NATIONAL:
1. Global Biofuel Alliance (GBA)
Why in news – PM Narendra Modi launched the Global Biofuel Alliance on 9 September 2023.
Key Points –
• It was launched on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in New Delhi.
• It is an initiative by India as the G20 Chair.
• Founding members - India, Brazil and the US.
• It intends to expedite the global uptake of biofuels by facilitating technology advancements, certification etc.
• A total of 19 countries (both G20 and non-G20 countries) and 12 international organizations have so far agreed to join the alliance.
• Prominent non-members – China, Saudi Arabia and Russia.
Value Addition –
• The US, India and Brazil contribute about 85% of the global production and the 81% of the consumption of ethanol.
• According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), global biofuel production would need to triple by 2030 to put the world’s energy systems on track toward net zero emissions by 2050.
• India aims to achieve 20% ethanol blending in petrol by 2025-26 (earlier target – 2030).
2. Emission Trading Scheme (ETS)
Why in news - Ahmedabad became 2nd city in the country to implement an emissions trading scheme.
Key Points –
• Under ETS, industries polluting less than the prescribed amount are given credit and those who emit more than the limit are penalised.
• The scheme will cover 118 industries in Ahmedabad.
• 1st city to implement ETS – Surat.
3. 17th North East India Festival
Why in news - The 17th edition of "North East India Festival" was held in Milan, Italy (September 9).
Key Points –
• Organised by - North East Institute of Fashion Technology (NEIFT) and the Consulate General of India, Milan.
INTERNATIONAL:
1. Bankrupt Birmingham
Why in news - Britain’s 2nd biggest city effectively declared itself bankrupt.
Key Points –
• It shut down all nonessential spending.
• It is scheduled to hold the 2026 European Athletics Championships.
SUMMITS & CONFERENCES:
1. 12th India-UK Economic and Financial Dialogue
Why in news - UK’s chancellor exchequer Jeremy Hunt and Nirmala Sitharaman held the meeting.
Key Points –
• India and the UK have launched an infrastructure financing bridge.
• Aim - to plan and implement major infrastructure projects.
• The bridge is a collaboration between the Niti Aayog and City of London Corporation.
2. 1st Strategic Partnership Council (SPC)
Why in news - PM Modi and Saudi Crown Prince MBS co-chaired the 1st summit-level meeting of the India-Saudi Arabia SPC.
Key Points –
• The Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) is on a daylong State Visit to India post the G20 Summit.
• Both decided to expedite implementation of the $50-billion West Coast refinery project.
• The SPC has 2 main pillars –
(a) Committee on Political, Security, Social and Cultural Cooperation
(b) Committee on Economy and Investments.
Value Addition –
• India-Saudi Arabia SPC was set up in 2019.
• India is the 4th country with which Riyadh formed such a partnership (Other 3 - UK, France, and China).
ENVIRONMENT:
1. Marine Sand Watch
Why in news – United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) launched a new platform ‘Marine Sand Watch’.
Key Points –
• Aim - to monitor large vessels engaged in dredging activities in the marine environment.
• Funded by - Swiss Federal Office for the Environment.
• Currently, sand resources are not monitored globally.
Value Addition –
• Globally the 6 billion being extracted is less than the sand deposited annually by the world’s rivers.
• Most active sand industry - China, Netherlands, the United States and Belgium.
2. Green Climate Fund (GCF)
Why in news – Britain commits to provide $2 billion to the Green Climate Fund (GCF)
Key Points –
• Aim - to help developing countries cope with climate change.
• Britain has committed to spend $14.46 billion on international climate finance between 2021 and 2026.
• GFC was established during the 2010 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Cancun, Mexico. (Cancún Agreements 2010)
AWARDS & HONOURS:
1. Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Awards 2022
Why in news – 12 young scientists are selected for India’s top science prize.
Key Points –
• It is given in 7 scientific disciplines to scientists under the age of 45.
• Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar is the first director general of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
SECURITY:
1. Project Naman
Why in news – Army launched 'Project Naman' for the welfare of veterans and kin of martyrs.
Key Points –
• The first such center will be established in Delhi Cantonment.
• Indian Army signed an MoU with HDFC Bank Limited and CSE e-Governance India Limited.
IMPORTANT DAYS:
1. World EV Day 2023
Why in news – It is celebrated every year on September 9.
Key Points -
• India's EV industry is predicted to reach 17 million units by 2030.
• IN India, electric vehicles will comprise 80% of new vehicle sales by 2040.
BOOKS & AUTHORS:
1. Book “Fire on the Ganges”
Why in news – The book “Fire on the Ganges: Life Among the Dead in Banaras” was released recently.
Key Points –
• Author - Radhika Iyengar.
• It is the first attempt to chronicle the everyday realities of the Doms in Banaras.
• It tells the story of the Dom community struggling to find a place beyond that accorded to it by ancient tradition.
BIHAR:
1. ZED-Certified MSMEs
Why in news – Bihar has highest number of Zero Defect Zero Effect (ZED) certified micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
Key Points –
• Top 3 (MSMEs) – Bihar (3171)> Tamil Nadu (3,119), Haryana (2947).
• Bihar has set a target of creating 10,000 ZED-certified units in the state by the end of 2023.
• ZED certification is provided to industrial units on the basis of 20 different quality and environmental parameters.
2. E-mulaquat System
Why in news – E-mulaquat system was developed by Home Department.
Key Points –
• Family members are allowed to speak to inmates through video calls via a system.
• A prisoner can avail this facility a maximum of 1 day per week.
3. Sayesh Kapoor
Why in news – Sayash Kapoor was included in the Time magazine Top 100 people from all over the world.
Key Points –
• He is from Patliputra, Patna.
• He has received this honor for his work in Artificial Intelligence.
• He is the only person from India among the hundred people included in that magazine.
4. Vineet Kumar
Why in news – Vineet Kumar has got the 2nd position for the startup in the program ‘Smart Ideathon 2023’.
Key Points –
• He is from Deohara, Aurangabad.
• ‘Smart Ideathon 2023’ was organized by the Telangana Government in Hyderabad.
• Northern University Boston has offered Vineet Kumar to do research for 15 days.
• Vineet did work like making sanitizer umbrellas and preparing petrol from plastic.
• He has also worked in Ladakh in 2019 on a project related to eliminating plastic waste.
POINTERS:
• In which city will be RBI’s 'Greenfield Data Centre' and an 'Enterprise Computing & Cybersecurity Training Institute' established – Bhubaneswar.
• Who has been nominated for the "Baillie Gifford Award" for non-fiction in London - Siddharth Mukherjee.
• Who clinched his fourth US Open men's singles title in 2023 - Novak Djokovic.
• Women's fashion brand W appointed whom as its brand ambassador - Anushka Sharma.
• Which state has signed an MOU with Tabreed to explore district cooling infrastructure in existing and upcoming commercial districts – Telangana.
• Which ministry has launched G20 India mobile app for visitors which offers comprehensive information about the G20 Summit 2023 - Ministry of External Affairs.
• Scientists in which country have found fossils of a tiny bird-like dinosaur with a long lower leg – China.
• Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) leaders have decided to deny which country the opportunity to assume the rotating leadership of their regional bloc in 2026 – Myanmar.
• Who will inaugurate the Conference of National Human Rights Institutions of Asia Pacific in New Delhi on 20th September 2023 - President Droupadi Murmu.
• Researchers documented “white” sambar deer in which protected area nearly after a decade - Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary (Karnataka).
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