Daily Current Affairs 16th Oct, 2024

Daily Current Affairs 16th Oct, 2024: Your guide for daily General Knowledge Preparation

Dear Readers,

This post contains important current affairs of 16th Oct, 2024. It includes all Major National, International, Business and Sports related current affairs of 16th Oct, 2024. A brief explanation of every current affair is provided to further enhance your general knowledge. Once you have gone through these current affairs we would recommend to you to try 16th Oct, 2024 Current affairs test.

International News

World Health Organization Secures $1 Billion in Funding

• The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised $1 billion at a fundraising event in Berlin.
• This funding is part of an effort to reform WHO’s funding model and enhance its capacity to address global health crises.

Abu Dhabi Named World’s Richest City by Sovereign Wealth Funds

• Abu Dhabi has been named the richest city globally in terms of sovereign wealth funds, boasting a staggering $1.7 trillion in capital as of October 2024.
• This recognition underscores Abu Dhabi’s financial influence and its strategic investment decisions.

National News

BEML Wins Contract for India’s First Indigenous Bullet Trains

• BEML, a state-owned company, has secured a contract valued at ₹866.87 crore from the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) to design, produce, and commission India’s first domestically-built bullet trains.
• This achievement marks a crucial step in India’s journey toward high-speed rail, featuring two high-speed trainsets, each consisting of eight cars.
• The trains are expected to reach a testing speed of 280 km/h and operate at 250 km/h.
• These trainsets, to be manufactured at BEML’s Bengaluru facility, are scheduled to debut by late 2026 as part of India’s expanding rail infrastructure.

Omar Abdullah Takes Oath as Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister

• Omar Abdullah, a leader of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC), has been sworn in as the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir.
• This significant political transition follows the JKNC’s win in the recent elections.
• Abdullah took the oath in a ceremony overseen by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha. While the Congress party did not directly participate, it has offered external support to Abdullah’s administration.

State News

Assam to Revive 129 Wetlands to Address Flooding

• The Assam government has launched a project aimed at rejuvenating 129 beels (wetlands) covering 3,800 hectares.
• The project is designed to reduce flood risks and boost fish production.
• These wetlands play a crucial role in regulating water flow, mitigating floods, recharging groundwater, controlling erosion, and sustaining fishery resources.

Union Minister Inaugurates Skill Training Institute in Visakhapatnam

• Shri Jayant Chaudhary, Union Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, inaugurated a new National Skill Training Institute (NSTI) extension center at the Andhra Medical Tech Zone (AMTZ) in Visakhapatnam.
• The initiative is aimed at addressing skill gaps in Andhra Pradesh and enhancing job readiness in the region.

Kerala Assembly Opposes Waqf Amendment Bill

• The Kerala Assembly unanimously passed a resolution urging the central government to withdraw the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024.
• Introduced in the Lok Sabha in August and referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee, the bill is viewed by Kerala legislators as potentially harmful to the autonomy of Waqf boards and their properties.

Karnataka Aspires to Become Asia’s Gaming and Animation Hub

• At the second edition of the Indian Gaming Convention (IGC), Karnataka’s IT and Biotechnology Minister, Priyank Kharge, outlined the state’s ambition to lead Asia’s gaming and animation industries.
• Kharge stated that Karnataka has all the resources necessary to become the continent’s gaming and animation capital.

Naval Communication Station Foundation Stone Laid in Telangana

• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh laid the foundation stone for a Very Low Frequency (VLF) Station for the Indian Navy at the Damagundam Reserve Forest in Vikarabad, Telangana, on October 15, 2024.
• The station, costing Rs 3,200 crore and spanning 2,900 acres, will enhance the Navy’s secure, long-distance communication capabilities.

Defence News

Indian Army Honors 1962 Walong Heroes with Month-Long Tribute

• From October 17 to November 14, 2024, the Indian Army will host a series of commemorative events to honor soldiers who fought in the Battle of Walong during the 1962 Sino-Indian War.
• This year’s tribute, marking the 62nd Walong Day, celebrates the bravery and sacrifice of those who defended India’s eastern front.
• The events will engage local communities and strengthen the relationship between the Army and the people of Arunachal Pradesh.

US Deploys THAAD Missile Defense System to Israel

• The United States has announced the deployment of its advanced THAAD missile defense system to Israel.
• This action is part of a broader strategy to fortify Israel’s defense against potential threats from Iran and other regional adversaries.
• The deployment emphasizes the U.S.’s unwavering commitment to Israel’s security during a period of heightened geopolitical tensions.

Schemes News

EAM Jaishankar Launches Updated e-Migrate Portal for Safe Travel

• External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar inaugurated the revamped eMigrate V2.0 portal and mobile app in Delhi, focusing on ensuring safe, legal overseas travel for Indian workers.
• The initiative reflects the government’s commitment to protecting workers’ rights and dignity abroad, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals for 2030.

Summits and Conferences News

PM Modi Launches ITU Telecom Conference and India Mobile Congress 2024

• On October 15, 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the first-ever International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Telecom Standards Conference in India, alongside the eighth India Mobile Congress (IMC) in New Delhi.
• Hosting the World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA) in the Asia-Pacific region for the first time highlights India’s expanding role in the global telecommunications industry.

AI Centres of Excellence Announced to Boost Research and Innovation

• Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced the creation of three new Artificial Intelligence Centres of Excellence (AI-COEs) focusing on health, agriculture, and sustainable cities.
• These centers, located at AIIMS Delhi, IIT Ropar, and IIT Kanpur, will drive interdisciplinary research and economic development, supporting the vision of “Make AI in India, Make AI work for India.”

SCO Summit 2024 in Islamabad Highlights Diplomacy and Cooperation

• Islamabad is hosting the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit on October 15-16, 2024.
• Regional leaders, including India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, are attending.
• This marks the first high-level Indian official visit to Pakistan in nearly nine years, presenting an opportunity for Pakistan to strengthen diplomatic ties and showcase its strategic capabilities.

Banking News

Partha Pratim Sengupta Appointed MD & CEO of Bandhan Bank

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has appointed Partha Pratim Sengupta as Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Bandhan Bank for three years.
• Sengupta’s appointment follows the resignation of Chandra Shekhar Ghosh, the bank’s founder and former CEO.

Appointments News

Amit Kumar Selected as CMD of AI Assets Holding Limited

• Amit Kumar has been chosen as the new Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of AI Assets Holding Limited (AIAHL), a Public Sector Undertaking (PSU).
• Currently serving as an Executive Director at ONGC, Kumar was selected by the Public Enterprise Selection Board (PESB).
• His appointment awaits final clearance from the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC).

Azeema Appointed Maldives Ambassador to India

• Aishath Azeema has been appointed as the new ambassador of the Maldives to India, replacing Ibrahim Shaheeb.
• Her appointment comes shortly after Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu’s official visit to India, signaling a renewed commitment to strengthening diplomatic relations between the two nations.

Science and Technology News

NASA’s Europa Clipper Begins Mission to Jupiter’s Moon Europa

• NASA’s Europa Clipper spacecraft has begun its mission to explore Europa, one of Jupiter’s moons, believed to contain a vast ocean beneath its icy surface.
• Launched on October 14, 2024, aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket, the mission aims to investigate whether Europa’s subsurface ocean could support life.

Important Days 

International Day for the Eradication of Poverty 2024

• October 17th marks the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, aimed at increasing global awareness about poverty and advocating for its elimination.
• This observance emphasizes the need for collective action toward a more inclusive, equitable, and just world, with a special focus on addressing extreme poverty.