Current Affairs - September 16, 2023 Current Affairs

The scientists at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have developed a new approach to destroy cancer cells using hybrid nanoparticles made of gold and copper sulphide. These nanoparticles can kill cancer cells using heat, and they can also be used to detect cancer cells using sound waves. This is a significant breakthrough in cancer research, and it offers a new potential treatment option for cancer patients.

Infosys is the only Indian company to make it into the top 100 rankings of TIME magazine's 'The World’s Best Companies of 2023' list, claiming the 64th position with an impressive overall score of 88.38. The list is compiled by TIME magazine in collaboration with Great Place to Work Institute.

World Ozone Day is observed annually on 16th September to highlight the importance of the ozone layer in protecting the Earth from harmful UV rays and to promote efforts to preserve it. The theme for World Ozone Day 2023 is: Montreal Protocol: fixing the ozone layer and reducing climate change.

India's trade deficit in August 2023 narrowed to $24.16 billion. This is a 2.8% improvement from the $24.86 billion deficit in the same month last year. The narrowing of the trade deficit is attributed to a decline in imports, which fell by 5.23% to $58.64 billion in August 2023. This was offset by a decline in exports, which fell by 6.86% to $34.48 billion.

The Ministry of Railways launched the Swachhata Pakhwada-2023 initiative on September 15, 2023. The initiative is aimed at promoting cleanliness and environmental awareness in the railway network.

Srinivasan K. Swamy, the Executive Chairman of R.K. Swamy Hansa Group, was unanimously elected as the Chairman of the Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC) for the term 2023-2024. The Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC) is a non-profit organization that provides circulation data and verification services for newspapers, magazines, and other print media. The ABC is a member of the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA).

The Indian government received ₹1,487 crore in dividend from NTPC in September 2023. This follows NTPC's announcement of a ₹2,908.99 crore final dividend for the 2022-23 fiscal year. The dividend payment is a welcome boost for the Indian government, as it looks to shore up its finances amid rising global uncertainty. It is also a testament to the strong financial performance of NTPC, which is one of India's leading power companies.

World Patient Safety Day is observed on the 17th of September every year to highlight the significance of patient safety in healthcare systems worldwide and promote efforts to reduce errors and improve patient care. The theme for World Patient Safety Day 2023 is “Engaging patients for patient safety.”

Erica Robin, a model from Karachi, was crowned "Miss Universe Pakistan 2023," making her the first woman from Pakistan to achieve this title.

The "Mukhyamantri Sampoorna Pushti Yojana" aims to improve the nutritional well-being of the state's population, particularly focusing on mothers, adolescent girls, and children, as part of a broader effort to foster a healthier future for the people of Odisha.

India ranks first among 154 nations in grassroots crypto adoption, according to the Chainalysis' 2023 Global Crypto Adoption Index. This is despite the fact that India has implemented some of the most challenging regulations on cryptocurrency in the world.

Rahul Navin, an IRS (Indian Revenue Service) officer, assumed the role of In-Charge Director of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in September 2023. He succeeded Sanjay Kumar Mishra, whose tenure as Director ended on September 15, 2023.

India launched the Unified Portal for Agricultural Statistics (UPAg) in September 2023. UPAg is a revolutionary initiative that aims to address the complex governance issues in the farming sector. It is a one-stop shop for all agricultural statistics, providing comprehensive and reliable data on various aspects of the sector, such as crop production, livestock, prices, and inputs.

The James Webb Space Telescope has detected possible signs of life on K2-18b, an exoplanet that is 120 light-years away from Earth. The telescope detected the presence of a molecule called dimethyl sulfide (DMS), which is produced on Earth by both natural and biological processes.

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) approved a total of nine acquisition proposals, collectively valued at Rs 45,000 crore, on September 15, 2023. These proposals encompassed various aspects of defense, from the Indian Air Force’s modernization to improving the Indian Navy’s capabilities and enhancing the overall indigenous content in defense projects.

Ashok Leyland, a flagship company of the Hinduja Group, announced on Friday, September 15, its plans to invest ₹1,000 crore in Uttar Pradesh to establish a state-of-the-art bus manufacturing facility. This is the company's maiden venture in the state. The investment will be made in phases, with an initial investment of ₹200 crore. It is expected to generate employment opportunities for over 5,000 people in the state.

The FI Index in March 2023 was 60.1, which is a significant increase from 56.4 in March 2022. This improvement is attributed to growth across all sub-indices, including the access sub-index, the usage sub-index, and the depth sub-index.

The RBI imposed monetary penalties on four cooperative banks on September 14, 2023, for rule violations. The banks were: 1. The Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank (MSCB), 2. The Gujarat State Cooperative Bank (GSCB), 3. The Karnataka State Cooperative Apex Bank (KSCAB), 4. The Tamil Nadu State Cooperative Bank (TNSCB).

The 4th and final G20 Sustainable Finance Working Group (SFWG) meeting under India's G20 presidency began in Varanasi on September 14, 2023. The two-day meeting brought together over 80 delegates from G20 member countries, invitee countries, and international organizations.

International Day for Interventional Cardiology is celebrated annually on 16 September. This day is dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of interventional cardiology in saving lives. Interventional cardiology is a branch of cardiology that specializes in minimally invasive procedures to diagnose and treat heart disease.