Current Affairs Daily Digest – August 16 & 17 2024. Read and Download daily, the latest Current Affairs Quiz 2023 for competitive exams like UPSC, SSC, IBPS, SBI etc,. Download month-wise Daily Current affairs 2023 PDF and Current affairs quiz PDF .

Current Affairs Daily Digest – August 16 & 17 2024

1. Union Cabinet Approves Major Airport Projects in West Bengal and Bihar

The Union Cabinet has approved major airport projects in West Bengal and Bihar, with a total investment of about ₹2,962 crore. These projects aim to improve air travel facilities and meet the rising demand for flights in these areas.

Patna’s Second Airport

A new airport will be built at the Indian Air Force (IAF) base in Bihta, near Patna, with a budget of ₹1,413 crore. This new airport will help reduce the pressure on the current Patna airport. The new terminal will cover 66,000 square meters and can handle up to 3,000 passengers per hour. It will also include a parking area for planes and two taxiways. The Bihta airport is designed to accommodate up to 1 crore (10 million) passengers per year if needed.

Bagdogra Airport Expansion

In West Bengal, a new terminal building will be constructed at Bagdogra airport, costing ₹1,549 crore. This expansion is necessary because the airport is already close to its full capacity due to its location near popular tourist spots in Sikkim. The new terminal will be 70,390 square meters in size and can also handle up to 3,000 passengers per hour, supporting up to 10 million passengers annually. The project will include parking for 10 A-321 type aircraft, two taxiways, and multi-level parking for vehicles.

2. Sweden Reports Mpox Clade I; WHO Calls for Global Action

Sweden has reported its first case of the mpox Clade I variant, which is a more dangerous strain of the virus, and this marks the first time this variant has been detected outside Africa. The World Health Organization (WHO) has responded by calling for increased efforts to monitor, share data, and work together internationally to control the outbreak.

Details of the Confirmation

Sweden’s Health and Social Affairs Minister, Jakob Forssmed, announced on Thursday that the Clade I variant of mpox had been detected in the country. This variant is known to be more severe and spreads through close contact. The detection of this variant in Sweden is significant because it’s the first time it has been found outside Africa.

WHO’s Call to Action

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stressed the need for countries affected by this outbreak to collaborate closely. He urged for improved monitoring, data sharing, and the distribution of vaccines to manage the spread of the virus. The WHO also pointed out the importance of using lessons learned from past public health emergencies to effectively respond to this new challenge.

3. Germany Joins United Nations Command in South Korea as 18th Member State

Germany has recently joined the U.S.-led United Nations Command (UNC) in South Korea, becoming the 18th nation to be part of the command. This inclusion reflects Germany’s growing role in global security and its recognition of the connection between European stability and the Indo-Pacific region.

Context and Significance

Germany’s decision to join the UNC, which is responsible for overseeing the tense border between North and South Korea, shows that Berlin views security in the Indo-Pacific as linked to European security. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius highlighted the importance of unity in addressing global challenges, stressing the need to protect peace and stability against forces that threaten the international order.

Background of the UNC

The UNC was established in 1950 during the Korean War to help restore peace and uphold the armistice agreement. It acts as a channel for communication with North Korea and is led by the U.S. military commander in South Korea, operating independently of the United Nations. Germany’s participation brings new perspectives and resources to the command, further strengthening its capabilities.

4. RBI Approves Salee Sukumaran Nair as MD & CEO of Tamilnad Mercantile Bank

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved the appointment of Salee Sukumaran Nair as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Tamilnad Mercantile Bank (TMB) for a three-year term. Nair, a veteran banker with over 35 years of experience, takes on this role after serving as Deputy Managing Director and Chief Credit Officer at the State Bank of India (SBI). His appointment follows a period during which TMB was managed by a three-member Committee of Executives (COEs) after the RBI previously rejected proposed candidates for the position.

Background and Career Overview

Banking Career: Nair began his banking career in 1987 as a probationary officer at the State Bank of India. Throughout his career, he has held several important roles, particularly in the Corporate Accounts Group, where he managed large corporate clients.

International Experience: Nair has also gained international experience through his work with SBI’s International Banking Group. He has completed assignments in New York and Sydney, where he led the bank’s operations in Australia.

Branch Management: Nair has managed SBI branches in Rajasthan and Western Uttar Pradesh and played a significant role in the merger of State Bank of Bikaner & Jaipur with SBI.

5. IRS Officer Rahul Navin New Director of Enforcement Directorate (ED)

On August 14, the government appointed Rahul Navin as the full-time Director of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for a two-year term. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet confirmed this decision in a statement issued on the same day.

Who is Rahul Navin?

Rahul Navin is an Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer from 1993. He is currently serving as the acting Director of the Enforcement Directorate (ED), a role he took on after the previous director, Sanjay Kumar Mishra, completed his tenure on September 15, 2023. Before being appointed as the full-time Director, Navin, who is 57 years old, served as the Special Director of the ED since November 2019. His extensive experience in the agency positions him well to lead the ED in its efforts to combat money laundering.

6. Paetongtarn Shinawatra Becomes Thailand’s Youngest Prime Minister

Thailand’s Parliament elected Paetongtarn Shinawatra as their youngest Prime Minister on August 16, 2024, just days after her father, Thaksin Shinawatra, was removed by a court order. This election marks Paetongtarn’s first major political victory, and she campaigned by reminding voters of her family’s legacy of populism in rural Thailand.

Second Female Prime Minister

At 37 years old, Paetongtarn Shinawatra received 319 votes, nearly two-thirds of the parliamentary votes, making her the second woman to hold the prime ministerial position in Thailand, following her aunt, Yingluck Shinawatra.

Political Legacy at Stake

Paetongtarn’s victory is crucial for the Shinawatra family, whose political influence has been significant for over two decades. However, their once-dominant populist movement faced its first major setback last year and had to form a government in coalition with their former adversaries in the military. Paetongtarn’s leadership could determine the future of her family’s political legacy in Thailand.