Current Affairs April 08th 2023| Current Affairs News

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CURRENT AFFAIRS : BANKING & FINANCE

Axis Bank introduces ‘Digital Dukaan’, an enhanced Payments & Business Management solution for merchants  

• Axis Bank, India’s third largest private sector bank, in partnership with Visa announced the launch of an app ‘Digital Dukaan’, a comprehensive digital offering that will empower merchants to accept payments through various digital modes and also enable them to manage their day-to-day business digitally.

About ‘Digital Dukaan’ : 

• The Digital Dukaan’ has been specifically designed to address business requirements such as accepting digital payments, inventory management and billing, among others.
• This Android Smart POS application has an in-built camera with LED flashlight that will enable scanning of product barcodes, allow tap and pay option for transactions up to Rs 5,000 and also support other value-added services such as EMI, acceptance of Sodexo card, Buy Now Pay Later, etc.
• It will also enable merchants to set up an online store and grow their business effortlessly by creating new channels.

Key Features of Digital Dukaan : 

• Inventory management – Hassle-free managing of stocks; receipt of alerts & reminders on limited stocks along with pre-loaded catalogue
• Digital Billing  – Quick billing, as it accepts multiple payment modes like Credit / Debit Cards, UPI etc.
• Customized real-time business reporting- Getting customized reports to efficiently manage the business
• Digital Khatabook – Easy to manage credits and payment collection from customers
• Customer management – Managing customer data at one place and offering loyalty options

About Axis Bank : 

• Founded : 3 December 1993
• Headquarters : Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
• MD & CEO : Amitabh Chaudhry
• Tagline : Badhti Ka Naam Zindagi

UPI processes 8.7 billion transactions in March, highest ever since inception   

• India’s homegrown payments system, Unified Payments Interface (UPI), recorded its highest-ever number of transactions at 8.7 billion in March 2023.
• This was the highest number since the inception of UPI.
• 8.7 billion transactions amounted to Rs 14.05 trillion.
• UPI had processed 8 billion transactions for the first time in January, 2023.

Key Highlights : 

• As per National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) data, UPI transactions in March 2023 were 60% higher in volume terms from the year-ago period.
• UPI transactions in March 2023 were 46% higher in value terms from the year-ago period.
• In March 2022, UPI had processed 5.4 billion transactions & amounting to Rs 9.6 trillion.

About UPI : 

• Introduced: 11 April 2016
• UPI is an instant real-time payment system developed by National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). 
• Currently, UPI processes about 30 crore transactions a day.

Canara Bank Launches Premium Payroll Account for  Salary account holders 

• Canara Bank has introduced “Premium Payroll Package” for the Salary account holders with competitive features.
• The product has been designed to meet all Banking requirements of Salaried Customers.

Unique features : 

• Free Term Life Insurance
• Insta over Draft
• Free Personal & Air Accident Insurance coverage
• Premium Cards

• Canara Bank’s customers can avail this facility across all its branches in India.

About Canara Bank : 

• Founded : 1 July 1906
• Headquarters : Bangalore, Karnataka, India
• MD & CEO : K Satyanarayana Raju
• Tagline : Together We Can

South Indian Bank partners with Cholamandalam MS General Insurance                                     

• South Indian Bank Limited (SIB) has announced partnership with Cholamandalam MS General Insurance Company Ltd (Chola MS) to offer health and general insurance products.
• This partnership would enable customers of South Indian Bank to access the diverse range of insurance products offered by Cholamandalam MS General Insurance, thus fulfilling their need for protection against damage/ loss.
• The arrangement aims to enrich the bank’s insurance offerings by enabling its customers to access the product via the wide network of bank branches PAN India.
• The key product offerings include: personal accident cover, home and property insurance, farmer care, EMI insurance, home package and retail health.

About South Indian Bank Limited :

• Founded : 1929
• Headquarters : Thrissur, Kerala, India
• MD & CEO : Murali Ramakrishnan
• Tagline : Experience Next Generation Banking

About Cholamandalam MS General Insurance : 

• Founded : 2001
• Headquarters : Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
• MD : Suryanarayanan V
• Chola MS is an Indian insurance firm and a joint venture (JV) between the Murugappa Group, an Indian conglomerate, and the Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Group, a Japanese insurance company.

