Daily Current Affairs 16th February 2024: Your guide for daily General Knowledge Preparation
Dear Readers,
This post contains important current affairs of 16th February2024. It includes all Major National, International, Business and Sports related current affairs of 16th February2024. 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 February2024 Current affairs test.
National News
1. Helicopter Emergency Medical Service Debuts in Uttarakhand, India
- India is set to launch its first-ever Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS), starting its operations in the state of Uttarakhand. Located at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Rishikesh, this service aims to cover a radius of 150 kilometers, focusing on the rapid transport of patients in critical conditions or involved in accidents for immediate medical attention.
2. DoT Launches ‘Sangam: Digital Twin’ Initiative for Infrastructure Enhancement
- The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has introduced the ‘Sangam: Digital Twin’ initiative, encouraging industry leaders to utilize this cutting-edge technology for improved infrastructure planning and collaborative efforts. The initiative seeks Expressions of Interest from various sectors to deploy Digital Twin technology, which creates virtual replicas of physical objects for real-time monitoring and analysis. A pilot project is slated to take place in two phases in a major Indian city, aimed at fostering innovation and developing scalable models for infrastructure enhancement through partnerships.
International News
1. Germany Overtakes Japan as World’s Third Largest Economy
- Germany has ascended to become the world’s third-largest economy, surpassing Japan, primarily due to the significant depreciation of the yen against the euro. Despite a 1.9% growth in Japan’s economy last year, a downturn in the final quarter relegated it to fourth place globally. The yen’s value decreased by over 18% against the dollar in 2022 and 2023, while the euro remained stable, enabling Germany’s rise in the global economic rankings.
2. Prabowo Subianto Wins Indonesian Presidential Election
- Prabowo Subianto has secured a victory in the Indonesian presidential election, capturing nearly 60% of the votes in the first round. His win is attributed to his military background and alignment with the policies of the outgoing President Joko Widodo, which has favorably influenced the markets. Prabowo’s vice-presidential candidate, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, the eldest son of President Widodo, is set to become the nation’s youngest vice president.
Banking News
1. PayU and NPCI Introduce ‘Credit Lines on UPI’ Feature for Merchants
- In a pioneering initiative, PayU, in collaboration with the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), has launched a ‘Credit Lines on UPI’ feature for merchants. This feature, integrated into the PayU platform, enables merchants to facilitate digital transactions through pre-approved credit lines, offering enhanced financial flexibility. It also provides insights into consumer credit behavior, helping in the creation of customized offerings to improve the customer experience.
Business News
1. Tata Group and Uber Discuss Strategic Partnership
- The Tata Group and Uber are in discussions regarding a potential strategic partnership to augment user engagement and activity on Tata’s digital platform, Tata Neu. Despite challenges in user growth, Tata Digital is aiming to cater to 50% of an average consumer’s daily needs through its platform. The partnership with Uber, which has expanded into services like grocery delivery, is expected to significantly enhance user interactions on Tata Neu.
Important Days News
1. World Anthropology Day Celebrated
- World Anthropology Day was celebrated on February 15, 2024, occurring on the third Thursday of February. The day is dedicated to the recognition of human biology, behavior, and societal complexities. Its observance seeks to increase public awareness and appreciation of anthropology, highlighting the study of human existence and evolution.
Appointments News
1. Nikhil Joshi Appointed as Managing Director of Boeing Defence India
- Boeing has announced the appointment of Nikhil Joshi as the managing director of Boeing Defense India (BDI), with the goal of bolstering its operations and strategic expansion in the country. Joshi brings a wealth of experience from his previous role as country manager for Eaton Aerospace in India, along with an extensive military background, including commanding ships and air squadrons and accumulating over 4,000 flight hours.
Agreements News
1. RBI and Nepal Rastra Bank Finalize UPI-NPI Linkage
- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and Nepal Rastra Bank have finalized an agreement to link India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) with Nepal’s NationalPayments Interface (NPI). This partnership aims to facilitate seamless cross-border financial transactions, laying the groundwork for efficient remittances between the two nations.
Awards News
1. South Indian Bank Receives Best Technology Bank of the Year Award
- The South Indian Bank was awarded the Best Technology Bank of the Year at the 19th Annual Banking Technology Conference, Expo, & Citations by the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA). The bank received a total of six awards, including three first-place finishes, one second place, and two special mentions. T Rabi Sankar, Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India, presented the award, highlighting the bank’s advancements in technology.
Sports News
1. Centenarian Diver Competes at World Championships
- Taghi Askar, a 100-year-old diver from Iran, participated in the Diving World Championships in Doha, competing in the 1-meter platform event. This marked his return to international competition 73 years after winning medals at the Asian Games in 1951, concluding a distinguished diving career that spanned over six decades.
2. Indian Football Team Falls to a Seven-Year Low in FIFA Rankings
- The Indian national football team has dropped 15 places to rank 117th in the latest FIFA rankings, reaching its lowest position in seven years. This decline follows a series of losses at the AFC Asian Cup, where the team was unable to secure any points, contrasting sharply with its 102nd ranking in December 2023. The downturn has raised concerns regarding the team’s future performance and management.
