Daily Current Affairs- September 11, 2023

What is the African Union?

• What is the African Union?: A continental organisation of 55 African member states that promotes peace, economic integration, political cooperation, and socioeconomic development in Africa.
• Key objectives and functions of the African Union: The AU seeks to prevent and resolve conflicts, enhance economic cooperation and trade, promote good governance and democracy, advance social and economic development, and protect human rights and social justice in Africa.
• Governance structure and organs of the African Union: The AU is governed by various organs, such as the Assembly of the AU (comprising heads of state and government), the Executive Council (comprising foreign ministers), and the AU Commission (the AU’s secretariat). It also has specialized agencies and bodies for specific issues, such as peace, security, and development.

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Praggnanandhaa Finishes Third, Grischuk Takes Open Blitz Title

• Praggnanandhaa’s third place in Open Blitz: The Indian chess prodigy R Praggnanandhaa finished third in the Open Blitz category at the 2023 Tata Steel Chess India tournament in Kolkata. He remained unbeaten in his first four games and defeated Teimour Radjabov in a fine attacking game.
• Erigaisi’s fourth place and Grischuk’s loss: Arjun Erigaisi secured fourth place with 10 and a half points and stunned the world by beating Alexander Grischuk, the reigning world champion and the winner of the Open Blitz title, in the 13th round. This was Grischuk’s only loss in the event.
• Gukesh’s disappointing finish and Harikrishna’s draw: D Gukesh, India’s No. 1 player, faced a tough final day with six defeats from nine rounds. He finished eighth but bounced back with wins over Praggnanandhaa and Vincent Keymer. He also drew with Pentala Harikrishna in the last round.
• Abdusattorov’s tiebreak victory over Praggnanandhaa: Nodirbek Abdusattorov, the former world Rapid champion, tied with Praggnanandhaa with 13 points but edged past him on tiebreaks. He secured a crucial win over Vidit Gujrathi in the penultimate round.

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Next G20 Presidency: PM Modi hands over G20 Presidency gavel to Brazil’s President

• G20 Presidency handover: Indian PM Modi handed over the G20 Presidency gavel to Brazil’s President Lula da Silva, who will lead the group from December 1, 2023.
• Brazil’s G20 priorities: Lula da Silva outlined his focus areas, such as social inclusion, energy transition, sustainable development, and global governance reform.
• Virtual G20 session proposal: Modi suggested a virtual session of the G20 at the end of November to review the summit discussions and proposals.
• G20 Summit declaration reactions: Russia and the US praised the declaration, which avoided direct criticism of Russia’s actions in Ukraine but upheld the principle of territorial integrity. Germany and Britain also supported the resolution, while Ukraine expressed disappointment.

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What India achieved in its G20 presidency?

• India’s G20 presidency achievements: India led the G20 group in 2023 and mediated on the Ukraine conflict, issued the New Delhi Declaration with emphasis on climate financing, and enhanced the voice of emerging markets1.
• New Delhi Declaration highlights: The declaration introduced a $5.9 trillion figure for green financing requirements in developing countries, reaffirmed the commitment to refrain from the use of force for territorial acquisition, and recognized the contributions of Turkey and the UN in ensuring the delivery of humanitarian aid between Russia and Ukraine.
• G20 governance reforms: The declaration welcomed the African Union as a permanent member of the G20, endorsed a roadmap for strengthening multilateral development banks, and agreed on the need for clearer policies and regulations for cryptocurrencies.

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Asia Cup 2023 Important Pointers

• The tournament is co-hosted by Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
• The tournament is running from August 30 to September 17, 2023.
• The tournament format is fifty-overs.
• There are six teams divided into two groups of three teams each.
• Group A: Pakistan, India, and Nepal.
• Group B: Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Sri Lanka1.
• Pakistan hosted four matches across two venues and Sri Lanka hosted the remaining games.
• The iconic clash between India and Pakistan took place on September 2 in Kandy.
• The six group-stage matches were followed by the Super 4s, beginning September 6.
• The final was played by the teams that occupied the top two spots at the end of the Super 4s on September 17 in Colombo.

Asia Cup 2023 Top performers:

• Leading run scorers: Najmul Hossain Shanto (1st position with 193 runs in 2 matches), Babar Azam (2nd position with 168 runs in 2 matches).
• Highest wicket takers: Haris Rauf (1st position with 9 wickets in 3 matches), Taskin Ahmed (2nd position with 9 wickets in 4 matches).
• Most sixes: Rohit Sharma (1st position with 5 sixes in 2 innings), Mohammad Nabi (2nd position with 5 sixes in 2 innings).
• Highest scores: Babar Azam (1st position with a score of 151), Mehidy Hasan (2nd position with a score of 112).
• Most catches: Fakhar Zaman (1st position with 4 catches in 3 matches), Agha Salman (2nd position with 2 catches in 3 matches).
• Best economy rate: Nasum Ahmed (1st position with an economy rate of 3.10 in 1 match), Kuldeep Yadav (2nd position with an economy rate of 3.40 in 2 matches).

