NATIONAL:
1. SMAASH
Why in news – ITI developed self-branded Laptop & Micro PC 'SMAASH'.
Key Points –
• It matches international quality and performance.
• It has been designed in association with Intel Corporation.
• The SMAASH PCs are highly compatible with solar solutions since they take DC input.
INTERNATIONAL:
1. Li Shangfu Missing
Why in news – China’s Defence Minister Li Shangfu is speculated to be ‘missing’.
Key Points –
• Earlier, Foreign Affairs Minister Qin Gang disappeared.
2. Libya Floods
Why in news – Mediterranean storm Daniel caused devastating floods in Libya and broke two dams.
Key Points –
• In the coastal city of Derna alone, at least 5,200 people died.
• Libya is a country in the Maghreb region of North Africa, bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north.
• Other affected cities - Shahhat, Al-Bayda and Marj.
Value Addition –
• Storm Daniel also hit Greece, Turkey and Bulgaria.
• Libya is divided between the internationally recognized government based in Tripoli and Libyan National Army (commander Khalifa Hifter).
GOVERNMENT SCHEMES:
1. Special Campaign 3.0
Why in news – The Centre aims a revenue of Rs 400 crore from non-ferrous scrap disposal during the ‘Special Campaign 3.0’
Key Points –
• Nodal Coordinator - Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (M/o Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions).
• Aim - improving Swachhata and disposal of pending references.
• Coverage - All Offices/ Organisations of Government of India Ministries/ Departments.
• It adopted the saturation approach in the implementation of programs.
RANKS & INDICES:
1. Best Countries Rankings
Why in news – It was released by U.S. News & World Report.
Key Points –
• Top 5 – Switzerland (1st), Canada (2nd), Sweden (3rd), Australia (4th) and United States (5th).
• India Rank – 30th (Score – 46.3).
ECONOMY:
1. Tax on Diesel Vehicles
Why in news – The government might consider an additional 10% GST to be imposed on these vehicles as “pollution tax”.
Key Points –
• The government already imposes a 28% tax on diesel cars, plus an additional cess depending on the engine capacity, taking the total tax to almost 50%.
• Diesel accounts for about 40% of India’s petroleum products consumption.
Value Addition –
• Energy Transition Advisory Committee (Chairman - Tarun Kapoor) –
(a) Set up by - Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas in 2021.
(b) Aim - to draw up an energy transition roadmap for the oil and gas sector.
(c) Recommendation - Ban diesel 4-wheel vehicles by 2027 in cities with a population of more than 1 million.
• India is the world's 3rd largest producer of renewable energy.
• India's target of reaching 40% of the installed capacity from non-fossil energy sources by 2030 has been achieved in November 2021.
SCIENCE – TECH:
1. Comet Nishimura (C/2023 P1)
Why in news – A rare green comet Nishimura was visible today on 12 September 2023.
Key Points –
• It won't be possible to see it again for another 400 years.
• Its orbit takes around 435 years around the sun.
• Hideo Nishimura (Japanese photographer) spotted the comet in August 2023.
• The green colour is caused due to a diatomic carbon molecule formed due to interaction between organic matter and sunlight.
About Comets –
• Made up of rocks, ice, and dust.
• They are leftovers from the formation of the solar system.
• As they orbit closer to the Sun, they spew out gases and dust, which form the tails that they are famous for.
AWARDS & HONOURS:
1. Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan 2023
Why in news – Bhupender Yadav announced awards under the Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan 2023 (clean air survey) in Bhopal.
Key Points –
• Conducted by – M/o Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
• The awards are announced in 3 categories of cities.
• It is based on self-assessments submitted by 130 identified cities under the National Clean Air Program.
SECURITY:
1. Hero Kim Kun Ok
Why in news – North Korea launched new ‘tactical nuclear attack submarine' named Hero Kim Kun Ok.
Key Points –
• It is named after a former North Korean naval leader.
• It would be deployed to the waters between the Korean peninsula and Japan.
IMPORTANT DAYS:
1. Sanatana Dharma Day
Why in news – Louisville city (Kentucky, USA) declared September 3 as Sanatana Dharma Day.
Key Points –
• Louisville Mayor - Craig Greenberg.
2. International Day for South-South Cooperation
Why in news – It is observed on September 12.
Key Points –
• Theme - Solidarity, Equity, and Partnership: Unlocking South-South Cooperation to Achieve the SDGs.
• The Global South refers to underdeveloped or economically disadvantaged nations. (e.g., Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Oceania).
STATES/UTs:
1. Bangus Valley Festival
Why in news – J&K L-G Manoj Sinha inaugurated the Bangus Valley festival.
Key Points –
• It aims to highlight the rural and adventure tourism potential of Bangus valley (Kupwara).
POINTERS:
• NTPC Green Energy Ltd (NGEL) has signed an MoU with whom to develop a Green Hydrogen Hub in Tamil Nadu - V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority (VOCPA).
• Which state has announced Rs 3 lakh subsidy to minority community members on vehicle purchases – Karnataka.
• Which country has won the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) U16 Championship 2023 trophy – India.
• Which medal has Kishore Jena won in "Indian Grand Prix 5 2023 Athletics" in Chandigarh – Gold.
• U.S. chipmaker, NVIDIA,has partnered with whom to build state-of-the-art AI supercomputers in India - Reliance.
• India and Saudi Arabia have signed how many agreements during the State visit of Crown Prince and PM of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman - 8 agreements.
• Which IIM has entered into a game-changing partnership with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) - IIM Indore.
• Which bank has received RBI's approval to make I-Process Services (India) Private Ltd a wholly-owned subsidiary of the lender - ICICI Bank.
• In which city was the first Premier Handball League 2023 organized – Jaipur.
• According to Forbes, for the second consecutive year, which is the most valuable football club in the world with a value of 6.070 billion dollars - Real Madrid.
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