Daily Current Affairs 28th August 2024, Important News Headlines (Daily GK Update)

National News

ICAR-CIFE and VAMNICOM Sign MoU to Enhance Cooperative Management in Fisheries

In a significant development, the Central Institute of Fisheries Education (ICAR-CIFE) and the Vaikunth Mehta National Institute of Cooperative Management (VAMNICOM) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on August 26, 2024. This collaboration aims to advance cooperative management in the fisheries sector and supports the vision of establishing 200,000 Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS), dairy, and fishery cooperatives in every Panchayat.

International News

Singapore Hosts 2nd India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable (ISMR)

In a bid to enhance strategic ties, Singapore hosted the 2nd India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable (ISMR) on 26 August 2024. This high-level platform, established to discuss and shape bilateral relations, follows the inaugural ISMR held in New Delhi on 17 September 2022. The first meeting, attended by four senior Singaporean ministers, set the stage for a robust dialogue between the two nations.

State News

Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh to Develop ‘Shri Krishna Gaman Path’

In a significant move to boost religious tourism and cultural heritage, the Chief Ministers of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh have announced plans to develop a new religious circuit called the ‘Shri Krishna Gaman Path’. This initiative aims to connect the birthplace of Lord Krishna in Mathura with the sacred city of Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh, tracing the footsteps of one of Hinduism’s most revered deities.

Bird Flu Outbreak Reported in Pipili Town of Odisha

An outbreak of bird flu, caused by the H5N1 strain of avian influenza, has been reported in Pipili town, Puri district, Odisha. Authorities have culled over 11,700 chickens following the detection of the virus. The infected chicken carcasses were tested at the National Institute of High-Security Animal Disease, Bhopal, which confirmed the presence of H5N1.

Himachal Government Approves ‘Mukhya Mantri Sukh Shiksha Yojana’

The Himachal Pradesh government has allocated Rs 53.21 crore annually to fund the ‘Mukhya Mantri Sukh Shiksha Yojana,’ aimed at supporting the education and well-being of children from vulnerable families. This initiative will provide financial aid to widows, destitute women, divorced women, and disabled parents.

Appointments News

Jay Shah Elected as New International Cricket Council Chairman

Jay Shah has been elected unopposed as the new Chair of the International Cricket Council (ICC), succeeding Greg Barclay. This appointment marks a significant moment in cricket administration, as Shah becomes the youngest person ever to hold this prestigious position.

Centre Appoints B Srinivasan as New NSG Director General

The Centre has appointed senior IPS officer B Srinivasan as the new Director General of the National Security Guard (NSG), according to a Personnel Ministry order issued on August 27. Srinivasan, a 1992 batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer from the Bihar cadre, will serve as the NSG DG until August 31, 2027, the date of his superannuation. He is currently the director of Bihar Police Academy, Rajgir.

Banking News

SBI Research Anticipates Q1 GDP Growth At 7.1%, In Line With RBI Forecast

India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is projected to grow by 7.0 per cent to 7.1 per cent in the first quarter of the fiscal year 2024-25 (Q1FY25), according to the latest SBI Ecowrap report released on August 26. However, there is a slight downside risk to this estimate, with manufacturing Gross Value Added (GVA) expected to be lower, ranging between 6.7 per cent and 6.8 per cent. 

Jana Small Finance Bank Sweeps 4 Awards At ICC Emerging Asia Banking Conclave

Jana Small Finance Bank has once again cemented its status as a frontrunner in the Indian banking industry. The bank’s commitment to excellence and innovation was recognized at the prestigious 2nd ICC Emerging Asia Banking Conclave & Awards, where it clinched four coveted awards. Jana Small Finance Bank was honoured with the titles of Best Small Finance Bank, India, Best Performance on Profitability (Runners-up), Best Performance on Asset Quality, and Best Performance on Risk Management.

Business News

Bharti Airtel Announces Content Partnership with Apple

Bharti Airtel has unveiled a new content partnership with Apple, set to offer exclusive Apple Music and Apple TV+ deals to customers in India later this year. As part of this collaboration, Apple TV+ will be integrated into Airtel’s Xstream video-streaming service available through premium Wi-Fi and postpaid plans. Additionally, Airtel’s Wynk Premium music-streaming service will offer special deals for Apple Music subscribers.

Defence News

Indian Air Force’s Sarang Team to Showcase at Egypt International Airshow 2023

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has taken a significant step in international aviation diplomacy by dispatching its renowned Sarang Helicopter Display Team to participate in the inaugural Egypt International Airshow. This event, scheduled from September 3 to 5, 2023, at the Al-Alamein International Airport in Egypt’s El Dabaa, marks a crucial moment for India to demonstrate its indigenous aviation capabilities on the global stage.

India to Ink Repeat Order for 73,000 SiG 716 Rifles from the US

The Indian Defence Ministry is finalizing a repeat order for 73,000 SiG 716 G2 patrol assault rifles from the US to equip its frontline troops. This follows a 2019 procurement of 72,400 SiG 716 rifles (7.62 x 51mm calibre) under the ‘Buy (Global)’ category through a fast-track procedure, which were distributed across the Army, Air Force, and Navy.

Indian Air Force’s Sarang Team to Showcase at Egypt International Airshow 2023

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has taken a significant step in international aviation diplomacy by dispatching its renowned Sarang Helicopter Display Team to participate in the inaugural Egypt International Airshow. This event, scheduled from September 3 to 5, 2023, at the Al-Alamein International Airport in Egypt’s El Dabaa, marks a crucial moment for India to demonstrate its indigenous aviation capabilities on the global stage.

Schemes News

Celebrating 10 Years Of Jan Dhan Yojana

The Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) has completed a milestone 10 years today. Acknowledging this, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to social media to congratulate the beneficiaries.

Science and Technology News

Amazon Launches Rufus: A New Era in AI-Powered Shopping Assistance

Amazon, the global e-commerce giant, has announced the beta launch of Rufus, a cutting-edge generative AI-powered conversational shopping assistant, in India. This move signifies Amazon’s commitment to integrating advanced artificial intelligence technology into its core operations, aiming to revolutionize the online shopping experience for millions of customers.

India Develops Indigenous RT-PCR Testing Kit For Mpox

The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation has granted approval to Siemens Healthineers for the manufacture of RT-PCR testing kits for detection of Mpox, a senior Health Ministry official said. The kits will be manufactured by the company’s molecular diagnostics manufacturing unit in Vadodara, which has a production capacity of one million tests per annum.

Bharat Biotech Unveils Oral Cholera Vaccine Amid Global Shortage

Bharat Biotech International Ltd has launched Hillchol (BBV131), a novel single-strain oral cholera vaccine (OCV) developed under license from Hilleman Laboratories. This launch is critical as global demand for OCVs exceeds 100 million doses annually, and there has been a deficit of approximately 40 million doses due to limited supply.

Miscellaneous News

Five-Year-Old Teghbir Singh Conquers Mount Kilimanjaro

Teghbir Singh, a five-year-old boy from Ropar, Punjab, has etched his name in the annals of mountaineering history. Teghbir has become the youngest Asian to successfully scale Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak, standing at an impressive 5,895 meters above sea level.