Daily Current Affairs 24 August 2023, Important News Headlines (Daily GK Update)

Table of Contents

Read the most important current affairs of 24 August 2023. Today Current Affairs covers the headlines on U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Kerala’s First AI School, LCA Tejas, DRDO, Chandrayaan-3.

Top 17 Current Affairs and News Headlines of 24 August 2023

International News

1.US FDA Approves Pfizer’s Maternal RSV Vaccine To Protect Infants

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently grants approval to the first vaccine created to forestall (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) RSV-associated LRTD (Lower respiratory tract disease) and severe cases in infants spanning birth to 6 months
This vaccine represents a crucial milestone in maternal and infant healthcare, as it is the first to be approved for use specifically in pregnant individuals. It is intended for administration between 32 and 36 weeks of gestation and is delivered through a single-dose injection into the muscle.
Infants have faced persistent risks from RSV, frequently resulting in lower respiratory tract disease (LRTD) like bronchiolitis and pneumonia. The most critical period for RSV-related health issues usually occurs within the first three months of life.

2.African Swine Fever Spreads Globally: 49 Countries Affected Since 2021

Since its resurgence in January 2021, the highly contagious African Swine Fever (ASF) virus has rampantly spread across the globe, infiltrating 49 countries by August 2023.
The virus, infamous for its nearly 100% fatality rate among domestic and wild pigs, has wrought havoc on pig populations, with over 1.5 million animals lost within this timeframe.
The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), a prominent intergovernmental organization dedicated to combatting animal diseases, released a report detailing this alarming spread on August 21, 2023.

State News

3.Kerala’s First AI School Launched In Thiruvananthapuram

The state of Kerala introduces its first AI school situated at Santhigiri Vidyabhavan in Thiruvananthapuram. It was inaugurated by the Former President of India, Ram Nath Kovind. This inaugural ceremony heralded the inception of a fresh era in the educational domain, distinguished by innovative technology and forward-looking pedagogical methods.
The AI School, meticulously crafted by the iLearning Engines and Vedhik eSchool partnership, emerges as a beacon of innovative learning. Rooted in artificial intelligence technology, it promises an unparalleled educational experience for students, fortified by international standards and an unwavering commitment to quality learning.
Aligned with the National School Accreditation Standards, based on the transformative New National Education Policy (NEP) of 2020, the AI School charts a course toward higher grades and holistic education.

Defence News

4.LCA Tejas Successfully Test-Fires Astra Beyond Visual Range Air-To-Air Missile

The Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas achieved a significant milestone as it successfully fired the Astra indigenous Beyond Visual Range (BVR) air-to-air missile off the coast of Goa.
The missile release was executed flawlessly from the Tejas aircraft at an altitude of approximately 20,000 feet. The test not only met all its predetermined objectives but also demonstrated a perfect textbook launch, affirming the precision and readiness of the Astra missile system.
The Astra missile system, a product of collaborative efforts involving the Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), Research Centre Imarat (RCI), and other DRDO laboratories, is a Beyond Visual Range (BVR) air-to-air missile designed to engage and destroy high-speed aerial targets with exceptional maneuverability.

Banking News

5.RBI Approves Amalgamation of Twin Cities Co-operative Urban Bank and Kranti Co-operative Urban Bank

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has granted its approval for the voluntary amalgamation of Twin Cities Co-operative Urban Bank Ltd with Kranti Co-operative Urban Bank Ltd.
The amalgamation scheme is set to take effect from August 23, 2023. This decision, as outlined in an official release from the central bank, marks a significant step in the consolidation of cooperative urban banks.
The RBI’s decision further entails that the branch of Twin Cities Co-operative Urban Bank will seamlessly operate as a branch of Kranti Co-operative Urban Bank starting from August 23, 2023. This move ensures a smooth transition of operations and services, providing customers with continued access to banking facilities without interruption.

Schemes and Committees News

6.‘Mera Bill Mera Adhikar’ GST Reward Scheme To Launch Soon

In a significant move towards enhancing transparency in financial transactions and empowering consumers, the Indian government is set to launch the ‘Mera Bill Mera Adhikar‘ invoice incentive scheme.
This pioneering scheme, scheduled to commence from September 1, aims to promote the habit of requesting bills during purchases, thereby fostering a culture of fiscal responsibility and accountability.
The ‘Mera Bill Mera Adhikar’ scheme, conceptualized by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), is designed to instill a sense of confidence and assurance among consumers while making purchases.
Under this scheme, consumers are offered a compelling incentive to demand bills for their purchases. The range of cash prizes extends from ₹10,000 to a whopping ₹1 crore. These prizes will be awarded through monthly and quarterly draws, making participation exciting and rewarding.

