Current Affairs

5^th March 2023

Top 14 Daily GK Updates: National & International News

Here is the Daily GK Update of the 05th March 2022 covering the following news headlines: ICC Women’s World Cup New Zealand 2022, National Mission for Clean Ganga, World Obesity Day 2022, Hero MotoCorp, Bharti AXA Life Insurance.

National News

1. India’s first FSRU Hoegh Giant Arrives at Jaigarh Terminal

H-Jaigarh Energy’s Terminal in Maharashtra has received India’s first floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU). On April 12, 2021, the FSRU Höegh Giant arrived at Jaigarh Terminal in Maharashtra after sailing from Keppel Shipyard in Singapore. This will be India’s first FSRU-based LNG receiving terminal, as well as Maharashtra’s first year-around LNG facility.

The Höegh Giant, which was erected in 2017, has a storage capacity of 1,70,000 cubic metres and a regasification capacity of 750 million cubic feet per day (equivalent to about six million tpa). FSRU has been chartered for a 10-year period by H-Energy.

The Höegh Giant LNG terminal will be connected to the national gas grid via the 56-kilometer Jaigarh-Dabhol natural gas pipeline.

The facility will also deliver LNG to onshore distribution via truck loading facilities. Reloading LNG into small-scale LNG vessels for bunkering services is also possible at the plant

H-Energy also plans to boost the region’s small-scale LNG market, utilising FSRU for LNG storage and reloading into smaller boats.

2. MEA Unveils Special Logo for 75 Years of Indo-Dutch Diplomatic Relation

The 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and the Netherlands is being commemorated this year. Sanjay Verma, Secretary (West) in the Ministry of External Affairs, and Marten van den Berg, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to India, launched a joint logo on March 2, 2022, to commemorate the occasion.

The logo features the national flowers of both the countries, the lotus and the tulip. The chakra in the heart of the logo represents our friendship, and the flag colours emphasise the ties that exist between Indians and Dutch people.

Throughout the year, a variety of events and activities in a variety of sectors of cooperation, including water, agriculture, innovation, energy, climate, and culture, are planned to commemorate the 75th anniversary.

The Netherlands gifted 3000 fresh tulips to India as a symbol of goodwill for Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, which were planted in the Jawaharlal Nehru Bhawan gardens.

In 1947, India and the Netherlands established diplomatic ties. Since then, the two countries have established significant political, economic, and commercial ties, as well as a variety of sectoral collaborations.

International News

3. SWISS to Become World’s First Airlines to Use Solar Aviation fuel 

Swiss International Air Lines AG (SWISS or Swiss Air Lines) and its parent company, Lufthansa Group have partnered with Switzerland based solar fuels start-up, Synhelion SA (Synhelion) to use its solar aviation fuel.

Swiss International Airlines will become the first airline to use solar aviation fuel (“sun-to-liquid” fuel) to help power its flights. SWISS will become the first customer of solar kerosene in 2023.

For this, Synhelion has developed a technology for manufacturing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from renewable energy sources. When combusted solar fuel will only produce as much CO2 as went into its manufacture, cutting aviation emissions.

Synhelion is set to build the world’s first facility to industrially produce solar fuel in Jülich, Germany. The plant will become operational from 2022 onwards.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

Swiss International Air Lines AG Headquarters: Basel, Switzerland;

Swiss International Air Lines AG Founded: 1 April 2002;

Swiss International Air Lines AG Chairman: Reto Francioni;

Swiss International Air Lines AG CEO: Dieter Vranckx.

Appointments News

4. Vidya Balan named as Brand Ambassador of Bharti AXA Life Insurance 

Bharti AXA Life Insurance has appointed National Award-winning actress VidyaBalan as its Brand Ambassador. She as the brand ambassador will help in promoting the #DoTheSmartThing champion of Bharti AXA Life Insurance.

Bharti AXA Life Insurance is a joint venture of Bharti, India’s leading business group and AXA, one of the world’s leading organizations in financial protection and wealth management.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

MD & CEO of  Bharti AXA Life Insurance: Parag Raja;

Bharti AXA Life Insurance Founded: 2007;

Bharti AXA Life Insurance Parent organization: Bharti Enterprises.

5. Jet Airways named Sanjiv Kapoor as CEO 2022

Sanjiv Kapoor has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Jet Airways. Prior to this, Kapoor was the president of Oberoi Hotels and has also worked as a chief operating officer at SpiceJet and chief strategy and commercial officer at Vistara.

He has worked as the Chief Strategy and Commercial Officer of Vistara Airlines for three years, and Chief Operating Officer of SpiceJet for two years. The Jalan Kalrock Consortium is the new promoter of Jet Airways.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

Jet Airways CEO: Vinay Dube;

Jet Airways Founder: Naresh Goyal;

Jet Airways Founded: 1 April 1992, Mumbai.

Agreements News

6. India & International Telecommunication Union Sign Host Country Agreement 

The Government of India has signed the Host Country Agreement (HCA) with International Telecommunication Union (ITU) for the establishment of an Area Office & Innovation Centre of ITU in New Delhi. The Host Country Agreement provides the legal and financial framework for the establishment and operations of the Area Office.

The Area Office and Innovation Centre of ITU at New Delhi will serve South Asian countries comprising of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Iran, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka and India.

The agreement was signed between Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister of Communications and H.E. Houlin Zhao, Secretary-General of ITU, in a virtual ceremony during the World Telecommunications Standardisation Assembly-20 (WTSA-20) being held in Geneva, Switzerland.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

International Telecommunication Union Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland;

International Telecommunication Union Founded: 17 May 1865;

International Telecommunication Union Secretary-General: Houlin Zhao.