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Himalaya Diwas 2023: Date, History and Celebration

• Himalaya Diwas: A day celebrated on 9 September every year to raise awareness and preserve the Himalayan ecosystem and region.
• Significance of Himalaya Diwas: The Himalayas are a source of strength and a valuable heritage for the entire world. They play an important role in saving and maintaining nature and protecting the country from adverse weather conditions.
• History of Himalaya Diwas: The day was officially declared in 2014 by the then chief minister of Uttarakhand, Harish Rawat. The idea was conceptualized by Anil Joshi and other Indian environmentalists5. The date has no significant relevance to the environmental history of any Himalayan state in India.

Suicide Prevention Awareness Day 2023: Date, History and Significance

• World Suicide Prevention Day: A day celebrated on September 10 every year to educate and aware people about the measures to prevent the suicides that are increasing at an alarming rate across the globe.
• Theme of 2023: The theme of World Suicide Prevention Day 2023 is “Creating Hope Through Action”. The theme reflects the need for collective action to address this urgent public health issue and inspire confidence and light in all of us.
• Significance of the day: The day is dedicated to reduce the stigma associated with suicides, and promote a culture where people don’t hesitate to seek help. The day also aims to disseminate the message that suicides are preventable.
• History of the day: The day was established in 2003 by the International Association for Suicide Prevention with the World Health Organization. The date has no significant relevance to the history of suicide prevention.

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How Many Countries are there in the G20 Summit? Updated List

• G20 Summit 2023: A global forum for economic and financial cooperation, hosted by India in New Delhi, with the theme of “One Earth, One Family, One Future”.
• India’s G20 presidency: India assumed the leadership role on December 1, 2022, and will hold it until the summit in the third quarter of 2023. India has prepared a list of agenda items with inputs from various stakeholders.
• G20 Summit 2023 events: India has hosted more than 200 events in 50 cities in 2023, involving government and civil society members. The summit has attracted thirty leaders of state and government from G20 countries and other invited countries.

The G20, or the Group of Twenty, is an intergovernmental organisation comprising 19 countries and the European Union (EU). Here are the member countries:

• Argentina
• Australia
• Brazil
• Canada
• China
• France
• Germany
• India
• Indonesia
• Italy
• Japan
• Republic of Korea (South Korea)
• Mexico
• Russia
• Saudi Arabia
• South Africa
• Turkey
• United Kingdom (UK)
• United States (US)
• European Union (EU)

These members represent around 85% of the global GDP, over 75% of the global trade, and about two-thirds of the world population

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Indore Tops Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan 2023 Clean Air Survey

• Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan 2023: A survey conducted by the Central Pollution Control Board to rank the cities based on their air quality.
• Indore tops the list: Indore, a city in Madhya Pradesh, has the cleanest air among the cities with over one million population, followed by Agra and Thane.
• National Clean Air Programme: A government initiative launched in 2019 to reduce air pollution in 131 cities through city-specific action plans and a dedicated portal called “PRANA”.

National Forest Martyrs Day 2023: Date, History and Significance

• National Forest Martyrs Day: A day observed on September 11 in India to honour and remember the forest officers and personnel who sacrificed their lives to protect the forests and wildlife.
• Khejarli massacre: The origin of the day dates back to 1970 when 363 Bishnois were killed by the troops of Maharaja Abhai Singh of Rajasthan for resisting the cutting of Khejri trees in their village.
• Ministry of Environment declaration: The day was officially declared in 2013 by the Ministry of Environment to recognise the contributions and sacrifices of the forest martyrs.

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J&K L-G inaugurates Bangus Valley Festival

• Bangus Valley Festival: A festival inaugurated by J&K’s Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, in Kupwara district to showcase the rural and adventure tourism potential of the Bangus Valley.
• Tribal Culture and Artisanal Showcase: The festival aims to promote the rich tribal culture of the region and provide a platform for local artisans to exhibit their traditional arts and crafts.
• Jammu and Kashmir’s Tourism Diversity: The region offers a variety of experiences for travelers, such as adventure, food, pilgrimage, and handicrafts. The region’s serene mountains and natural beauty add to its charm.
• Development of 300 New Tourist Destinations: The J&K administration has plans to create 300 new tourist destinations to attract both domestic and international tourists and boost the region’s economy.

