This is the current affairs of 16 & 17 September 2024. Here are questions and answers of daily current affairs for better preparation of competitive exams for government jobs.
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1. Which country’s development organization provided the first economic aid after the coup of Sheikh Hasina in Bangladesh?
a. USA
b. Japan
c. Russia
d. China
Answer: a. USA
– A high-level delegation from the United States arrived in Bangladesh on September 15, 2024.
– The delegation included Donald Lu, the Assistant Secretary of State for the South and Central Asia Bureau of the U.S. Department of State.
– Lu has been accused of orchestrating coups in Bangladesh and Pakistan. However, the United States had clearly denied these allegations.
– In Dhaka, Mohammad Yunus, the Chief Advisor of Bangladesh’s interim government, held a meeting with this delegation.
Announcement of ₹1,700 Crore Aid
– The United States has announced aid of 202 million US dollars (₹1,700 crore) to Bangladesh.
– This amount will be provided to Bangladesh through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
– An agreement for this aid was signed in Dhaka by Bangladesh’s Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, A.K.M. – Shahabuddin, and USAID Director, Reed J. Aeschliman.
– According to the Bangladesh Ministry of Finance, the financial aid will be used for youth welfare, improving health services, and increasing business opportunities.
DOAG Agreement Signed in 2021
– On September 27, 2021, Bangladesh and the U.S. signed the “Development Objective Grant Agreement (DOAG).”
– Under this agreement, the U.S. will provide a total of ₹8,000 crore to Bangladesh between 2021 and 2026.
– So far, the U.S. has given ₹3,565 crore to Bangladesh.
– USAID provides this money with the help of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, government, and non-government organizations. According to USAID, the aim is to promote good governance, social development, and economic opportunities.
– In September 2024, Bangladesh and the U.S. also agreed to the 6th amendment to this agreement.
Accusations of Coup in Pakistan and Bangladesh Against Lu
– Donald Lu’s name is often associated with coups in South Asian countries.
– His name also surfaced after the fall of Imran Khan’s government in Pakistan. Imran Khan publicly mentioned him and held him responsible.
– At the beginning of 2024, Lu testified in the U.S. Congress, denying the accusations of toppling the government in Pakistan.
– In August 2024, when Sheikh Hasina was also removed from power in Bangladesh, Donald Lu’s name again came up. However, the U.S. clearly denied these allegations as well.
Bangladesh Struggling to Pay Interest on Debt
– Bangladesh is deeply trapped in debt.
On August 21, 2024, Russia sent a letter asking for the payment of approximately ₹5,300 crore in interest.
– Russia had provided a loan of ₹1.06 lakh crore to Bangladesh for a nuclear power plant.
– Russia is charging interest at a rate of 4%. If the interest is not paid by the deadline, Russia will charge 6.4% interest from Bangladesh.
– Apart from Russia, India’s Adani Group has also demanded payment of approximately ₹6,700 crore in overdue electricity bills from Bangladesh.
Lu’s Visit to India
– On September 16, 2024, Donald Lu also visited India for the U.S.-India “2+2” intersessional dialogue between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defense.
– This year’s sixth annual 2+2 dialogue is expected to be held in Washington, D.C., led by India’s External Affairs Minister S. – Jaishankar and Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, alongside their U.S. counterparts, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.
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2. Which country’s supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei compared the condition of Indian Muslims with that of Muslims in Myanmar and Gaza, which the Indian government rejected and said that they should first look at their own records?
a. Iraq
b. Iran
c. UAE
d. Qatar
Answer: b. Iran
What Did Khamenei Say?
– In a message posted on social media on September 17, 2024, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei said, “We cannot consider ourselves Muslims if we are unaware of the suffering endured by Muslims in Myanmar, Gaza, India, or any other place.” This message was also translated into Bengali.
What Did India Say?
– India “strongly condemned” Khamenei’s remarks regarding the condition of the Muslim community in India.
– In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) called the comments “unacceptable.”
– In response, the MEA stated, “We strongly condemn the remarks made by Iran’s Supreme Leader regarding minorities in India. – These are misleading and unacceptable. – Countries commenting on minorities are advised to look at their own records before making statements about others.”
India-Iran Relations
– India and Iran have maintained strong economic ties.
– Both countries remain focused on the strategically important Chabahar Port.
– On May 13, 2024, India and Iran signed a 10-year agreement to develop this port.
– India has invested in this project, and the port will provide India with connectivity to Central Asia, bypassing Pakistan.
– India has pledged $120 million for the development of the Chabahar Port terminal.
– Additionally, India has offered a $250 million credit line for infrastructure projects in Iran.
Attacks on India-Linked Ships in the Red Sea Stopped After Talks with Iran
– In 2024, several cargo ships linked to India were attacked by Houthi rebels in Yemen in the Red Sea. Missiles were fired at many ships.
– After these incidents, Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar visited Iran. Since then, there have been no reports of attacks on India-linked ships.
What Is the Issue of Tension in the Red Sea?
– Since Israel’s attack on Gaza, Houthi rebels in Yemen have been attacking ships in the Red Sea.
– These attacks are targeting ships belonging to Israel, its ally the U.S., and other nations.
