Daily Current Affairs 26th August 2024, Important News Headlines (Daily GK Update)

National News

India Launches World’s First Mobile Hybrid Rocket: RHUMI-1

India has made a significant advancement in space technology with the successful launch of RHUMI-1, the world’s first mobile hybrid rocket. This rocket, developed by Chennai-based startup Space Zone India in collaboration with Martin Group, is also India’s first reusable hybrid rocket. This innovation is expected to improve efficiency and reduce costs in space exploration.

India Celebrates National Space Day with Launch of ‘Sapno ki Udaan’ E-Magazine

On the first National Space Day, India launched an educational e-magazine called ‘Sapno ki Udaan’. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan led the launch, aiming to inspire young Indian students by combining science, creativity, and education.

Dharmendra Pradhan Unveils First Edition of E-Magazine ‘Sapno ki Udaan’

Marking the first anniversary of Chandrayaan-3’s landing on the lunar South Pole, the Department of School Education & Literacy, along with NCERT, launched the e-magazine ‘Sapno ki Udaan’. Union Minister of Education, Dharmendra Pradhan, released the first edition virtually, with Minister of State for Education, Jayant Chaudhary, also present.

PM Modi Distributes Certificates to 11 Lakh New ‘Lakhpati Didis’

Prime Minister Narendra Modi handed out certificates to 11 lakh new Lakhpati Didis at an event in Jalgaon, Maharashtra. These women, who now number over one crore across the country, earn more than one lakh rupees annually. The new Lakhpati Didis achieved this status during the third term of the NDA Government.

International News

North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un Unveils New ‘Suicide Drones’

Kim Jong Un, the leader of North Korea, has introduced a new type of “suicide drone”. These drones, which carry explosives and crash into enemy targets, were successfully tested on August 24, 2024. Experts believe the technology may have Russian origins.

States News

Maharashtra Cabinet Approves Revised NPS For Govt Employees On Lines Of Centre’s UPS

The Maharashtra Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, has approved a revised National Pension Scheme (NPS) for state government employees, aligning it with the Centre’s Unified Pension Scheme (UPS).

Summits and Conferences News

2nd India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable To Be Held In Singapore Today

The 2nd India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable (ISMR) will take place in Singapore on August 26. This meeting aims to strengthen trade and economic ties between the two countries, with Singapore being a major source of foreign direct investment for India.

Appointments News

Chirag Paswan Re-Elected As President Of LJP For 5 years

Union Minister Chirag Paswan has been re-elected as the national president of Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) for the next five years. The decision was made unanimously during the LJP(RV) national executive meeting in Ranchi.

Arun Agarwal Named Chairman of Texas Economic Development Corporation

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Arun Agarwal, an Indian-American entrepreneur based in Dallas, as the Chairman of the Texas Economic Development Corporation (TEDC) Board of Directors. Agarwal’s appointment underscores Texas’s commitment to diversity and the growing influence of Indian-American leaders in key economic roles.

Schemes News

Cabinet Approves ‘Vigyan Dhara’ Scheme by Department of Science and Technology

The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the continuation of three umbrella schemes merged into a unified central sector scheme called ‘Vigyan Dhara’ under the Department of Science and Technology (DST). With a budget of ₹10,579.84 crore for the 15th Finance Commission period (2021-22 to 2025-26), the scheme aims to strengthen India’s Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) ecosystem.

23 Lakh Government Employees Will Benefit From UPS

Ahead of assembly elections in one state and a Union Territory, the government has launched the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS), benefiting 23 lakh government employees. This comes amid protests from several non-BJP-ruled states over the New Pension Scheme (NPS).

Summits and Conferences News

Jitendra Singh Chaired Bilateral Meeting On US-India Civil Nuclear Commerce

Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh chaired a bilateral meeting on US-India Civil Nuclear Commerce in New Delhi. The meeting highlighted the growing cooperation between the two nations in areas like science, technology, and clean energy.

Sports News

Lando Norris Wins Dutch Grand Prix 2024

Lando Norris won the Dutch Grand Prix, marking his second career victory. The McLaren driver outpaced championship leader Max Verstappen, finishing over 20 seconds ahead in a thrilling race.

Science and Technology News

India Welcomes First Civilian Space Tourist Gopichand Thotakura

Gopichand Thotakura, India’s first civilian space tourist, was warmly welcomed in Delhi on August 26, 2024. Thotakura joined Blue Origin’s New Shepard-25 (NS-25) mission, becoming the second Indian to travel to space after Rakesh Sharma in 1984. His trip lasted about ten minutes, reaching an altitude of 105 km.

Obituaries News

Veteran Congress Leader Vasantrao Chavan Passes Away at 70

Veteran Congress leader and recently elected Nanded MP, Vasantrao Chavan, passed away at 4 a.m. on August 26, 2024, at KIMS Hospital in Hyderabad. He was 70 years old and had been battling a prolonged illness, undergoing treatment for renal issues.

Miscellaneous News

Ladakh Gets Five New Districts

The Ministry of Home Affairs has decided to create five new districts in the union territory of Ladakh. Home Minister Amit Shah announced this on August 26, as part of Narendra Modi’s vision to develop and prosper Ladakh.

Mother Teresa’s 114th Birth Anniversary, Observed on August 26

August 26, 2024, marks the 114th birth anniversary of Mother Teresa. Born on August 26, 1910, in Albania, she became one of the most revered figures of the 20th century for her selfless service to humanity. She was honored with the Nobel Peace Prize, the Ramon Magsaysay Peace Prize, and India’s highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna, among many others.