23rd September, 2021 Current Affairs

Sakshi Education

National

PM Modi arrives in Washington DC on four-day visit to United States

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Washington DC on a four-day visit to the US.
PM Modi will meet Kamala Harris & top CEOs of American companies.
Mr. Modi will interact with top CEOs of US Companies from QUALCOMM, ADOBE, First Solar, Blackstone and General Atomics.
He will also hold bilateral meetings with his Australian counterpart, Scott Morrison and the Japanese Premier Yoshihide Suga.
Mr. Modi will have a one to one meeting with the US Vice President Kamala Harris. They would explore areas of co-operation in science and technology.
In his departure statement, the Prime Minister said, he will review the India-U.S. Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership with President Joe Biden and exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interest.
He said, he is also looking forward to meeting Vice President Kamala Harris to explore opportunities for cooperation between the two nations, particularly in the area of science and technology.
During his four-day visit to United States, Prime Minister will address the UN General Assembly and attend the Quad leaders Summit as well as hold a bilateral meet with US President Joe Biden at the White House.

Ayushman Bharat completes three years

India’s flagship health programme, Ayushman Bharat – the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana has completed three years.
Around two crore 20 lakh people have been benefited under the scheme launched on this day in 2018 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
It is the world’s largest health care programme provides a health cover of five lakh rupees annually to vulnerable families and aims at benefiting more than ten crore poor families across the country.
National Health Authority Chief Executive Officer Dr. R.S. Sharma said, in the three years of its launch, the scheme has contributed significantly to address the challenge of equitable access to in-patient healthcare for the poor.
He said barring West Bengal, Odisha and Delhi, 33 states and Union territories are implementing the scheme.

India urges global community help Afghanistan

India has urged the global community to come forward and join hands to address the humanitarian needs of the people of Afghanistan.
External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar told in New York that the agencies involved in providing assistance to the Afghan people must get unimpeded, unrestricted and direct access to the affected citizens in the war ravaged nation.
He was addressing the G20 Foreign ministers meeting on Afghanistan.
He also reiterated that the Taliban must implement its commitment not to allow the use of Afghan soil for terrorism in any manner.
Mr. Jaishankar said that the world expects a broad-based inclusive process that involves representation from all sections of Afghan society.

INTERNATIONAL

UN releases emergency funds to prevent Afghanistan’s healthcare system from collapsing

The United Nations aid chief said that he has released 45 million Dollar in emergency funds to help prevent Afghanistan’s battered healthcare system from collapsing.
Martin Griffiths, the UN’s Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, warned in a statement that medicines, medical supplies and fuel are running out in Afghanistan. Cold chains are compromised. Essential health-care workers are not being paid, he said.
Afghanistan’s healthcare system was plunged into crisis after the Taliban swept into power last month, complicating aid deliveries and leaving many health facilities understaffed.
In a bid to avert catastrophe, Griffiths said he was releasing funds from the UN’s Central Emergency Response Fund to boost life-saving support in Afghanistan. Allowing Afghanistan’s healthcare delivery system to fall apart would be disastrous, he added.
The UN is determined to stand by the people of Afghanistan in their hour of need, Griffiths said.
The funds, he said, would go to the UN’s health and children’s agencies, allowing them with the help of partner NGOs to keep hospitals, Covid-19 centers and other health facilities operating until the end of the year.

India, UAE launch negotiations for CEPA

Union Minister Piyush Goyal said it is a matter of great satisfaction that India and UAE have launched the negotiations for a mutually beneficial Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.
Issuing a joint press statement with UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Mr. Goyal said te first round of CEPA negotiations will be held for two days.
Both sides will aim to conclude negotiations by December this year and sign a formal agreement in March 2022 after the completion of internal legal procedures and ratification.
India and the UAE are among each other’s largest trading partners. The Minister said CEPA will enhance bilateral trade and investment flows. He said this will assist in post-Covid economic recovery and future economic growth of both nations.
He said it will also create new job opportunities, raise living standards, and improve the general welfare of the people of the two countries.
Mr. Goyal expressed confidence that quick conclusion of the CEPA and India’s participation in the World Expo at Dubai from 1st October this year will further strengthen the excellent trade and economic ties between the two countries under framework of Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

ECONOMY

World is emerging from shadow of coronavirus; RBI Governor

RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das said that there are signs that the world is emerging from the shadow of coronavirus.
While delivering the keynote address at the 48th National Management Convention of the All India Management Association, Mr. Das said the time is right to plan for an economy which is stronger, more inclusive and sustainable.
Stating that the pandemic has provided a new impetus to technology-driven companies such as fintech, edtech and healthtech, RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das said the forces of ‘creative destruction’ are expected to boost productivity by encouraging greater competition, dynamism and innovation in several sectors of the economy.
Talking about the achievements of India’s manufacturing sector, Mr. Das said the country has turned from being an importer to an exporter of mobile phones.
He said the trend is likely to spill over to other sectors also; enhancing India’s share in Global Value Chain and increasing the competitiveness of India’s large and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.
However, warning of uneven global recovery, the RBI Governor said multilateralism will lose credibility if it fails to ensure equitable access to vaccines across countries.
He added that securing the health and immunity of the poor would mean a great leap towards inclusive growth.

Global crude oil prices climbs over 1 dollar
Global crude oil prices climbed more than 1 dollar on 22-09-2021, extending overnight gains after industry data showed US crude stocks fell more than expected last week in the wake of two hurricanes.
Brent crude oil futures surged 1.09 dollar to 75.45 dollars a barrel, after gaining 44 cents. US crude futures rose 1.18 dollars to 71.67 dollars, after adding 35 cents.
The oil market’s focus turned to concerns of tight supply.
US crude stocks fell by 6.1 million barrels for the week ended Sept. 17. Global gas prices are expected to break records this winter as a hot northern hemisphere summer leaves inventories low in key markets.
Supply is expected to stay tight after Royal Dutch Shell, the largest U.S. Gulf of Mexico producer, said damage to its offshore transfer facilities would cut production into early next year.
Further supporting the market, some producers in the OPEC Countries and their allies, together called OPEC, are struggling to increase output up to targeted level.
SPORTS
Anurag Thakur discusses promotion of sports with Sports Ministers of States, UTs

Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Anurag Thakur virtually interacted with Sports Ministers of States and Union Territories across the country to discuss the further promotion of sports in the country.
Following the major success of the Olympics and Paralympics in Tokyo, Mr. Thakur discussed with Ministers on the ways forward and how States will contribute in the mission to make India a top sporting nation. He was joined by Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, Nisith Pramanik.
Government’s flagship programs, Khelo India and Fit India were integral part of the interaction.
Sports is a state subject and the overall motive of the interaction was to urge them to organize sporting events across rural and urban areas for able-bodied and para-athletes as well as play a key role in the identification of talents at grassroots level.
The promotion of school level sports and support to the School Games Federation of India was another key point of discussion. The States and UTs will also be requested to form a pool of cash awards for the athletes where both the Central and the State Governments can accumulate the funds.
Speaking to media after the meeting, Mr. Thakur said, meeting with state sports ministers was held to draw a roadmap to prepare our athletes for future Olympics, Asian Games and Commonwealth Games.
He said, Ministers agreed to meet at least twice a year, to evaluate progress on better infrastructure.