Daily Current Affairs 14th August 2024, Important News Headlines (Daily GK Update)

International News

China Tests Largest Cargo Drone as Low-Altitude Economy Expands

China has taken a significant step in advancing its low-altitude economy by testing its largest unmanned cargo aircraft yet. This move highlights the country’s push to expand its drone capabilities, with the goal of creating a $279-billion industry by 2030.

States News

Madhya Pradesh Pioneers Cash for Sanitary Napkins Scheme

The state of Madhya Pradesh, under the leadership of Dr Mohan Yadav, has taken a revolutionary step in addressing menstrual health and hygiene. In a first-of-its-kind move in India, the state government has launched a scheme to provide cash directly to adolescent girls for purchasing sanitary napkins. This innovative approach sets Madhya Pradesh apart from other states that typically distribute free sanitary napkins.

Appointments News

Rana Ashutosh Kumar Singh Assumes Role as MD at SBI

Rana Ashutosh Kumar Singh has been appointed as the Managing Director (MD) of the State Bank of India (SBI), overseeing the Risk Compliance and Stressed Assets Resolution Group (SARG) departments. This change follows government approval last week.

PR Sreejesh Appointed as New Head Coach of India’s Junior Men’s Hockey Team

Hockey India (HI) has officially announced that retiring goalkeeper PR Sreejesh will be the new head coach for the Indian junior men’s hockey team. This decision follows India’s recent bronze medal victory at the 2024 Olympics.

Business News

NPCI Spins Off BHIM into a Separate Arm; Lalitha Nataraj Appointed CEO

The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) is spinning off its Bharat Interface for Money (BHIM) app into a standalone subsidiary to bolster its presence in the digital payments market. Lalitha Nataraj, previously with IDFC FIRST Bank and ICICI Bank, has been appointed as CEO of this new entity.

BHEL Wins 1,600 MW Thermal Power Project from DVC

State-owned Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) has been awarded a significant contract by Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) to set up a 1,600 MW thermal power project. This project, known as the Koderma Supercritical Thermal Power Project (STPP), will be implemented on an Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) basis in the Koderma district of Jharkhand.

Agreements News

NHA And MUHS Sign MoU To Drive Digital Health Education

In a significant step towards driving Digital Health education across India, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the National Health Authority (NHA) and Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS) in the presence of Union Health Minister, Shri J P Nadda, on August 13.

Defence News

DRDO Successfully Test Long Range Glide Bomb ‘GAURAV’ From Su-30 MK-1

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on August 13, 2024 successfully carried out the maiden flight test of the long-range glide bomb (LRGB) Gaurav from a Su-30 MK-I fighter jet of the Indian Air Force.

Sports News

ICC Players of the Month for July 2024 Announced

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has revealed the recipients of the ICC Players of the Month awards for July 2024. England’s Gus Atkinson and Sri Lanka’s Chamari Athapaththu have been crowned as the standout performers in men’s and women’s cricket, respectively, for their exceptional contributions to the sport during the month.

Prasar Bharati-BCL Sign Landmark Deal to Promote Cricket

The Big Cricket League (BCL) is set to make its debut on the Indian cricket landscape, promising a unique blend of local talent and cricketing legends. This franchise-based T20 event is poised to offer aspiring players an unprecedented opportunity to showcase their skills alongside established stars, potentially reshaping the future of Indian cricket. In a significant move, the BCL has forged a long-term partnership with Prasar Bharati, India’s national public broadcaster. This collaboration marks a crucial step in ensuring the league’s visibility and accessibility across the country.

Important Days

Partition Horrors Remembrance Day 2024

Partition Horrors Remembrance Day, known in Hindi as “Vibhajan Vibhishika Smriti Diwas,” is a solemn national memorial day observed annually on August 14th in India. This day serves as a poignant reminder of the immense suffering and loss experienced during the 1947 partition of India. Established in 2021 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, this commemoration aims to honor the victims and acknowledge the profound impact of partition on millions of lives.

Miscellaneous News

Ancient Solar Calendar Discovered in Turkey

In a groundbreaking discovery, archaeologists may have uncovered the world’s oldest solar calendar at the renowned archaeological site of Göbekli Tepe in southern Turkey. This finding, published in the journal Time and Mind on July 24, offers a fascinating glimpse into the sophisticated astronomical knowledge of our ancient ancestors.