Daily Current Affairs 9 February 2024, Important News Headlines (Daily GK Update)

Read the most important current affairs of 9 February 2024. Today Current Affairs covers the headlines on SBI-Flywire Partnership, New MD & CEO of LIC Mutual Fund, World Pulses Day 2024.

Top 22 Current Affairs and News Headlines of 9 February 2024

National News

1.Tata Trusts To Inaugurate India’s First Small Animal Hospital In Mumbai

• In a visionary collaboration with philanthropist Ratan Tata, Tata Trusts proudly announces the launch of the nation’s foremost Small Animal Hospital in Mahalaxmi, Mumbai. With a capacity exceeding 200 beds, the hospital pledges round-the-clock services aimed at safeguarding the well-being of pets.
• Spanning an impressive 98,000 square feet across five floors, this state-of-the-art facility epitomizes excellence in pet healthcare. Scheduled for inauguration in March 2024, the hospital is poised to revolutionize the landscape of pet healthcare.

State News

2.CM Himanta Biswa Sarma Inaugurates Construction Skill Training Centre In Assam

• In a collaborative effort between the Assam government and Larsen & Toubro (L&T), Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma inaugurated the Construction Skill Training Centre in Assam.
• This initiative aims to address unemployment by providing comprehensive training opportunities to the youth and enhancing their employability in the construction sector.
• The center is designed to cater to the needs of Assam’s youth by offering specialized training programs focused on skill enhancement and modern construction techniques. By equipping the youth with relevant skills, the initiative aims to empower them to secure gainful employment and contribute to the state’s economic growth.

3.Himachal CM Announces BDO Office At Surani In ‘Sarkar Gaon Ke Dwar’ Program

• Chief Minister (CM) Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu recently spearheaded the ‘Sarkar Gaon Ke Dwar’ program at Amb-Pathiyar under the Jawalamukhi assembly constituency.
• The event served as a platform for the CM to engage with local residents and gain insight into their concerns, while also unveiling a series of transformative announcements aimed at propelling the region forward.
• The CM announced the establishment of the office of the Block Development Officer in Surani, a division of the Jal Shakti department in Jawalamukhi, and a subdivision in Majheen.

Defence News

4.IIT Madras To Spearhead Development Of India’s First Indigenous 155mm Smart Ammunition

• In a strategic partnership aimed at advancing India’s self-reliance in defence, Indian Institute of Technology Madras and Munitions India Limited have joined forces to pioneer the development of 155 Smart Ammunition.
• At the helm of this initiative is G. Rajesh, a distinguished faculty member from the Department of Aerospace Engineering at IIT Madras, along with his adept team of researchers.
• Munitions India Limited, the leading manufacturer and market leader in the defence sector, brings invaluable expertise to the table. Together, the collaborative effort aims to revolutionize the existing landscape by significantly reducing the Circular Error Probable (CEP) to a mere 10 meters.

Banking News

5.RBI to Introduce Offline Capability for E-Rupee Transactions

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announces the introduction of offline functionality for e-rupee transactions to facilitate payments in areas with poor or limited internet connectivity.
• Offline functionality is to be added to CBDC-R (Retail) for transactions in areas with poor internet connectivity. Testing of multiple offline solutions, including proximity and non-proximity based, will also be conducted in various geographic locations
• Introduction of programmability-based use cases to expand transaction capabilities. Additional use cases such as defined benefit payments by government agencies and specified expenditures by corporates to be enabled.

6.SBI-Flywire Partnership: Revolutionizing International Education Payments

• Flywire Corporation, in collaboration with the State Bank of India (SBI), aims to modernize and digitize international education payments for Indian students.
• This partnership facilitates seamless transactions in Indian Rupees, ensuring compliance with the Liberalized Remittance Scheme (LRS) guidelines.
• Flywire integrates directly into SBI’s banking platform. It enables Indian students to experience a fully digital checkout process within SBI’s net banking platform. Transactions are conducted in Indian Rupees, enhancing convenience and transparency.

Business News

7.Cabinet Approves Telecom Spectrum Auctions: Reserve Price Set at Rs 96,317.65 Crore

• The Cabinet has given its approval for the upcoming telecom spectrum auctions, scheduled to take place later this year. The reserve price for the auctions has been fixed at Rs 96,317 crore.
• All available spectrum in various bands including 800, 900, 1800, 2100, 2300, 2500, 3300 megahertz (MHz), and 26 gigahertz (GHz) will be up for auction.
• The decision aligns with recommendations from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and follows the government’s commitment to holding annual spectrum auctions, as decided in September 2021.