7.North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS) with an approved outlay of Rs.8139.50 crore

On August 21, 2023, the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region announced the continuation of the North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS) with an approved budget of Rs. 8139.50 crore for the period 2022-2023 to 2025-2026.
This initiative aims to bolster infrastructure development, particularly in connectivity and social sectors, within the North Eastern States. The funding for this component is fully borne by the central government.
The objective is to enhance road connectivity and accessibility within the region and address gaps in various sectors and contribute to the region’s overall development.

8.Panel Formed For ‘Restructuring And Redefining’ Role Of DRDO

The Ministry of Defence in India has taken a significant decision to undertake a comprehensive revamp of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). Long recognized for its delayed projects and cost overruns, the DRDO is now set to undergo a transformation to enhance its technological advancements beyond the missile program.
To spearhead this transformation, a nine-member committee has been formed, bringing together experts from the defence sector, industry, and academia. The newly appointed committee will be led by K. Vijay Raghavan, former Principal Scientific Advisor to the government.
The committee is entrusted with proposing a revamped structure for the DRDO that aligns with contemporary defence research needs. This involves revisiting the organization’s priorities, resource allocation, and operational processes.

Summits and Conferences News

9.BRICS Summit 2023 Highlights: Strengthening Global South Cooperation and Expansion Ambitions

The 15th BRICS Summit took place in Johannesburg, bringing together leaders from Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. The summit aimed to enhance cooperation among these emerging economies, discuss global concerns, and potentially expand the group’s membership.
The summit marked the first in-person meeting of BRICS leaders since 2019, reflecting the significance of discussing shared issues.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the importance of the summit for addressing issues concerning the Global South and developmental matters. He highlighted India’s rapid economic growth and projected it to become a $5 trillion economy in the near future.

Agreements News

10.ICC Ties Up With Mastercard For Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has made a significant announcement, revealing a thrilling collaboration with Mastercard, which is set to become a Global Partner for the upcoming ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.
Scheduled to take place in India from October 5 to November 19, 2023, the partnership between Mastercard and ICC is poised to enhance the cricketing experience for fans worldwide. With exclusive privileges and unparalleled access, this collaboration is set to make the tournament an unforgettable event for cricket enthusiasts and Mastercard cardholders alike.
Mastercard, a leading global technology company in the payments industry, is dedicated to establishing an inclusive, digital economy that benefits people worldwide. Through secure data, networks, and partnerships, Mastercard’s innovative solutions facilitate secure and accessible transactions, ultimately empowering individuals, financial institutions, governments, and businesses to realize their full potential.

Sports News

11.Wrestling Federation of India membership suspended on world stage

The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), India’s governing body for wrestling, has faced suspension from the United World Wrestling (UWW) due to ongoing controversies and prolonged delays in conducting essential elections.
The WFI’s scheduled elections, initially set for June 2023, have been repeatedly postponed due to protests by Indian wrestlers and legal challenges from various state units. This delay prompted the UWW, the global authority for wrestling, to suspend the WFI’s membership. The suspension comes as a result of the federation’s failure to meet the required election timeline.
As a consequence of this suspension, Indian wrestlers will be unable to compete under the Indian flag in the upcoming World Championships. Instead, they will participate as ‘neutral athletes’ in the Olympic-qualifying World Championships.

Books and Authors News

12.A book titled “The Life, Vision and Songs of Kabir” by Vipul Rikhi

The book, “Drunk on Love: The Life, Vision and Songs of Kabir”, published by HarperCollins India and written by writer-singer Vipul Rikhi, presents the 15th-century poet, as he is described, quoted, and loved in popular imagination.
This book aims to capture the life of mystic poet Kabir through popular legends, his vision and his poetry that has been quoted and translated extensively.
The book brings into one place stories from Kabir’s life, his most famous songs, “as well as his fiercely iconoclastic and inspiring vision”. The essence of Kabir to a contemporary readership. Through his lived, practical understanding of the centuries-old verses, he reacquaints us with their core wisdom, which we can apply to our own lives.

