Correct Answer :   Paytm

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Paytm has unveiled the Paytm Card Soundbox, a device that allows merchants to accept both mobile and card payments, including Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and RuPay, through its Soundbox.

This new product will assist merchants in scaling their businesses by offering a "tap and pay" solution via credit and debit cards.

The new in-store payments option also provides audio-based confirmations using Paytm Soundbox. After the successful launch of Paytm Pocket Soundbox and Paytm Music Soundbox, the introduction of Paytm Card Soundbox enhances convenience for merchants.

According to Paytm, the Card Soundbox addresses two critical issues for merchants: accepting card payments and receiving instant audio alerts for all transactions. This device combines the efficacy of a POS unit, UPI QR code card, and even a soundbox confirming the transaction. The combination of Soundbox technology with NFC or contactless debit and credit card payments aims to be the single-point payment method. The device also offers both audio and visual payment confirmations through an LCD display.

Key Features :

* Built-in "tap and pay" functionality for card payments up to ₹5,000.
* Powered by 4G network connectivity for fast payment alerts.
* Features a 4W speaker for clear payment alerts.
* Long battery life of up to five days.
* Offers alerts in 11 languages, customizable by the merchant through the Paytm for Business app.
* NFC-enabled smartphone users can make payments using the tap feature.

Vijay Shekhar Sharma, Founder & CEO of Paytm, emphasized the company's commitment to solving payment and financial services challenges for India's small businesses. He stated that Paytm Card Soundbox bridges the gap between mobile and card payments, offering a simple and efficient solution for merchants..

Source : Business Today

Correct Answer :   Sato Kilman

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Vanuatu’s parliament elected "Sato Kilman" as the nation’s new prime minister on Monday (4th Sep 2023) after a court upheld a vote of no-confidence in the nation’s former leader and amid China-US rivalry in Pacific Islands.

Kilman, a former prime minister and leader of the People’s Progressive Party, was elected prime minister by 27 of 50 lawmakers in a secret ballot.
Vanuatu was plunged into political crisis last month when opposition parties lodged a no-confidence petition criticising then leader Ishmael Kalsakau for actions including signing a security pact with Australia.

Opposition lawmakers said the security pact with Australia compromised Vanuatu’s “neutral” status and could jeopardise development help from China, its biggest external creditor.

A Vanuatu court on Monday (4th Sep 2023) dismissed an appeal against a ruling that the no-confidence motion had been won by the opposition parties.
Vanuatu has been at the centre of a strategic rivalry between China and Western countries in the region. The United States and its allies are seeking to dissuade Pacific Islands nations from establishing security ties with China, after it signed a security pact with the Solomon Islands.

A police commissioner before entering politics, Kilman served as deputy prime minister in Kalsakau’s government until May, when he was removed from cabinet.

He has previously served two stints as prime minister, in 2012 and in 2015 for eight months.

As prime minister, Kilman expelled 12 Australian Federal Police from Vanuatu in 2012, after he was stopped while transiting through an Australian airport and his adviser was arrested by Australian police on tax fraud charges...

Source : Scmp

Correct Answer :   Hitachi

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Hitachi Payment Services, a subsidiary of Japan-based Hitachi Ltd, on Tuesday (5th Sep 2023) announced the launch of India's first-ever UPI-ATM as a White Label ATM (WLA) named Hitachi Money Spot UPI ATM, with the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).

In the announcement, the company said the ATM will offer cardless cash withdrawals, eliminating the need for physical cards. A UPI-ATM allows users to withdraw cash from multiple accounts using the United Payments Interface (UPI) app. WLAs are operated by non-banking entities.

 The company said it will drive financial inclusion by facilitating easy access to banking services in areas where traditional banking infrastructure and card penetration is limited.

In the announcement, NPCI, said, "We are delighted to empower customers with this innovative and customer-friendly enhancement for ATM transactions. The launch of the UPI ATM will mark a significant milestone in banking services by seamlessly integrating the convenience and security of UPI into traditional ATMs. This innovative concept is designed to provide quick access to cash even in the remote areas of India without the need for a physical card."

Notably, Hitachi Payment Services is the only White Label ATM operator to offer a cash deposit facility. It offers the facility across 3,000 locations in India.

"This novel offering empowers any bank customer to experience the convenience of QR-based UPI cash withdrawals. UPI has been the fastest growing payment mode in the country and accounts for more than 50 per cent of digital transaction volumes," said Sumil Vikamsey, managing director and chief executive officer (Cash Business) at Hitachi Payment Services.

Hitachi has over 65,500 ATMs (including 27,500 cash recycling machines) and 9,500 WLAs under management. In addition, it caters to over 3 million merchant touchpoints and processes over 7 million digital transactions daily..