– It is believed that Houthi rebels receive weapons and financial support from Iran.
– In early January 2024, the U.S., along with the U.K., attempted to stop the Houthis by launching missile and drone strikes in Yemen, but these efforts have since weakened.
– The U.S. tried to form an alliance of 10 countries to take action against the Houthis, but most countries did not cooperate with the initiative.
Who is Khamenei?
– In Iran, there is a position above the president called the Supreme Leader, who holds this position for life.
– Even the president must seek advice and approval from the Supreme Leader for important decisions.
– Since the Islamic Revolution in Iran, there have only been two Supreme Leaders.
– The first was Khomeini, who held the position from 1979 until his death in 1989.
– The second is Ayatollah Khamenei, who has held this position for over 30 years since Khomeini’s death.
Iran
– Capital: Tehran
– President: Masoud Pezeshkian
– Language: Persian
– Currency: Iranian Rial
– Population: 88.6 million (2022)
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3. Who has been declared the first Indian host for the International Emmy Awards?
a. Hrithik Roshan
b. Vinod Sahni
c. Veer Das
d. Shahrukh Khan
Answer: c. Veer Das
– Actor and comedian Vir Das has been announced as the host of the International Emmy Awards.
– The 2024 International Emmy Awards will be held on November 25 in New York City.
What Are the Emmy Awards?
– The Emmy Awards are the most prestigious awards given for television and emerging media. Unlike the Oscars and Golden Globe Awards, they are not given for films.
When Were the Emmy Awards Started?
– The concept of the Emmy Awards was conceived in 1948, and the first ceremony took place on January 25, 1949. A total of six awards were presented, such as Best Television Personality and Most Popular Television Program.
Types of Emmy Awards
– The Emmy Awards come in several types:
– Primetime Emmy Awards: These honor television shows produced and broadcast during primetime in the United States.
– International Emmy Awards: These are for international television shows.
– Daytime Emmy Awards: These are given for American television shows broadcast during late morning and afternoon hours.
– Regional Emmy Awards: These are for regional television markets and include state-specific programming, local news, and locally produced shows.
Who Gives the Emmy Awards?
– The awards are presented by three affiliated organizations:
– The Television Academy: Manages the Primetime Emmy Awards.
– The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences: Oversees daytime, sports, news, and documentary categories.
– The International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences: Responsible for the International Emmys.
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4. Who won the Best Lead Actor in a Drama Series award at the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards 2024?
a. Tom Cruise
b. Lee Jung Jae
c. Johnny Depp
d. Hirayuki Sanada
Answer: d. Hirayuki Sanada
– He received the award for his outstanding acting in the television series Shogun.
– The 76th Primetime Emmy Awards were held on September 16, 2024, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.
Which TV Show Won the Most Awards?
– Shogun dominated with 18 awards, while The Bear won 11.
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5. Who won the Best Lead Actress in a Drama Series award at the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards 2024?
a. Anna Sawai
b. Dua Lipa
c. Renée Zellweger
d. Zendaya
Answer: a. Anna Sawai
– He has been given this award for his brilliant acting in the television series ‘Shogun’.
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6. 76th Primetime Emmy Awards 2024 Winners List
Best in Category: Winners
– Outstanding Drama Series: Shogun (broadcast on FX)
– Outstanding Comedy Series: Hacks
– Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series: Baby Reindeer
– Lead Actor, Drama: Hiroyuki Sanada, Shogun
– Lead Actress, Drama: Anna Sawai, Shogun
– Lead Actor, Comedy: Jeremy Allen White, The Bear
– Lead Actress, Comedy: Jean Smart, Hacks
– Lead Actor, Limited Series or Movie: Richard Gadd, Baby Reindeer
– Lead Actress, Limited Series or Movie: Jodie Foster, True Detective: Night Country
– Supporting Actor, Drama: Billy Crudup, The Morning Show
– Supporting Actress, Drama: Elizabeth Debicki, The Crown
– Supporting Actor, Comedy: Ayo Edebiri, The Bear
– Supporting Actress, Comedy: Liza Colón-Zayas, The Bear
– Supporting Actor, Limited Series or Movie: Lamorne Morris, Fargo
– Supporting Actress, Limited Series or Movie: Jessica Gunning, Baby Reindeer
– Outstanding Reality or Competition Program: Traitors
– Best Scripted Variety Series: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
– Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special: Alex Edelman, Just for Us
– Outstanding Directing for Limited Series or Movie: Steven Zaillian, Ripley
– Outstanding Writing, Comedy: Hacks
– Outstanding Talk Show: The Daily Show
– Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series: Will Smith, Slow Horses
– Best Writing, Limited Series: Richard Gadd, Baby Reindeer
– Outstanding Directing for Comedy Series: Christopher Storer, The Bear
– Best Directing for Drama Series: Frederick E.O. Toei, Shogun
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7. When is International Democracy Day celebrated?
a. 10 January
b. 14 September
c. 15 September
d. 21 September
Answer: c. 15 September
– The main objective of Democracy Day is to promote democracy worldwide.
– This day was declared by the United Nations in 2007.
