Daily Current Affairs 20th August 2024, Important News Headlines (Daily GK Update)

National News

Centenary Commemorative Coin Honoring M. Karunanidhi

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on August 18, released the centenary commemorative coin of Dr. Kalaignar M. Karunanidhi in Chennai. Speaking on the occasion, the Minister paid rich tributes to the late leader and described him as one of the icons of Indian politics.

International News

China Approves $31 Billion for 11 New Nuclear Reactors Across Five Sites

China has approved the construction of 11 new nuclear reactors across five sites, with a total investment of approximately 220 billion yuan ($31 billion). This marks a record number of permits as the government intensifies its reliance on nuclear energy to reduce carbon emissions. The State Council’s approval includes reactors in Jiangsu, Shandong, Guangdong, Zhejiang, and Guangxi. The construction is expected to take about five years.

Nepal To Export 1000 MW Electricity To India

Nepal will export nearly 1,000 MW of electricity to India, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said after meeting his Nepalese counterpart Arzu Rana Deuba in New Delhi on August 19. He went on to describe the development as a “new milestone“.

States News

Andhra CM Inaugurates Projects and Deals Worth Rs 3,683 Crore at Sri City

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu inaugurated 16 industrial projects in Sri City and signed deals worth Rs 3,683 crore. These new ventures are anticipated to generate over 15,000 jobs, underscoring the State’s commitment to accelerating industrial growth through enhanced efficiency.

Rajasthan Govt Secures Rs 5.21 Trillion in Investment Proposals Ahead of Summit

The Rajasthan government has received investment proposals amounting to over Rs 5.21 lakh crore (approximately USD 62 billion) in the lead-up to the ‘Rising Rajasthan’ Investment Summit 2024. These proposals, received within two weeks of the summit’s announcement, are expected to generate approximately 1.55 lakh direct jobs. This investment sum represents more than 33% of the state’s current Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP), estimated at Rs 15.28 lakh crore for 2023-24.

Appointments News

Ashok Kumar Singh Takes Over as Director General, ESIC

Shri Ashok Kumar Singh, IAS took over the charge of Director General of Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) under Ministry of Labour & Employment, Govt. of India at its Headquarters in New Delhi on August 19.

Defence News

Army Chief General Chairs High-Level Meeting

Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi on August 20, chaired a high-level meeting focusing on the ongoing transformational initiatives by the Indian Army and its contribution towards achieving the objective of Viksit Bharat by 2047.

Business News

Net FDI Rises to $6.9 Billion in Q1 FY25

According to the latest data from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), net foreign direct investment (FDI) in India surged to $6.9 billion during the April-June quarter of FY25, compared to $4.7 billion in the same period last year. This increase was driven by a significant rise in gross inward FDI, which grew by 26.4% year-on-year (Y-o-Y) to reach $22.5 billion. Key sectors such as manufacturing, financial services, communication services, computer services, and energy accounted for about 80% of the total inflows.

NCLT Approves Slice and North East Small Finance Bank Merger

Fintech company Slice has received approval from the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) for its merger with North East Small Finance Bank. The Guwahati bench of the NCLT has sanctioned the scheme of arrangement and amalgamation involving several entities, including Garagepreneurs Internet, Quadrillion Finance, Intergalactory Foundry, RGVN (North East) Microfinance, and North East Small Finance Bank.

Summits and Conferences News

India-Japan Ministerial Dialogue In Delhi Today

China has approved the construction of 11 new nuclear reactors across five sites, with a total investment of approximately 220 billion yuan ($31 billion). This marks a record number of permits as the government intensifies its reliance on nuclear energy to reduce carbon emissions. The State Council’s approval includes reactors in Jiangsu, Shandong, Guangdong, Zhejiang, and Guangxi. The construction is expected to take about five years.

Sports News

India’s Participation in the 2024 Paris Paralympics

The Paralympic Committee of India has made a significant announcement regarding the country’s representation at the upcoming 2024 Paris Paralympics. This article delves into the details of India’s participation, the event’s background, and the nation’s historical performance in the Paralympic Games.

Important Days

World Humanitarian Day 2024

World Humanitarian Day, observed annually on August 19th, takes on a somber tone in 2024 as the global community faces a grim reality: humanitarian workers are increasingly becoming targets in conflict zones. The year 2023 marked the deadliest year on record for aid workers, and 2024 threatens to surpass this grim milestone. This alarming trend underscores a critical failure in protecting those who dedicate their lives to helping others in the world’s most challenging environments.

Obituaries News

ICG DG Rakesh Pal Dies of Cardiac Arrest

Director General of the Indian Coast Guard, Rakesh Pal, died of a severe cardiac arrest in Chennai. He was 59. He was in Chennai to participate in the Coast Guard function led by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.