DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS: 22 SEP 2017

DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS: 22 SEP 2017
(DAILY NEWS INDIA)
SHARED BY: WWW.DAILYGK.IN

1.      CABINET APPROVES REVAMPED KHELO INDIA PROGRAM
i. The Union Cabinet has approved the revamped Khelo India program at a cost of Rs.1,756 cr for the period 2017-18 to 2019-20.
ii. The Programme aims at mainstreaming sport as a tool for individual development, community development, economic development and national development.
iii. An unprecedented Pan Indian Sports Scholarship scheme, which would cover 1,000 most talented young athletes. This is the 1st time ever that a long-term athlete development pathway would be made available to gifted and talented youngsters to excel in competitive sports.
iv. The Program aims to promote 20 universities across the country as hubs of sporting excellence, which would enable talented sportspersons to pursue the dual pathway of education and competitive sports. 

2.      WORLD TRADE TO GROW AT HIGHER 3.6% IN 2017: WTO
i. World trade in goods is estimated to grow at a higher 3.6% in 2017 compared to 1.6% increase in 2016, according to revised estimates circulated by the World Trade Organisation.
ii. Growth in global trade was earlier projected at 2.4% in 2017 by the WTO, which attributed the improved outlook to a resurgence of Asian trade flows. This was mainly due to intra-regional shipments picking up and a recovery in import demand in North America.

3.      INDIA REPLACES CHINA AS TOP RETAIL DESTINATION IN 2017
i. India has replaced China as the top retail destination in 2017 as part of the global retail development index. The change in ranking was an outcome of 4 factors including increased consumer spending beyond essentials, rising mobile and internet penetration, favorable foreign investment climate and bold action on cashless transaction and GST.
ii. In addition to the bigger retailers and brands, the mid-size brands from across the world are also looking to cash on the relaxed retail policy in India.

4.      ZANNAH MUSTAPHA WINS UNHCR NANSEN REFUGEE AWARD
i. A Nigerian, Zannah Mustapha has won the UN High Commission for Refugees 2017 Nansen Refugees Award. He is the Director of Future Prowess Islamic Foundation School. Mr. Mustapha is the first Nigerian recipient of the award.
ii. Mr. Mustapha was chosen as the winner of the award for his humanitarian work in championing the rights of children.

5.      OFFICIAL SLOGAN AND EMBLEM OF FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP FRANCE 2019 LAUNCHED
i. The official emblem and slogan for FIFA Women's World Cup France 2019 were unveiled in Paris, France. The emblem features the competition trophy wrapped in blue and white, with eight shards of light around football at the top of the trophy symbolizing the eighth edition of the FIFA Women's World Cup.
ii. The slogan of the tournament "Dare To Shine" reflects the development of football, especially women's football.

6.      WEST BENGAL GETS $300 MILLION LOAN FROM ADB FOR FISCAL REFORMS
i. Asian Development Bank has approved a loan of $ 300 million to carry out fiscal reforms in West Bengal to make public services more accessible, affordable, and high quality.
ii. The reforms would be implemented in a period of 2 years. The reforms include linking medium term expenditure plans to actual budgets, strengthening internal audit system and enhancements in the integrated financial management system.
iii. The reforms also include improved tax monitoring and support for information technology systems in tax and land administration.
iv. Gross state domestic product is expected to rise to 2.2 % by 2021- 2022 after these reforms.

7.      DR.SEKHAR BASU ATTENDED 61ST IAEA GENERAL CONFERENCE IN VIENNA, AUSTRIA
i. Dr.Sekhar Basu, Chairman of Atomic Energy Commission and Secretary of Department of Atomic Energy attended the 61st IAEA General Conference held in Vienna, Austria.
ii. The 61st Annual International Atomic Energy Agency General Conference is conducted  at the Vienna International Centre in Vienna, Austria.
iii. Representatives of IAEA Member States discuss various issues in the Conference. Dr.Sekhar Basu announced that India is collaborating with Russia to build the Roppur power plant in Bangladesh, at the IAEA General Conference. This is India’s first atomic energy plant abroad.

8.      B SAMBAMURTHY APPOINTED AS NPCI INTERIM BOARD CHAIRMAN
i. The Board of National Payments Corporation of India has appointed of B Sambamurthy as interim Chairman of the Board.
ii. NPCI is an umbrella organisation for all retail payment systems in the country. Sambamurthy has replaced Balachandran M.
iii. Prior to that Sambamurthy was formerly Director and CEO of Institute for Development and Research in Banking Technology and Chairman and Managing Director of Corporation Bank.

9.      FINO PAYMENTS BANK LAUNCHES MOBILE BANKING APP – BPAY
i. Fino Payments Bank launched its mobile banking app called BPay in India. BPay is an extension of its already existing wallet in the same name that was launched in December 2016.
ii. This app enables simple, paperless and convenient banking that allows customers to make bill payments, recharges, fund transfers and buy insurance. It also allows customers to access wallet as well as savings account, with a single login.
iii. Also, people can open Fino bank account from BPay mobile app. More customer-centric features would be added to BPay in future.

10.  INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE: SEPTEMBER 21, 2017
i. The International Day of Peace is observed around the world on 21 September. The General Assembly has declared this as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and peoples.
ii. The theme for 2017 is “Together for Peace: Respect, Safety and Dignity for All.”
iii. The theme defines the spirit of TOGETHER, a global initiative that promotes respect, safety and dignity for everyone forced to flee their homes and those leaving in search of a better life.
iv. The International Day of Peace focuses on engaging and mobilizing people throughout the world to show support for refugees and migrants. It is about bringing people together and reminding them of their common humanity.

OBJECTIVE QUESTIONS BASED ON TODAY’S NEWS

Q1. WHICH STATE HAS RECEIVED $300 MILLION LOAN FROM ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK FOR FISCAL REFORMS?
a)  West Bengal
b)  Gujarat
c)  Sikkim
d)  Bihar
Q2. WHERE DID THE 61ST IAEA GENERAL CONFERENCE HELD?
a)  Budapest , Hungary
b)  Vienna, Austria
c)  Hamburg , Germany
d)  Moscow, Russia
Q3. TO WHICH ORGANIZATION B SAMBAMURTHY APPOINTED AS INTERIM CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD?
a)  NBTC
b)  NACP
c)  NPCI
d)  NBCC
Q4. LAWYER ZANNAH MUSTAPHA’S WAS AWARDED WITH UNHCR TOP UN PEACE PRIZE. HE BELONGS TO WHICH COUNTRY? 
a)  Austria
b)  South Africa
c)  Cuba
d)  Nigeria
Q5. WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING BANK HAS LAUNCHED ITS MOBILE BANKING APP CALLED BPAY IN INDIA?
a)  Catholic Syrian Bank
b)  Fino Payment Bank
c)  RBL Bank
d)  Federal Bank

ANSWERS:
1 - C    2 - A    3 - D    4 - B    5 - A