RBI releases Data on India’s International Investment Position for the End of December 2022

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has released data on India’s International Investment Position (IIP) for the end of December 2022.
• As per data, non-resident net claims on India fell by US$ 12.0 billion between October and December 2022, reaching US$ 374.5 billion at the end of December 2022.

Key Highlights : 

• As of the end of December 2022, reserve assets accounted for 64.3% of India’s international financial assets.
• In December 2022, India’s international assets covered 70.0% of its international liabilities, up from 72.5% the previous year.
• The proportion of debt liabilities in total external liabilities climbed to 50.2% at the end of December 2022, up from 49.8% the previous quarter and 48.4% the previous year.
• The decrease in net claims was owing to a greater growth in Indian residents’ abroad financial assets (US$ 28.7 billion) than an increase in Indians’ overseas liabilities (US$ 16.7 billion).
• The gain in Indian residents’ foreign assets during Q3:2022-23 was mostly due to a US$ 30.0 billion increase in reserve assets, which had previously decreased by US$ 56.5 billion in the previous quarter.
• Trade credits and loans were the key contributors to India’s increase in foreign liabilities.

About RBI :

• Established : 1 April 1935
• Headquarters : Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
• Governor : Shaktikanta Das
• Deputy governors : Mahesh Kumar Jain, M. Rajeshwar Rao, Michael Patra and T. Rabi Shankar

CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL NEWS

Govternment sanctions Rs 800 cr for installing 7,432 EV fast charging stations

• The ministry of heavy industries said Rs 800 crore under FAME India scheme Phase-2 has been sanctioned to three PSU oil marketing companies (OMC) for setting up 7,432 public fast charging EV stations across the country.
• The ministry has released Rs 560 crore or 70 per cent of the total amount to three OMCs — Indian Oil (IOCL), Bharat Petroleum (BPCL), and Hindustan Petroleum (HPCL) — as the first instalment for the installation and commissioning of upstream infrastructure and charging equipment of EV public charging stations at respective retail outlets in the country.
• The installation is expected to be completed by March 2024.
• At present, there are 6,586 charging stations across the country.
• National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP) 2020 was unveiled in 2013 with a target to achieve sales of 6-7 million electric/hybrid vehicles by 2020.
• As part of the mission, the Department of heavy industry formulated a scheme — Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles in India (FAME India) to promote hybrid/electric technology in transportation so as to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
• Phase-1 of the scheme was approved initially for a period of two years, commencing from April 1, 2015, with an outlay of Rs 795 crore.
• Based on the experience gained during phase-1 of the FAME India scheme and the suggestions of various stakeholders, the Department of heavy industry notified phase-2 of the scheme on March 8, 2019, with the approval of the Cabinet.
• Phase-2 of the scheme commenced on April 1, 2019, with an outlay of Rs 10,000 crore.

National Gallery of Modern Art to organize Spring Fiesta 2023 to celebrate 69 years of museum

• The National Gallery of Modern Art organised “Spring Fiesta” to celebrate its foundation day.
• The National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) in New Delhi is the premier institution of modern art in the country.
• It is run and administered as a subordinate office of the Ministry of culture.
• It is a repository of more than 18,000 most significant works of modern and contemporary art in the country.
• The idea of a national art gallery was first mooted in 1949.
• Vice President Dr. S. Radhakrishnan formally inaugurated the NGMA in the presence of Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and artists and art lovers in New Delhi on March 29, 1954.

