Today's Current Affairs 6th September 2023

INTERNATIONAL

Vanuatu parliament elects Sato Kilman as prime minister amid China-US rivalry in Pacific Islands

• Vanuatu’s parliament elected Sato Kilman as the nation’s new prime minister after a court upheld a vote of no-confidence in his predecessor, who had sought closer ties with US allies amid China-US rivalry in the Pacific Islands. Kilman, a former prime minister and leader of the People’s Progressive Party, was elected prime minister 27/23 in a secret ballot by lawmakers. Kilman received a total of 27 votes, while Kalsakau got 23 votes. Kilman, 65, was the deputy PM in Kalsakau’s government before being removed in May. At the time Kalsakau had stated that Kilman’s dismissal was for “stability of the coalition government”.
• Vanuatu is an archipelago of 83 islands, of which 16 are inhabited. The largest islands are Espiritu Santo, Malakula, Efate, Erromango, Ambrym, Tanna, Pentecost, Epi, Ambae or Aoba, Gaua, Vanua Lava, Maewo, Malo and Aneityum or Anatom.
• The capital of Vanuatu is Port Vila, which is located on the island of Efate. Other major towns include Luganville on Espiritu Santo and Isangel on Tanna.

 NATIONAL

Jal Jeevan Mission Achieves Milestone: 13 Crore Rural Households now have Tap Connections

• In a significant achievement, the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) has provided tap water connections to an impressive 13 crore rural households, marking a remarkable journey since its launch on India’s 73rd Independence Day, August 15, 2019. This mission, guided by the principles of speed and scale, has rapidly expanded access to clean water in rural areas, progressing from 3.23 crore households in August 2019 to the current milestone in just four years.
• Several states and union territories, including Goa, Telangana, Haryana, Gujarat, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Puducherry, Daman & Diu, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, have achieved 100% tap water coverage.
• Bihar and Mizoram are making substantial progress, nearing full coverage at 96.39% and 92.12%, respectively, with all households and public institutions receiving consistent and safe water supply.
• Across the nation, 145 districts and 1,86,818 villages report 100% coverage, underscoring the mission’s wide-reaching impact.

Indian Scientists Unveil the World’s First Rapid-Response Disaster Hospital: Aarogya Maitri

• India has unvieled the world’s first portable disaster hospital, a groundbreaking facility that can be airlifted and consists of 72 cubes. This extraordinary endeavor is a component of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ambitious “Project BHISHM” (Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita and Maitri), unveiled in February 2022. The project was officially inaugurated during the MedTech Expo in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
• The heart of this innovative disaster hospital lies in its 72 cubes, each containing an array of essential equipment and supplies. Among these are an operation theatre, a mini-ICU, ventilators, blood test equipment, an X-ray machine, a cooking station, food, water, shelter, a power generator, and more. These cubes are ingeniously designed to provide critical medical care and humanitarian aid in the wake of natural disasters and humanitarian crises.
• One of the most remarkable features of the Aarogya Maitri Cube is its ability to handle a wide range of severe injuries, including 40 bullet injuries, 25 major burns, around 10 head injuries, long limb fractures, spinal injuries, chest injuries, and spinal fractures. This versatile disaster hospital is engineered to address the diverse medical needs of survivors in challenging conditions.

 SPORTS

Thailand's Nattaya Boochatham becomes first bowler from associate nation to pick up 100 Wickets in WT20Is

• Thailand women’s cricket team’s star spinner Nattaya Boochatham created history with her three wickets against Kuwait in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Asia Region Qualifier, September 4. Nattaya completed 100 wickets in T20Is to become the first-ever cricketer, male or female, to reach the 100-wicket mark in international cricket.
• The 36-year-old spin all-rounder now has taken 101 wickets in 73 ODI matches at an average of 9.96 and becomes the first-ever cricketer to take 100 wickets at a bowling average below 10. She becomes the only 11th cricketer in the world with 100 T20I wickets in women’s cricket but possesses the best bowling average in the list. She will join the current world no.1 bowler Sophie Ecclestone’s 102 wickets tally if she picks one wicket in Thailand’s next game against Hong Kong on September 6.
• The veteran off-spinner pulled off a sensational spell with three wickets while conceding just three runs in three overs against Kuwait. However, the game was abandoned after nine-play rain interrupted the crucial qualifier fixture at Selangor Turf Club in Kuala Lumpur. Thailand still stand a chance to progress into the semi-final round.