Important Days News

8.World Pulses Day 2024

• Every year on February 10th, the global community celebrates World Pulses Day, an occasion dedicated to recognizing the pivotal role of pulses in promoting food security, nutrition, and sustainable agricultural practices.
• This year’s theme, “Pulses: Nourishing Soils and People,” emphasizes the dual benefits of pulses for enhancing soil health and providing essential nutrients to humans.
• World Pulses Day finds its roots in the International Year of Pulses (IYP) 2016, an initiative led by the FAO to raise awareness about the benefits of pulses.

9.International Day of the Arabian Leopard 2024

• The United Nations General Assembly has marked February 10th as the International Day of the Arabian Leopard.
• This decision, formalized in resolution 77/295, highlights the critical status of the Arabian Leopard (Panthera pardus nimr), classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
• The International Day of the Arabian Leopard aims to restore this species as a flagship for conservation, underscoring the essential role of biodiversity in maintaining the planet’s health and ecosystem resilience.

Schemes News

10.Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda Launches Key Initiatives Under PMFBY

• Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Arjun Munda introduced several key initiatives under the Prime Minister Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) in New Delhi on 8th February 2024. These initiatives aim to benefit insured farmers and mitigate their risks.
• These initiatives comprise an integrated grievance redressal system, featuring a digital portal and call center, simplifying farmer complaints, concerns, and inquiries.
• The SARTHI Initiative, short for Sandbox for Agricultural and Rural Security, Technology, and Insurance, employs technology to provide diverse insurance products, covering health, life, property, agricultural tools, motor assets, and disaster risks.

Ranks & Reports News

11.White Paper on Indian Economy: From ‘Fragile 5’ to ‘Top 5’ Journey, A View of NDA Govt

• The White Paper on the Indian Economy, unveiled by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Parliament, delineates the stark contrast between the economic policies of the previous UPA government and the current NDA administration.
• It highlights the journey from economic fragility to a position among the top five global economies and criticizes UPA’s economic mismanagement, fiscal indiscipline, and corruption during 2004-2014.
• It highlights policy paralysis leading to delays in project implementation and missed opportunities for growth and innovation. It also labels the UPA’s tenure as a “lost decade” due to neglect of infrastructure and asset creation.

Summits & Conferences News

12.2nd DNPA Conclave & Digital Impact Awards 2024

• The second DNPA Conclave & Digital Impact Awards served as a pivotal platform for discussions on the revenue-sharing disparity between digital news publishers and major technology platforms.
• The Conclave focuses on the theme ‘Navigating Digital Transformations and Challenges in the Media Industry.’
• Minister of State for MeitY, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, highlighted the urgent need to rectify the significant revenue-sharing gap between content creators and major technology platforms.
• Policymakers, industry experts, and stakeholders engaged in discussions on the evolving digital media landscape. Notable figures like Amitabh Kant discussed strategies to democratize the publisher-platform relationship and mitigate the influence of major technology platforms.

Agreements News

13.India-Russia Sign Protocol on Nuclear Reactors Agreement

• India and Russia have strengthened their long-standing nuclear cooperation with the signing of a protocol amending the 2008 intergovernmental agreement.
• The agreement focuses on the construction of additional nuclear reactors at the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project site and the development of Russia-designed nuclear power plants at new locations in India.
• The Russian delegation inspected the ongoing construction of power units as part of the second and third stages of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project, involving reactors 3 to 6. Discussions centered around the long-term cooperation between India and Russia in the nuclear energy sector.

Appointments News

14.Tata AIA Life Appoints Venkatachalam H as MD and CEO

• Tata AIA Life Insurance has announced the appointment of its President and Chief Distribution Officer, Venkatachalam H, as the new Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), pending regulatory approval.
• This strategic move marks a new chapter for the company as Venkatachalam, a veteran in the insurance and financial services sector, prepares to steer Tata AIA Life towards future growth and innovation.
• With over 27 years of rich experience across various facets of the life insurance, asset management, and custodial services industries, Venkatachalam brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his new role.

