Current Affairs for BANK, IBPS Exams - 23 September 2021

::National::

Karnataka Assembly passes bill banning online 'game of chance'

The BasavarajBommai-led BharatiyaJanata Party (BJP) government tabled a bill to ban online gambling and betting in Karnataka with provisions of heavy penalties for offenders.
The Karnataka Police (Amendment) Bill, 2021 was tabled in the lower house of the state legislature in the ongoing monsoon session.
By tabling the bill, the government proposed to amend the Karnataka Police Act, 1963 that defined games which included online that had any forms of wagering or betting.
According to the bill, “Games means and includes online games, involving all forms of wagering or betting, including in the form of tokens valued in terms of the money paid before or after the issue of it, or electronic means and virtual currency, electronic transfer of funds in connection with any game of chance.”
The government also made a provision to punish offenders with a maximum imprisonment of three years or a fine of up to ₹1 lakh.
The bill, however, does not include betting in turf clubs or other races.
The bill, which makes certain offences related to wagering and gambling a cognizable offence, includes use of cyberspace, computer resources or any communication device as defined in the Information Technology Act, 2000 in the process of gaming.
The tabling of the bill comes at a time when there has been a sharp spike in online betting games being floated into the virtual space which, by disclaimers made by the promoter companies themselves, can be addictive.

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::International::

Bangladesh PM Hasina receives SDG Progress Award

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been conferred with SDG Progress award for Bangladesh’s steady progress in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by the UN sponsored Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN).
Prime Minister Hasina is currently visiting the US to attend the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
Foreign Minister Dr. A K Abdul Momen called this award an international acknowledgement of Bangladesh’s success in spearheading the SDGs, reports the official news agency BSS.
Development economist Jeffery Sachs appreciated Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for spearheading the SDG campaign even during the COVID 19 pandemic.
The SDSN was set up in 2012 under the auspices of the UN Secretary General. Led by development economist Jeffery Sachs, the SDSN seeks to mobilize global scientific and technological expertise to promote practical solutions for sustainable development.

::Economy::

ADB lowers India's FY21 growth forecast by 10% on the impact of the second wave in its Asian Development Outlook 2021 report

Growth forecasts for developing Asia are slightly revised: down to 7.1% in 2021 from 7.3% in April ADO, and up to 5.4% in 2022 from 5.3%.
COVID-19 continues to besiege developing Asia, but vaccines are changing the nature of the pandemic. Uneven vaccination coverage is furthering regional divergence.
Inflation is projected at 2.2% in 2021 and 2.7% in 2022.
Resurgence in the COVID-19 pandemic—possibly due to new virus variants, waning effectiveness of vaccines or slow progress on vaccination—remains the main risk.
The theme chapter discusses the challenges to Asian agriculture from three ongoing trends: changing demand, changing demographics, and a changing and fragile environment.

Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying signs MoU with Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to support India's livestock sector

The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), Government of India and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation have signed a multi-year Memorandum of Understanding to work together on sustainably improving India’s livestock sector to support the nation’s food and nutritional security, and protect the economic wellbeing of small-scale livestock producers. The event was organized as a part of ongoing celebrations of ‘AzadiKaAmritMahotsav’, a commemoration of 75th year of India’s Independence at KrishiBhavan New Delhi.
The Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Government of India is working to improve animal health and production programmes to ensure food security and economic development. Developing the livestock sector envisages strengthening animal husbandry infrastructure, entrepreneurship development and implementing One Health framework. To meet food and nutritional security challenges and to safeguard human health, it is essential that animal health is accorded a priority. Through this collaboration,Bill& Melinda Gates Foundation willprovide technical assistance for the design and delivery of new technologies and implementation of best practices that are relevant in the local context.
The joint support programs will be directed at improving livestock health, production, and animal nutrition, identifying scientific and technological solutions for major infectious diseases, providing technical assistance in translational sciences, identifying opportunities for scientific and technological collaboration, and implementing the One Health framework. COVID-19 has accelerated the need to implement solutions for better human, animal, and environmental health. Implementation of the One Health Framework will allow tracking and resolution of animal and human health challenges and will prevent possible infection and disease outbreaks. The National One Health platform will be established as part of this partnership to improve coordination, productivity, and support livelihoods of small-scale producers.

::Science and tech::

Former ISRO chairman K. Kasturirangan to head panel to develop new curriculum framework

The Union Education Ministry formed a 12-member National Steering Committee to develop the new National Curriculum Framework (NCF) in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
Renowned Indian space scientist and former head of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Dr. K Kasturirangan will head the panel.
Dr. Kasturirangan was also the head of the drafting committee of NEP 2020.
In a statement, the Union Education Ministry said the panel would develop four curriculum frameworks: a national curriculum framework for school education; a national curriculum for early childhood care and education; a national curriculum framework for teacher education; and a national curriculum framework for adult education.
“The Committee will discuss different aspects of these four areas, keeping in focus of all the recommendations of NEP 2020 for proposing curriculum reforms… All the national curriculum frameworks would also reflect upon the implications of situations such as COVID-19 pandemic on respective areas for the future,” the statement noted.
Currently, the fourth National Curriculum Framework finalised in 2005 is in place in the country.

::Sports::

Flyweight boxing champ Deepak Bhoria aims to soar beyond AmitPanghal

Deepak Bhoria was a class apart at the just-ended senior national boxing championships in Bellary. With deft footwork, quick reflexes and sharp counters, he won all his bouts convincingly for the 51kg (flyweight) title and earn the right to represent India at the world championships in Belgrade next month.
The result was on expected lines for Bhoria - an Asian championships silver medallist - in the absence of India’s top boxer in the class, AmitPanghal.