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Daily G.K. - Top Stories

21 Aug 2024

DAILY G.K. TEST

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INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

Sudan's Health Minister Declares Cholera Epidemic

  • Sudan's Health Minister declared a cholera epidemic after weeks of heavy rain in the war-torn country.
  • The decision was taken in conjunction with authorities in the eastern state of Kassala, United Nations agencies and experts after the discovery by the public health laboratory of the cholera virus.

Kazakhstan Takes Lead in Global Push for Nuclear Disarmament amid Heightened Tensions

  • In a world increasingly shadowed by the threat of nuclear conflict, Kazakhstan is stepping up its efforts in the global disarmament movement. On August 27-28, 2024, in collaboration with the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA), Kazakhstan will host a critical workshop in Astana. This gathering, the first of its kind in five years, is set to reinvigorate the five existing Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zones (NWFZs) and enhance cooperation and consultation among them.
  • This initiative aligns with UN Secretary-General António Guterres's Agenda for Disarmament, particularly Action 5, which emphasises the strengthening of NWFZs through enhanced collaboration between zones, urging nuclear-armed states to respect relevant treaties, and supporting the establishment of new zones, such as in the Middle East. This effort reflects the global community's ongoing push to reduce the nuclear threat and foster regional and global peace.
  • Kazakhstan's vision for a nuclear-free world is deeply rooted in its leadership in global disarmament efforts. This vision is not just aspirational; it is grounded in the country's lived experience of the devastating impact of nuclear weapons.
  • Kazakhstan's dedication to disarmament is further highlighted by its initiative to establish August 29 as the International Day against Nuclear Tests, recognised by the United Nations. This date commemorates both the first Soviet nuclear test at Semipalatinsk in 1949 and the closure of the site in 1991, serving as a reminder of the horrors of nuclear testing and a call to action for the global community.
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ENVIRONMENT

Manyachiwadi Village Becomes First in Maharashtra to be Powered 100% by Solar Power

  • Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde launched the Solar Village Scheme, an initiative aimed at providing 100 per cent solar-powered electricity to 100 villages, at a function held in Satara. Manyachiwadi, a village in Satara district, became the first village in the state to be electrified 100 per cent by solar power.
  • "The objective of the government is zero electricity bills for households as part of the PM Suryagarh Muft Bijali Yojana. The aim is to also provide farmers with free power," CM Shinde said in his speech.
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BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

TCS Launches Latest Pace Studio in Stockholm, First in Nordic Region

  • Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) announced the launch of a Pace Studio in Stockholm to offer customers in the Nordic region access to its innovation ecosystem. It is the IT company's fourth international Pace Studio and the first in the Nordic region.
  • TCS Pace Studio nurtures a start-up culture as an incubator that solves problems and creates business opportunities. The network includes three other TCS Pace Studios in Riyadh, Sydney, and Letterkenny (Ireland) and seven TCS Pace Ports in Tokyo, Amsterdam, New York, Pittsburgh, Toronto, London and Paris.

Amul Tops Global Food Brand Rankings in 2024

  • Amul was named the world's strongest food brand in Brand Finance's Global Food & Drinks Report 2024. With a Brand Strength Index (BSI) score of 91 and a valuation of $3.3 billion, Amul achieved an 11% increase in brand value from 2023. The company's dominance in India's dairy market and strong metrics in familiarity, consideration, and recommendation contributed to its AAA+ rating. Hershey's, which shared the AAA+ rating with Amul, saw a slight dip in its brand value, and was placed second.

Petronet LNG Signs Agreement with Sri Lankan Govt. for power generation

  • The Sri Lankan government and a state-run Indian firm signed an agreement to develop infrastructure for storage, regasification and LNG supply for a combined cycle power plant in the island nation.
  • The memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between Sri Lanka's LTL Holdings Limited and India's Petronet LNG Limited for the infrastructure development of the Sobadhanavi Combined Cycle Power Plant at Kerawalapitiya, north Colombo.
  • The Sri Lankan Minister of Power and Energy, Kanchana Wijesekera, and the Deputy High Commissioner of India, Satyanjal Pandey, signed the MoU at a ceremony.
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SPORTS

India's Participation in the 2024 Paris Paralympics

  • India named 84 athletes to compete at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, which is scheduled to be held from August 28 to September 8. The contingent is India's largest ever sent to the Paralympic Games. At the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, India had sent 54 athletes, which included 14 women. At the Paris Paralympics, however, that number has grown to 84 overall with 32 women included in the Indian contingent, as per Olympics.com. India will compete in three new sports - para-cycling, para-rowing and blind judo - at the Paris Paralympics, extending the country's participation to 12 sports. Overall, 22 sports will be held at Paris 2024.
  • Sumit Antil, a para-athlete, has been chosen as one of India's flag bearers for the opening ceremony. Antil's selection came on the heels of his outstanding performance at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, where he clinched a gold medal in the javelin throw in the men's F64 category. His achievement is further amplified by the fact that he currently holds the world record in this category.
  • Joining Antil as co-flag bearer is Bhagyashri Jadhav. Jadhav has made her mark in the para-athletics world with impressive performances in shot put. Her accolades include:
  • A silver medal in the women's shot put event (F34 category) at the Asian Para Games
  • Another silver medal in the same category at the World Para Athletics Championships in May 2024
  • The International Paralympics Committee is responsible for organising both the Summer and Winter Paralympics games. Since the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics, it has become a tradition to hold the Paralympics shortly after the Olympic Games.

