Current Affairs

Gopichand Thotakura, India’s first civilian space tourist, received a warm welcome in Delhi upon his return on August 26, 2024. Thotakura made history by joining Blue Origin’s New Shepard-25 (NS-25) mission, founded by Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, becoming the second Indian citizen to travel to space after Rakesh Sharma’s 1984 mission. His trip lasted about ten…

Former Lebanese Prime Minister Salim Hoss, a key figure during Lebanon’s turbulent years, has passed away at the age of 94. His death comes at a critical moment for Lebanon, facing fears of escalating conflict with Israel. Legacy and Impact Hoss, described by current Prime Minister Najib Mikati as the “conscience of Lebanon,” was known…

The 2nd India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable (ISMR), aimed at further strengthening trade and economic ties between the two countries, will be held in Singapore on August 26. For India, Singapore has been a major source of FDI (foreign direct investment). Attendees in the meeting Four union ministers – Nirmala Sitharaman, Piyush Goyal, S Jaishankar and Ashwini…

In a big announcement ahead of assembly elections in one state and a Union Territory this year, the government has launched the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) amid protests by several non-BJP-ruled states over the New Pension Scheme (NPS). Benefit for 23 lakh central government employees “This scheme will benefit 23 lakh central government employees (under…

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un recently unveiled a new type of “suicide drone,” with state media reporting that he personally oversaw a performance test of the weaponry. These drones, designed to carry explosives and crash into enemy targets like guided missiles, were showcased during a test conducted on August 24, 2024. The test was…

Krishna Janmashtami, also known as Janmashtami, is a major Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna, the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Lord Krishna is revered as the god of compassion, protection, and love and is one of the most beloved deities in Hinduism. In 2024, the festival will mark the 5251st birth…

In a significant move to enhance retirement benefits for government employees, the Union Cabinet on Saturday approved the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS). This new scheme is set to benefit approximately 23 lakh government employees and will serve as an alternative to the existing National Pension System (NPS). Background The decision comes after a thorough review…

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Majhi has unveiled the Subhadra scheme, a significant initiative under the BJP government. The scheme promises ₹50,000 to one crore women aged 21 to 60 over the next five years, with a total budget allocation of ₹55,825 crore. The funds will be disbursed in annual installments of ₹10,000, divided into two…

On August 21, 2024, GAIL (India) Limited and US-based Petron Scientech Inc signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore the development of a 500 Kilo Tonne per Annum (KTA) bio-ethylene plant in India. This initiative will involve a 50:50 joint venture, where both companies will conduct feasibility studies to evaluate the technical and financial…

Former Swedish tennis player Peter Lundgren, who also coached Roger Federer early in the Swiss player’s career, has passed away at the age of 59. One of the best has unfortunately left us far too soon. Swedish tennis player Lundgren was part of the wave of Swedish tennis players in the 1980s that followed in…