Current Affairs One - Liner : 20th September 2024

The 5th Nadi Utsav was inaugurated at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) in New Delhi on September 19, 2024. This festival, which runs until September 21, 2024, celebrates India’s rivers through seminars, documentary film festivals, and cultural performances.

The Federal Reserve has reduced interest rates to 4.75%-5% to address moderating inflation and a weakening labor market. Further cuts are expected by the end of 2024, potentially lowering rates by another half percentage point. This move aims to support economic growth and stabilize employment.
PhonePe has partnered with Liquid Group to expand UPI payments in Singapore. This allows Indian travelers to use the PhonePe app for payments at various merchants by scanning QR codes, with transactions processed in Indian Rupees. This partnership also facilitates international remittances via UPI, enhancing convenience for NRIs in Singapore.
On September 16, 2024, JBM ECOLIFE secured Rs 7.2 billion in funding from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). This investment aims to expand the electric bus fleet in India, promoting sustainable and eco-friendly public transportation.

The Indian government has approved ₹2,104 crore for the Chandrayaan-4 mission. This mission aims to bring lunar rocks and soil back to Earth and is expected to launch in about three years. It will build on the success of Chandrayaan-3, which achieved a historic soft landing on the moon.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is participating in Exercise Eastern Bridge VII in Oman from September 11 to 22, 2024. The exercise, held at Masirah Air Force Base, involves MiG-29s, Jaguars, and C-17 Globemaster III aircraft from the IAF, along with aircraft and personnel from the Royal Oman Air Force. This bilateral exercise aims to enhance interoperability and strengthen defense ties between the two air forces.
The Indian Navy’s P8I aircraft is participating in Exercise Kakadu 2024, hosted by the Royal Australian Navy in Darwin. This multinational exercise, running from September 7 to 20, involves over 30 nations and aims to enhance regional cooperation. The Indian Navy’s P8I Poseidon, led by Captain Ajay Kanwar, is part of this significant event.

Glasgow, Scotland, will host the 2026 Commonwealth Games after Victoria, Australia, withdrew due to rising costs. The event will be scaled down, featuring fewer sports and athletes compared to previous editions.
Punjab clinched the 14th Hockey India Junior Men’s National Championship 2024 on September 19, 2024. They won the title after a thrilling final against Uttar Pradesh.

Anurag Garg, a 1993 batch IPS officer from the Himachal Pradesh cadre, has been appointed as the new Director General of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB). His appointment was officially announced on September 17, 2024.
Manu Bhaker was appointed as the Brand Ambassador for the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW) on September 17, 2024. Additionally, she was announced as the brand ambassador for Golden Bullet on the same date.

Jayanta Pushilal, the esteemed Dronacharya Award-winning table tennis coach, passed away on September 10, 2024, at the age of 63. He had been suffering from kidney ailments for some time. His contributions to Indian table tennis were immense.

Questions:

1 What is the total amount of funding JBM ECOLIFE secured from ADB and AIIB on September 16, 2024?

2 Who has been appointed as the new Director General of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in 2024?