Daily Current Affairs 31st July 2024, Important News Headlines (Daily GK Update)

National News

3.5 lakh A.P. Farmers Benefited From PM Fasal Bima Yojana In 2022-23

In the financial year 2022-23, around 3,49,633 farmers from Andhra Pradesh benefited from the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), receiving a total of ₹563 crore. Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Ramnath Thakur, stated that 1.23 crore farmers enrolled in the scheme for 2022-23, and 1.31 crore for 2023-24.

International News

Hamas Chief Ismail Haniyeh Killed in Iran

Ismail Haniyeh, the political chief of Hamas, was assassinated in Tehran, Iran. Haniyeh and one of his bodyguards were killed when the building they were in was struck. He was in Tehran to attend the inauguration ceremony of Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian on July 30.

SEBI Launches AI Chatbot ‘SEVA’ for Investors

On July 29, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) launched an AI-powered chatbot named ‘SEVA’ to help investors. This chatbot aims to improve the investor experience and make important market information more accessible.

Appointments News

Former Union Health Secretary Preeti Sudan to Head UPSC from August 1

Preeti Sudan, the former Union Health Secretary, will become the Chairperson of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) starting August 1, 2024. This appointment is made under Article 316 A of the Constitution, as confirmed by a government official.

Mohsin Naqvi Set to Become President of the Asian Cricket Council

Mohsin Naqvi, the current chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), is expected to take over as the President of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) later this year.

Sports News

Indian Badminton Star Ashwini Ponnappa Announces Retirement

Ashwini Ponnappa, a veteran Indian badminton player, announced her retirement from her Olympic career on July 30, 2024, at the Paris Games. She made this announcement after she and her partner Tanisha Crasto faced their third consecutive defeat in the women’s doubles competition.

Jia Rai: Youngest & Fastest Para-Swimmer to Cross the English Channel

Jiya Rai, a 16-year-old from Mumbai, has set a new world record as the youngest and fastest para-swimmer to cross the English Channel. Despite having Autism Spectrum Disorder, Jiya completed the 34-kilometer swim from Abbot’s Cliff in England to Pointe de la Courte-Dune in France in 17 hours and 25 minutes on July 28-29, 2024.

Awards News

Tamil Epigrapher V. Vedachalam Honoured with Prestigious V Venkayya Epigraphy Award

In 2024, V. Vedachalam, a well-known Tamil epigrapher and historian, received the prestigious V Venkayya Epigraphy Award. This award recognizes Dr. Vedachalam’s significant contributions to the field of epigraphy and highlights the importance of epigraphic studies in understanding India’s rich history.