Source : Business Standard

Correct Answer :   Indonesia

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Indonesia has granted its first golden visa to Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, a pioneering firm in artificial intelligence. The Indonesian immigration authority issued a 10-year visa to Altman, acknowledging his global renown and potential contributions to the nation.

Indonesia's Immigration Director General has said that Altman "has an international reputation and may bring benefits to Indonesia", Bloomberg reported. He believes the visa will serve as an incentive for high-profile foreign investors. Alongside the extended visa period, Altman is set to benefit from priority security screening at airports and streamlined entry and exit procedures.

The golden visa programme was launched just a week ago as a strategic move to bolster economic growth in Indonesia. Under the scheme, foreign nationals willing to make significant financial commitments to the country are permitted to stay for a period ranging from five to 10 years.

For instance, a five-year residency is guaranteed to anyone investing $350,000 in local public enterprises, savings accounts or government securities.

Although Altman's investment plans in Indonesia are not yet public knowledge, his recent visit to Jakarta to deliver a speech on the future of artificial intelligence hints at his keen interest in the nation's technological landscape. The visa could potentially pave the way for collaborations that boost Indonesia's standing in the world of AI and technology..

Source : Mint

Correct Answer :   3 September 2023

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Former Indian umpire Piloo Reporter, a pioneer who was among the first neutral umpires to officiate in Test cricket, passed away (3 September 2023) in Mumbai at the age of 84, leaving behind a remarkable legacy.

Piloo Reporter had been battling Cerebral Contusion disease, and he was under the loving care of his wife and two daughters during his illness.


An Illustrious Umpiring Career :

Reporter's illustrious umpiring career spanned 28 years, during which he presided over 14 Tests and 22 one-day internationals. Notably, he officiated in the 1992 World Cup held in Australia and New Zealand.

In addition to international matches, Reporter also had a role in 13 first-class matches, where he served as a match referee in two instances.

Piloo Reporter embarked on his umpiring journey with the Delhi Test between India and England in December 1984. His remarkable career culminated with his last appearance in the Mumbai Test between the same teams in February 1993.

In the realm of One-Day Internationals (ODIs), Reporter's journey began with the India-Australia clash in Delhi in September 1984. He concluded his ODI umpiring career in Rajkot, presiding over the match between India and Sri Lanka in February 1994.

Born : 24 September 1938, Mumbai

Died : 3 September 2023, Mumbai.


Source : Free Press Journal

Correct Answer :   Telangana

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US-based multinational technology company "Corning" has announced plans to set up a $113m Gorilla Glass manufacturing facility in the Indian state of Telangana.

The announcement follows a meeting between Telangana’s Minister for IT, electronics and communication, KT Rama Rao, global operations executive Ravi Kumar and Sarah Cartmell, director of government affairs at Corning.

The proposed facility in Telangana is expected to generate 800 new jobs. Telangana accounts for 6% of the electronic production in India, with more than 250 companies employing over 50,000 people across different industry sub-segments there.

“Happy to share that Corning, one of the world’s leaders in material sciences, has decided to invest in Telangana to set up a manufacturing plant to make Gorilla Glass for smartphones, for the first time in India,” Rao said in a post on Facebook.

“The investment size of ₹934 Crore will employ 800 people but more importantly [it is] a strategic investment in manufacturing for smartphones and other electronic devices.”

News about the factory comes amid a difficult period for Corning, with the company reporting $303m in net income during the second quarter of 2023, down 48% from the same period in 2022 ($584m).

However, business sales grew by 3% in the second quarter, prompting the company’s executive vice-president and chief financial office, Ed Schlesinger, to comment: “Looking ahead, we will continue improving profitability and cash generation in the second half of 2023 despite our current sales outlook. Overall, we remain well positioned to capture upside, and as sales grow, we’ll drive strong operating leverage."

Corning is a tech company with more than 51,000 employees and 18 research and development labs across North America, Europe and Asia. In September 2022, it opened an optical fibre factory in Mszczonów, Poland, in response to the growing demand for high-speed connectivity in Europe. The investment in Mszczonów will create jobs for around 250 people.

Corning to build $113m Gorilla Glass plant in India was originally created and published by Investment Monitor, a GlobalData owned brand..

Source : MSN

Correct Answer :   Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu

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Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Monday (4 September 2023) launched the Mukhya Mantri Sporting Abilities, Rebuilding Aspirations and Livelihood Scheme (SABAL) from his home assembly segment Nadaun in this district.

