Current Affairs Daily Digest – August 31 2019
1. PM Modi launches Fit India Movement
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched nation-wide Fit India Movement from event held in Indira Gandhi Stadium Complex in New Delhi. It was launched on the occasion of National Sports Day (observed on 29 August) observed to commemorate birth anniversary of hockey doyen Major Dhyan Chand.
About Fit India Movement
It is aimed at encouraging people to give priority to sports and fitness in their day-to-day lives. It will inculcate physical activities/sports into the daily lives of citizens to improve their physical fitness and well-being.
2. Pakistan test fired ballistic missile Ghaznavi
Pakistan has successfully test-fired nuclear-capable surface-to-surface ballistic missile Ghaznavi from Sonmiani test range near Karachi located in Balochistan. The missile was built with a capability to deliver different types of warheads including nuclear and conventional up to a range of 290 km.
It will be placed under the medium-range ballistic missiles. During the test, Ghaznavi was tracked by the National Development Complex (NDC) ground control station. It is located at a 220 km distance from the test range.
3. Aswatha Narayana won gold in he World Skills competition
Aswatha Narayana bagged a gold medal in the World Skills competition 2019 in Kazan, Russia. The event was held from 23-27 August. He won by beating 9 other competitors in the event. Along with him Lufeng Zeng from China also won Gold. He set a record by winning the title as this is the first time that an Indian contingent was participating in the tournament.
The other participants are from countries such as Iran, Belarus, Vietnam, Korea, Germany, Brazil, Russia and South Africa. Narayana participated in the world skills tournament in the skill water technology.
4. Delhi Cabinet approves free rides for women in DTC from 29 October
The Delhi Cabinet has approved free rides for women on Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses as well as its cluster buses from October 29. The proposal was approved by the cabinet at the Delhi Secretariat.
5. Phoebe Waller-Bridge to be honoured with Britannia Award for British Artist of the Year
“Fleabag” and “Killing Eve” creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge is set to be felicitated by the British Academy’s Los Angeles branch. The British actor-writer will receive the Britannia Award for British Artist of the Year by BAFTA LA.
“As a multi-talented actor, writer, creator and showrunner, Phoebe’s sensational work in both comedy and drama has captured the attention of audiences globally. Her ability to effortlessly connect with the viewer, seamlessly break the fourth wall, and effectively address deeply relevant issues through comedy is truly remarkable,” BAFTA Los Angeles CEO, Chantal Rickards said in a statement.
6. India’s Fiscal Deficit In July At 77.8% Of 2019-20 Target
India’s fiscal deficit in July was at 77.8 percent of its 2019-20 target. The gap between the government’s revenue and expenditure rose to Rs 5.47 lakh crore at the end of July, according to data released by the Controller General of Accounts. That’s 77.8 percent of the budget estimate of Rs 7.03 lakh crore for 2019-20.
7. IndiGo appoints GE Healthcare official Aditya Pande as its new CFO
InterGlobe Aviation Ltd., which operates the country’s largest airline IndiGo, said that it has appointed GE-Healthcare official Aditya Pande as its chief financial officer. Pande replaces Rohit Philip, who leaves the company on 16 September.
8. RBI extends deadline for PPIs to become full KYC complaint
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) extended the timeline for the conversion of minimum detail Prepaid Payment Instruments to KYC-compliant PPIs from 18 months to 24 months, a move welcomed players in the segment.
The Payments Council of India (PCI) which represents the players in the payments and settlement systems has welcomed the move. The PPI industry processed more than 4 billion transactions in the year ending March 2019.
9. State Bank of India raises Rs 3104.80 cr thru allotment of AT1 bonds
State Bank of India announced that the Committee of Directors for capital Raising at its meeting held today on 30 August 2019 has accorded approval to allot 31,048 Non-Convertible, Taxable, Perpetual, Subordinated, Unsecured Basel III compliant AT1 Bonds, for inclusion in AT1 Capital of the Bank, in the nature of debentures of face value of Rs. 10 lakh each, at par, bearing coupon of 8.75% p.a. payable annually with call option after 5 years or any anniversary date thereafter, aggregating to Rs. 3,104.80 crore to the Bond subscribers on 30 August 2019.
10. India-UK project to find affordable solutions to cancer
In India, one million new cases of cancer are reported every year. Nearly 60 percent of the cases reach hospitals in late stages when survival is difficult. For many cancers, early detection can lead to better treatment and greater chances of survival. The situation could change if affordable screening tools, cheaper diagnostic tests and more effective treatment regime become available.
