NATIONAL:
1. Tamil Nadu Excavation
Why in news - Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) find Sangam era artifacts and Mesolithic artifacts near Chennai (TN).
Key Points –
• Artefacts –
A. Sangam era (2,000 years ago) - Rouletted ware, Roman amphora sherds and glass beads.
B. Mesolithic - Hand axes, scrapers, cleavers and choppers.
• Some Sangam age artefacts were discovered from Natham Medu too, 40 km Chennai.
• Keeladi, near Madurai, was an urban settlement of Sangam Age on the banks of River Vaigai.
2. Neelakurinji Plant
Why in news - Neelakurinji flowers bloomed at the Seethalayyana Giri Hill Ranges in Chikkamagaluru.
Key Points –
• It is a shrub found in the shola forests of the Western Ghats in Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
• The flowers bloom once in 12 years.
• Nilgiri Hills (Blue mountains) got their name from the purplish-blue flowers of Neelakurinji.
INTERNATIONAL:
1. 30% stake in Iranian Gas Field
Why in news - Iran has offered OVL and its partners a 30% stake in the development of the Farzad-B gas field.
Key Points –
• Farzad-B gas field in located in the Persian Gulf.
• ONGC Videsh Ltd (OVL), in 2008 discovered a giant gas field in the 3,500 km2 Farsi offshore block.
2. Asian Palm Oil Alliance (APOA)
Why in news - 5 palm oil importing countries has announced the setting up of Asian Palm Oil Alliance.
Key Points –
• Countries are - India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal.
• Atul Chaturvedi was elected as the first chairman of APOA.
GOVERNMENT SCHEMES:
1. Bharat Vidya
Why in news - Nirmala Sitharaman has launched an e-learning platform 'Bharat Vidya' in Pune.
Key Points –
• Aim - for Oriental and South Asian Studies.
• It has been developed by Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute (Pune).
SUMMITS & CONFERENCES:
1. QUAD FM Meeting
Why in news - Foreign Ministers of the Quad grouping have come out with a joint “statement on ransomware”.
Key Points –
• FMs are - S Jaishankar (India), Antony Blinken (USA), Penny Wong (Aus) and Hayashi Yoshimasa (Japan).
• They met on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session in New York.
• Target - State-sponsored cybercrime emanating from China, Russia, North Korea and Iran against critical infrastructure.
• QUAD is an informal strategic dialogue between India, USA, Japan and Australia.
2. 15th BRICS 2023
Why in news - BRICS foreign ministers extended their full support to South Africa for its BRICS Chairship in 2023.
Key Points –
• BRICS foreign ministers held their annual meeting in New York.
ENVIRONMENT:
1. Dugong Conservation Reserve
Why in news - India’s first Dugong Conservation Reserve notified in Tamil Nadu in Palk Bay.
Key Points –
• Dugongs (Sea Cow) are largest herbivorous marine mammals that primarily thrive on sea grass beds.
• Distribution in India - Gulf of Mannar, Gulf of Kutch, Palk Bay, and A&N Islands.
• Conservation Status –
A. IUCN: Vulnerable
IMPORTANT DATES:
1. World Rhino Day 2022
Why in news – It is celebrated on Sept 22 every year to spread awareness about the dangers they face.
Key Points –
• Theme 2022 - “Five Rhino Species Forever”.
• IUCN - Critically endangered.
2. Haifa Day
Why in news – Every year Sept 23 is celebrated as Haifa Day by the Indian Army.
Key Points –
• Reason - to show respect to the Indian soldiers who fought in the Battle of Haifa.
• In the Battle of Haifa (Sept 23, 1918), Indian soldiers liberated the city of Haifa from the Ottomans during WWI.
STATES/UTs:
1. Hamar Beti Hamar Maan
Why in news – Chhattisgarh has announced the “Hamar Beti-Hamar Maan” campaign towards women's safety.
BIHAR:
1. Student Credit Card Scheme
Why in news – Bihar government has made a big change in the Student Credit Card Scheme.
Key Points –
• Now up to Rs 400000 would be given to the students for studying abroad.
• Students of IITs, NITs and IIMs would also get relaxation of limit of Rs 4 lakh under the scheme.
• Priority to be given in disbursing loans to vocational and employment oriented courses.
• It was launched on Oct 2, 2016.
2. Bihar Municipal Elections
Why in news – Manoj Bajpayee and Pankaj Tripathi have been nominated as brand ambassadors for the municipal elections.
Key Points –
• They have been nominated by the State Election Commission
• It would be held in 224 municipal bodies in 2 phases.
• 1st phase - Polling for 156 Municipal Bodies. 2nd phase - Polling for 68 Municipal Bodies.
POINTERS:
• The World Bank has approved US $ 350 million loan to enhance health services in which state – Gujarat
• Who has been named by the Central Government as the new Director General of the National Centre for Good Governance – Bharat Lal
• In the legislative assembly of which state, the day of 22 September has been reserved for women MLAs – Uttar Pradesh
• Who has been appointed by the Supreme Court to amend the Constitution of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) – L Nageswara Rao
• With whom has Skill India recently partnered to train Indian youth – Samsung
• Which state government has recently decided to withdraw the cattle control bill - Gujarat
• Which state will start its own health insurance scheme CMCHIS – Nagaland
• Where has Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar inaugurated the 3rd edition of the Lokmanthan program recently – Guwahati
• Who has recently been honoured with the Breakthrough Awards 2023 - Daniel Spielman.
• Who has recently won the title of “Chennai Open 2022” - Linda Fruhvirtova