Bandipur completes 50 years as Project Tiger Reserve

• Bandipur Tiger Reserve recently completed 50 years as a Project Tiger Reserve.
• It was established in the 1930s as a wildlife sanctuary, which became a tiger reserve in 1973 under Project tiger.
• It is situated in two contiguous districts (Mysore and Chamarajanagar) of Karnataka and located at the tri-junction area of the States of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Finland becomes NATO’s 31st member of military alliance 

• Finland becomes the 31st member of North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), in a historic strategic shift provoked by Moscow’s war on Ukraine, which doubles the US-led alliance’s border with Russia.
• The Finnish flag was raised at NATO headquarters in Brussels,Belgium to mark Russia’s western neighbour becoming the 31st member of the Western alliance.
• The accession of Finland coincides with the 74th anniversary of the Washington Treaty which established NATO that was signed on April 04, 1949.
• Finnish President Sauli Niinisto and the US Secretary of State joined NATO ministers for a joining ceremony.

Key Highlights : 

• Joining NATO places Finland under the alliance’s Article 5, the collective defence pledge that an attack on one member “shall be considered an attack against them all”.
• Finland and Russia share a 1,340-kilometre (832-mile) eastern border, and Finland and Sweden formally applied to join NATO in May, 2022 as a result of Russia’s war.
• Turkey was the last NATO member to ratify Finland’s accession protocol.

About Finland :  

• President : Sauli Niinistö
• Prime Minister : Sanna Marin
• Capital: Helsinki
• Currency: Euro.

About NATO : 

• Headquarters : Brussels, Belgium
• Secretary General : Jens Stoltenberg
• NATO was set up in 1949 by the United States (US), Canada, and several western European nations to ensure their collective security against the Soviet Union. 
• It was the US’s first peacetime military alliance outside the western hemisphere.
• 30 countries are currently members of NATO.

India & Bhutan plan to set up first Integrated Check Post along border near Jaigaon                    

• India and Bhutan are considering setting up the first Integrated Check Post along the border near Jaigaon.
• The bilateral meeting was held between Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and King of Bhutan Mr Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck in New Delhi.
• External Affairs Secretary Mr Vinay Mohan Kwatra talked about the outcomes of the meeting.
• He stated that India would step up its support for Bhutan’s upcoming 13th five-year plan.
• He also stated that India and Bhutan will also expedite the proposed Kokrajhar-Gelephu rail link project.
• It will be the first-ever rail link between India and Bhutan.
• The King of Bhutan is on a 3-day visit to India.
• He is accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade Dr. Tandi Dorji.

About Bhutan : 

• Prime Minister : Lotay Tshering
• Capital : Thimphu
• Currency : Bhutanese Ngultrum

CURRENT AFFAIRS : STATE NEWS

Kerala tops India’s GI tag list in Financial Year 2022-23

• According to the data from Geographical Indication (GI) Registry, Kerala has topped the list of states in India with the most number of products securing the GI tag in the financial year 2022-23.
• Various products from Kerala have been recognized with the GI tag, including Attappadi Attucombu avara (beans), Attappadi thuvara (red gram), Onattukara elu (sesame), Kanthalloor vattavada veluthulli (garlic), and Kodungallur pottuvellari (snap melon).
• Besides the 6 products from Kerala, Mithila Makhana (aquatic fox nut) from Bihar was selected for GI recognition followed by Alibag white onion from Maharashtra.
• Tandur Redgram from Telangana, the local variety of pea, Ladakh Raktsey Karpo Apricot from Ladakh, and Gamosa handicrafts from Assam were also chosen for the honours.

About GI Tag Recognition 2022-23 : 

• For the period between April 2022 and March 2023, a total of 12 products were selected for GI recognition, including two foreign ones – Brandy de Jerez from Spain and Provolone Valpadana from Italy.
• In FY22, as many as 50 products from domestic and overseas markets were selected for the recognition, with Uttar Pradesh topping the list with 7 GI tags, followed by Uttarakhand at 6.
• Handicraft products like Chunar Glaze Pottery, Banaras Zardozi, Mirzapur Pital Bartan, Banaras Wood Carving, Banaras Hand Block Print, Rataul Mango, and Mau saree were selected for the GI recognition from Uttar Pradesh.
• Aipan, Munsiyari Rajma, Uttarakhand handicraft Ringal Shilp, Tamta, Thulma (handicraft) and Kumaon chiura oil from Uttarakhand were selected for GI recognition in FY22 in Uttarakhand.
• Kanyakumari cloves, Kallakurichi wood carvings, Karuppur Kalamkari paintings, and Narasimhapettai Nagaswaram were some of the products that were selected for GI recognition from Tamil Nadu in the last financial year.

