Daily Current Affairs- 30 August 2024

Daily Current Affairs- 30th August 2024

INTERNATIONAL

ReNew Signs 437.6 MW Green Attribute Contract with Microsoft

• Indian renewable energy firm ReNew has signed a green attribute sale contract of 437.6MW with Microsoft, This contract is expected to generate over one million units of green electricity attributes annually, contributing to Microsoft’s ambition to be carbon-negative by 2030, ReNew said this is amongst India's largest corporate renewable agreements. 

India signs deal for 73,000 assault rifles from the US

• India has secured a contract to import 73,000 SiG Sauer rifles from the U.S., adding to the 72,400 rifles previously purchased. This move comes amid ongoing border tensions with China and Pakistan. The SiG-716 rifles, valued at Rs 837 crore, are preferred for their advanced capabilities and 500-meter effective range. 

NATIONAL

PM Modi lay foundation stone of the Vadhvan Port, and More

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Maharashtra during which he addressed Global Fintech Fest (GFF) 2024 in Mumbai and lay the foundation stone of Vadhvan Port project worth around ₹76,000 crore in Palghar, at around 11 a.m., Modi addressed the session of GFF 2024 at the Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai. The event, co-organized by the Payments Council of India, the National Payments Corporation of India, and the Fintech Convergence Council, will feature about 800 speakers from various sectors including policymakers, senior bankers, and industry leaders. 

Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya Launches RESET Programme for Retired Sportspersons

• On National Sports Day in New Delhi, Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, launched the “Retired Sportsperson Empowerment Training” (RESET) Programme. This initiative aims to empower retired athletes by providing them with the necessary skills and knowledge to enhance their employability and career development. 

SCIENCE & TEHNOLOGY

Reliance AGM: Mukesh Ambani announces suite of AI tools called Jio Brain

• Speaking at RIL's 47th Annual General Meeting (AGM), chairman Mukesh Ambani unveiled Jio AI-Cloud, AI brainchild 'Jio Brain' and many more new plans. Jio is developing a suite of tools and platforms that span the entire AI lifecycle, called Jio Brain.

 TCS launches innovation studio in Philippines to boost digital solutions in APAC

• Tata Consultancy Services has launched its TCS Pace Studio in Manila, Philippines, aimed at driving digital innovation across the Asia-Pacific region. The facility will serve as a hub for co-creating tailored digital solutions with clients, leveraging cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and data analytics.

 APPOINTMENS & RESIGNATIONS

Subhasri Appointed as MD & CEO of Shriram Capital

• Shriram Capital, the holding company of Shriram Group, has announced the appointment of Subhasri as its managing director and CEO effective from September 1, 2024. Currently, she is serving as the joint managing director of the company 

CS Setty takes over as the 27th Chairman of SBI

• Challa Sreenivasulu Setty, or CS Setty, became the 27th Chairman of India’s largest commercial bank, State Bank of India (SBI), on 28 August 2024. He succeeded Dinesh Khara, who retired after the closing of banking hours on 28 August 2024.
• John Matthai was the first chairman of SBI to be appointed in 1955 after the nationalisation of the Imperial Bank of India in 1955 under the State Bank of India Act 1955. The Imperial Bank of India was also renamed the State Bank of India. 

IMPORTANT DAYS

National Small Industry Day

• National Small Industry Day is celebrated on 30th August to honour the contributions of small-scale industries to India's economy. The National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC) Ltd is a designated government organisation that launches initiatives for SSI.

 SUMMITS & MOUs

2nd Indo-Russian Commission meeting on Emergency Management held in Moscow

• The Russian capital city of Moscow on 28 August 2024 hosted the 2nd Meeting of the Joint Russian-Indian Commission on Cooperation in the Field of Emergency Management. 2024, The Indian delegation was led by Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Nityanad Rai.
• The Russian Minister for Civil Defence, Emergencies and Elimination of Consequences of Natural Disasters, Kurenkov Aleksandr Vyacheslavovic, led the Russian delegation.

 BANKING & ECONOMY

NPCI introduces BBPS for Business, UPI Circle to boost digital payments

• National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has announced the introduction of two new offerings namely Bharat BillPay (BBPS) for Business, designed to streamline business-to-business (B2B) transactions across different ERPs and accounting platforms, and UPI Circle, which enables delegate payments to users. 

CCI clears merger of Disney & RIL media assets in a ₹70,350 crore combination

• The Competition Commission of India (CCI) provisionally approved the ₹70,350 crore combination involving Reliance Industries Ltd. (RIL) and its units Viacom18 Media Private Limited (Viacom18), Digital18 Media Limited with The Walt Disney Co.’s (TWDC) Star India Private Ltd. (SIPL) and Star Television Productions Ltd.