ICC Changes 2024 Women's T20 World Cup Venue from Bangladesh to UAE

  • The International Cricket Council (ICC) changed the venue of the 2024 Women's T20 World Cup from Bangladesh to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The decision came amid unrest and ousting of the government in Bangladesh. The tournament, however, is scheduled to be played on original dates from October 3-20.
  • The tournament will be hosted across two venues: Sharjah and Dubai, announced the ICC. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), meanwhile, will continue to host the event in the UAE.

Samoa's Darius Visser Breaks T20I Record

  • Darius Visser hit 39 runs in a single over to set a men's T20 International record and help Samoa to a 10-run victory over Vanuatu in a 2026 World Cup regional qualifier in the capital city of Apia.
  • Visser, who scored 132 off 62 balls, was on 46 when Vanuatu's Nalin Nipiko stepped up to bowl the 15th over, in which the Samoa batter cleared the ropes on six occasions and faced three no balls.
  • Nipiko bowled a dot ball for the fifth delivery of the over but followed it up with two no balls, with 28-year-old Visser hitting the second of them for a six.
  • Visser finished with 14 sixes and five fours.
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NATIONAL AFFAIRS

India, Malaysia Ink Key Pact on Recruitment, Elevate Ties to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership

  • India and Malaysia elevated their ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim held extensive talks focusing on expanding cooperation in several sectors, including trade, investment and defence.
  • A pact on promoting recruitment of Indian workers in Malaysia and protection of their interests was one of the at least eight agreements inked between the two sides.
  • The pact on recruitment of Indian workers assumes significance as illegal immigration and human trafficking from India to Malaysia are among major concerns of the two governments.

Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar Launches Portal for Online Monitoring Of Projects - Thermal (PROMPT)

  • The Union Minister of Power and Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal, launched Portal for Online monitoring of Projects – Thermal (PROMPT) in New Delhi.
  • Speaking at the launch, Union Minister Manohar Lal remarked that the electricity is the key driver for the ongoing economic activities in the country. Accordingly, the demand for power is also increasing therefore completion of ongoing schemes and thermal projects in time bound manner is extremely critical. The launch of the portal PROMPT will enable transparent, coordinated, and effective working of the power sector in the country.

India, Japan Emphasise Rules-based International Order, Peaceful Settlement of Disputes

  • India and Japan reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining and strengthening rules-based international order founded on the principles of the UN Charter, respect for national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and peaceful settlement of disputes. The two sides emphasised, without naming any country, the need for all countries to refrain from any attempt to unilaterally change the status quo.
  • This was stated in a joint statement released by both countries following the third Japan-India 2+2 Foreign and Defence Ministerial Meeting in New Delhi. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar attended the meeting with their Japanese counterparts Kihara Minoru and Kamikawa Yoko.
  • They have decided to hold the next 2+2 Ministerial Meeting in Japan.
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DEFENCE

BEML Signs MoU with Indian Navy

  • Bengaluru headquartered BEML, India's leading defence and heavy engineering PSU, signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding with the Directorate of Marine Engineering, Indian Navy. The agreement was signed at the Naval Headquarters in Delhi, with Ajit Kumar Srivastav, Director of Defence at BEML, and Rear Admiral K. Srinivas, ACOM (D&R) of the Indian Navy.
  • This landmark agreement is a pivotal step in enhancing bilateral cooperation for the indigenous design, development, manufacture, testing, and product support of critical marine equipment and systems.
  • It also said the partnership aims to strengthen self-reliance in defence production and minimise reliance on foreign imports.
  • BEML was incorporated on May 11, 1964. It started its operations in 1965 with the transfer of a Tractor project from Ordnance Factory Board's Gun & Shell Factory. It was wholly owned by the government and operated by India's Ministry of Defence until 1992, when the government divested 25% of its holdings in the company.
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PERSONS IN NEWS

World's Oldest Person, Maria Branyas Morera, Dies

  • The world's oldest person, Spain's Maria Branyas Morera, who was born in the US in 1907 and lived through two world wars, died at the age of 117.
  • Guinness World Records had officially acknowledged Branyas's status as the world's oldest person in January 2023 after the death of the French nun Lucile Randon aged 118. In the wake of Branyas's death, the oldest living person in the world is Japan's Tomiko Itooka, who was born on May 23, 1908 and is 116 years old, according to the US Gerontology Research Group.
  • The oldest verified person to have ever lived was Jeanne Louise Calment, a Frenchwoman who died in 1997 at the age of 122 years and 164 days.
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DAYS AND EVENTS

