Daily Current Affairs 18th August, 2023

Daily Current Affairs 18 August for Banking/Insurance/SSC and other related exams.

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NATIONAL NEWS

BRO commences construction of world’s highest motorable road in Eastern Ladakh
Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has commenced the construction of the world’s highest motorable road, the Likaru-Migla-Fukche road close to Hanle in Eastern Ladakh. The 64-km long road will connect Likaru to Fukche which is situated three kilometre away from the LAC in Eastern Ladakh.

• The new highest motorable pass will set a new world record of being the motorable road at an altitude of 19,400 feet. Presently, the Umlingla pass at the height of 19,024 feet, is the world’s highest motorable pass, constructed by BRO in the year 2021.
• Umlingla Pass is a 52 km long road that connects Chishumle to Demchok, which is right on the LAC, and also a friction point between India and China.

Government makes biometric verification of mobile SIM card dealers mandatory and discontinues bulk connection mechanisms
The government has taken decisions to make biometric verification of mobile SIM card dealers mandatory and discontinue the bulk connection mechanism.

• Communication Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said, registration will also be compulsory for all point-of-sale dealers. He said, the steps have been taken to check the practice of cyber frauds, fraudulent calls and protect the users.
• Talking about the Sanchar Sathi Portal, the Minister informed that 52 lakh fraudulent connections have been detected and deactivated and 67 thousand SIM card dealers have been blacklisted. Mr. Vaishnaw said, 300 FIR have been lodged. He said, 66 thousand whatsapp accounts and eight lakh payment wallet accounts have been blocked.

Cabinet approves Rs 13,000 crore for PM Vishwakarma scheme to support traditional artisans and craftspeople of India
The Government has approved PM Vishwakarma scheme to support traditional artisans and craftspeople of rural and urban India with a financial outlay of 13 thousand crore rupees.

• The new Central Sector Scheme aims to strengthen and nurture the family-based practice of traditional skills by artisans and craftspeople working with their hands and tools.

Government approves Rs 57,613 crore for 10,000 e-buses across 169 cities to promote green mobility
The Government has approved PM-eBus Sewa for augmenting city bus operations by introducing ten thousand e-buses. The Union Cabinet meeting, Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Singh Thakur said, 57 thousand 613 crore rupees will be spent on PM-eBus Sewa.

• He said, ten thousand new electric buses will be deployed in 169 cities. He said, the scheme will cover cities having a population of three lakh and beyond as per the census 2011 including all the Capital cities of Union Territories, North Eastern Region, and Hill States. Mr Thakur said, PM-eBus Sewa will promote green mobility.

Centre approves expansion of Digital India programme with an outlay of Rs 14,903 crore
The Centre has approved the expansion of the Digital India programme with an outlay of 14 thousand 903 crore rupees.

• Briefing reporters, after the Union Cabinet meeting, Communications and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said, the Digital India programme was started in 2015 and it has brought a big change in the life of the poorest of the poor.
• He said, under the project, six lakh 25 thousand IT professionals will be reskilled and upskilled. Mr Vaishnaw said, two lakh 65 thousand persons will be trained in Information Security under the Information Security and Education Awareness Programme.

Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde launches a mobile app & WhatsApp helpline for Chief Minister’s Medical Assistance Fund
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde launched a mobile app and WhatsApp helpline for the Chief Minister’s Medical Assistance Fund.

• A programme also was organized at the Sahyadri Guest House in Mumbai for patients who have successfully overcome chronic and serious diseases. A helpline number 8650567567 has been started for patients and their relatives.

SPORTS

England all-rounder Ben Stokes reverses retirement from ODI ahead of World Cup in India
In cricket, England all-rounder Ben Stokes has reversed his decision to retire from One Day Internationals ahead of the ICC ODI World Cup scheduled for October in India. Stokes will make his return to the 50-over squad for a series against New Zealand next month.

• Stokes last played an ODI for England on the 19th of July, 2022, against South Africa. In 105 ODIs, he has scored 2,924 runs at an average of 38.98 and a strike rate of above 95. He has three centuries and 21 fifties in 90 innings. He has also taken 74 wickets in the format.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 

Central Water Commission launches FloodWatch mobile app for real-time flood forecast situations
A FloodWatch mobile app has been launched for real time flood forecast situations across the country. The app aims to disseminate information related to the flood situation and forecasts up to seven days on a real-time basis.

• The Chairman of Central Water Commission Kushvinder Vohra launched the app in New Delhi .The app utilizes advanced technologies such as satellite data analysis and real-time monitoring to deliver accurate and timely flood forecasts.
• The user-friendly app will make it easy for anyone to stay informed and minimise risk during flood events.

President Murmu launches country’s stealth warship ‘INS Vindhyagiri’ in Kolkata
President Droupadi Murmu launched India’s newest warship ‘INS Vindhyagiri’ at the Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd’s (GRSE) facility on the banks of Hooghly River at Kidderpore in Kolkata.

• Named after the mountain range in Karnataka, the advanced stealth frigate INS Vindhyagiri is the sixth ship of the Project 17A Frigates. 
• The state-of-the-art ship will be fitted with the latest gadgets and undergo extensive trials before being handed over to the Indian Navy for commissioning into service.

Chandrayaan-3 mission achieves another historic feat with successful separation of Lander Module from Propulsion Module
ISRO successfully separated Chandrayaan-3’s lander module from the spacecraft’s propulsion module. Following the separation, the Lander Module will undertake the rest of the journey to the Moon’s surface independently.

• The lander – Vikram and rover – Pragyaan, are expected to land on the Moon on August 23. The separation of the Lander Module from the Propulsion Module marks the completion of the lunar-bound maneuvers ahead of the soft landing.
• The primary objective of the Chandrayaan-3 mission is to demonstrate a safe and soft landing, rover roving on the moon’s surface, and in-situ scientific experiments.

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