Banking News

7. UPI transactions value dips

According to the data from the National Payments Corporation of India, India’s cashless retail transactions on the UPI platform were Rs 8.27 lakh crore in February, a little decrease from the previous month’s total (NPCI). In February 2022, there were 452 crores (4.52 billions) in transactions.

The overall value of cashless retail transactions on the BHIM UPI network stood at Rs 8.32 lakh crore in January, with 461 crore transactions (4.61 billion).

According to NPCI, the value of the automatic collection at toll plazas utilising the NETC FASTag technology increased slightly in February, with over 24.36 crore transactions (243.64 million) worth Rs 3,631.22 crore.

NETC FASTag toll collections were valued at Rs 3,603.71 crore by way of 23.10 crore (231.01 million) transactions in the previous month.

Instant money can be transferred through 24×7 IMPS that is Immediate Payment Service fell to Rs 3.84 lakh crore in February as against Rs 3.87 lakh crore in January. During the same period, the number of such transactions is at 42 crores (420.93 million) as compared against 44 crores (440.17 million), as per the data.

Awards News

8. NMCG awarded ‘Special Jury Award’ for Ganga rejuvenation 

National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) has been awarded the ‘Special Jury Award’ at the 7th India Industry Water Conclave and the 9th edition of the FICCI Water Awards.

NMCG has been awarded for its effort in reviving River Ganga and bringing about a paradigm shift in water management.

The 9th edition of the FICCI Water Awards were organised at the FICCI’s 7th India Industry Water Conclave, held virtually on March 02 and 03, 2022.

The Citation underlines the complexity of the task of rejuvenation of the entire Ganga basin and the importance of engaging with diverse stakeholders particularly the people-river connect which forms the basis of NMCG’s approach to the challenging task.

G Asok Kumar was appointed as the new Director-General of the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG).

Summits and Conferences News

9. Minister of Electronics & IT inaugurates Tech Conclave 2022

National Informatics Centre (NIC) has partnered with governments on digital initiatives. We’ve constructed state-of-the-art PAN-India ICT infrastructure, digital platforms, and solutions for the government’s exclusive usage over the years. We’ve helped the federal and state governments automate their procedures and deliver public services electronically.

The benefits can range from gaining a better grasp of the industry’s ICT best practises to disseminating awareness of the latest technologies and trends that are useful in the society’s big digital transition.

The Tech Conclave will provide IT managers from government ministries and departments with information on the latest ICT technology and their applications, as well as industry best practices.

It will also provide a forum for state IT secretaries to learn more about innovative technologies and applications that can be implemented in their jurisdictions.

It would allow contact between government industry and IT managers, greatly contributing to capacity building, particularly in government operations across the country, and assisting in the delivery of high-quality citizen-centric services.

Sports News

10. ICC Women’s World Cup New Zealand 2022 begins

The ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022 has kicked off on March 04, 2022, in New Zealand. This is the 12 edition of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, being held in New Zealand from March 04 to April 03, 2022.

The opening match of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2022 was held at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui between West Indies and New Zealand, in which West Indies women beat New Zealand by 3 runs. India will open against Pakistan on the 6th of March.

Key points:

The final match is scheduled to take place at the Hagley Oval stadium.

Total 8 teams are participating which includes, New Zealand, Australia, England, South Africa, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and West Indies.

Important Days

11. World Obesity Day 2022 Observed globally on 04th March 

World Obesity Day is observed every year on March 04. It is observed to spread awareness about obesity and encourage action towards its elimination. The day is organised by the World Obesity Federation, a non-profit body that is in official relations with the World Health Organisation.

The theme of World Obesity Day 2022 is ‘Everybody Needs to Act’. The campaign aims to improve the world’s understanding, prevention and treatment of obesity.

World Obesity Day goes way back to the year 2015, wherein a non-profit organization worked closely with World Health Organisation and Lancet Commission in helping spread awareness. Later in 2016, the focus was shifted to childhood obesity, while later in 2017, the idea was to treat obesity now and avoid consequences later.

Obituaries News

12. Former Indian Army Chief General S F Rodrigues passes away

General S F Rodrigues, who had served as Chief of the Indian Army from 1990 to 1993 passes away at the age of 88 years. General Sunith Francis Rodrigues was also the Governor of Punjab from 2004 to 2010.

He had served two terms on the National Security Advisory Board. Since his retirement, he has been engaged in social and literary pursuits and has also delivered numerous talks on strategic issues. The nation and the Indian Army will always be indebted to his invaluable contribution and service to the nation.

13. Oscar-winning producer Alan Walbridge Ladd Jr passes away

The Oscar-winning producer, Former Executive at Twentieth Century Fox, who greenlit ‘Star Wars’ and ‘Braveheart’, Alan Ladd Junior has passed away at the age of 84 years. He was affectionately known as “Laddie”.

He won the Academy Award (Oscar award) for Best Picture ‘Braveheart’ directed by Mel Gibson in 1995. He was one of the founders of the Ladd Company, established in 1979.

Miscellaneous News

14. Hero MotoCorp named New EV Brand ‘Vida’ 2022

Hero MotoCorp has unveiled a new brand “Vida”, (Vida means life) for its emerging mobility solutions and upcoming electric vehicles. Vida brand has been unveiled by Dr Pawan Munjal, Chairman and CEO of Hero MotoCorp, on March 3, 2022, in Dubai.

He also announced a $100 million Global Sustainability Fund that will help the company to nurture more than 10,000 entrepreneurs on ESG solutions.

The first electric vehicle under the Vida brand will be officially unveiled on July 1, 2022, to coincide with the birth anniversary of Dr Brijmohan Lall, Chairman Emeritus of Hero MotoCorp.