI) has started its 3rd specialised branch for start-ups in the country at Gurugram to support and provide all banking services required by Start-ups under one roof.
• One97 Communications Limited that owns leading payments and financial services company Paytm, launched a special G20-theme, QR Code to celebrate India’s presidency of the inter-governmental forum and the country’s leadership in mobile payments.
• Bank of Maharashtra (BoM) has launched its own private cloud infrastructure, Mahabank Nakshatra, to facilitate high-performance cloud capabilities for digital infrastructure and hosting applications of the bank.
• During India’s G20 presidency, the top priority in agriculture for India is food security and nutrition, following which India is planning to propose the launch of a global initiative – MIIRA, to encourage the consumption and production of millets.
• The Tamil Nadu (TN) Chief Minister (CM) M K Stalin released the ‘Tamil Nadu Electric Vehicles (EV) Policy 2023’ .
• The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has elected Chartered Accountant (CA) Mr Aniket Sunil Talati as President of ICAI & CA Mr Ranjit Kumar Agaarwal as Vice President (VP) for the year 2023-24.
• Moldovan Prime Minister (PM) Ms Natalia Gavrilita stepped down from her position citing a lack of support in the former Soviet Republic & Moldova’s President Mr Maia Sandu, appointed former interior minister Mr Dorin Recean as the new Prime Minister (PM).
• Mumbai-based affordable housing finance company, West End Housing Finance Ltd., has appointed reputed banker Mr. Jagdish Capoor as its
• JANUS-1 satellite that rode on Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO’s) new mini-rocket SSLV-D2 and reached its orbit successfully.
• Rayyana Barnawi will be the first woman astronaut from Saudi Arabia to Visit International Space Station (ISS).