The chief minister also announced to set up a ‘Rajya Chayan Aayog’ in place of the now-dissolved Himachal Pradesh Staff Selection Commission in Hamirpur within the next two months to ensure fairness in the selection criteria of candidates.

The SABAL scheme intends to take care of specially-abled children in around 400 schools across Hamirpur, Solan and Shimla districts.

CM Sukhu said the SABAL Yojana is aimed at improving the lives of specially-abled children in the state. The initiative focuses on providing essential facilities and opportunities for them, a statement issued here said.

He said the state government has made a provision of two per cent reservation in government jobs for specially-abled individuals and the recruitment process for this, was set to commence on a mission mode shortly.

Simultaneously, CM Sukhu launched ‘Abhyas Himachal’ and ‘Shikshak Sahayata’ chatbots, accessible via the Swift Chat app, offering ease similar to WhatsApp and powered by conversational Artificial Intelligence (AI)..

Source : Swachh India

Correct Answer :   Manoj Sinha

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In Jammu and Kashmir, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha will inaugurate a community radio, a first of its kind in the Union Territory, at Jammu University on its 54th foundation day on Tuesday (5th Sep 2023).

The radio shall act as a medium to promote, propagate and disseminate the poly-vocal and poly-lingual voices of the various stakeholders of the university and act as a site of exchange for various ideas culminating in motivating people to participate in the national endeavour for integrated development of the country.

Vice Chancellor of Jammu University, Umesh Rai said the recent nomination of the varsity by the UGC as the nodal University to lead the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 in the UT has helped the institute ”indisputably” claim a high status in academic leadership.

Source : AIR

Correct Answer :   Lokesh Suji

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The General Body of the International Esports Federation (IESF) has elected "Lokesh Suji", Director of the Esports Federation of India (ESFI) and Vice-President of the Asian Esports Federation (AESF), to its esteemed Membership Committee on a three-year term.

This election marks the first time that an Indian has become a part of the membership committee of the International Esports Federation.

The IESF is a global Esports organization working towards promoting Esports as a true sport beyond language, race, and culture barriers. Its Membership Committee is instrumental in upholding consistency, fairness, and excellence among its members.

They enforce the federation’s rules, promote integrity, and nurture unity within the Esports community. The committee also carefully assesses new member applications to maintain high standards and advance the global Esports mission.

The elections for Suji’s appointment were conducted during the recent Ordinary General Meeting (OGM) of the IESF on August 28 in Iasi, Romania, where out of the 70 voting and present members, a majority of 42 member countries voted in favour of his selection. As part of the membership committee, he will now leverage his vast experience and expertise to ensure a seamless execution of the process, contributing to a bright future for Esports within the IESF.

Vlad Marinescu, President of the IESF expressed his elation on Mr. Suji’s election by saying, “We are thrilled to introduce Mr. Lokesh Suji as the newest addition to the IESF Membership Committee. Drawing from our extensive collaboration over the past few years, I possess unwavering confidence in his passion, capabilities, and commitment to advancing the global Esports community.

Under Lokesh’s leadership, ESFI has not only significantly contributed to raising Esports to a multi-sport status in India, but the nation has also achieved remarkable milestones on the global stage. His vision for promoting democratic and transparent processes seamlessly aligns with ours, making him an invaluable asset for propelling the growth of the IESF family..

Source : Khelnow

Correct Answer :   Meta

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Union Minister for Education Dharmendra Pradhan launched (4th Sep 2023) a 3-year partnership of his Ministry with Meta to provide Digital and marketing skills to students, educators, and entrepreneurs in New Delhi.

* Three Letters of Intent (LoI) were exchanged between Meta and NIESBUD, AICTE and CBSE. Speaking at the event, Dharmendra Pradhan said that the initiative launched today (4th Sep 2023) is in furtherance to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of making India a skilled capital of the world and empowering our Amrit Peedhi.

* He further said that the ‘Education to Entrepreneurship’ partnership is a game-changer, which will take Digital Skilling to the grassroots.
 

* The Minister also said this will build capacities of the talent pool, and seamlessly connect students, youth, workforce, and micro-entrepreneurs, with futuristic technologies.  Minister of State for Education Annpurna Devi and Minister of State for Electronics & Information Technology and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Rajeev Chandrasekhar also graced the occasion.
 
* In a video message Meta President, Global Affairs, Nick Clegg, thanked Dharmendra Pradhan for his support in bringing the partnership together between the two most important sectors of the workforce, education and skilling. He said that India’s talent base and rapid digital adoption make it the perfect place for them to invest in emerging technologies.

* Under the partnership with NIESBUD, five lakh entrepreneurs will get access to digital marketing skills by Meta over the next three years..

Source : AIR