Current Affairs for BANK, IBPS Exams - 02 January 2022

::National::

India to chair UNSC's Anti-Terrorism Committee in January 2022

India will chair the Counter-Terrorism Committee of UNSC in January 2022 after 10 years. The Counter-Terrorism Committee was established by Security Council resolution 1373 adopted unanimously on 28 September 2001 in the wake of the 9/11 terror attacks in the US.
The Committee was tasked with monitoring implementation of resolution 1373 which requested countries to implement a number of measures aimed at enhancing their legal and institutional ability to counter terrorist activities at home and around the world.
This includes taking steps to criminalize the financing of terrorism, freezing any funds related to persons involved in acts of terrorism, deny all forms of financial support for terrorist groups, suppress the provision of safe haven, sustenance or support for terrorists and share information with other governments on any groups practicing or planning terrorist acts.
Besides, the Committee monitors steps taken to cooperate with other governments in the investigation, detection, arrest, extradition and prosecution of those involved in terror acts and criminalizes active and passive assistance for terrorism.

Printed Study Materials for IBPS, SBI Bank Exam

::International::

BRICS Bank to admit Egypt as new member

The BRICS New Development Bank (NDB) on Wednesday announced that it will add Egypt as its new member.
The New Development Bank (NDB) – established by BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) in 2015 – has admitted Egypt as a new member.
NDB’s Board of Governors authorized the Bank to conduct formal negotiations with prospective members in late 2020. After a round of successful negotiations, NDB started expanding its membership in September 2021 with the admission of Bangladesh, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Uruguay. Egypt is the fourth new member admitted into NDB, further expanding the Bank’s global outreach.
“We are delighted to welcome Egypt into NDB’s family. Egypt is one of the world’s fastest growing countries, a major economy in the African continent and the Middle East region as well as a key player in development finance institutions. We look forward to supporting its investment needs in infrastructure and sustainable development,” said Mr. Marcos Troyjo, President of NDB.
“Egypt is a firm believer and supporter of multilateralism. The NDB has established itself as one of the premier Multilateral Development Banks for Emerging Markets and Developing countries. Egypt fully embraces the decision to join the NDB family and looks forward to building a strong partnership and engagement with the Bank over the coming years. Egypt is reaping the fruits of its consistent efforts to enhance its economy’s resilience and to diversify its funding sources. NDB’s strong financing capabilities and relevant expertise would help Egypt meet its financing needs and enhance its efforts to upgrade its infrastructure base while also meeting its ambitious SDG goals,” said Dr. Mohamed Maait, Minister of Finance of Egypt.
Egypt will have in NDB a new platform to foster cooperation in infrastructure and sustainable development with BRICS and other emerging economies and developing countries. Membership to NDB becomes effective once the admitted country completes its domestic processes and deposits the instrument of accession.
Since its establishment six years ago, NDB has approved about 80 projects in all of its member countries, totaling a portfolio of US$ 30 billion. Projects in areas such as transport, water and sanitation, clean energy, digital infrastructure, social infrastructure and urban development are within the scope of the Bank.
NDB’s membership expansion is in line with the Bank’s strategy to become the premier development institution for emerging economies and developing countries.

::Economy::

IndusInd Bank launches 'Green Fixed Deposit'

IndusInd Bank launched Green Fixed Deposits where the deposit proceeds will be used to finance projects and firms supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
These deposits, shall be offered to both retail and corporate customers. The bank, will use the proceeds from these deposits to finance a wide array of sectors falling under the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) category including, energy efficiency, renewable energy, green transport, sustainable food, agriculture, forestry, waste management, and greenhouse gas reduction.
The private bank's standalone net profit surged 72% to Rs 1,113.53 crore on an 8.6% increase in total income to Rs 9,487.56 crore in Q2 FY22 over Q2 FY21.
Shares of IndusInd Bank shed 0.27% to Rs 852.85 on BSE. IndusInd Bank caters to both consumer and corporate customers.

Features & Benefits of Green Fixed Deposit

Higher rate of interest up to 6 per cent per annum
Additional returns for the senior citizens of 0.50 per cent per annum
Deposits backed by insurance for up to Rs 5 laks
Low pre-mature withdrawal charges of only 1 per cent
Assurance certification from a reputed external consulting firm "At IndusInd Bank, sustainable banking has always been a critical area of focus. We are the only bank in India to secure 'band A' in the Carbon Disclosure Project and we have maintained our leadership capability over the last 5 years. We are now delighted to bring forth Green deposits that provide our customers with an opportunity to contribute towards building a cleaner and better society.

::Science and tech::

Russia's first versatile nuclear-powered icebreaker to boost India's Arctic plans

Russia has launched a brand new nuclear powered icebreaker ‘Sibir’ that may contribute to the quickly rising fleet of deadly icebreakers to preserve the Northern Sea Route open for year-round transport by means of the Arctic enabling wider presence of India within the area.
During the twenty first version of the India-Russia summit held on December 6, the Indian Side additionally expressed its curiosity in collaborating with Russia on the Northern Sea Route. The Indian Side congratulated the Russian Side for its ongoing profitable chairmanship of the Arctic Council from 2021-23 and expressed its readiness to play an energetic position as an Observer within the Arctic Council.
Oil and gasoline reserves within the Russian Arctic could also be enough for the nation if obligatory, for many years and even centuries, in accordance to Russian estimates.
Simultaneously, the Arctic is opening new alternatives for hydrocarbons and different potential sources that lie unexplored beneath its ice. Russia maintains a dominant place within the Arctic and considers the area its strategic yard.
The Arctic, in current instances, has offered a brand new entrance of alternatives and cooperation between India and Russia. The Barents space within the Arctic area has a number of the best-known mineral deposits and a number of the world’s finest deep harbours from which to transport the merchandise. The area is wealthy in iron-ore. Russia’s oil and gasoline improvement initiatives within the Arctic are being given excessive precedence.
The Northern Sea Route via Arctic affords the shortest route between East Asian and Western European ports. It is estimated that the maritime distance from Shanghai to Rotterdam via NSR shall be 30 per cent shorter vis-à-vis the Suez Canal route, reducing time by 10–12 days. Likewise, the space from Yokohama to Rotterdam shall be 40 per cent shorter.

::Sport::

New Zealand Ross Taylor announces retirement from international cricket

Ross Taylor has announced his retirement from international cricket.
Taylor is the first player to feature in 100 games in each of the three formats.
New Zealand star Ross Taylor confirmed that he would retire from international cricket at the end of Black Cap’s home season. Taylor, who began his international career in March 2006 against West Indies, took to Twitter to announce that he will hang his boots after the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh and ODI legs versus Australia and the Netherlands.