International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism

  • The International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism serves as a solemn reminder of the ongoing global challenge posed by terrorism. This day, observed annually on August 21, aims to honour and support the victims and survivors of terrorist acts while promoting the protection of their human rights and fundamental freedoms.
  • In its resolution 72/165 (2017), the General Assembly, established the International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism to be commemorated annually on August 21.
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GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND SCHEMES

CM Adityanath Announces Scheme to Boost Entrepreneurship among Youth

  • Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced a scheme to promote entrepreneurship among the youth of Uttar Pradesh, saying it was aimed at empowering the state's youngsters.
  • With a target to set up 10 lakh micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) units, the state government will provide financial support to the youngsters interested in taking up entrepreneurship under the initiative, 'Mukhyamantri Yuva Udyam Vikas Abhiyan Yojana'.
  • The scheme aims to create employment opportunities for 50 lakh youngsters. "Under the scheme, 10 lakh youth will get employment or self-employment in the coming years.
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GENDER/ HEALTH/ EDUCATION

CBSE Issues Mandatory Document List for Schools Seeking Affiliation

  • The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) issued a notification detailing the mandatory documents required for schools seeking affiliation with the board, as outlined in SARAS Manual 5.0. Schools applying for Fresh Affiliation, Upgradation, or Extension must submit various documents, including a Land Certificate and a Building Safety Certificate.
  • According to Clauses 1.3 (3) and 1.3 (5) of the SARAS Manual 5.0, schools must provide a Land Certificate that is not older than one year from the application date and in the prescribed format.
  • The Building Safety Certificate must detail all building blocks and floors on the school campus and must be issued by an officer of the Government works department, not below the rank of an Assistant Engineer.

IIM Lucknow Hosts Flagship Alumni Conclave 'Samvaad 2024'

  • The Indian Institute of Management Lucknow concluded its flagship alumni conclave, Samvaad 2024, under the theme 'Shaping India's Growth Story.' The event brought together distinguished alumni, industry experts, and thought leaders to explore and discuss India's evolving role in the global economy.
  • The event featured four compelling panel discussions. The first, moderated by Akrati Solanki, Executive Director, Accordion, included Kamlesh Varshney, Full-time Member, SEBI, IRS '90, and Bhaskar Subramanian, Infra Expert and former advisor - NITI Aayog and KPMG. This panel delved into the complexities of strategy and governance, crucial elements in shaping India's economic trajectory.
  • The second panel, moderated by Dhruvin Chheda, Chief of Staff, Nykaa, featured industry leaders including Mr. Girish Deshpande, Senior Vice President, IDBI Capital Markets; Mr. Pavan Goyal, Head - Business Solutions at Clarista; and Ruishikesh Kamat, Director - Group Treasury at Aldar UAE. This discussion provided diverse perspectives on strategy, governance, and finance, all integral to India's growth story.
  • The third panel, moderated by Abhishek Singh from the Founder's Office, SalarySe, featured Taniya Biswas, Co-founder, Suta; Dev Batra, Co-Founder, Lyxel & Flamingo; and Niharika Jalan, Founder, IndiCold. The panellists shared valuable insights on entrepreneurship, drawing from their diverse experiences in building and scaling successful businesses.
  • The fourth panel, moderated by Mousom Datta, Key Account Manager, ITC, included Venkatadri Ranganathan, CCO, Tata Chemicals; Mohit Gorisariya, Co-founder, SalarySe; and Tanya Jain, Head of Enterprise Business, Amazon London. This panel delved into key aspects of marketing, exploring the latest trends, strategies, and challenges in the field.
  • Additionally, the event also spotlighted India's role as a key growth engine for the world, contributing 16 per cent to global growth in 2023. With a thriving tech industry, India is not only boosting its economic growth but also positioning itself as a hub for innovation and technology services, playing a key role in shaping the future of the digital economy.
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ART AND CULTURE

India's First Constitution Museum Marks 75 Years of the Indian Constitution

  • India's first Constitution Museum, named "The Constitution Academy and The Rights & Freedoms Museum," in Haryana is set to be inaugurated by OP Jindal Global University on November 26, 2024. This initiative celebrates the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Indian Constitution.
  • The museum will provide an in-depth exploration of the Indian Constitution, highlighting its various sections and their significance. Visitors can engage with profiles of Constituent Assembly members, examine the debates and discussions that shaped the Constitution, and explore the document's evolution through textual, audio-visual, and experiential formats.
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TOURISM AND HOTEL INDUSTRY AWARENESS

RGIA Clinches Best Airport Award for Third Consecutive Year

  • The Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) in Hyderabad once again was recognised as the Best Airport at the prestigious India Travel Awards, marking its third consecutive win in this category.
  • This latest accolade is a testament to RGIA's unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional airport experiences for travelers. The airport has consistently demonstrated its ability to surpass industry benchmarks and cater to the evolving needs of its users.
  • In the previous year, RGIA was also honoured with the Skytrax 'Best Airport Staff in India & South Asia 2024' award in Frankfurt, Germany. This further solidifies the airport's reputation for providing world-class service and customer-centric initiatives.
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