Science and Technology News

13.Chandrayaan-3 becomes world’s most viewed live-stream on YouTube

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has achieved an impressive feat on YouTube’s live streaming platform. The Chandrayaan-3 Mission Soft-landing LIVE Telecast, broadcasted on August 23, 2023, captured the attention of over 80 lakh peak concurrent viewers (PCVs), making it the most-watched live stream globally.
The Chandrayaan-3 Mission took the top spot in terms of peak concurrent viewers, beating the Brazil vs Croatia football match from the FIFA World Cup 2022 that had 61 lakh PCVs and the the Brazil vs South Korea football match from the same tournament with 52 lakh PCVs. ISRO also beat Cariocão 2023 Serie A semi-final between Vasco da Gama and Flamengo with 47 lakh PCVs. The top names in the list include Crew Demo-2 by SpaceX (40 lakh), the K-pop sensation BTS’s ‘Butter’ Official MV (37 lakh) and Johnny Depp v Amber Heard Defamation Trial (35 lakh).

14.Hubble’s Stunning Image of Irregular Galaxy ESO 300-16

The awe-inspiring image of the irregular galaxy ESO 300-16 has been captured by none other than the renowned Hubble Space Telescope. With unprecedented resolution, these telescopes reveal the hidden intricacies of irregular structures, unfurling our understanding of their dance of dynamics and evolution.
ESO 300-16 presents an enigmatic challenge for classification, as it defies the conventional categories of galaxies. Unlike the typical symmetrical shapes seen in spiral or elliptical galaxies, this irregular galaxy stands out due to its chaotic and asymmetric form.
The galaxy’s most captivating feature is an alluring bubble of vivid blue gas situated at its core. This distinctive element contributes significantly to ESO 300-16’s striking appearance and sets it apart within the realm of irregular galaxies.

15.Aditya-L1 Mission to be Launched in September

Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) Chief S Somanath announced that Aditya-L1 mission, the first space-based Indian observatory to study the Sun will be likely launched by the first week of September. This announcement comes hours after ISRO’s third lunar mission Chandrayaan-3 made a successful landing on the lunar surface.
Aditya L1 will be ISRO’s 2 space-based astronomy mission after AstroSat, which was launched in 2015. Aditya 1 was renamed as Aditya-L1. The Aditya 1 was meant to observe only the solar corona.
Aditya L1 will be launched using the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) XL with 7 payloads (instruments) on board. It will study the Sun’s corona (Visible and Near infrared rays), Sun’s photosphere (soft and hard X-ray), chromosphere (Ultra Violet ), solar emissions, solar winds and flares, and Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs), and will carry out round the-clock imaging of the Sun.

Obituaries News

16.Legendary statistical scientist CR Rao passes away at the age of 103

C Radhakrishna Rao, one of India’s greatest mathematicians and statisticians of India, passes away at the age of 103. He had recently received the prestigious “International Prize in Statistics-2023”, often referred to as the “statistics’ equivalent of the Nobel Prize”.
C R Rao was born into a Telugu family in Ballari, which was part of the Madras Presidency and is now in Karnataka. In 1941, he completed his MSc in Mathematics from Andhra University and joined Indian Statistical Institute in Calcutta in 1943 as research scholar.
In 2020, the Department of Science and Technology (DST) of the Indian government conferred a felicitation to C R Rao, when he turned 100 in an online symposium for his “path-breaking contributions in the field of statistics, for recognising and facilitating the critical role of data and computing. Recognisng his contributions, he was honoured with the Padma Bhushan award in 1968 and the Padma Vibhushan award in 2001. In 2023 he was awarded with International Prize in Statistics.

17.Wrestling icon and WWE Hall of Famer, Terry Funk, passes away

Terry Funk, the pioneer of the World Wrestling Entertainment and the WWE Hall of Famer, has passed away at the age of 79.
Funk had an intriguing and remarkable career over five decades (1965 to 2017). He was known for his hardcore style, his charisma, and his passion for the business. The late 79-year-old was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2009 by his longtime friend and rival, Dusty Rhodes. In 2021, he also received recognition from the International Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame.
The iconic WWE figure has secured multiple championship victories, encompassing the NWA World Heavyweight Championship, the ECW World Heavyweight Championship, and the WWF Tag Team Championship. He was also a part of several memorable feuds and matches with icons such as Ric Flair, Dusty Rhodes, Mick Foley, and Bret Hart.

Important Current Affairs of 24th August 2023

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