Current Affairs in English – August 31 2022

National Events:

Nagesh Singh:

Nagesh Singh , an Indian Foreign Service officer of the 1995 batch , has been appointed as India’s next ambassador to Thailand. Singh will replace the incumbent ambassador Suchitra Durai.
Nagesh Singh is presently working as a Joint Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs. In August 2022 , Vikram K. Doraiswami was also appointed as India’s new High Commissioner to the United Kingdom.

First vaccine against cervical cancer:

In a first , India will get its first vaccine against cervical cancer on September 1 , 2022. The cervical cancer vaccine , Quadrivalent Human Papillomavirus vaccine ( qHPV ) has been developed by the Serum Institute of India ( SII ) and the Department of Biotechnology ( DBT ).
It will be launched by the Union Minister of State ( Independent Charge ) Science & Technology Jitendra Singh.

First virtual school:

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on 31 August 2022 launched country’s first virtual school. Students from all across the country will be eligible for admission.
The school is for classes 9-12 and the application process for the Delhi Model Virtual School ( DMVS ) began on the same day. The classes will be online and recorded lectures will also be uploaded online.

LIC holds 11th spot:

LIC is no longer part of the top ten companies by market capitalization as it has been replaced by Bajaj Finance and Adani Transmission.
LIC holds 11th spot in the list , whereas Bajaj Finance and Adani Transmission have taken 10th and 9th spot , respectively , in the overall ranking.
Adani Transmission entered the list with a market value of ₹ 4.43 lakh crore on the BSE as on August 30 , 2022.

Inter Modal Station:

An MoU has been signed between NHLML ( National Highways Logistics Management Limited ) and Katra Development Authority.
As part of the initiative , Inter Modal Station is being developed in Katra to improve the travelling experience of pilgrims who are visiting Mata Vaishno Devi Temple.
Government is developing these stations across the country for improving passenger infrastructure development.

Carbon fibre plants:

Reliance Industries will set up India’s first and one of the world’s largest carbon fibre plants in Hazira , Gujarat.
The plant will have a capacity of 20,000 million metric tonnes per annum. The first phase of the plant will be completed in 2025.
Carbon fibre is a lightweight material with high conductivity that has the potential to replace steel.

‘ Meghdoot ‘ machines:

Indian Railways have set up ‘ Meghdoot ‘ machines at Dadar , Thane and other stations of the Mumbai Division.
These unique ‘ Meghdoot ‘ machines use innovative technology to convert water vapour in the air into potable water.
The contract for setting up these ‘ Meghdoot ‘ machines for a period of 5 years has been awarded to Maithri Aquatech Pvt Ltd.

EAF:

Tata Steel has signed an MoU with the Punjab Government for setting up a steel plant with a scrap – based electric arc furnace ( EAF ) in Ludhiana.
This EAF – based steel plant would produce construction – grade steel rebar under the Company’s flagship retail brand ‘ Tata Tiscon ‘.
In FY 2021-22 , Tata Steel became the first steel rebar manufacturing company to receive Green Pro certification.

Agreement for sale of Power:

NHPC Ltd on 30 August 2022 signed an MoU with PTC India Ltd for the sale of ” power to be generated from the upcoming West Seti and Seti River – 6 hydropower projects in Nepal.
As per the MoU , PTC shall purchase the Contracted Capacity of these projects from NHPC for onward sale in India and the neighbouring countries . NHPC Limited Founded : 1975.

ICAT:

The International Centre for Automotive Technology ( ICAT ) has signed an MoU with Gurugram – based North Cap University to conduct joint research in the field of electric vehicles & related emerging technology.
Under this pact , several courses will also be conducted for skill development in this field . ICAT , established in 2006 , is a division of the Ministry of Heavy Industries , Government of India.

International Events:

IMF:

The International Monetary Fund ( IMF ) convened a meeting of its executive board on August 29 , 2022 to approve a bailout package for cash – starved Pakistan. This includes a disbursement of about USD 1.18 billion.
The IMF had announced on July 13 a staff – level agreement with Pakistan on a nine – month extension in tenor and a USD 1 billion increase in the size of the bailout package to USD 7 bn.

Sports Events:

VAR technology:

Video Assistant Referee ( VAR ) technology will be used for the first time at a FIFA U – 17 Women’s World Cup , to be held in India in October 2022. The VAR technology supports the decision – making process of the referee in game – changing situations.
It will be the third FIFA women’s tournament to utilise VAR following the U – 20 Women’s World Cup Costa Rica 2022 & the Women’s World Cup France 2019 .