Current Affairs for Competitive Exam by Gkseries –23 August 2022

Current Affairs is the most important area in all competitive exams. But the difficulty level is very high. That’s why; many aspirants get confused, how to select Current Affairs for Preparation of Competitive Examination? In this Post, Daily Current Affairs 23 August 2022, we have tried to cover each and every point and also included all important facts from National/ International news that are useful for upcoming competitive examinations such as UPSC, SSC, Railway, State Govt. etc.

Current Affairs for Competitive Exam – 23 August 2022

Indian Neurologist Dr Sundara Chary elected to global prestigious FAAN

Indian neurologist, Dr N V Sundara Chary has been elected as a Fellow of American Academy of Neurology (FAAN).

It is regarded as one of the world’s most prestigious honour in the field of neurology and medicine.

This honour has been awarded by American Academy of Neurologists (AAN) to very few neurologists across the world for making valuable contributions in the field of neurology. He is a professor and HOD of neurology in Siddhartha Medical College, Vijayawada.

UPI expands to UK, provides hassle-free digital transactions

The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) is ready to foray into the UK market starting with QR code-based transactions.

The NPCI International Payments Ltd (NIPL) has partnered with payments solutions provider, PayXpert to internationalise the acceptance of its payment solutions in the UK.

UAE, Japan, the US, Singapore, Bhutan, Nepal and France are already accepting UPI payment services. NIPL is the wholly-owned subsidiary of National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).

South Korea, US ready begin joint military drills Ulchi Freedom Shield

South Korea and the United States have started began their largest joint military drills, ‘Ulchi Freedom Shield’, and scheduled to end on 1st of September. South Korea has also launched the four-day Ulchi civil defence drills separately, that is designed to boost government readiness.

Aim: To normalise the combined exercises and boost deterrence against North Korea.

The exercise also aimed at improving the country’s preparedness to match the changing patterns of war.

NASA’s Artemis III mission: Moon landing locations

NASA has announced 13 places where it could land the Artemis III mission as it prepares to send people back to the moon. All 13 sites are near the lunar South Pole, which is permanently shadowed and so far unexplored, NASA said Friday.  The following 13 areas have been chosen by NASA as potential landing sites for the NASA’s Artemis III mission: Peak Near Shackleton, Connecting Ridge, Connecting Ridge Extension, Haworth, Malapert Massif, Leibnitz Beta Plateau, Nobile Rim 1, Nobile Rim 2, and Amundsen Rim are some of the features that make up the Faustini Rim A.

The Artemis III lunar mission will be looking to collect samples and study the water ice at the moon’s South Pole. The Artemis III landing, set to take place in 2025, will also see the first woman on the moon.

NASA’s Artemis III mission: Key Points

1. The lunar South Pole is within six degrees of each region’s location, which gives these places scientific significance. This is due to the lunar South Pole’s perpetually dark, resource-rich regions and its uncharted landscape.
2. A team of scientists and engineers of NASA’s Artemis III mission from throughout the agency took into account the lighting conditions, accessibility, closeness to permanently shaded areas, the availability of launch windows, and the capacity to accommodate a safe landing.
3. Long-term habitation of the Moon necessitates sunlight since it serves as a power source and regulates temperature. There are places at each potential site that receive direct sunshine every day for the six and a half days that NASA’s Artemis III mission is expected to last.
4. The 13 potential landing sites will be the subject of talks between NASA and the larger scientific and engineering organisations. Once the space authority has determined the NASA’s Artemis III mission project’s intended launch dates, the final decisions will be made.

Maharashtra to take Rs 4000 cr loan from ADB to set up medical colleges

Maharashtra govt will take a loan of 4,000 crore rupees from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for setting up medical colleges in 12 districts of the state.

12 districts: Jalgaon, Satara, Alibaug, Sindhudurg, Usmanabad, Parbhani, Amravati, Ratnagiri, Gadhchiroli, Bhandara and Ambernath. Asian Development Bank has agreed to provide 4,000 crore rupees for setting up medical colleges in these districts.

The target is to complete all of these projects within the 2 years. 

10th National Conference of Women Police to begin in Shimla, HP

The 10th National Conference of Women Police has been started in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, inaugurated by the Union Minister of State for Home affairs Nityanand Rai. The conference is being organised by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPRD) in collaboration with Himachal Police.

Union Govt awarded GI tag to Bihar’s Mithila Makhana

Union government has awarded Geographical Indication (GI) tag to Bihar’s Mithila Makhana, this move will help farmers to get the maximum price for their premium produce. It is a special variety of aquatic fox nut, that cultivated in Mithila region of Bihar and Nepal. Once a product gets this tag, any person or company cannot sell a similar item under that name.

This tag will be valid for a period of 10 years.

Paytm shareholders approve re-appointment of Vijay Shekhar Sharma as MD

Shareholders of One97 Communications have approved the re-appointment of Vijay Shekhar Sharma as managing director and chief executive officer of Paytm. According to the scrutinizer report, 99.67% votes were in favour of Sharma’s re-appointment while only 0.33% voted against the resolution.

Remuneration of Vijay Shekhar will be remain fixed for the next three years without any annual increment.

Paytm founded: August 2010, Noida

Greece exits ‘enhanced surveillance’ framework of EU

Greece Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis has announced that it has exited the enhanced surveillance framework of European Union after 12 years.

Economic performance and policies of Greece have been monitored under the framework since 2018 to ensure it implemented reforms promised under three international bailouts.

Greece was badly hit with the pension cuts, spending constraint, tax increases and bank controls after it was forced to seek its first bailout in 2010. 

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma launched ‘Vidya Rath – School on Wheels’ project

In a recent development in Assam, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday launched a project ‘Vidya Rath- School on Wheels’, aimed at imparting elementary education to economically challenged children of the society. 

The project was launched at a function held at the premises of Gauhati High Court in Assam by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma along with Chief Justice of Gauhati High Court Justice RM Chhaya. 

What is the Vidya Rath-School project?

The Vidya Rath-School on Wheels will reportedly provide access to elementary education to underprivileged children for 10 months. After 10 months, the children will be integrated into the conventional system of education.

Children will be provided with uniforms and textbooks and free-mid day meals under the project. Students will be provided free mid-day meals, uniforms and textbooks under the project.

The stakeholders involved in the project are the Government of Assam, Assam State Legal Services Authority, Guwahati High Court Legal Services Committee, District Legal Services Authority Kamrup (Metro), Assam State Transport Corporation, and Assam Sarba Siksha Mission, GMDA, and several NGOs.

World Water Week 2022: 23 August to 1 September

World Water Week occurs late August or early September every year. This year, it takes place from August 23 to September 1. There are very few things in the world as relevant to life as water and this event is geared at showing us the benefits that come with this satisfying chemical composition. It is an enlightening conference organized annually by the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) and is themed on different concepts, each addressing a wide range of the world’s water development and sustainability issues.

The theme of the 2022 World Water Week is: “Seeing the unseen: The value of water”, which helps us view water in new and fascinating ways.

This overarching theme is captured in three main perspectives:

• The value of water for people and development.
• The value of water for nature and climate change.
• The financial and economic value of water.

Significance

World Water Week is a community of changemakers who collaborate on solutions to the world’s greatest water-related challenges. Here you can test your ideas, learn from peers in other countries, and share your knowledge. The Week is also a meeting place to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals and other international processes. This year’s World Water Week is an important milestone on the way the UN 2023 Water Conference.