Daily Current Affairs- 15 March 2024

Today's Current Affairs 15th March 2024

INTERNATIONAL

President Abbas Named Mohammad Mustafa as New Palestinian PM

• President Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian Authority (PA) has appointed Mohammad Mustafa as the new Prime Minister. 

NATIONAL

GOI Approves Electric Vehicle Policy to Boost Local Manufacturing

• The Indian government made a landmark announcement on March 15, approving a comprehensive scheme aimed at positioning India as a global hub for electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing.
• This policy, designed by the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, seeks to entice significant investments from renowned global EV manufacturers into the Indian market. 

Electoral Bonds: BJP Tops the List with Highest Receipt

• The Electoral Bonds scheme, introduced in 2018, allows individuals and entities to make donations to political parties without revealing their identities. The Election Commission of India (ECI) has recently released data.
• According to the data released by the ECI, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) encashed electoral bonds worth a staggering ₹6,060.5 crore between April 12, 2019, and January 24, 2024. 

SPORTS

Max Verstappen Triumphs at Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

• Red Bull’s Max Verstappen clinched victory at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, starting from pole position.
• It marked Red Bull’s second consecutive one-two finish in the 2024 Formula One season.

 Mumbai Wins Ranji Trophy 2024 after Beating Vidarbha

• Mumbai won the Ranji Trophy 2024 after beating Vidarbha by 169 runs at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. This was their 42nd Ranji Trophy title. 

OBITUARY

Admiral Laxminarayan Ramdas, Former Indian Navy Chief, Dies At 90

• Admiral Laxminarayan Ramdas, the former Chief of Naval Staff of the Indian Navy (1990-1993), breathed his last peacefully at the age of 90 on March 15.
• Became the 13th Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) on November 30, 1990. 

IMPORTANT DAYS

Celebrating Pi Day 2024: 14 March

• Pi (π) is an important symbol in Mathematics, Statistics, and Physics. It represents the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter. This ratio is a constant value of approximately 3.14.
• The constant value of Pi was first calculated by the renowned Mathematician Archimedes of Syracuse. In 1737, Leonhard Euler introduced the symbol of Pi.
• The first Pi Day was celebrated in 1988 by American physicist Larry Shaw. 

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards 2022-23 Announced

• The President of India conferred the Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards for the years 2022 and 2023 to 94 eminent artists (including two joint awards) in the field of performing arts.
• In addition to the awards, the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship (Akademi Ratna) was bestowed upon 7 eminent artists (one joint fellowship) during the ceremony.
• The Sangeet Natak Akademi is the apex body in the field of performing arts in India. Established in 1953. 

BOOKS AND AUTHORS

Parshottam Rupala release Book on Sagar Parikrama at Rajkot, Gujarat

• Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, Shri Parshottam Rupala, release a book and video titled “Sagar Parikrama” at the Engineering Association in Rajkot, Gujarat.
• The event graced by the presence of the Union Minister for States of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Balyan, Dr. L. Murugan, and other dignitaries. 

BANKING AND ECONOMY

Reliance to buy 13% of Paramount’s stake in Viacom18 for Rs 4,286 crore

• Reliance Industries, India’s largest private company, has announced its acquisition of Paramount Global’s entire 13.01% stake in Viacom 18 Media for Rs 4,286 crore ($517 million).