Daily Current Affairs Highlights and Quiz | 29 September 2023

Here are all the current affairs of September 29, 2023. Let's get started!

National News

PM To Launch ‘Sankalp Saptaah’

What is it?: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate a week-long initiative named ‘Sankalp Saptaah’ on September 30, 2023.

Objective: The program is designed to improve governance at the grassroots level, focusing on 500 Aspirational Blocks across the country.

Duration: The initiative will run from October 3 to October 9, 2023, and aims to bring about tangible changes in governance at the block level.

India’s Power Demand Hits Five-Year High

Statistics: India’s power demand for September 2023 has reached a five-year high, although it was about seven percent lower than the previous month.

Significance: This marks two consecutive months of all-time high peak power demand, indicating a robust economic recovery and increased industrial activity.

International News

Five Eyes Intelligence Alliance

Background: The Five Eyes Intelligence Alliance is a secretive coalition that includes the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

History and Objective: Formed in 1946, its primary focus has been on sharing signals intelligence among the member countries, enhancing global security.

Record-Breaking US Visa Applications By Indians

Volume: The US Mission in India processed an unprecedented one million non-immigrant visa applications in 2023.

Global Context: Indians now make up more than 10% of all visa applicants worldwide, highlighting the increasing globalization of the Indian workforce.

State News

Country’s First Cartography Museum Inaugurated In Mussoorie

Location and History: The George Everest Cartography Museum was recently inaugurated in Mussoorie, Uttarakhand. The museum is situated in Park Estate, which was once the residence of the famous surveyor Sir George Everest.

Significance: The museum aims to educate the public about the history and science of cartography, making it a landmark for both tourists and scholars.

Bihar To Establish Second Tiger Reserve In Kaimur District

Conservation Efforts: The state of Bihar is in the process of establishing its second tiger reserve in the Kaimur district.

Impact: This new reserve is expected to significantly contribute to tiger conservation efforts and enrich the state’s biodiversity.

Economy News

RoDTEP Scheme Extended Till 30th June 2024

About the Scheme: The Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) scheme has been extended till June 30, 2024.

Purpose: The scheme serves as a mechanism for the reimbursement of various duties, taxes, and levies at the central, state, and local levels that are currently not being refunded.

Defence News

Russia To Boost Its Defence Spending By 70% In 2024

Budget Increase: Russia is planning a substantial increase in its defense spending, with a nearly 70% rise planned for 2024.

Context: This financial shift comes as Moscow continues to allocate significant resources to support its extensive military operations in Ukraine.

Banking News

RBI Imposed Monetary Penalties On Three Co-Operative Banks

Regulatory Action: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed monetary penalties on three co-operative banks for deficiencies in regulatory compliance.

Implications: This move underscores the RBI's commitment to maintaining the integrity of the banking system in India.

Sports News

Asian Games 2023 Highlights

Women’s 10m Air Pistol: Palak Gulia and Esha Singh showcased their skills, earning gold and silver medals, respectively.

Men’s 50m Rifle: The Indian men’s shooting trio clinched a gold medal in the 50m Rifle 3 Positions Team event, adding to India's medal tally.

Science and Technology News

International Scientists Map World’s ‘8th Continent’ Zealandia

The Mission: A team of international geologists and seismologists has embarked on a mission to chart the depths of Zealandia, often referred to as the world’s eighth continent.

Significance: This endeavor aims to shed light on this largely unexplored underwater landmass, potentially rewriting geological history.

Obituaries News

Actor Michael Gambon Passes Away

Career: Michael Gambon, renowned for his portrayal of Professor Dumbledore in the Harry Potter film series, has passed away at the age of 82.

Legacy: His work has left an indelible mark on the world of cinema, and he will be sorely missed.

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