SUMMIT'S & MOU's

NTPC to host conference on 'Green Hydrogen Pilots in India'

• In the run-up to the highly anticipated G20 Summit, a pivotal conference centered around “green hydrogen pilots in India” took place in New Delhi on September 5. Hosted by NTPC Limited, a leading Indian public sector undertaking, this one-day event showcased a remarkable array of green hydrogen initiatives, combining the efforts of both public and private sector entities.
• The conference served as a platform for participants to witness pioneering pilot projects and gain invaluable insights into the future of clean energy in India. As the world increasingly recognizes the importance of transitioning to eco-friendly energy sources, these green hydrogen pilots offered a glimpse into the potential of this promising technology.
• A wide array of green hydrogen pilots was on display at the conference, each highlighting unique aspects of the clean energy landscape.

India extends support to SCO member countries to enhance legal, judicial capabilities:Law Ministry

• The 10th meeting of the Ministers of Law and Justice of SCO countries was convened via video conferencing, where several key initiatives and cooperative efforts were discussed. During this meeting, India reaffirmed its commitment to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) by extending support to member countries in enhancing their legal and judicial capabilities.
• The meeting commenced in a cordial atmosphere with a message from Chinese President Xi Jinping, who emphasized the importance of cooperation and understanding among SCO members. President Xi called for the realization of SCO’s objectives and visions, aiming to optimize the organization’s contribution to the holistic development of the region.
• Indian Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal reiterated India’s commitment to the SCO charter, which is based on principles such as mutual trust, respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, and mutual benefit. He cited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of India as a “universal friend” and highlighted the importance of trust in government policies and practices.

 BANKING AND ECONOMY

SBI announces introduction of UPI interoperability on CBDC

• The State Bank of India (SBI) has taken a significant leap in the world of digital currency by announcing the successful implementation of Unified Payments Interface (UPI) interoperability with its Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC), also known as the Digital Rupee. This development is poised to revolutionize the way transactions are conducted, making digital currency more accessible and user-friendly.
• Accessible through the ‘eRupee by SBI’ application, this new feature allows SBI CBDC users to effortlessly scan any merchant UPI QR code, simplifying and expediting transactions.
• With this integration, the State Bank of India aims to bridge the gap between CBDC and the widely adopted UPI platform, bringing convenience and efficiency to the forefront of digital payments.
• SBI’s journey towards CBDC integration began with its active participation in the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) retail digital e-rupee project, which commenced in December 2022.

RBI allows banks to enable UPI payments through pre-sanctioned credit line

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced a significant expansion of the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) System, allowing users to transact with pre-sanctioned credit lines issued by banks. This move marks a major development in India’s digital payment landscape, enabling greater financial flexibility and convenience for consumers.
• The UPI System was primarily used for transactions involving deposited amounts. However, as of April 6, 2023, the RBI has proposed an expansion of the UPI System to include pre-sanctioned credit lines.
• This means that individuals can now make transactions using credit lines that have been pre-approved by scheduled commercial banks.
• The UPI System’s scope has been expanded to include various types of accounts, including savings accounts, overdraft accounts, prepaid wallets, and credit cards.
• This comprehensive approach aims to provide users with more options and flexibility when conducting digital transactions.

Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan Launches Malaviya Mission - Teachers Training Programme

• Dharmendra Pradhan, the Union Minister for Education, introduced the Malaviya Mission – Teacher Training Program at Kaushal Bhawan in New Delhi as a crucial step in improving the standard of education in India. This ambitious project, spearheaded by the University Grants Commission (UGC) in partnership with the Ministry of Education, seeks to transform faculty capacity building and teacher preparation programs across the country’s higher education institutions.
• One of the primary objectives of the Malaviya Mission is to provide specialized and tailored training programs for teachers.
• Recognizing that teaching methods and educational requirements have evolved, the program seeks to equip educators with the latest knowledge, skills, and tools necessary to excel in their roles.
• This emphasis on tailored training ensures that teachers can adapt to the changing dynamics of education effectively.
• In a symbolic gesture, Minister Pradhan announced the renaming of Human Resource Development Centres (HRDCs) as Madan Mohan Malaviya Teachers’ Training Centres.
• This renaming not only pays tribute to the renowned educationist Madan Mohan Malaviya but also underscores the program’s commitment to elevating the status of teacher training in India.