Daily Current Affairs 26 August 2023, Important News Headlines (Daily GK Update)

Read the most important current affairs of 26 August 2023. Today Current Affairs covers the headlines on Iga Swiatek, National Space Day, International Dog Day.

Top 18 Current Affairs and News Headlines of 26 August 2023

International News

1.PM Modi Pays Tribute to Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during Greece Visit

• On his visit to Greece, Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged in a solemn and symbolic act by paying his respects to the ‘Tomb of the Unknown Soldier’ in Athens. This gesture took place amidst a series of diplomatic activities during his European tour, highlighting India’s commitment to global partnerships.
• The ‘Tomb of the Unknown Soldier,’ situated at Syntagma Square in Athens, stands as a poignant tribute to Greek soldiers who sacrificed their lives in different conflicts. Located in front of the Old Royal Palace, this cenotaph carries deep historical significance. It commemorates the valor and sacrifices of unnamed soldiers who gave their lives in service to their nation during various wars.

National News

2.India’s new National Curriculum Framework for school education, decoded

• The Education Ministry has recently unveiled an innovative National Curriculum Framework for school education, aimed at providing students with increased curricular flexibility and choices.
• The new National Curriculum Framework promises to introduce greater flexibility in the curriculum to enable students to choose from a wider array of subjects, allowing them to align their education more closely with their passions and career aspirations.
• The new framework outlines plans to introduce a dual-board examination system, providing students with a unique choice. It entails not only offering a wider range of Indian languages as study options but also incorporating language proficiency as an essential skill.

State News

3.Assam Govt Issues Notification Banning Plastic Water Bottles Below 1 Litre

• In a decisive move towards environmental conservation, the Assam Environment and Forest Department has taken a significant step by announcing the ban on the use and production of plastic water bottles below 1000 ml capacity within the state.
• The ban on plastic water bottles below 1000 ml capacity falls under the purview of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. The notification invokes the powers vested in the State by the Ministry of Environment & Forests, Government of India, under Section 23 of the Act. As per the notification, the ban will become effective on October 2.
• Last month, the Assam government made headlines by declaring its intent to prohibit the production and use of drinking water bottles made from Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) with a volume of less than 1 litre. This commendable decision has now materialized into official action, with the Assam Environment and Forest Department issuing a resolute notification on August 23.

4.UP cabinet approves 18 ‘Atal Residential’ schools, to cost Rs 1,250 crore

• The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet has allocated a significant budget of Rs 1,250 crore for the establishment of 18 ‘Atal Residential Schools’ across all 18 divisions of Uttar Pradesh.
• These schools are modeled after the Navodaya Vidyalayas and aim to provide high-quality education. The schools will have a capacity of 1,000 students each, including 500 girls and 500 boys.
• The curriculum will span from classes six to twelve. Importantly, these schools will also cater to students whose education was disrupted due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The vision is for these schools to become centers of excellence in education.

Business News

5.Hindustan Shipyard Signs ₹19,000 cr Contract With Defence Ministry

• The Ministry of Defence (MoD) took a significant step towards bolstering the Indian Navy’s operational capabilities by signing a groundbreaking contract with Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), a state-owned company based in Visakhapatnam.
• The contract entails the acquisition of five Fleet Support Ships (FSS), marking a new era in naval logistics. This pioneering endeavor is set to provide unprecedented advantages to the Indian Navy, enabling prolonged and sustained missions without the need to return to port. The overall cost of this venture is estimated to be approximately ₹19,000 crore.

6.Reliance Retail Launches ‘Yousta’ Fashion Stores; First Outlet In Hyderabad

• Reliance Retail, the retail arm of billionaire Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries Ltd, has taken a significant step in the fashion retail sector with the introduction of its new brand, Yousta.
• The brand’s debut was marked by the opening of its flagship store in Hyderabad’s Sarath City Mall. This move is set to revolutionize the retail market by catering to the fashion needs of the youth segment while offering contemporary, technology-enabled shopping experiences.
• Yousta is positioned as a youth-centric fashion retail format that embraces contemporary trends and offers them at affordable prices. All products within the Yousta range are priced below Rs 999, and a majority of them are available for less than Rs 499. This pricing strategy is poised to resonate with budget-conscious young shoppers.

