31th August 2024 Current Affairs

Sakshi Education

International

Cyclone Asna

Cyclone has developed over the Kutch coast in Gujarat and the adjacent regions of Pakistan, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported on August 30. This cyclonic storm, unusual for originating over land in August and now heading towards the Arabian Sea, is expected to drift further away from the western coast over the next 48 hours.

The name "Asna" means "the one to be acknowledged or praised." According to the IMD, only three cyclonic storms have formed in the Arabian Sea during August between 1891 and 2023, occurring in 1976, 1964, and 1944.

The United Nations has allocated $100 million to ten countries

The United Nations has allocated $100 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to address urgent humanitarian needs in ten countries across Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and the Caribbean. Acting UN humanitarian chief Joyce Msuya highlighted the critical need for this funding, noting that insufficient resources are impeding aid agencies' ability to deliver essential life-saving assistance.

Funding Breakdown:

Yemen ($20 Million) and Ethiopia ($15 Million): These nations receive more than one-third of the total funds. Yemen is enduring its 10th year of civil war, while Ethiopia is grappling with internal conflicts and ethnic tensions.

Myanmar ($12 Million), Mali ($11 Million), Burkina Faso ($10 Million), Haiti ($9 Million), Cameroon ($7 Million), and Mozambique ($7 Million): Funds are allocated to these areas affected by prolonged conflict and climate-related challenges.

Burundi ($5 Million) and Malawi ($4 Million): These countries face severe food insecurity due to drought and flooding caused by El Niño.

Nepal's Dhulikhel declared ‘healthy city’

The World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized Dhulikhel Municipality in Kavrepalanchok district as Nepal’s first ‘healthy city’ and the second healthiest city in Asia. This achievement follows a campaign by Dhulikhel Municipality to earn the title, which has been monitored by WHO since 2021. Dhulikhel achieved a score of 65.48 points across various health indicators, securing its place in the WHO Healthy City Network.

Sports
Mona Agarwal wins bronze medal in 2024 Paralympics
Mona Agarwal made history at the 2024 Paralympics by clinching a bronze medal in the women’s 10m air rifle standing SH1 event on August 30.

Who is Mona Agarwal?

Born in Rajasthan and living with polio from a young age, Mona Agarwal is a para-shooter renowned for her perseverance and dedication. She made her international debut at the World Cup in Osijek, Croatia, in July 2023.

Agarwal won gold at the Para World Cup in Changwon, Korea, in April 2024, and secured her place for the Paris Paralympics by winning gold at the WSPS Para Shooting World Cup in New Delhi in March 2024. This is her debut Paralympics, and she has already made a significant impact, sharing the spotlight with Avani Lekhara.

Economy

'Navratna' status to four Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs)

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has awarded 'Navratna' status to four Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs): NHPC, Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI), Railtel Corporation of India (RCIL), and Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN). With this designation, the total number of Navratna CPSEs in India now stands at 25.

Bilateral

INS Tabar, a frontline frigate of the Indian Navy, arrived in Malaga, Spain, for a two-day visit. On August 27, it took part in a Maritime Partnership Exercise (MPX) with the Spanish Navy Ship Atalaya in the Mediterranean Sea. This exercise marks a significant milestone in the expanding maritime cooperation between India and Spain, highlighting the deepening bilateral relations in the maritime sector.

National
Project NAMAN
The Indian Army has initiated the first phase of Project NAMAN, a program designed to offer dedicated support and services to Defence pensioners, veterans, and their families. The project was officially inaugurated by Chief of the Army Staff, General Upendra Dwivedi, along with Mrs. Sunita Dwivedi, President of the Army Wives Welfare Association. This initiative marks a crucial advancement in improving care and assistance for the Defence community.

Awards

Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Gold Award 2024

Kerala Tourism has once again elevated India’s global standing in tourism by winning the esteemed Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Gold Award 2024. This honor celebrates the state’s innovative online contest, ‘Holiday Heist,’ in the Digital Marketing Campaign category, reinforcing Kerala’s reputation as a trailblazer in creative tourism promotion.

FICCI Young Leaders Youth Icon award:

Ayushmann Khurrana: Bollywood versatile actor
Neeraj Chopra: Olympic gold medalist in javelin throw

Important Days

The International Day for People of African Descent, observed on August 31st, marks an important milestone in recognizing the contributions and challenges faced by individuals of African descent across the globe. As we honor this day, we also near the end of the International Decade for People of African Descent, a United Nations General Assembly initiative aimed at protecting the human rights of people of African descent, particularly in the Americas.

Published date : 31 Aug 2024 08:32PM