Daily Current Affairs 16 February 2024, Important News Headlines (Daily GK Update)

Read the most important current affairs of 16 February 2024. Today Current Affairs covers the headlines on ‘Sangam: Digital Twin’ Initiative, UPI-NPI Linkage, World Anthropology Day 2024.

Top 23 Current Affairs and News Headlines of 16 February 2024

National News

1.India Leads the Charge at the 62nd Session of the Commission for Social Development

• India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ruchira Kamboj, recently chaired the 62nd Session of the Commission for Social Development.
• Held from February 5-15, the session concentrated on reinforcing global collaboration to tackle pressing social challenges, a priority that aligns with the broader objectives of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
• The theme was “Fostering Social Development and Social Justice through Social Policies to Accelerate Progress on the Implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and to Achieve the Overarching Goal of Poverty Eradication.”

2.India’s First Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) To Start From Uttarakhand

• India is set to launch its first Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) from Uttarakhand, marking a significant milestone in the country’s healthcare and aviation sectors.
• The HEMS will be based at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Rishikesh, strategically located to cover a radius of 150 kilometers.
• This positioning enables the swift airlifting of individuals who have encountered accidents or medical emergencies, ensuring prompt access to critical healthcare facilities.

3.DoT Launches ‘Sangam: Digital Twin’ Initiative for Transformative Infrastructure Planning

• DoT introduces the ‘Sangam: Digital Twin’ initiative, calling upon industry leaders to join hands in reshaping infrastructure planning and design through cutting-edge technologies and collaborative efforts.
• (Department of Telecommunications) DoT’s venture invites Expressions of Interest from diverse stakeholders. Digital Twin technology facilitates virtual replication of physical assets for real-time monitoring and analysis.
• Its objective is two-stage implementation in a major Indian city for creative exploration and practical demonstration and generating a future blueprint for scalable infrastructure strategies through collaboration.

International News

4.Germany Overtakes Japan as Third-Largest Economy

• Official data reveals that Germany has surpassed Japan as the world’s third-largest economy, primarily due to a significant depreciation in the yen compared to the stability of the euro.
• Japan’s economy, despite growing 1.9% last year, contracted in the fourth quarter, leading to its relegation to the fourth position.
• The yen depreciated by over 18% against the dollar in 2022 and 2023, facilitating Germany’s ascendancy due to the stability of the euro against the dollar.

5.Prabowo Subianto Wins Indonesian Presidency: A Decisive Victory

• Prabowo Subianto emerges victorious in Indonesia’s Presidential race, securing nearly 60% of the votes in the first round.
• His military background and alignment with President Joko Widodo’s policies propel him to a clear-cut victory, sparking positive reactions in Indonesian markets.
• Prabowo’s running mate, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, the eldest son of President Joko Widodo, is set to become the youngest vice-president in Indonesian history.

State News

6.Major Iron Ore Deposits Uncovered in Rajasthan’s Karauli

• Rajasthan’s Karauli district has emerged as a new focal point for mineral exploration after the Mines Department announced the discovery of substantial iron ore deposits.
• This find, located near Hindon, spans approximately 1,888 hectares and is poised to significantly impact the state’s industrial landscape.
• Mines Secretary Anandi highlighted this discovery’s potential to spur industrial development and generate employment opportunities within the state.

7.Nand Kishore Yadav Elected as Bihar Legislative Assembly Speaker

• Veteran Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Nand Kishore Yadav has been elected as the Speaker of the Bihar Legislative Assembly.
• Nand Kishore Yadav, a seven-time Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from the Patna Sahib constituency, has been a prominent figure in Bihar politics.
• First elected as an MLA in 1995, Yadav’s career has been distinguished by his several tenures as a minister in the Nitish Kumar government, showcasing his versatility and leadership within the state’s governance.

8.Tamil Nadu Assembly Rejects Delimitation and ‘One Nation, One Election’ Proposals

• The Tamil Nadu Assembly made a political statement by unanimously adopting two resolutions that challenge the Union government’s proposals on ‘One Nation, One Election’ and the post-2026 delimitation process.
• The first resolution openly criticizes the concept of ‘One Nation, One Election,’ arguing that it undermines the essence of federalism and democratic decentralization.
• The second resolution expresses apprehensions about the proposed delimitation process, suggesting it could unfairly penalize states like Tamil Nadu, which have made significant strides in socio-economic development.