15.Ravi Kumar Jha Named MD & CEO of LIC Mutual Fund

• LIC Mutual Fund Asset Management has appointed Ravi Kumar Jha as its Managing Director and Chief Executive. With over 30 years of experience at LIC, Jha brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his new role.
• He previously served in various capacities, most recently as an executive of corporate strategy until December 2023. Jha, aged 57, holds a bachelor’s degree in commerce from Ranchi University.

Awards News

16.Bharat Ratna to Honour PV Narasimha Rao, Chaudhary Charan Singh, and MS Swaminathan

• India’s highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna, is set to honour the indelible contributions of three distinguished individuals whose efforts have significantly shaped the nation’s trajectory.
• Former Prime Ministers PV Narasimha Rao and Chaudhary Charan Singh, alongside renowned agricultural scientist MS Swaminathan, are the esteemed recipients of this prestigious accolade, acknowledging their unparalleled dedication to the progress of India.
• The ‘Bharat Ratna,’ the country’s highest civilian award, was established in 1954. Individuals, irrespective of race, occupation, position, or gender, are eligible for this prestigious honor

17.Pyarelal Sharma Honored with Lakshminarayana International Award

• Pyarelal Sharma, one-half of the legendary composer duo Laxmikant-Pyarelal, has been felicitated with the prestigious Lakshminarayana International Award.
• This honour was bestowed upon him as part of the Lakshminarayana Global Music Festival, acknowledging his invaluable contributions to the Indian music industry.
• The Lakshminarayana International Award, named after the violin maestro Lakshminarayana, is presented to individuals who have made significant contributions to the world of music.

Sports News

18.FIFA To Introduce Blue Cards And Sin-Bins

• The International Football Association Board (IFAB) is preparing to debut a new card, the blue card as part of trials involving sin bins in professional football.
• IFAB proposes the inclusion of blue cards alongside the traditional yellow and red cards. Blue cards will serve as a disciplinary measure for dissent and cynical fouls, resulting in players being temporarily sent to the sin-bin.
• Ifab, the governing body responsible for football’s laws, aims to bolster disciplinary measures with the introduction of blue cards. These measures target dissent and cynical fouls, emphasizing a zero-tolerance approach to unsportsmanlike behavior.

Science & Technology News

19.NASA Discovers Super-Earth in the Habitable Zone

• NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) has made a significant discovery—a super-Earth located in a habitable zone, offering tantalizing possibilities for the conditions conducive to life.
• This discovery sheds light on the diversity of planets in our universe and the potential for habitable worlds beyond our solar system.
• The newly discovered exoplanet, named TOI-715 b, is situated in a solar system 137 light-years away from Earth. In cosmic terms, this distance is relatively close, offering astronomers a valuable opportunity for detailed study.

20.Google Rebrands Its Chatbot, Bard, As Gemini

• Alphabet’s Google has made significant strides in the realm of artificial intelligence (AI), recently rebranding its chatbot and introducing a new subscription plan.
• Formerly known as Bard, Google’s chatbot has undergone a transformation and is now dubbed Gemini. This rebranding effort coincides with the launch of a new subscription plan, offering users access to Google’s most advanced AI model, the Ultra 1.0, within the Gemini family.
• Gemini will seamlessly integrate with popular Google products like Gmail and Google Docs, offering users a cohesive AI experience across various platforms. This integration sets Google apart from its competitors and enhances user convenience.

21.China Launches Qinling Station For Antarctic Scientific Study

• China has inaugurated its newest Antarctic research station, the Qinling facility, situated on Inexpressible Island in the Ross Sea
• This marks China’s fifth research station in Antarctica and signifies its commitment to advancing scientific exploration in the region.
• Its primary focus is on conducting diverse research activities encompassing biological oceanography, glaciology, marine ecology, and other scientific disciplines.

22.AIIMS Launches iOncology.ai for Early Cancer Detection

• In a landmark collaboration between AIIMS, New Delhi, and the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (CDAC), Pune, the groundbreaking AI platform iOncology.ai has been unveiled.
• This cutting-edge technology focuses on the early detection of cancer, particularly targeting breast and ovarian cancers, which are prevalent among women in India.
• Developed in collaboration with CDAC and the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology, iOncology.ai utilizes AI to reduce false negatives in manual cancer diagnosis.

9 FEBRUARY CURRENT AFFAIRS 2024 | ALL EXAMS IMP. CURRENT AFFAIRS | ASHISH GAUTAM SIR

Check More GK Updates Here