Current Affairs One - Liner : 18th September 2024

The Union Cabinet approved the ‘One Nation, One Election’ proposal on September 15, 2024. This initiative aims to synchronize elections for the Lok Sabha, State Assemblies, and local bodies to reduce election frequency and costs. The bill is expected to be introduced in the upcoming winter session of Parliament. While it promises streamlined governance, it also raises concerns about federalism and state autonomy.

The University of Melbourne inaugurated its first Melbourne Global Centre in New Delhi on September 17, 2024. This centre is designed to foster collaboration and engagement between the University and Indian stakeholders, enhancing educational and research opportunities.
Atishi will become Delhi’s new Chief Minister on September 21, following Arvind Kejriwal’s resignation due to a corruption case. She will be the third woman to hold this position in Delhi. Atishi has been a key figure in the Aam Aadmi Party, handling portfolios like education and finance
On 18th September 2024, 50 Jan Aushadhi Kendras were inaugurated across district hospitals in Madhya Pradesh. These centers will offer over 2,000 generic medicines and 300 medical devices at significantly reduced prices, making healthcare more affordable. The inauguration ceremony was attended by Governor Mangubhai Patel and Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav. This initiative aims to reduce out-of-pocket expenses for the people of the state.

The Ministry of Finance has relaxed norms for expenditures exceeding Rs 500 crore to boost capital expenditure for the current fiscal year. This aims to accelerate government spending, which had slowed due to the general elections. The capex target for 2024-25 is set at Rs 11.11 lakh crore, an 11.1% increase from the previous year.
The Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) has increased its stake in IRCTC to 9.3% through open market purchases. This move reflects LIC’s confidence in IRCTC, which is the sole provider of online tickets, catering, and packaged drinking water for Indian Railways.
Airtel Finance launched its fixed deposit service with an interest rate of up to 9.1% on September 10, 2024. This new service aims to provide competitive returns to customers looking for secure investment options. It marks Airtel’s entry into the financial services sector, expanding beyond its traditional telecom offerings.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has clarified that Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) cardholders residing in India are eligible for education loans to study abroad. However, OCI cardholders living outside India can only get loans from Indian banks for studying within India. There is no upper limit on the amount that can be remitted for education purposes under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS).

India’s exports dropped by 9.3% in August 2024, totaling $34.71 billion. This decline, along with a surge in gold imports to a record $10 billion, led to a trade deficit of $29.65 billion, the highest in ten months. Global economic uncertainties, including a slowdown in China and a recession in Europe, have impacted India’s export performance.

The Indian Army signed an MoU with Tiranga Mountain Rescue (TMR) on September 18, 2024, at the Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS) in Delhi Cantt. The agreement aims to enhance rescue and survival operations in mountainous terrains through specialized training programs. Maj Gen Manish Luthra and Mr. Hemant Sachdev were the signatories.

Earth will temporarily capture a mini-moon named 2024 PT5 from September 29 to November 25, 2024. This asteroid, about 10 meters in diameter, was discovered on August 7, 2024. It belongs to the Arjuna asteroid group and will return to its orbit around the Sun after its brief stay.

The 4th Global Renewable Energy Investor’s Meet and Expo (RE-INVEST) was held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, from September 16th to 18th, 2024. The theme was “Building a Sustainable Future through Renewable Energy”. Inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi, the event aimed to boost investments in renewable energy to help India achieve its climate goals. It featured over 10,000 delegates and discussions on green investment, hydrogen, wind energy, and innovative technologies.

Exercise AIKYA, a two-day national symposium on disaster management, started in Chennai on September 18, 2024. Organized by the NDMA and the Southern Command of the Indian Army, it features key officials from various disaster management and defense agencies.

The Indian men’s hockey team clinched the Asian Champions Trophy 2024 by defeating China 1-0 in the final on September 17, 2024. The match was held at the Moqi Hockey Training Base in Hulunbuir, China. Jugraj Singh scored the winning goal in the 51st minute, securing India’s fifth title in this tournament.
The ICC has announced equal prize money for men’s and women’s World Cups starting from the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024. This decision, made during the ICC Annual Conference in July 2023, makes cricket the only major team sport to offer equal prize money for its World Cup events.

The Kalvari Submarine Escape Training Facility, “Vinetra,” was commissioned on September 13, 2024, at INS Satavahana in Visakhapatnam. This facility aims to improve the escape capabilities of crew members from distressed Kalvari-class submarines.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the IDAX-24 Expo in Jodhpur on September 12, 2024. The event showcases advanced aviation technologies and coincides with Exercise Tarang Shakti-24 (Phase II), a major multinational air exercise hosted by the Indian Air Force. This exercise aims to enhance cooperation and coordination among participating countries.
On September 11, 2024, the Ministry of Defence approved the Indian Navy’s Rs 2,500 crore plan for unmanned vessels. This initiative aims to enhance maritime surveillance and security by incorporating advanced autonomous technology.

World Bamboo Day is celebrated on September 18th to raise awareness about bamboo’s benefits and promote its sustainable use. The theme for 2024 is “Bamboo for a Greener Future,” emphasizing bamboo’s role in sustainability and environmental conservation.

Samir Kumar was appointed as Amazon India’s new country manager on September 18, 2024. He will officially take over operational responsibilities starting October 1, 2024. This transition marks a significant leadership change for Amazon India, aiming to strengthen its market position and drive growth in the region.
Joohi Smita Sinha took over as the Chief General Manager (CGM) of SBI’s Bengaluru Circle on September 17, 2024. She brings extensive experience and leadership to the role, aiming to enhance the bank’s operations and customer service in the region.
Shriram Finance announced Rahul Dravid as their brand ambassador on September 12, 2024. This collaboration aims to enhance the company’s brand image and connect with a broader audience through Dravid’s trusted and respected persona.

Questions:

1 Who was appointed as Amazon India's new country manager on September 18, 2024?

2 Which city is the Melbourne Global Centre located in?