Home > Practice > Current Affairs > September - 2024 > September 04, 2024
1. Which country has signed an MoU with India to enhance public-sector audit cooperation?
The UAE has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with India to strengthen cooperation in public sector audits. This agreement, involving India’s Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) and the UAE Accountability Authority, focuses on knowledge exchange, capacity building, and adopting best practices to improve audit methodologies and governance. The MoU is intended to bolster bilateral relations between the two countries while enhancing transparency and accountability in their government operations. This collaboration represents a significant step towards improved governance and audit practices in both nations.
2. How many Indic languages will Google DeepMind's Morni AI project cover?
Google DeepMind's Morni AI project aims to cover 125 Indic languages, including many that currently lack a digital corpus. This initiative, which focuses on improving language representation in the digital space, is part of a broader effort to address the gap in online data for Indic languages. Through Project Vaani, Google has already collected over 14,000 hours of speech data from 58 languages and plans to gather more in its second phase, contributing significantly to language preservation and AI development for diverse Indian languages.
3. Which Indian institute has inaugurated a new campus in Abu Dhabi?
The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi has inaugurated its first international campus in Abu Dhabi, marking a significant milestone in global academic expansion. The inauguration, led by Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, signifies the fulfilment of a shared diplomatic vision between India and the UAE. This new campus is part of a broader initiative to strengthen educational ties between the two nations, as outlined in a Vision Document launched by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
4. Who has been appointed as the new Managing Director for Philips India?
Philips, the Dutch multinational, has appointed Bharath Sesha as the new Managing Director for India, starting from September 1. Sesha brings over 20 years of global experience, with a strong background in the Indian pharmaceutical and chemical sectors. He succeeds Daniel Mazon, who has transitioned to a global role at Philips' headquarters. Sesha’s primary focus will be on enhancing customer satisfaction and driving growth in India’s healthcare sector. This appointment comes after Philips’ impressive performance in the second quarter of 2023, marked by a rise in adjusted earnings.
5. In which country did a jailbreak attempt result in at least 129 prisoners being killed?
The Democratic Republic of the Congo, often simply referred to as Congo, experienced a tragic jailbreak attempt at Makala Central Prison in Kinshasa, resulting in the death of at least 129 prisoners and injuries to 59 others. This country, located in Central Africa, is the second-largest by land area on the continent and the 11th-largest globally. Its capital is Kinshasa, and its official language is French, with the Congolese Franc being the currency used.
6. In which Indian state has the Chief Minister launched a Rs 1,347 crore water supply project?
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has inaugurated a significant Rs 1,347 crore water supply project aimed at providing drinking water from the Sone River to Aurangabad, Dehri, and Sasaram. This project is expected to be completed in two years. Alongside this, Kumar has also launched several other projects, including a state industrial training institute and tech labs, and has allocated funds to various self-help groups. This initiative highlights the state’s commitment to improving infrastructure and public services.
7. Which company has partnered with the Goa government to improve plastic waste management in Mormugao?
Bisleri International Pvt. Ltd. has partnered with the Goa government to enhance plastic waste management in Mormugao, under its CSR initiative 'Bottles for Change'. This collaboration was formalized at the Green Goa Summit 2024, with the aim of improving waste collection, segregation, and recycling processes. The initiative involves key stakeholders like the Goa State Pollution Control Board and Mormugao Municipal Council and focuses on educating the public, training staff, and establishing efficient recovery facilities to promote sustainable waste management.
8. Which institution is ranked highest among government engineering colleges in the IIRF 2024 engineering rankings?
In the IIRF 2024 engineering rankings, IIT Bombay is recognized as the top government engineering college. This prestigious position reflects IIT Bombay's exceptional performance in academics, research, and placements. The institute's strong reputation in these areas places it ahead of other prominent institutions such as IIT Madras and IIT Delhi. IIT Bombay's consistent excellence in various facets of engineering education contributes to its leading status in the rankings.
9. Which bank has launched a financial suite called GIGA for India's gig workers?
HDFC Bank has introduced GIGA, a comprehensive financial suite tailored for gig workers in India. This initiative includes savings and current accounts, specialized debit and credit cards, and affordable health insurance starting at Rs 20 per day. GIGA is designed to address the unique financial needs of gig workers by offering a flexible savings account with low balance requirements and a business credit card that provides rewards and deals on essential services. This move highlights HDFC Bank's commitment to supporting the growing gig economy.
10. Which company has been approved by the Union Cabinet to establish a semiconductor manufacturing unit in Sanand, Gujarat?
Kaynes Semicon Pvt Ltd has received approval from the Union Cabinet to set up a semiconductor manufacturing unit in Sanand, Gujarat, marking a significant milestone in India's Semiconductor Mission. With an investment of approximately ₹3,300 crore, the plant will have a production capacity of 60 lakh chips per day, catering to various industries such as industrial, automotive, electric vehicles, consumer electronics, telecom, and mobile phones. This development underscores India's commitment to becoming a global hub for semiconductor manufacturing.
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