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8. Name the President of Algeria, who has been elected for the second time in September 2024?
a. Nadir Larbaoui
b. Abdelmadjid Tebboune
c. Roben Vennoz
d. None of these
Answer: b. Abdelmadjid Tebboune
– Tebboune received 95% of the votes.
Tebboune, supported by the military, faced nominal opposition from liberal Islamist Hasni Cherif and liberal secularist Aouchiche.
– Algeria has reserves of petroleum and natural gas. It ranks 16th in the world for petroleum reserves and 9th for natural gas reserves.
Algeria
– Capital: Algiers
– President: Abdelmadjid Tebboune
– Prime Minister: Nadir Larbaoui
– Neighboring Countries: Libya, Niger, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco
– Sea: The Alboran Sea, which is the westernmost part of the Mediterranean Sea.
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9. Which country has been made the 10th member of the BRICS New Development Bank (NDB)?
a. USA
b. Japan
c. Pakistan
d. Algeria
Answer: d. Algeria
– Algeria’s inclusion in the BRICS New Development Bank (NDB) was announced in September 2024.
BRICS New Development Bank (NDB)
– It was established by the BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) in 2014.
– The bank was created to support rapid development through infrastructure, innovation in emerging economies, and cutting-edge technology.
– In September 2021, Bangladesh, the United Arab Emirates, and Uruguay joined the NDB.
– Egypt also joined in March 2024.
– In September 2024, Algeria became a member.
– As a major natural gas exporter in Africa, Algeria’s membership is expected to enhance its economic development prospects.
Total 10 Members of NDB
– Founding Members: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa
– Members: Bangladesh, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay, Egypt, and Algeria
BRICS Members:
– Brazil
– Russia
– India
– China
– South Africa
– Iran
– Egypt
– Ethiopia
– United Arab Emirates
BRICS New Development Bank
– President: Dilma Rousseff
– Headquarters: Shanghai, China
– Regional Offices:
1. Johannesburg, South Africa
2. São Paulo, Brazil
3. GIFT City, Gujarat, India
4. Moscow, Russia
– Establishment: The idea for the bank was proposed by India during the Fourth BRICS Summit held in Delhi in 2012. On July 15, 2014, on the first day of the Sixth BRICS Summit held in Fortaleza, Brazil, the BRICS countries signed the agreement for the New Development Bank, which provided the legal basis for the bank. The agreement for the New Development Bank was announced to be effective at the Seventh BRICS Summit in July 2015. The first President appointed was K.V. Kamath.
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10. Who inaugurated the 7th National Security Strategy Conference in September 2024?
a. Defence Minister
b. Prime Minister
c. Home Minister
d. Finance Minister
Answer: c. Home Minister (Amit Shah)
– Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the 7th National Security Strategy Conference on September 13, 2024, in New Delhi.
– This is a two-day conference held both physically and virtually.
– Over 750 officials from across the country participated in the conference.
– This conference is held annually.
Purpose of the Conference
– The aim of the conference is to find solutions to emerging national security challenges by discussing with top police leadership from states, central armed police forces, and intelligence agencies.
– The National Security Strategy Conference serves as a platform for discussing issues related to national security.
– In addition, Union Home Minister Amit Shah also launched a dashboard developed by the National Crime Records Bureau under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
– This dashboard will be used to implement the decisions made during the police officers’ conference.
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11. Name India’s lightest indigenous tank, which was successfully field firing automotive test conducted by DRDO in September 2024?
a. Yodha
b. T90
c. Arjun
d. Zorawar
Answer: d. Zorawar
– On September 13, 2024, DRDO successfully conducted the initial automotive test of India’s lightest tank, the Zorawar.
– It is a highly versatile platform capable of deployment in high-altitude areas.
– In mountainous regions, this tank can operate at high speeds.
– Initially, 59 tanks of this range will be provided to the army.
– The tank was unveiled in July 2024 by DRDO chief Dr. Samir V. Kamath.
Features of Zorawar
– It is an amphibious tank, meaning it can operate on land and in shallow water, making it suitable for deployment in river areas and around lakes like Pangong Tso in eastern Ladakh.
– Weight: 25 tons (compared to other tanks like the T-72 at 45 tons and the T-90 at 46 tons)
– Seating Capacity: 3 people
– Power: 1000 horsepower
– Speed: 70 kilometers per hour
– Off-Road Speed: 35 to 40 kilometers per hour
– Field Artillery: FV433, 105 mm
– Coaxial Machine Gun: 7.62 mm
Why the Name “Zorawar”?
– Project Zorawar is named after the renowned warrior Zorawar Singh, who was a military general serving under the ruler of Jammu, Gulab Singh.
– The light tanks provided under this project will have firepower comparable to existing tanks.
– These light tanks will feature missile-firing capability, counter-drone apparatus, warning systems, and power-to-weight ratio.
Tanks in the Indian Army
1. Arjun MK 1A (68.5 tons)
2. T-90 (46 tons)
3. T-72 (45 tons)
About DRDO
– Chairman: Dr. Samir V. Kamath
– Established: 1958
– Headquarters: DRDO Bhavan, New Delhi
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