Current Affairs Daily Digest – September 29 2019
1. Astronomers 13-Billion-Year-Old Protocluster Galaxy Discovered
Astronomers have discovered a 13-billion-year-old galaxy cluster that is the earliest ever observed. The early-stage cluster called a protocluster is not easy to find Yuichi Harikane, a researcher at the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan who led the international team. A protocluster is a rare and special system with an extremely high density.
2. Govt allots Rs 7.87 cr for Khelo India athletes
The Sports Ministry has sanctioned Rs 7.87 crore as out-of-pocket allowance for 2625 Khelo India athletes training in 99 Khelo India academies and other centres across the country. PTI PTI, New Delhi, Sep 28 2019, 16:55pm ist updated: Sep 28 2019, 17:21pm ist Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Youth Affairs and Sports, Kiren Rijiju.
3. ECI appoints Sushil Lohani as next CEO
THE Election Commission of India (ECI) has approved the appointment of Sushil Kumar Lohani as next Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Odisha. Lohani will replace Surendra Kumar, who has been serving as the CEO, Odisha since February, 2018.
In a letter to Odisha Chief Secretary, ECI secretary said: “It may be ensured that Sushil Kumar Lohani takes over the charge of CEO, Odisha immediately. A compliance to this should be sent within a week.”
4. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launches Navy’s first new stealth frigate, INS ‘Nilgiri
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh said, the Government is making concerted efforts to modernise the Navy and equip it with the best platforms, weapons and sensors to deal with any conventional and unconventional threats to India’s maritime interests.
Shri Rajnath Singh was speaking at the launch of INS ‘Nilgiri’, the first of the Navy’s seven new stealth frigates, at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited in Mumbai.
5. NSDL Payments Bank set to start operations
NSDL Payments Bank Ltd (NPBL), the wholly-owned subsidiary of National Securities Depository Ltd (NSDL), is expecting to start its commercial operations shortly.
NSDL was one of the 11 applicants that received in-principle approval from the Reserve Bank of India in August 2015 to set up payments banks.
6. Kerala CM launches capacity development programme for women entrepreneurs
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan launched the Kerala edition of WING-Women Rise Together, an initiative by Startup India, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) for capacity development of women entrepreneurs in the country at the second edition of Huddle Kerala 2019.
7. DHFL board approves new CEO appointment
The board of directors of Dewan Housing Finance Corporation Ltd (DHFL) approved the appointment of Vaijinath M. Gavarshetty as the Chief Executive Officer and key managerial personnel of the company with effect from October 1, 2019.
The CEO’s position at the financially stressed DHFL been vacant ever since Harshil Mehta resigned in February 2019. Mehta was Whole Time Director (designated as Joint Managing Director
& CEO).
8. One tea bag can release 11.6 billion microplastics into your cup
Love to start your mornings with a refreshing cup of tea? Beware, you might be drinking microplastics, all thanks to the premium plastic teabags, according to a new study.
The study, by researchers from McGill University in Montreal, showed that a single plastic teabag can release harmful particles into your cup — 11.6 billion microplastics and 3.1 billion nanoplastics.
9. World Heart Day observed on september 29
“World Heart Day” was founded in 2000 to inform people around the globe that heart disease and stroke are the world’s leading causes of death. The World Heart Federation (WHF) is a nongovernmental organization based in Geneva, Switzerland in 1971.
In 1978 the International Society of Cardiology merged with the International Cardiology Federation (which had been founded in 1970) to form the International Society and Federation of Cardiology. This body changed its name in 1998 to the World Heart Federation.
10. Lampard surprised Leeds won FIFA’s Fair Play award
Frank Lampard admitted he was stunned to see Marcelo Bielsa and Leeds win the FIFA Fair Play Award despite the ‘Spygate’ scandal that rocked the Championship club.
Leeds boss Bielsa and his club were recognised at the world governing body’s annual award ceremony in Milan for allowing Aston Villa to score an uncontested goal during a second tier match last season.
11. Hamilton wins in Russia to end Ferrari’s run of success
Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton snatched victory in the Russian Grand Prix in a surprise Mercedes one-two on Sunday after Ferrari argued over team orders and were undone by a virtual safety car.
Hamilton also banked a bonus point for the fastest lap of the race to stretch his lead to 73 points over team mate and closest rival Valtteri Bottas, who finished second, with five rounds remaining.
