- National:
- The Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA), a Mini Ratna (Category – I) Government of India enterprise under the administrative control of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), has signed a performance-based Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the MNRE.
- The G20 Pandemic Fund has approved a proposal submitted by the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying (DAHD), Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Government of India, for a grant of $25 million to strengthen the animal health system in India for pandemic preparedness and response.
- The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has approved the Dholpur-Karauli Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan as the 54th Tiger Reserve of India. This new reserve is the fifth in Rajasthan, joining the existing reserves of Ranthambore, Sariska, Mukundra Hills, and Ramgarh Vishdhari.
- The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, has invested up to $100 million in IIFL Home Finance Ltd. The new funding will help increase access to housing finance among economically weaker sections (EWS) and low-income groups (LIG), including women borrowers in India.
- Max Life Insurance Company Ltd. has launched the ‘NIFTY Smallcap Quality Index Fund’ (SFIN: ULIF02702/08/23NIFTYSMALL104) in the ULIP segment. This is the first Smallcap Index Fund of the Life Insurance industry and is based on the NIFTY Smallcap 250 Quality 50 Index that has delivered a 22% 10-year CAGR.
- According to a report by ICRA Ratings, India’s economic growth is estimated to accelerate to 8.5% in the first quarter (April-June) of the current fiscal year, up from the 6.1% growth rate witnessed in the preceding January-March quarter.
- NHPC, a state-owned hydroelectric power corporation, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with RITES, a transport consultancy and engineering firm, to construct a railway siding for the 2,880 MW Dibang multipurpose project in Arunachal Pradesh.
- The Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Naval Trainer Prototype NP5 successfully completed its maiden flight on Friday. The aircraft, which took off from HAL airport, was airborne for 57 minutes with all parameters normal, according to the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
- Dr. Jitendra Singh, the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, launched the CSIR Prima ET11, India’s first indigenous e-tractor developed by the Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute (CMERI) in Durgapur.
- The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) is an autonomous organization established in 1961 by the Government of India to assist and advise the Central and State Governments on policies and programs for qualitative improvement in education.
- The indigenous Astra air-to-air missile was successfully test-fired from the Tejas light combat aircraft off the coast of Goa on August 23, 2023. The missile release was carried out at an altitude of about 20,000 ft and all the objectives of the test were met.
- Economy:
- The Sector Skill Council at Nasscom recently launched the Nasscom Talent Connect portal. The platform is designed to serve as an exclusive portal for enterprises looking to hire digitally skilled and certified industry-ready talent for both IT and non-IT sectors, as well as for aspiring tech candidates looking to head-start their careers in the technology industry.
- The Government e-Marketplace (GeM) has crossed one lakh crore rupees in Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) in the current financial year. The Commerce and Industry Ministry stated that GeM achieved this milestone in a record time of 145 days in the current fiscal year, as opposed to 243 days in the previous fiscal year.
- The Government e-Marketplace (GeM) has crossed one lakh crore rupees in Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) in the current financial year. The Commerce and Industry Ministry stated that GeM achieved this milestone in a record time of 145 days in the current fiscal year, as opposed to 243 days in the previous fiscal year.
- World:
- Srettha Thavisin, a 60-year-old political newcomer and property tycoon, has been elected as Thailand’s new Prime Minister. He was the sole candidate put forward by the populist Pheu Thai Party and received 482 votes out of a possible 747 in Thailand’s bicameral parliament.
- Finland, Europe’s largest producer of fox fur, is culling 1,20,000 farmed foxes and minks in response to bird flu outbreaks in the country’s fur farms. A culling order has been issued for 13 farms and culling has already been completed on 10 farms.
- Sports:
- The second game of the FIDE World Cup final between Magnus Carlsen and R Praggnanandhaa ended in a draw. After the first two games of the FIDE World Cup final between India’s Praggnanandhaa and World No 1 Magnus Carlsen ended in draws, both players were back to try their luck in the quicker-time control formats.
- World Boxing, a new body seeking International Olympic Committee (IOC) recognition to run the sport, announced the approval of six new members on Thursday.
- Important Days:
- The International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition is observed on August 23rd every year.The theme for the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition in 2023 is “Fighting slavery’s legacy of racism through transformative education”.
Question:
Q.1 When is the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition observed?a. August 22nd
b. August 23rd
c. August 24th
d. August 25th