Economy News

9.National Coal Index Dips 4.75% In Dec, 2023

• The National Coal Index (Provisional) has shown a significant decline of 4.75% in December 2023 at 155.44 points compared to December 2022, where it was at 163.19 points.
• The NCI is a price index that combines coal prices from all sales channels, viz. Notified Prices, Auction Prices, and Import Prices.
• Established with the base year as FY 2017-18, NCI serves as a reliable indicator of market dynamics, providing valuable insights into price fluctuations.

Banking News

10.PayU Partners with NPCI to Introduce Credit Lines on UPI for Merchants

• Fintech giant PayU has collaborated with the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) to introduce a groundbreaking feature called ‘Credit Lines on UPI’ for merchants.
• This integration, available within the PayU application, facilitates digital payments through pre-sanctioned credit lines, enhancing financial flexibility for both merchants and consumers.
• The feature empowers merchants with valuable insights into consumers’ credit types, such as pay-later and personal loans, aiding in the creation of tailored products for improved customer experience.

Business News

11.Shri Pashupati Kumar Paras Launches “SUFALAM” For Food Entrepreneurs

• Union Minister of Food Processing Shri Pashupati Kumar Paras inaugurated “SUFALAM: Start-Up Forum for Aspiring Leaders and Mentors Startup Conclave 2024.”
• he Startup Conclave for Food Processing Entrepreneurs holds the promise of being a transformative event, propelling the sector towards a future characterized by innovation, sustainability, and inclusive growth.
• The event witnessed participation from over 250 industry stakeholders, startups, MSMEs, financial institutions, venture capitalists, and academia. Spanning two days, the event comprised four knowledge sessions, two pitching sessions, and an exhibition.

12.Tata Group and Uber Forge Strategic Alliance for Digital Business Growth

• Tata Group and Uber are in talks to form a strategic partnership aimed at enhancing traffic volumes and engagement on Tata’s digital platform, Tata Neu.
• Tata Neu has encountered challenges such as stagnant user growth and low engagement. To address this, Tata Digital aims to cater to 50% of an average customer’s daily needs, spanning various sectors.
• A potential collaboration with Uber, known for its mobility solutions and diversification into areas like grocery delivery, could bolster daily user engagement on Tata Neu.

Important Days News

13.World Anthropology Day 2024

• World Anthropology Day, celebrated on the third Thursday of February each year, marks a significant occasion dedicated to the field of anthropology.
• This day, falling on February 15 2024, aims to shed light on the comprehensive study of human behavior, biology, and the intricate dynamics of human societies.
• The inception of World Anthropology Day was driven by the objective to foster widespread awareness about anthropology meaning ‘human behavior.’

Schemes News

14.UP Government Boosts Kanya Sumangala Yojana Grant

• Sandeep Kaur, Director of the Women’s Welfare Department, has declared substantial increments in grants under the Mukhyamantri Kanya Sumangala Yojana.
• This follows Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s directive to raise the grant from Rs 15,000 to Rs 25,000 per beneficiary annually starting this April.
• The initiative aims to tackle the diverse challenges encountered by girls in Uttar Pradesh, fostering their well-being from birth throughout their educational endeavors.

15.Haryana Launches ‘Van Mitra’ Scheme to Boost Green Cover

• In a significant move towards environmental conservation, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar inaugurated the ‘Van Mitra’ scheme and its accompanying portal.
• This innovative initiative is designed to foster community engagement in afforestation efforts, specifically targeting non-forest areas across the state.
• The scheme aims to empower local communities to play an active role in expanding the state’s green cover, thereby enhancing the survival rate of newly planted trees and promoting the planting of trees outside traditional forest zones.