About GI Tag : 

• The GI tags are issued by the Geographical Indication Registry under the Department of Industry Promotion and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce & Industry.
• The GI tag refers to the fact that products from a particular region have qualities that are unique to that region.
• GI tag is given to products related to agriculture, handicrafts, food items, spirit drinks and industrial products.
• The rules and regulations of the GI tag are governed by the World Trade Organization Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights at the international level.
• The GI tag is valid for 10 years and after that can be renewed for next 10 years.
• The Geographical Indication came into force on 15 September 2003.
• The first product that was awarded the GI tag in India was Darjeeling Tea, West Bengal in 2004-05.
• Karnataka has the highest number of GI tag products followed by Tamil Nadu.

‘Mircha’ rice of Bihar’s West Champaran gets GI tag

• Bihar’s West Champaran’s ‘Mircha’ rice has been awarded the Geographical Indication (GI) tag.

About ‘Mircha’ rice : 

• The shape and appearance of this rice resembles black pepper, hence it is called Mircha or Marcha rice.
• The rice is different because this rice has a unique aroma.
• This rice is famous for its aroma, palatability and quality for making aromatic chura (rice flakes).
• Cooked rice is puffed, non-sticky, sweet and easily digestible with a popcorn-like aroma.
• The application for the GI tag was made by Marcha Dhan Utpadak Pragatisheel Samuh, a registered association of paddy cultivators.

Centre grants GI tag for Ladakh’s wood carving                       

• Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has lauded the grant of the Geographical Indication (GI) tag for Ladakh wood carving also known as ‘Ladakh Shingskos’
• A total of 33 products have been given the GOI tag during 2022-23, one of which belongs to Union Territory (UT) of Ladakh.
• In December,2022 the government also granted GI Tag for Raktsey Karpo apricot of Ladakh.
• National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has helped secure the GI for the woodcarving.
• NABARD has been working in the region for various GIs in J&K and Ladakh.

About Ladakh wood carving :  

• The unique form of wood carving which has received GI tag is concentrated in Wanla and Cjoglamasar districts of Leh.
• The craft has a distinct cultural and religious influence.
• The carving is carried out for  products such as folding tables, cupboards, wooden pots, tea mixing pot (Grugur) and ritual bowls etc, employing a special tool box called zag ham.

Banarasi paan receives GI tag                                   

• The Banarasi Paan, celebrated in Amitabh Bachchan’s iconic song ‘Khaike paan banaras wala’ received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
• The Banarasi Paan is famous for its delicious taste and make which involves several ingredients.
• Further, Banarasi Langda Mango, Ramnagar Bhanta (Brinjal), and Adamchini Rice also received the GI tag for the riverine city in the Bhojpur-Purvanchal region of India.
• Padma Awardee GI expert Dr. Rajinikant informed about the 4 Varanasi-based goods receiving the GI tag.
• With this addition, a total of 22 GI-tagged products belong to the Kashi region.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: BUSINESS NEWS

ArcelorMittal-Nippon Steel India JV signs $5 billion loan deal with Japanese banks

• ArcelorMittal SA said its Indian steelmaking joint venture with Asian peer Nippon Steel Corp has entered into a $5 billion loan deal with a consortium of Japanese lenders.
• The proceeds would be used to fund the expansion of the JV’s annual steelmaking capacity at its Hazira plant in India to 15 million tonnes from 9 million tonnes.
• The JV, called AM/NS India, is owned by AMNS Luxembourg Holding SA, in which ArcelorMittal holds a 60% interest and Nippon Steel the rest.
• The Japanese banks include Japan Bank for International Cooperation, MUFG Bank, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp, Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank, Mizuho Bank, Mizuho Bank Europe NV.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: RANKING AND REPORTS

