Daily Current Affairs 14th August 2024, Important News Headlines (Daily GK Update)

International News

China Tests Largest Cargo Drone as Low-Altitude Economy Expands

China has made a significant advancement in its low-altitude economy by testing its largest unmanned cargo aircraft. This move is part of the country’s efforts to expand its drone capabilities, aiming to create a $279-billion industry by 2030.

States News

Madhya Pradesh Pioneers Cash for Sanitary Napkins Scheme

Madhya Pradesh, led by Dr. Mohan Yadav, has launched a groundbreaking scheme to address menstrual health and hygiene. For the first time in India, the state government is providing cash directly to adolescent girls to buy sanitary napkins. This innovative approach sets Madhya Pradesh apart from other states that usually distribute free sanitary napkins.

Appointments News

Rana Ashutosh Kumar Singh Assumes Role as MD at SBI

Rana Ashutosh Kumar Singh has been appointed as the Managing Director (MD) of the State Bank of India (SBI). He will oversee the Risk Compliance and Stressed Assets Resolution Group (SARG) departments. This appointment was approved by the government last week.

PR Sreejesh Appointed as New Head Coach of India’s Junior Men’s Hockey Team

Hockey India has announced that retiring goalkeeper PR Sreejesh will be the new head coach for the Indian junior men’s hockey team. This decision comes after India’s recent bronze medal win at the 2024 Olympics.

Business News

NPCI Spins Off BHIM into a Separate Arm; Lalitha Nataraj Appointed CEO

The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) is making its Bharat Interface for Money (BHIM) app a standalone subsidiary to strengthen its presence in the digital payments market. Lalitha Nataraj, who has previously worked with IDFC FIRST Bank and ICICI Bank, has been appointed as the CEO of this new entity.

BHEL Wins 1,600 MW Thermal Power Project from DVC

Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL), a state-owned company, has won a major contract from Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) to set up a 1,600 MW thermal power project. This project, called the Koderma Supercritical Thermal Power Project (STPP), will be carried out on an Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) basis in Jharkhand’s Koderma district.

Agreements News

NHA And MUHS Sign MoU To Drive Digital Health Education

The National Health Authority (NHA) and Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote Digital Health education across India. The MoU was signed in the presence of Union Health Minister, Shri J P Nadda, on August 13.

Defence News

DRDO Successfully Tests Long Range Glide Bomb ‘GAURAV’ From Su-30 MK-1

On August 13, 2024, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted the first flight test of the long-range glide bomb (LRGB) Gaurav from a Su-30 MK-I fighter jet of the Indian Air Force.

Sports News

ICC Players of the Month for July 2024 Announced

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the winners of the ICC Players of the Month awards for July 2024. England’s Gus Atkinson and Sri Lanka’s Chamari Athapaththu have been recognized as the top performers in men’s and women’s cricket, respectively, for their outstanding contributions during the month.

Prasar Bharati-BCL Sign Landmark Deal to Promote Cricket

The Big Cricket League (BCL) is set to debut in Indian cricket, featuring a mix of local talent and cricketing legends. This T20 event aims to give aspiring players a chance to showcase their skills alongside established stars. In a significant move, BCL has partnered with Prasar Bharati, India’s national public broadcaster, to ensure the league’s visibility and accessibility across the country.

Important Days

Partition Horrors Remembrance Day 2024

Partition Horrors Remembrance Day, known in Hindi as “Vibhajan Vibhishika Smriti Diwas,” is observed annually on August 14th in India. This day serves as a solemn reminder of the immense suffering and loss experienced during the 1947 partition of India. Established in 2021 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the day aims to honor the victims and acknowledge the profound impact of partition on millions of lives.

Miscellaneous News

Ancient Solar Calendar Discovered in Turkey

Archaeologists have made a groundbreaking discovery at the Göbekli Tepe archaeological site in southern Turkey. They may have uncovered the world’s oldest solar calendar. This finding, published in the journal Time and Mind on July 24, offers a fascinating insight into the advanced astronomical knowledge of ancient civilizations.