Appointments News

16.Nikhil Joshi Appointed As Managing Director of Boeing Defence India

• Boeing, the American aerospace giant, has made a significant move to enhance its operations and propel its growth strategy in India by appointing Nikhil Joshi as the managing director of Boeing Defense India (BDI).
• Prior to his engagement with Boeing, Joshi served as the country manager for Eaton Aerospace in India, where he significantly contributed to expanding the company’s business footprint.
• His extensive experience includes commanding frontline ships and air squadrons, coupled with over 4,000 hours of flying time on various maritime reconnaissance aircraft.

Agreements News

17.Tata Steel Partners With IIT Bhubaneswar REP To Drive Innovation

• In a move aimed at fostering innovation and entrepreneurship, Tata Steel recently inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the IIT Bhubaneswar Research and Entrepreneurship Park (REP).
• This partnership signifies a strategic alignment between industry and academia to explore avenues for mutual growth and development.
• The MoU signing took place during the 100-Cube Start-up conclave, underscoring the government’s commitment to fostering entrepreneurial ecosystems and promoting technological advancements.

18.RBI and Nepal Rastra Bank Sign Pact for UPI-NPI Linkage

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced a significant collaboration with Nepal Rastra Bank, aiming to integrate the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) of India and the National Payments Interface (NPI) of Nepal.
• The RBI and Nepal Rastra Bank have formalized an agreement to integrate their fast payment systems, UPI and NPI respectively, to enable seamless cross-border transactions.
• The collaboration is designed to establish the necessary infrastructure for interlinking UPI and NPI, paving the way for efficient cross-border remittances.

Awards News

19.National Film Awards: Indira Gandhi and Nargis Dutt Names Removed from Categories

• The National Film Awards, one of India’s most prestigious film award ceremonies, is set to see significant changes in its 70th iteration in 2022.
• In a noteworthy update, the names of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and celebrated actor Nargis Dutt will no longer be associated with specific award categories as previously done.
• Previously known as the Indira Gandhi Award for Best Debut Film, this category will now be simply referred to as the “Best Debut Film of a Director.”

20.South Indian Bank Wins Best Technology Bank of the Year Award

• South Indian Bank has clinched the esteemed title of Best Technology Bank of the Year Award at the 19th IBA Annual Banking Technology Conference, Expo, & Citations.
• The bank’s remarkable achievements were acknowledged with a total of six prestigious awards, including three wins, one runner-up position, and two special mentions.
• T Rabi Sankar, Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India, presented the award to PR Seshadri, MD & CEO of South Indian Bank, at the Mumbai venue organized by the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA).

Sports News

21.100-Year-Old Diver Performs At The 2024 World Championships In Doha

• Taghi Askar, a 100-year-old diver from the Islamic Republic of Iran, made waves at the Diving World Championships in Doha as he took the plunge from the 1m platform.
• Having claimed silver and bronze medals at the inaugural Asian Games in New Delhi in 1951, it has been an astonishing 73 years since Askar first tasted success in the world of diving.
• His career, spanning nearly six decades, came to an end 59 years ago, leaving the sport on a triumphant note with a gold medal at the national level.

22.Indian Football Hits a Seven-Year Low, Slides to 117th in FIFA Rankings

• Indian football, the national team has fallen 15 places to the 117th position in the latest FIFA rankings, registering its lowest position in the past seven years.
• This decline follows the team’s underwhelming performance at the AFC Asian Cup, where it failed to secure a single point, losing all three of its group matches.
• This current ranking is a stark contrast to the 102nd position India held in the rankings issued on December 21, 2023, and it marks a concerning trend for the team and its management.

Science & Technology News

23.IIT Jammu Develops Sound-Based Anti-Drone System

• Professor Karan Nathwani from IIT-Jammu has created a groundbreaking anti-drone system that relies on sound technology.
• Priced at approximately Rs 4 lakh, the system offers a cost-effective alternative to conventional anti-drone technologies.
• Capable of detecting drones, aircraft, and birds within a 300-meter range, the system offers versatility and effectiveness across various scenarios. With production costs ranging from Rs 25,000 to Rs 40,000, it remains accessible to a wide range of users.

16 FEBRUARY CURRENT AFFAIRS 2024 | ALL EXAMS IMP. CURRENT AFFAIRS | ASHISH GAUTAM SIR

Check More GK Updates Here