Daily Current Affairs 27 March 2024, Important News Headlines (Daily GK Update)

International News

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: Incident Overview

The Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore collapsed early on March 26 after a container ship collided with a pylon, resulting in the presumed death of six individuals who fell into the cold waters below. The incident has halted operations at one of the busiest ports on the U.S. Eastern Seaboard.

Luis Montenegro Named Portugal’s Prime Minister

After eight years of Socialist rule in Portugal, Luis Montenegro, leader of the centre-right Democratic Alliance (AD), has been appointed as the new prime minister. However, his minority government faces challenges due to his refusal to ally with the far-right Chega party.

States News

Gujarat State Education Minister Launches Shiksha Reform

Gujarat’s Minister of State for Education, Praful Pansheriya, launched the online learning platform Shiksha Reform in Surat. The event was attended by noted educationist Deepak Rajguru, trustees, principals, Kimmo Nikkanen from Finland’s Kajaani University of Applied Sciences, and educationist Antti Isovita. Minister Pansheriya emphasized the importance of embracing technology in education, stating, “The world is fast moving towards technology, and it is critical to enhance digital skills.”

Appointments News

Indian Diplomat Abhay Thakur Appointed as Next Envoy to Myanmar

Senior Indian diplomat Abhay Thakur has been appointed as the country’s next ambassador or top envoy to Myanmar. This was announced by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on March 26. Abhay Thakur is a 1992-batch officer of the Indian Foreign Service (IFS). He is currently working as an Officer on Special Duty in the Ministry of External Affairs. He had served as the sous-sherpa (deputy representative) for the G20 process during India’s presidency of the influential group of 20 major economies.

Neeraj Chopra Named Eveready’s New Brand Ambassador

Eveready Industries India (EIIL), a leading battery brand, has announced a partnership with Neeraj Chopra, the reigning Olympic gold medalist and World no. 1 in men’s javelin throw, as its new brand ambassador. Through this collaboration, Eveready aims to strengthen its commitment to excellence and innovation by launching the new Ultima Alkaline battery series. The brand hopes to enhance its connection with the youth by offering long-lasting and value-for-money solutions for high-drain devices used by the new-age generation in India.

Hansha Mishra Appointed as Director in UPSC

Hansha Mishra, an officer of the Indian Audit and Accounts Service (IA&AS) from the 2010 batch, has been appointed as Director in the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), Delhi. Her appointment comes after she was recommended for central deputation by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India.

Banking News

India’s Current Account Balance in Q3: 2023-24

In the third quarter of the fiscal year 2023-24, India’s current account balance showed a deficit of US$ 10.5 billion, equivalent to 1.2 per cent of GDP. This marked a decrease from US$ 11.4 billion (1.3 per cent of GDP) in the previous quarter and US$ 16.8 billion (2.0 per cent of GDP) in the same quarter of the previous fiscal year.

India’s Transition from Minimum Wage to Living Wage

India aims to replace its minimum wage system with a living wage framework by 2025, seeking assistance from the International Labour Organization (ILO) for technical support in creating and implementing this transition.

RBI Imposes Monetary Penalties on 5 Co-operative Banks

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has taken action against five co-operative banks for various rule violations. These penalties are imposed based on regulatory compliance shortcomings and do not question the validity of the banks’ transactions with customers. Navsarjan Industrial Co-operative Bank Ltd, Mehsana Jilla Panchayat Karmachari Co-operative Bank, Halol Urban Co-operative Bank, Stambhadri Co-operative Urban Bank and Subramanianagar Co-operative Urban Bank.

RBI Grants Payment Aggregator Licences to Innoviti Payments and Concerto Software

Innoviti Payments and Concerto Software have received payment aggregator (PA) licences from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), marking significant milestones in the digital payments landscape of India. Innoviti operates the PA ‘Innoviti Link’, serving 2,500 online merchants, while Concerto Software’s gateway ‘Vegaah’ joins the league of authorized PA solutions.

Economy News

S&P Global Ratings Forecasts 75 Basis Points Repo Rate Cut in India in 2024-25

S&P Global Ratings anticipates a repo rate reduction of up to 75 basis points by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) during the fiscal year 2024-25. This move aligns with projected adjustments in US policy rates, with the majority of the cuts expected in the latter half of the financial year. The agency also foresees similar rate adjustments in Indonesia, New Zealand, and the Philippines. Factors such as declining inflation, a reduced fiscal deficit, and lower US policy rates set the stage for the RBI to initiate rate cuts, possibly around June 2024 or later.

Ranks and Reports News

LIC: World’s Strongest Insurance Brand

In the latest Brand Finance Insurance 100, 2024 report, Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) solidifies its position as the strongest insurance brand worldwide, maintaining a stable brand value of Rs 816 billion. With a Brand Strength Index score of 88.3 and an AAA brand strength rating, LIC showcases its unparalleled prominence in the industry. Cathay Life Insurance follows closely as the second strongest brand, with a notable increase in brand value to Rs 408 billion.

Awards News

Michel Talagrand Awarded the 2024 Abel Prize

The Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters has awarded the 2024 Abel Prize to Michel Talagrand of the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS), Paris, France. Talagrand received the prestigious prize “for his groundbreaking contributions to probability theory and functional analysis, with outstanding applications in mathematical physics and statistics.”

Science and Technology News

IIT Guwahati Transfers Pioneering Swine Fever Vaccine Technology to BioMed Pvt

The Indian Institute of Technology-Guwahati (IIT-G) has transferred a first-of-its-kind vaccine technology to BioMed Pvt. Ltd., a company specializing in vaccine manufacturing. This revolutionary technology involves a recombinant vector vaccine specifically designed to combat the classical swine fever virus in pigs and wild boars. It fills a significant gap in India’s vaccine landscape.

Sports News

Historic Day-Night Women’s Ashes Test at MCG

In a historic move, the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) will host a day-night Test match between the Australian and English women’s cricket teams. This will be the first time a pink-ball Test is played at the iconic venue. The four-day match is scheduled from January 30 to February 2, 2025.

Haryana Crowned Champion at Boxing Sub Junior National Championship

Haryana clinched the team titles in both the boy’s and girls categories with an impressive combined haul of 19 medals at the Boxing Sub Junior National Championship. Haryana showcased its dominance by finishing on top in both categories. The tournament witnessed the participation of 612 boxers, including 337 boys and 275 girls.

Important Days News

World Theatre Day 2024, Date, History and Significance

World Theatre Day is a special day celebrated every year on March 27 to honour the art of theatre. It celebrates the importance of theatre and its role in the entertainment industry. This day is a reminder for everyone to recognize the value of theatre.

Obituaries News

Popular Tamil Actor Lakshmi Narayanan Seshu Passes Away at 60

Lakshmi Narayanan Seshu, a beloved figure in the Tamil entertainment industry, breathed his last on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, at a private hospital in Chennai. The versatile actor, affectionately known as Lollu Sabha Seshu, was 60 years old at the time of his unfortunate demise.

27 MARCH CURRENT AFFAIRS 2024 | ALL EXAMS IMP. CURRENT AFFAIRS | ASHISH GAUTAM SIR

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