India falls six spots in Passport Index 2023; UAE ranks number one

• Slipping six ranks from last year, the Indian passport has registered the largest global fall in the Passport Index 2023 — ranking at the 144th position this year, with a mobility score of 70.
• The Passport Index, released by financial advisory firm Arton Capital, determines the rankings on the basis of the mobility score of the countries, which is calculated on provisions like a visa-free visit, visa on arrival, an eVisa (if used within three days), and electronic travel authorisation.
• With its current ranking, Indians can travel to 21 countries visa-free, need a visa for 128 countries, and can avail of the visa-on-arrival option for 47 countries including Thailand, Maldives, Malaysia, Qatar, Azerbaijan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zimbabwe.
• According to the list, which comprises 199 countries, the reason for the sharp fall in India’s ranking and the dismal performance of other Asian countries has been attributed to the change in European Union’s policy.
• Several nations, like Serbia, have been under pressure to introduce visa requirements for Indian nationals.
• This year, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has the highest mobility score of 181, and ranks number one.
• It was followed by Sweden, Germany, Finland, Luxembourg, Spain, France, Italy, the Netherlands, and Austria, with a joint mobility score of 174.
• In Asia, South Korea had the highest score of 174 and ranks at number 12 on the list. Japan, with a score of 172, ranked 26th.
• Almost all the other Asian countries saw a fall in their rankings.

Elon Musk titled the Most Followed Twitter User

• Elon Musk titled as the Most Followed Twitter User
• The business tycoon Elon Musk left behind former US President Barack Obama along with Justin Bieber in the number of followers he gained on Twitter.
• Twitter records that over 450 million people across the world use this famous social networking platform.
• Out of the total Twitter users, more than 133 million follow this new owner Elon.
• He acquired this site on October 27, 2023, for worth $44 billion.

India Is Home To The Fifth Highest Number Of Female Billionaires In The World

• India is home to the fifth highest number of female billionaires in the world.
• That’s according to a new International Women’s Day study from City Index, who scraped Forbes’ live billionaire tracker to find the country that is home to the most female billionaires.
• According to City Index, the United States has the highest number of female billionaires in the world with 92 in total, double that of China in second place with 46.
• While the US might be home to some of the highest profile male billionaires, 4 out of the 5 richest women in the world, including Walmart heiress Alice Walton, also hail from the states.
• Germany takes third place with 32 female billionaires, just over a third than that of the US.
• Indian businesswoman and politician Savitri Jindal and her family boast a wealth of $16.96 billion, making her the richest woman in India.
• The USA dominates the ranking of the individuals with the highest net worth, with 80% of the female billionaires with the highest net worth hailing from America.
• As the richest woman in the world and Vice Chairman of L’Oréal, French-born Françoise Bettencourt Meyers takes the top spot with a wealth of $81.49 billion.
• New York-based socialite Julia Koch ($59.65bn) and Walmart inheritor Alice Walton ($60.16bn) are almost tied in third and second places, respectively.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: MOUS AND AGREEMENT

Godrej Agrovet signs MoU with the State Government of Andhra Pradesh

• Godrej Agrovet has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the state government on the sidelines of the Andhra Pradesh Global Investors Summit (APGIS) 2023.
• As a part of the MoU, Godrej Agrovet’s oil palm business will be making an estimated investment of Rs 100 crore to set up a manufacturing facility for edible oil refinery and solvent extraction plant.
• The company already has 45,000 hectare area of oil palm plantation area in Andhra Pradesh (AP).
• The proposed new plant will have a projected refining capacity of 400 tonnes per day and will be set up in Seethanagaram, Eluru District in AP.
• This is company’s first downstream project for value-added products in oil and fats.