7.CCI Imposes Penalty On Bharti Airtel

• The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has recently taken a stern stance against Bharti Airtel, imposing a penalty of Rs 1 crore for its failure to adhere to the stipulations outlined in Section 6(2) of the Competition Act, 2002.
• This move comes in relation to Bharti Airtel’s acquisition of a stake in Bharti Telemedia from Lion Meadow Investment Limited, an affiliate entity of Warburg Pincus.
• The penalty of Rs 1 crore, as decreed by the CCI, has been imposed under the purview of Section 43A of the Competition Act, 2002. Bharti Airtel, a prominent player in the Indian telecommunications sector, acknowledged the CCI’s action in a regulatory filing dated August 23, 2023.

Banking News

8.RBI Raises Offline Payment Transaction Upper Limit to ₹500 from ₹200

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has made changes to the offline payment transaction regulations, aiming to enhance user convenience and digital payment adoption.
• The central bank has decided to increase the upper limit of offline payment transactions from ₹200 to ₹500, with immediate effect. This move is part of RBI’s ongoing efforts to streamline payment processes and adapt to evolving consumer needs.
• While the upper limit per offline transaction has been increased, the total limit for offline transactions on a payment instrument remains ₹2,000. This ensures a balance between convenience and security, preventing excessive financial exposure in case of any unauthorized usage.

Important Days News

9.Women’s Equality Day 2023

• Women’s Equality Day, observed annually on August 26, marks a global recognition of the ongoing struggle for equal rights and opportunities for women. It serves as a tribute to the universal suffrage movement, celebrates women’s advancements, and reinforces the commitment to gender equality.
• The theme for Women’s Equality Day 2023 is “Embrace Equity,” echoing through the strategic plan spanning from 2021 to 2026. This theme underscores the importance of achieving gender equality, not just for economic growth, but also as a fundamental human right.
• Women’s Equality Day finds its roots in the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, granting full suffrage to women. August 26, 1970, marked its 50th anniversary, prompting the National Organization for Women (NOW) to advocate for a statewide “strike for equality.”

Ranks & Reports News

10.Indore Named Best City and Madhya Pradesh Best State in India Smart Cities Awards 2022

• The India Smart Cities Awards 2022, organized by the Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry, have recognized Indore as the best city and Madhya Pradesh as the best state in the Smart Cities Mission.
• Surat secured the second position among the smart cities for its notable efforts in urban development and Agra claimed the third spot for its initiatives contributing to the Smart Cities Mission.
• The awards celebrate the progress and achievements of cities and states in promoting sustainable development and enhancing the quality of urban life across India.

Appointments News

11.Infosys Signs Women’s Tennis Champ Iga Swiatek As Brand Ambassador

• Infosys, a global leader in consulting and digital services, has announced a multi-year partnership with women’s tennis World No. 1, Iga Swiatek. The collaboration establishes Swiatek as the global brand ambassador for Infosys, with a key focus on promoting Digital Innovation and inspiring women worldwide.
• This announcement comes on the heels of Infosys signing tennis legend Rafael Nadal for the same prestigious role, solidifying the company’s commitment to both tennis excellence and technological advancement.
• The collaboration between Infosys and Swiatek also extends beyond the tennis court, as both entities aim to develop programs that empower young women across the globe. The focus will be on enabling women to build careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), areas that have become increasingly vital in today’s technologically driven world.

Awards News

12.PM Modi honoured with Greece’s Grand Cross of the Order of Honour

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred with the Grand Cross of the Order of Honour by Greek President Katerina N. Sakellaropoulou in Athens. The award is the highest civilian honour that can be bestowed by Greece to a foreign head of government.
• The citation for the award said that it was being given to PM Modi “in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the promotion of bilateral relations between Greece and India”.
• PM Modi is the first Indian prime minister to be conferred with the Grand Cross of the Order of Honour. He is also the first foreign head of government to be awarded the honour since 2017.

