This is the current affairs of 15 & 16 September 2023. Here are questions and answers of daily current affairs for better preparation of competitive exams for government jobs.
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1. In the Parliament of which country, the remains of two dead bodies were presented and it was claimed that these were 1000 year old bodies of aliens?
a. America
b. France
c. Britain
d. Mexico
Answer: d. Mexico
– Discussion took place in the Mexican parliament on September 12, 2023, regarding the presence of aliens.
– During this event, the remains of two bodies were also displayed.
– It is claimed that these bodies belong to aliens.
– Mexican journalist and ufologist Jim Mosan reported that these bodies were found in a cave in Peru, which is approximately 1,000 years old.
– He claims that these “remains” are actual aliens.
– The event was broadcast live in parliament.
Description of the alleged alien bodies:
– Each of the two bodies has three fingers on each hand and elongated heads.
Examination of alien DNA through radiocarbon dating:
– Previous claims by Jim Mosan about aliens had been proven false. However, now he presented scientific evidence to the parliament.
– Mosan mentioned that a study was conducted on the UFO samples at the Autonomous University of Mexico.
– Scientists there analyzed the DNA through radiocarbon dating.
– Mosan said, “We are not alone in the vast universe; we need to accept this reality.”
University dismisses the claim:
– Subsequently, the National Autonomous University of Mexico dismissed Jim Mosan’s claims, stating that their scientists did not examine these alleged alien mummies. They received samples for examination, but they didn’t know which body they belonged to.
Former US Navy pilot’s presence:
– The alleged alien bodies were kept in wooden boxes during the hearing.
– Former US Navy pilot Ryan Graves was also present during the hearing.
– Graves had claimed in the US Congress that he had seen alien spacecraft during his service and had also stated that the United States is working on reverse-engineering these UFOs.
Conclusion: Jim Mosan’s previous claims were proven wrong, so the world’s scientists are not trusting the claims about the alien bodies either. Scientists have not shown much reaction to this case.
Mexico:
Capital: Mexico City
President: Andrés Manuel López
neighboring countries: USA and Guatemala
Seas: Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea, and North Pacific Ocean
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2. How much amount of investment was agreed between the Prime Ministers of Saudi Arabia and India to set up a joint task force?
a. 500 Billion Dollars
b. 200 Billion Dollars
c. 100 Billion Dollars
d. 50 Billion Dollars
Answer: c. 100 Billion Dollars (Approximately Rs 4.1 lakh crore)
– Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Mohammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, visited India after the G20 Summit.
– During this visit, the first meeting of the Strategic Partnership Council (SPC) between the two countries was held. (Note: The establishment of this council took place in October 2019.)
Eight agreements between the two countries:
– During this visit, eight agreements were signed between the two countries.
– These agreements covered renewable energy, digitalization, electronics manufacturing, anti-corruption cooperation, a national archive, banking (between Saudi Exim Bank and Exim Bank of India), enhancing bilateral investments, and technology to make seawater drinkable (involving IIT and the Saline Water Conversion Corporation of Saudi Arabia).
Joint Task Force for a $100 billion investment:
– In fact, the agreement for a $100 billion investment was made back in February 2019 during Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman’s previous visit to India. However, progress on this investment plan had been slow.
– In September 2023, during Crown Prince’s political trip, discussions were held regarding this $100 billion investment.
Both countries decided to create a Joint Task Force for this purpose.
Refinery Project with $50 billion investment:
– The West Coast Refinery project is India’s first and largest greenfield refinery located in Ratnagiri, Maharashtra. It is expected to have a production capacity of 60 million tons per year when completed.
– Once completed, this project will be one of the world’s largest refineries.
– The project involves the participation of ARAMCO (Saudi Arabian oil company), ADNOC (United Arab Emirates’ oil company), and Indian companies. An investment of around $50 billion is expected in this tripartite project.
– During Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman’s visit to India, he confirmed the $50 billion investment for this project.
– The project includes various essential facilities such as maritime storage and terminals, crude oil terminals, storage and blending plants, and desalination plants to make seawater drinkable.
India-Saudi Arabia Relations:
Bilateral Trade:
– Saudi Arabia is India’s fourth-largest trading partner after the USA, China, and the UAE, while India is Saudi Arabia’s second-largest trading partner.
– Bilateral trade between India and Saudi Arabia has exceeded $52 billion in 2022-23, showing a growth rate of more than 23%.
– India imports a significant quantity of crude oil and LPG from Saudi Arabia.
– Saudi Arabia is home to the largest expatriate community of Indians, numbering around 2.6 million. They form the largest expatriate community in the kingdom and make a significant contribution to Saudi Arabia’s development.
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3. During the visit of Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince and PM to India, which refinery project worth $ 50 billion was agreed to be implemented rapidly?
a. Mathura Refinery Project
b. West Coast Refinery Project
c. Kolkata Refinery Project
d. East North Refinery Project
Answer: b. West Coast Refinery Project
– The production capacity of this project, located in Ratnagiri, Maharashtra, is expected to be 60 million tons per year.
– Upon completion, it will be one of the world’s largest refineries.
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4. India’s wholesale inflation rate remained negative for the fifth consecutive month, what was this rate in August 2023?
a. (-) 3.48%
b. (-) 1.48%
c. (-) 0.52%
d. (+) 1.48%
Answer: c. (-) 0.52%
– Wholesale inflation rate remained negative for the consecutive fifth month.
– Prior to this, in July, it was -1.36% wholesale inflation.
Who releases the Wholesale Inflation Rate report?
– The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).
– It falls under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
(Note: Retail inflation rate is released by the NSO.)