Indian Immunologicals signs MoU with ICAR-CIFA for commercial development of fish vaccine

• Indian Immunologicals Limited (IIL) entered into a partnership with the Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (CIFA), Bhubaneswar, an Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) Institute for the commercial development of vaccines against Hemorrhagic Septicemia, also called Aeromonas Septicemia, Ulcer Disease or Red-Sore Disease in freshwater fish.
• IIL is the first in India to get fish vaccines.
• We are aware of the challenges associated with being the first.
• Hyderabad-based IIL ventured into the aqua business in October 2022 by launching products for the aquaculture health market dealing with pond management and fish or shrimp gut management and subsequently, announced commercial development of fish vaccines with ICAR-CIFE.
• India is the third largest fish producer in the global sphere and more than 65 per cent of India’s fish is through Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture.
• All the cultured freshwater fish species in India like rohu, catla, mrigal, silver carp, grass carp, common carp, medium carps, channel catfish, eel, etc.. are susceptible to this disease.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Iran appoints UAE ambassador for first time since 2016                                

• Iran had appointed an ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the first time since 2016, amid a realignment of relations between Gulf states and Iran.
• Iran appointed Reza Ameri as its ambassador to the UAE.
• He has served as the Director General of the Iranian expatriates’ office in the Foreign Ministry.
• Prior to being appointed to his current role, Ameri’s posts included ambassador Islamic Republic of Iran to Algeria, Sudan and Eritrea.

Key Highlights : 

• In March 2023, as per the China-brokered deal Saudi Arabia and Iran had agreed to resume diplomatic relations between them.
• The UAE and Iran relations were degraded in January 2016 after Iranian protesters stormed the Saudi embassy in Tehran following Riyadh’s execution of a prominent Shiite cleric.
• The hostility between Iran and Saudi Arabia had increased instability and insecurity in the Gulf region.
• UAE and Iran have business ties stretching back from more than a century.

About Iran : 

• President : Ebrahim Raisi
• Capital : Tehran
• Currency : Iranian rial

CURRENT AFFAIRS : ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS

Adani Ports & APSEZ acquires Karaikal Port for Rs 1,485 Cr

• The National Company Law Tribunal has approved the acquisition of Karaikal Port (KPPL) by the Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ), the largest transport utility in India.
• Earlier, APSEZ was declared as the successful resolution applicant under the Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process (CIRP) of KPPL.
• The amount considered for the acquisition is ₹1,485 crore ($181.2 million).
• Karaikal Port is an all-weather deep-water port on India’s eastern coast that was developed on the build, operate and transfer format under the public-private partnership by the government of Puducherry.
• The Karaikal Port was commissioned in 2009, and was developed in the Karaikal district of the Union Territory of Puducherry, around 300 KMS south of Chennai.
• It is the only major port between Chennai and Tuticorin, and its strategic location allows the port easy access to the hinterland of Central Tamil Nadu.
• The port gets a 14-metre water draft and has a land area of over 600 acres.

About APSEZ : 

• Founded : 26 May 1998
• Headquarters : Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
• Chairman & MD : Gautam Adani
• CEO : Karan Adani

CURRENT AFFAIRS : SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

NASA Names 4 Astronauts to Next Moon Mission – Artemis  II lunar Mission

• The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) announced the 4 astronauts crew for the Artemis II mission which includes 3 American nationals and 1 Canadian astronaut.
• The crew assignments are as follows:

1. Commander Reid Wiseman
2. Pilot Victor Glover
3. Mission Specialist 1 Christina Hammock Koch
4. Mission Specialist 2 Jeremy Hansen.

Key Highlights : 

• Christina Hammock Koch is set to become the first woman to fly to the Moon.
• Koch set a record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman with a total of 328 days in space and participated in the first all-female spacewalks.
• Victor Glover is the first black person to take part in a lunar mission.
• Reid Wiseman will be the commander of the Mission and Victor Glover will be the pilot of the mission.
• NASA has tested its new human space exploration capabilities including the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, Orion spacecraft, and all associated ground systems

About Artemis II mission : 

• Artemis II mission is a mission to explore more areas of the moon.
• The 10-day Artemis II mission will test the agency’s powerful Space Launch System rocket as well as the life-support systems aboard the Orion spacecraft.
• Artemis II is expected to reach a point more than 230,000 miles (370,000 km) away from the Earth.
• It will be launched from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida using the SLS rocket.
• Artemis I mission was successfully completed in December 2022.