Books and Authors News

13.Amrit Mathur’s autobiography ‘Pitchside: My Life in Indian Cricket’

• A book titled ‘Pitchside: My Life in Indian Cricket’ by long-term cricket administrator Amrit Mathur brings alive insightful first-person accounts of some of Indian Cricket’s most memorable moments. Anecdotes, events, and matches are described from the perspective of an insider who has seen the game and the players up close for over three decades.
• An experienced cricket administrator, Mr. Mathur was the manager of the India team on the historic tour of South Africa in 1992. Later, he was part of PILCOM, the organising committee for the 1996 Cricket World Cup, also Chief Operating Officer of the Delhi Daredevils and General Manager of BCCI.
• In the three decades that followed, Mathur transformed into a seasoned cricket administrator working closely with BCCI presidents and state cricket associations. He was involved with shaping the initial plans for the IPL and held a key position with the Delhi Daredevils.

Science and Technology News

14.Chandrayaan-3: India to celebrate August 23 as ‘National Space Day

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 26 announced to celebrate August 23, when India’s Chandrayaan-3 landed on the Moon, as National Space Day.
• He also announced that the spot where the lander landed on the Moon will be known as ‘Shivashakti’ and where Chandrayaan-2 touched down will be called as ‘Tiranga Point’.
• The Prime Minister while addressing the scientists at the ISRO Telemetry Tracking and Command Network Mission Control Complex in Bengaluru said that experts suggest that in a few years, India’s space industry will become $16 billion from $8 billion.

15.ISRO’s next mission to Moon is with Japanese, named LUPEX

• Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is preparing for one more lunar mission, this one in collaboration with Japanese space agency, The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).
• This mission, called LUPEX, or Lunar Polar Exploration, is slated for 2024-25. As its name suggests, LUPEX will explore the polar regions of the Moon, this time venturing into the permanently shaded regions.
• LUPEX is also planned to investigate the abundance of water in the polar regions, and explore the possibilities of locating a long-term station in these areas.

Obituaries News

16.Veteran Marathi actress Seema Deo passes away at 81

• Veteran actor Seema Deo, remembered for her roles in Anand and Kora Kagaz, passes in Mumbai due to age-related ailments, she was 81.
• Seema Deo acted in nearly 90 Hindi and Marathi movies in a career spanning over six decades from the black-and-white to the colour era of the Indian film industry.
• She is hugely remembered for her major role in the musical blockbuster ‘Anand’, along with her husband Ramesh, and Amitabh Bachchan among other actors. Some of her renowned Marathi films are ‘Jagachya Pathivar’, ‘Vardakshina’, among many others. She was last seen in ‘Jivan Sandhya’ released in 2021.

Miscellaneous News

17.Nagarnar Steel Plant Makes History with Swift Hot Rolled Coil Production, Just 9 Days After Hot Metal Commencement

• The Nagarnar Steel Plant has achieved an unprecedented milestone. A mere 9 days after commencing hot metal production, the plant has successfully rolled out its inaugural Hot Rolled (HR) Coil.
• Built at a staggering cost of around ₹24,000 crores, the Nagarnar Steel Plant boasts a substantial capacity of 3 million tonnes per annum. This venture stands out for its cutting-edge approach, particularly evident in its advanced Mill technology.
• The Nagarnar Steel Plant’s product portfolio encompasses an array of steel types, including low carbon steel, High-Strength Low-Alloy (HSLA) steel, Dual Phase Steel, and API quality steel. The plant’s Thin Slab caster, capable of rolling HR at an impressive width of 1650 mm, stands as the widest Mill in the public sector.

18.Anand Marriage (Sikh Marriage) Act in India

• In India, the Anand Marriage (Sikh Marriage) Act holds significant importance for the Sikh community. It is a legislation that specifically governs the marriage ceremonies and legal aspects related to Sikh marriages.
• The Act was established to provide legal recognition and protection to Sikh marriages, allowing Sikh couples to solemnize their unions according to their religious customs and traditions while ensuring the marriages are legally valid.
• The Act holds cultural and religious significance for the Sikh community as it upholds their distinct marriage traditions and practices. It reflects the efforts to preserve Sikh identity and values within the legal framework of the country.

Important Current Affairs of 26th August 2023

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