Daily Current Affairs 21st August 2024, Important News Headlines (Daily GK Update)

National News

India’s First Constitution Museum Marks 75 Years of the Indian Constitution

India’s first Constitution Museum, named “The Constitution Academy and The Rights & Freedoms Museum,” is set to be inaugurated by OP Jindal Global University on November 26, 2024. This initiative celebrates the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Indian Constitution.

Manohar Lal Khattar Launches Three Online Platforms

The Union Minister of Power and Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs, Shri Manohar Lal, on August 20, launched Portal for Online monitoring of Projects Thermal (PROMPT) in New Delhi. Speaking at the launch, Union Minister Shri Manohar Lal remarked that the electricity is the key driver for the ongoing economic activities in the country.

International News

Ulchi Freedom Shield Exercises

For the first time in recent history, the 51st Fighter Wing at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, is incorporating its recurring wing readiness exercise into Ulchi Freedom Shield 24. The 51st FW readiness exercise started on Aug. 19 and will continue until Aug. 23, 2024.

Appointments News

Satya Prakash Sangwan Appointed as Chef de Mission for Paris Paralympics 2024

Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) made a significant announcement regarding the leadership of the Indian contingent for the upcoming Paris Paralympics. Satya Prakash Sangwan, the vice president of PCI, has been appointed as the Chef de Mission (CDM) for the Indian team.

M Suresh Appointed as Interim Chairman of Airports Authority of India

In a significant development in India’s aviation sector, M Suresh has been appointed as the interim Chairman of the Airports Authority of India (AAI). This appointment, effective Tuesday, marks a crucial transition in the leadership of one of India’s most important aviation bodies.

Banking News

Airtel Payments Bank Enhances Security with AI-Powered Face Match

Airtel Payments Bank has introduced a new security feature called Face Match, leveraging AI to enhance account protection. This advanced tool uses machine learning algorithms to detect potential threats and prompts facial recognition verification when needed.

Summits and Conferences News

Two-Day India-EU Regional Conference

The European Union (EU) and the External Affairs Ministry are organising a regional conference in New Delhi to discuss emerging threats in online radicalisation and to jointly counter the exploitation of online spaces by terrorists.

Ranks and Reports News

Amul Tops Global Food Brand Rankings in 2024

Amul has been named the world’s strongest food brand in Brand Finance’s Global Food & Drinks Report 2024. With a Brand Strength Index (BSI) score of 91 and a valuation of $3.3 billion, Amul achieved an 11% increase in brand value from 2023. The company’s dominance in India’s dairy market and strong metrics in familiarity, consideration, and recommendation contributed to its AAA+ rating. Hershey’s, which shared the AAA+ rating with Amul, saw a slight dip in its brand value, placing it second.

Awards News

RGIA Clinches Best Airport Award for Third Consecutive Year

The Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) in Hyderabad has once again been recognized as the Best Airport at the prestigious India Travel Awards, marking its third consecutive win in this category.

Sports News

ICC Moves Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 to UAE Due to Bangladesh Unrest

The ICC has announced the relocation of the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 from Bangladesh to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) due to significant safety concerns. The event, originally set to be hosted in Bangladesh, will now take place from October 3 to 20 in Dubai and Sharjah. This decision follows a series of political upheavals in Bangladesh, including unrest and the flight of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, which led to travel advisories from several participating countries.

Sinner and Sabalenka Claim Cincinnati Open Titles

Top-ranked Jannik Sinner and women’s No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka each secured their first Cincinnati Open titles with straight-set victories. Sabalenka defeated Jessica Pegula 6-3, 7-5, while Sinner overcame Frances Tiafoe 7-6 (4), 6-2. This marks a significant milestone for both players, with Sinner becoming the youngest Cincinnati champion since Andy Murray in 2008.

Science and Technology News

SpaceX’s Polaris Dawn Mission: The First Private Spacewalk

SpaceX’s upcoming Polaris Dawn mission is set to make history as the first private spacewalk. Scheduled for launch on August 26, 2024, at 3:38 a.m. EDT (0738 GMT), this five-day expedition will be led by American billionaire Jared Isaacman, who previously chartered the Inspiration4 mission in 2021. The mission will utilize a Falcon 9 rocket and the Crew Dragon capsule, Resilience, for its third flight.

Important days

International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism 2024

The International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism serves as a solemn reminder of the ongoing global challenge posed by terrorism. This day, observed annually on August 21st, aims to honour and support the victims and survivors of terrorist acts while promoting the protection of their human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Obituaries News

Indian Army Mourns The Loss Of General S Padmanbham

Former Chief of Army Staff General Sundararajan Padmanabhan, who passed away at his Chennai residence on August 19, was cremated with full military honours at Besant Nagar on August 20. The Indian Army bid a solemn farewell to the late Gen S Padmanabhan, who died at 83 due to age-related ailments.