RBI is likely to launch a digital rupee pilot for interbank transactions by October: Report

• Digital rupee pilot: The RBI plans to launch a pilot program for the Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) for interbank transactions, expected to start in October.
• CBDC versions: The RBI introduced two versions of the Digital Rupee: CBDC-Wholesale (CBDC-W) and CBDC-Retail (CBDC-R)2. CBDC-W is for limited access and CBDC-R is for broader usage.
• Participating banks: Nine prominent banks were selected to participate in the pilot project for the wholesale CBDC. Users of the retail e-Rupee can engage in transactions using a digital wallet provided by these banks.
• Digital initiatives showcase: The RBI showcased several digital initiatives within the financial sector at the recent G20 Leaders’ Summit, such as PTP, UPI One World, RuPay On-The-Go, and BBPS.

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Indian Coast Guard Participates In 19th Heads Of Asian Coast Guard Agencies Meeting

• Indian Coast Guard at HACGAM: A four-member delegation led by DG Rakesh Pal attended the 19th Heads of Asian Coast Guard Agencies Meeting in Istanbul, Turkey, from September 5th to September 8th, 2023.
• HACGAM objectives and agenda: The meeting aimed to address critical maritime issues and foster international cooperation. The key topics included maritime law enforcement, safety and security of life at sea, marine environment protection, and illicit trafficking of drugs, weapons, and humans at sea.
• HACGAM working groups: The meeting featured four dedicated working groups, each tackling distinct maritime challenges. These groups were search and rescue, environmental protection, controlling unlawful acts at sea, and information sharing. The Indian Coast Guard chaired the search and rescue working group

ICICI Bank gets RBI nod to make I-Process Services as wholly-owned subsidiary

• ICICI Bank’s acquisition of I-Process: ICICI Bank has received approval from the RBI to make I-Process Services, a staffing solutions provider, its wholly-owned subsidiary. The Bank currently holds a 19% stake in I-Process.
• I-Process Services’ profile and history: I-Process was established in 2005 and has over 25,000 employees and 500 locations in India. It offers services to various financial institutions, such as account opening, loan processing, and document verification.
• Estimated cost and conditions of the acquisition: The expected cost of the acquisition is Rs. 15.40 crore, subject to finalization and approvals. The RBI has imposed certain conditions on the deal, such as maintaining an arm’s length relationship and ensuring compliance with regulatory norms.

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IIM Indore and NSDC Partner to Transform Skill Development and Entrepreneurship in India

• IIM Indore and NSDC partnership: A strategic collaboration to transform skill development and entrepreneurship in India through research, rural entrepreneurship incubation, and dynamic skilling programs.
• MoU signing: An online MoU was signed by Prof Himanshu Rai, Director of IIM Indore, and Ved Mani Tiwari, CEO of NSDC, to formalize the partnership and its objectives.
• Social impact model: A unique model that aims to create social change by supporting underserved regions, communities, individuals, and MSMEs with professional guidance, access to credit, mentorship, and incubation.
• Student engagement: IIM Indore students will have opportunities to participate in social internships and rural marketing projects, as well as promote SHGs and cooperatives.

Prathamesh Jawkar Signs Off With Silver In The 2023 Archery World Cup

• Prathamesh Jawkar’s silver medal: The Indian compound archer secured a remarkable silver medal finish in the 2023 Archery World Cup Final in Mexico, his first-ever appearance in the event.
• Jawkar’s victory over world No. 1: He defeated Mike Schloesser, the reigning champion and the world No. 1, for the second time in four months, in the semifinals with a perfect score of 1503.
• Jawkar’s narrow loss in the final: He tied with Mathias Fullerton of Denmark with a score of 148, but lost the gold medal by a measurement that showed Fullerton’s arrow was closer to the center.
• Abhishek Verma’s bronze quest: The other Indian archer in the competition, he lost the bronze medal playoff to Schloesser by one point, after scoring 149 out of 150.
• Indian women’s compound archery: Aditi Swami and Jyothi Surekha Vennam, representing India in the women’s section, failed to secure medals, as they lost their opening round matches.

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US Open 2023 Winners Complete list

• US Open 2023 Winners: A list of the champions of all 19 disciplines in the US Open 2023 tennis tournament, held in New York from August 28 to September 101.
• Novak Djokovic’s historic feat: The Serbian star won his fourth US Open and 24th Grand Slam title by beating Daniil Medvedev in the men’s singles final, equaling the record of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
• Coco Gauff’s maiden Grand Slam title: The American sensation won her first Grand Slam title at the age of 17 by defeating Aryna Sabalenka in the women’s singles final, becoming the youngest US Open champion since Martina Hingis in 1997.
• Other notable performances: Rajeev Ram and Joe Salisbury won the men’s doubles title, Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe won the women’s doubles title, and Harri Heliovaara and Anna Dalinina won the mixed doubles title. Alfie Hewett, Diede de Groot, and Sam Schroder won the wheelchair singles titles in their respective categories. Joao Fonseca and Katherine Hui won the boys’ and girls’ singles titles respectively.

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