Daily Current Affairs 24 August for Banking/Insurance/SSC and other related exams.
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NATIONAL NEWS
Kerala’s first AI school launched in Thiruvananthapuram
Kerala got it’s first AI school at Santhigiri Vidyabhavan in Thiruvananthapuram. The inauguration was done by Former President Ram Nath Kovind.
- As per the School authorities, the Al School is designed and moulded by one of the world’s most advanced educational platforms iLearning Engines (ILE) USA in collaboration with Vedhik eSchool, managed by a committee of veteran professionals including former Chief Secretaries, DGPs and Vice Chancellors.
- According to Vedhik eSchool authorities, it is an innovative learning method that ensures international standards and quality learning opportunities for students with the help of artificial intelligence technology.
9-member panel formed to review functioning of DRDO
In a bid to overhaul the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO), Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh formed a nine-member committee of experts under directions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.A report is expected from the committee within next three months
- Prof K Vijay Raghavan, the former Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India and one of the key architects of the National Research Foundation (NRF), has been appointed to review and redefine the role of the department.
- Besides Raghavan, the committee also includes Lt Gen (Retd) Subrata Saha, former Deputy Chief of Army Staff, Vice Admiral S N Ghormade, former Vice Chief of Navy Staff, Air Marshal B R Krishna, former Chief of Integrated Staff, Sujan R Chinoy, DG of MP-IDSA, Prof Manindra Agarwal of IIT Kanpur, S.P.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
African swine fever: Highly contagious virus hit 49 countries since 2021
African Swine Fever (ASF), a highly contagious haemorrhagic viral infection that afflicts domestic and wild pigs and boars with a near 100 per cent mortality rate, has spread to 49 countries since January 2021, according to a new report.
- ASF has resulted in around 1.5 million animal losses since 2021, affecting more than 0.95 million pigs and more than 28,000 wild boars, noted the document released by World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) on August 21, 2023.
- The 49 countries were located in five different world regions of Asia, Africa, Americas, Europe and Oceania, said WOAH, an intergovernmental organisation established in 1924 to disseminate information on animal diseases and improve animal health globally.
FDA approves Pfizer’s Abrysvo for pregnancy to protect babies
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Pfizer’s (PFE.N) respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine for use in women during the middle of the third trimester of pregnancy to protect their babies.
- The approval allows the vaccine to be given to women 32 to 36 weeks into a pregnancy to prevent lower respiratory tract infection and severe disease in infants until they are six months old, the company said.
- RSV is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms but can also lead to serious illness and hospitalization.
BANKING & FINANCE
RBI approves amalgamation of Twin Cities Co-operative Urban Bank with Kranti Co-operative Urban Bank
In a recent development, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has granted its approval for the voluntary amalgamation of Twin Cities Co-operative Urban Bank Ltd with Kranti Co-operative Urban Bank Ltd. The amalgamation scheme is set to take effect from August 23, 2023.
- This decision, as outlined in an official release from the central bank, marks a significant step in the consolidation of cooperative urban banks.
DBS Bank, Infor Nexus join hands to enable pre-shipment finance for SMEs
Infor Nexus and DBS Bank collaborated to enhance pre-shipment financing for small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) suppliers in the Infor Nexus supply chain ecosystem, the companies announced.
- In order to bolster pre-shipment financing, this trade financing solution will utilise historical data from the Infor Nexus platform to provide data-based lending solutions which will further help suppliers meet their working capital requirements.
SPORTS
ICC ties up with Mastercard for Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has made a significant announcement, revealing a thrilling collaboration with Mastercard, which is set to become a Global Partner for the upcoming ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.
- Scheduled to take place in India from October 5 to November 19, 2023, the partnership between Mastercard and ICC is poised to enhance the cricketing experience for fans worldwide.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Delhi govt launches portal to lodge wildlife complaints
Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai launched a portal for better resolution of complaints from people on offences related to forests and wildlife.He launched the portal during a tree plantation drive in Rohini.
- Through the portal, https://ghl.eforest.delhi.gov.in, people can check the status of their complaint and it will also enable better coordination within the government, Mr. Rai said.
LCA Tejas successfully test-fires Astra Beyond Visual Range air-to-air missile
The Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) successfully fired the Astra indigenous Beyond Visual Range (BVR) air-to-air missile off the coast of Goa.
- Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal (ACM) V.R. Chaudhari reviewed the status of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) programme in Air Headquarters.
- The missile release was successfully carried out from the aircraft at an altitude of about 20,000 ft. All the objectives of the test were met and it was a perfect textbook launch,” a Defence Ministry statement said. The aircraft was also monitored by a Chase Tejas twin-seater aircraft