Science & Technology
1. NASA’s DART Mission successfully changed the course of an asteroid
- NASA has announced that Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) spacecraft has successfully managed to change the motion of the asteroid 'Dimorphos'.
- This is the first demonstration of the “kinetic impactor” method of asteroid mitigation
- It was launched in November 2021 and crashed into the space rock on September 26, 2022
- Prior, it took Dimorphos 11 hours and 55 minutes to orbit its asteroid Didymos, now it changed the moonlet asteroid’s orbit by 32 minutes
National & International Organizations
2. WWF report: Wildlife population decline by 69% worldwide since 1970
- As per the WWF's Living Planet Report 2022, the Wildlife populations have been declined by 69% between 1970 and 2018.
- Latin America and Caribbean regions have seen the largest decline (94%) of monitored wildlife populations globally.
- Wildlife populations have dipped by 66% in Africa and 5% in Asia Pacific.
- While, Freshwater populations have declined by 83% on average as compared to other species groups.
- As per the IUCN Red List, cycads are the most threatened species.
Science & Technology
3. CESL sets up first integrated solar charging station in Ladakh region
- Convergence Energy Services Ltd (CESL) has set up a solar-powered charging station for electric vehicles in the Ladakh region.
- The integrated carport was inaugurated by LG of Ladakh, R K Mathur in Leh.
- He also handed over customised electric cars that was manufactured by Hyundai Motor Company.
- The EV carport constitutes 100 kW solar PV panels with a 860 kW/hour lithium-ion battery storage system.
- CESL is a wholly owned subsidiary of EESL under the Ministry of Power.
Schemes
4. Cabinet approves 'PM-DevINE' for North-Eastern states
- The Union Cabinet has approved a Rs 6,600-crore scheme, PM-DevINE, to fund the infrastructure projects in the northeastern states.
- PM-DevINE refers to the Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for North East Region.
- It will be applicable for the next four years of the 15th Finance Commission from 2022-23 to 2025-26.
- This is a 100% central funding scheme and will be implemented by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER).
Defense
5. Rajnath Singh to launch 'Maa Bharati Ke Sapoot' website
- Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh will launch ‘Maa Bharati Ke Sapoot’ website on October 14, 2022.
- Aim: To enable citizens to contribute for the Armed Forces Battle Casualties Welfare Fund (AFBCWF).
- It is a Tri service fund that will be utilised for grant of immediate financial assistance of ex-gratia, to the Next of Kin and dependents of Battle Casualties.
- The government appoints veteran actor, Amitabh Bachchan as the Goodwill Ambassador.
Sports
6. 36th National Games medal tally topped by Services Sports Control Board
- The 36th National Games has been concluded on October 12, 2022 at Surat, Gujarat.
- The closing ceremony was chaired by Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar.
- The medal tally of 36th National Games has been topped by Services with a total of 128 medals (61 Gold, 35 silver, and 32 bronze), followed by Maharashtra and Haryana.
- Best female player: Harshika Ramchandran (Karnataka)
- Best Male player: Sajan Prakash (Kerala)
- Goa will host the 37th National Games in October 2023.
National Affairs
7. Google launches Play Points in India
- Google has launched its global rewards programme named 'Play Points' in India.
- Aim: To allow users to earn points and rewards for using Google Play Store billing for in-app purchases, subscriptions and buying apps, games, movies, and ebooks.
- This programme was first launched in 2018 and available in 28 other countries.
- This programme is fully funded by Google.
- It will only be available on the use of Google Play billing and will not be applicable on third party billing.
National & International Organizations
8. India climbs six places in CRI Index 2022
- As per the Commitment to Reducing Inequality Index 2022, India has ranked 123 out of 161 countries, improved its ranking by six places.
- Findings: India has reduced inequality but continues to be among the lowest performers in health spending.
- Top three: Norway, Germany and Australia
- Prepared by: Oxfam International and Development Finance International (DFI).
- It measures the governments policies and actions in three areas (health, education, and social protection).
Banking & Finance
9. RBL Bank, BookMyShow partner to launch ‘Play’ credit card
- RBL Bank and BookMyShow have partnered to launch a new credit card named ‘Play’.
- With this card, RBL Bank will be able to reach BMS's wide base of 200 million monthly customer visits.
- This card will be available to select customers on BookMyShow and give them access to offers on transactions.
- While BMS customers can purchase this credit card for an annual fee of Rs 500.
- Earlier in 2016, RBL Bank had partnered with BMS for the launch of Fun Plus credit card.
National & International Organizations
10. JSW Steel joins UN Global Compact initiative for sustainability
- JSW Steel has joined as the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) network, world’s largest voluntary corporate sustainability initiative.
- JSW Steel is the fifth Indian company in the "Industrial Mining and Manufacturing" category.
- Aim: To conduct business responsibly by aligning their operations and strategies with the UN’s Ten Principles.
- It also commits companies to take actions to advance broader social benefits in accordance with UN SDGs.
Obituaries
11. Padma Shri, Dr Temsula Ao passes away
- Padma Shri awardee Naga writer, Temsula Ao has been passed away at the age of 80 in Dimapur, Nagaland.
- She had also served as the Chairperson of the Nagaland State Commission for Women.
- She was conferred with the Padma Shri in 2007 and also won Sahitya Akademi Award, Nagaland Governor’s Award for Distinction in Literature.
- Books: 'Books of Songs', 'Poetry Here and There', 'These Hills Called Home', 'The Tombstone in My Garden'
Banking & Finance
12. India's CPI inflation surged to 7.4% in September 2022
- As per the data released by the National Statistical Office (NSO), the retail inflation of India has been increased to 7.41% in September 2022.
- The number retains above the RBI upper tolerance band (2-6 per cent) for the ninth straight month.
- The food inflation has been surged to a 22-month high of 8.6% while core inflation rose to a 4-month high of 6.3%.
- Meanwhile, industrial growth has been contracted 0.8% in August as compared to 2.4% in July.
Banking & Finance
13. World Bank extends unconditional loan of $250 million for SALT project
- The World Bank (WB) has extended an unconditional loan of $250 million to the Supporting Andhra’s Learning Transformation (SALT) project.
- SALT project aims to improve the quality of learning for students in Andhra Pradesh.
- The SALT is the first project in the school education sector to be funded by the World Bank without any precondition.
- It is a five-year result-oriented programme, for which World Bank release funds after key goals are achieved.
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