Current affairs of 14 September 2020

Lok Sabha passes National Commission for Homeopathy Bill, 2019
National Commission for Homeopathy Bill, 2019 has been passed by the Lok Sabha, today. The bill is aimed at ensuring availability of high quality medical professionals for homeopathic treatment. Earlier, the bill was passed by the Rajya Sabha on 19th March 2020 during the Budget Session.

US signs Defense Cooperation Agreement with Maldives
"Framework for U.S. Department of Defense-Maldives Ministry of Defense and Security Relationship" was signed between Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for South and Southeast Asia Reed Werner and Maldivian Minister of Defense Mariya Didi in Philadelphia on September 10, 2020.

Yoshihide Suga to Succeed Shinzo Abe as the PM of Japan
Yoshihide Suga has been elected as the new leader by Japan's governing party to succeed Shinzo Abe. He is all set to become Japan's next prime minister. Mr Abe had announced his resignation in August 2020 due to health issues.

Tripura's First Ever SEZ
First-ever Special Economic Zone (SEZ) was laid to foundation stone by the Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb at Sabroom which is the southernmost town of the state bordering Bangladesh.

Jane Fraser named the 1st female CEO of Citigroup
Citigroup has named Jane Fraser as its next chief executive officer. She will be the first female CEO of this major global bank. She will succeed Michael Corbat, who is retiring in February 2021. Fraser has been a rising star in the financial industry, with a career that spans investment banking, wealth management, troubled mortgage workouts and strategy in Latin America.

Odisha govt launches 'GARIMA' scheme for sanitation workers
The Chief Minister of Odisha, Naveen Patnaik has launched a new scheme named 'GARIMA' which aims to ensure the economic safety and social dignity of core sanitation workers in the state. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development Department, Odisha has signed a Ministry of Understanding (MoU) with not-for-profit organisation Urban Management Centre for providing the technical support to implement the scheme.

PM Modi addresses the 'Grih Pravesham' event in MP
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has addressed the 'Grih Pravesham' event in Madhya Pradesh through video conferencing. Under this, 1.75 Lakh Families in Madhya Pradesh were delivered pucca houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana- Grameen (PMAY-G).

ADB & Suguna Foods Private Limited signs $15 million deal
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has signed an agreement for $15 million of debt financing through the subscription of nonconvertible debentures for Suguna Foods Private Limited (Suguna). The deal will help in sustaining poultry farming operations, as well as rural livelihoods and food security in India during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Subhash Kamath becomes new Chairman of ASCI
Subhash Kamath has been elected as the chairman of the board of governors of the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI). Kamath, who was serving as ASCI vice-chairman, will replace Rohit Gupta, president, Sony Pictures Networks.

Lewis Hamilton wins F1 Tuscan Grand Prix 2020
Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-Great Britain) has won the Formula One Tuscan Grand Prix 2020 held at Mugello Circuit, Italy. This was his 6th win of the season and 90th F1 win of his career.

India-US hold 2 plus 2 intersessional meeting
India and the United States held a bilateral 2+2 Inter-sessional meeting in virtual mode. During the meeting, both sides reviewed the progress and developments in bilateral ties in defence, security, and foreign policy areas. They explored opportunities for enhancing ongoing cooperation in these fields based on mutual interest. They also exchanged views about regional developments, and agreed to pursue their quest for a free, open, inclusive, peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific.

Dominic Thiem wins US Open Men's Tennis Tournament 2020
Austria's Dominic Thiem defeated Alexander Zverev to win the men's singles title at the 2020 US Open tournament. It was Thiem's first Grand Slam title, and he becomes the first player in the Open Era to rally from two sets down in a US Open final.

Hindi Diwas celebrated on 14 September
Hindi Diwas or Hindi Day is observed every year on 14 September to mark the popularity of Hindi as an official language of India. The language was adopted under Article 343 of the Indian Constitution. The first Hindi day was celebrated on 14th September 1953.

ADB appoints Takeo Konishi as Country Director for India
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) on September 14, 2020, announced that it has appointed Takeo Konishi as a Country Director of India. Takeo Konishi has succeeded Kenichi Yokoyama.

Cabinet approves asset monetization of subsidiaries of PGCIL through Infrastructure Trust
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved Asset Monetization of subsidiaries of Power Grid Corporation of India Limited- POWERGRID through Infrastructure Investment Trust.