About NASA : 

• Established : July 29, 1958
• Headquarters : Washington, D.C, United States
• Administrator : Bill Nelson

Kenya Space Agency to launch its first operational Satellite 

• The Kenya Space Agency (KSA) is set to launch its first operational Earth observation satellite “Taifa-1” or “Nation-1” in Swahili, on April 10, 2023.
• The launch is in partnership with SpaceX & the satellite will be on board its Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Base in California in the United States of America (USA).

Key Highlights : 

• The mission is designed to provide precise and timely earth observation satellite data to stakeholders in the diverse fields of application including agriculture and food security.
• The satellite launch will contribute to the trend of African nations working toward more scientific innovation and the development of space programs.
• The Taifa-1 launch comes as Africa sees many countries and companies either building satellite gateways or acquiring licences to build and launch satellites on the continent.
• In 1998, Egypt was the first African country to send a satellite into space.
• Kenya, launched its first experimental nano-satellite from the International Space Station in 2018.
• By 2022, at least 13 African countries have produced 48 satellites, according to Space in, a Nigerian company that monitors African space programs.

About Kenya : 

• President- William Ruto
• Prime Minister- Raila Odinga
• Capital- Nairobi
• Currency- Kenyan Shilling(KES)

Daily CA One- Liner: April 8

• The ministry of heavy industries said Rs 800 crore under FAME India scheme Phase-2 has been sanctioned to three PSU oil marketing companies (OMC) for setting up 7,432 public fast charging EV stations across the country
• The National Gallery of Modern Art organised “Spring Fiesta” to celebrate its foundation day
• Bandipur Tiger Reserve recently completed 50 years as a Project Tiger Reserve.
• ArcelorMittal SA said its Indian steelmaking joint venture with Asian peer Nippon Steel Corp has entered into a $5 billion loan deal with a consortium of Japanese lenders
• Slipping six ranks from last year, the Indian passport has registered the largest global fall in the Passport Index 2023 — ranking at the 144th position this year, with a mobility score of 70
• Elon Musk titled as the Most Followed Twitter User
• India is home to the fifth highest number of female billionaires in the world
• Godrej Agrovet has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the state government on the sidelines of the Andhra Pradesh Global Investors Summit (APGIS) 2023
• Axis Bank, India’s third largest private sector bank, in partnership with Visa announced the launch of an app ‘Digital Dukaan’, a comprehensive digital offering that will empower merchants to accept payments through various digital modes and also enable them to manage their day-to-day business digitally.
• India’s homegrown payments system, Unified Payments Interface (UPI), recorded its highest-ever number of transactions at7 billion in March 2023.
• Canara Bank has introduced “Premium Payroll Package” for the Salary account holders with competitive features.
• South Indian Bank Limited (SIB) has announced partnership with Cholamandalam MS General Insurance Company Ltd (Chola MS) to offer health and general insurance products.
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has released data on India’s International Investment Position (IIP) for the end of December 2022.
• Finland becomes the 31st member of North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), in a historic strategic shift provoked by Moscow’s war on Ukraine, which doubles the US-led alliance’s border with Russia.
• India and Bhutan are considering setting up the first Integrated Check Post along the border near Jaigaon.
• According to the data from Geographical Indication (GI) Registry, Kerala has topped the list of states in India with the most number of products securing the GI tag in the financial year 2022-23.
• Bihar’s West Champaran’s ‘Mircha’ rice has been awarded the Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
• Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has lauded the grant of the Geographical Indication (GI) tag for Ladakh wood carving also known as ‘Ladakh Shingskos’
• The Banarasi Paan, celebrated in Amitabh Bachchan’s iconic song ‘Khaike paan banaras wala’ received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
• Iran had appointed an ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the first time since 2016, amid a realignment of relations between Gulf states and Iran.
• The National Company Law Tribunal has approved the acquisition of Karaikal Port (KPPL) by the Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ), the largest transport utility in India.
• The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) announced the 4 astronauts crew for the Artemis II mission which includes 3 American nationals and 1 Canadian astronaut.
• The Kenya Space Agency (KSA) is set to launch its first operational Earth observation satellite “Taifa-1” or “Nation-1” in Swahili, on April 10, 2023.