What is Wholesale Inflation Rate?
– This inflation rate is prepared based on the Wholesale Price Index (WPI).
– Wholesale Price Index (WPI) is an indicator of the prices of goods collected from wholesale markets.
– These prices are related to business conducted in the wholesale market.
(Note: Retail inflation rate is determined using the Consumer Price Index.)
How did Wholesale Inflation Rate decrease so much?
– Mainly due to a decrease in the prices of minerals, crude metals, textiles, food products, clothing, chemicals, and chemical products, there has been a reduction in the rate of inflation in August 2023.
Commerce and Industry Minister: Piyush Goyal
– The mayor of Derna city in Libya has stated that due to the floods, the number of casualties could reach up to 20,000.
– On the nights of September 9 and 10, 2023, Tropical Storm Daniel hit Libya from the Mediterranean Sea and caused the collapse of two dams on the Wadi Derna River.
– The resulting flood has devastated the entire city of Derna.
– Many multi-story buildings have been washed away or submerged.
– Mayor Abdulmenam Al-Ghaithi now says, “We need specialized teams to recover the bodies. I fear that the city may become infected with diseases due to a large number of bodies under debris and in the water.”
– There is no space left in the city to bury the bodies.
– Rescue teams have arrived from Italy, Egypt, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, and Qatar.
– In a country with a population of 7 million, relief efforts are hindered due to political differences, intermittent conflicts, and the absence of a functioning government since the NATO-backed uprising that ousted Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.
Libya:
Capital: Tripoli
Bordering Countries: Tunisia, Algeria, Niger, Chad, Sudan, Egypt
Prime Minister: Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh
– The country has had two governments since 2011, with separate administrations in the east and west.
– One faction supports Gaddafi’s loyalists, while the other is dominated by militias from various tribal groups, leading to ongoing conflicts.
– The UN is monitoring the situation in Libya and has prepared emergency plans, although international assistance will be needed.
– Libya has been facing a dire situation similar to what occurred in Turkey and Syria a few months ago after earthquakes, exacerbated by the long-standing chaos in the country.
– The catastrophic deaths and destruction caused by the Mediterranean hurricane Daniel not only pointed to the severity of the storm but also signaled the nation’s vulnerability after more than a decade of lawlessness.
– The country is divided by rival governments, one in the east, and the other in the west, and the consequence is a fundamental breakdown of infrastructure in several regions.
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6. When is International Democracy Day celebrated?
a. 10 January
b. 14 September
c. 15 September
d. 21 September
Answer: c. 15 September
The theme for 2023:
– Empowering the next generation
– The main objective of International Democracy Day is to promote democracy worldwide.
– The United Nations declared this day in 2007.
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7. Who won the final of SAFF Under-16 Championship?
a. Bangladesh
b. India
c. Nepal
d. Pakistan
Answer: b. India
SAFF: South Asian Football Federation
– On September 10, 2023, India became the champion by defeating Bangladesh 2-0 in the final.
– The final match took place at Changlimithang Stadium.
Note: India was also the champion in 2022, defeating Nepal in the final.
– Best Goalkeeper: Suraj Singh
– Most Valuable Player (MVPI) and Best Scorer: Mohammad Arabash
About the SAFF Under-16 Championship:
– The SAFF U-16 Championship in 2023 was the 8th edition of this international football competition organized by the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) for national teams of men under 17.
– The tournament was held from September 2 to September 10, 2023, in Thimphu, Bhutan.
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8. Which state government approved the service sector policy in September 2023?
a. Uttarakhand
b. Uttar Pradesh
c. Madhya Pradesh
d. Rajasthan
Answer: a. Uttarakhand
– This decision was taken by the Uttarakhand government in September 2023.
Service Sector Policy:
– Through this policy, Uttarakhand aims to create 2 million employment opportunities and skill development for 1 million workers.
– According to The Hindu newspaper, it includes health, education, hospitality, wellness centers, IT, data centers, sports, and the film industry.
Large Companies to Enter the Mountain Region Through the Service Sector Policy:
– Efforts are being made to open large hospital chains, school chains, women’s colleges, and wellness resorts in the mountains in the coming days.
– This will open up employment opportunities for the youth in the mountains and boost tourism.
Art and Statues to Be Installed in Kedarnath and Badrinath:
– In Badrinath Dham, special nature-based art and statues based on history and mythological stories will be installed on walls and paths.
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9. Who has been honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award in the field of education at the Making India Employable Conference and Awards ceremony?
a. Hema Malini
b. Rekha Parikh
c. Nazma Akhtar
d. Farah Khan
Answer: c. Nazma Akhtar
– He is the Vice-Chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI).
– He was honored in September 2023 for his outstanding efforts to connect education with employment.
– Dr. Raghunath Anant Mashelkar (Padma Vibhushan) presented him with this award at a grand conference.
– The award ceremony was organized by TeamLease EdTech under the theme “Making India Employable.”
Making India Employable Awards:
– These awards celebrate individual excellence, innovation, and real-world impact in the field of education, employment, and skills.
– They are given to the best of the best who demonstrate remarkable contributions towards the common goal of making India employable.
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10. Who was chosen Miss International India?
a. Praveena Anjana
b. Rashmi Khanna
c. Anjali Gupta
d. Vijaya Lakshmi
Answer: a. Praveena Anjana
– Praveena Anjana from Udaipur has been crowned Miss International India 2023.
– At 23 years of age, Praveena is a Chartered Accountant by profession.
Note: Nandini Gupta is Miss India 2023. Miss India and Miss International India are two separate competitions.
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