Daily Current Affairs Quiz: August 23 2024

Ans (A)

World number one Jannik Sinner won the Cincinnati Open men’s singles title.

Sinner defeated Frances Tiafoe 7-6(4), 6-2 in the final.

Despite recent health issues, including a hip problem and missing the Paris Olympics due to tonsillitis, Sinner performed well.

Sinner struggled initially but secured the first set in a tiebreak.

Tiafoe missed three break point opportunities and fell behind 2-0 in the second set.

Sinner completed his victory with a forehand winner and an unreturnable serve.

This win is Sinner’s fifth title of the year and his first at the Cincinnati Open.

World number one Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka won the men’s and women’s singles titles of the Cincinnati Open.

Ans (B)

The Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) appointed Satya Prakash Sangwan as Chef de Mission for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.

Sangwan is also the Vice-President of PCI.

He will lead India’s largest-ever contingent of 84 para-athletes across 12 sports.

Sangwan is respected in the para-sports community for his extensive experience and passion.

PCI President Devendra Jhajharia noted Sangwan’s long-term involvement with the committee.

The role of Chef de Mission involves leadership, mentorship, and strategic planning.

Ans (B)

BEML, headquartered in Bengaluru, signed a strategic MoU with the Directorate of Marine Engineering, Indian Navy.

The agreement was signed at the Naval Headquarters in Delhi by Ajit Kumar Srivastav of BEML and Rear Admiral K Srinivas of the Indian Navy.

The collaboration aims to enhance indigenous marine engineering capabilities.

The partnership will ensure that naval projects are equipped with advanced, domestically produced technology.

Ans (A)

Reserve Bank of India Governor Shaktikanta Das received an ‘A+’ rating and was ranked the top central banker globally for the second consecutive year by Global Finance magazine.

Das was previously awarded ‘Governor of the Year’ for his handling of multiple crises.

He was ranked among three central bank governors with an A+ rating, alongside Christian Kettel Thomsen of Denmark and Thomas Jordan of Switzerland.

The A+ rating reflects excellent performance in inflation control, economic growth, currency stability, and interest rate management.

Shaktikanta Das is a 1980-batch IAS officer from Tamil Nadu and has played a key role in Tamil Nadu’s SEZs and industrial policy.

He has made significant decisions such as dismantling the Foreign Investment Promotion Board and negotiating key economic policies including GST and Swiss tax evader information sharing.

Ans (D)

HCL Technologies appointed Shiv Walia as the chief financial officer (CFO) effective 6 September 2024.

Walia has been with HCLTech since April 1998 and has over three decades of finance experience across India, Singapore, Australia, and the UK.

He was previously elevated to corporate vice president finance in April 2024, overseeing financial planning, accounting, and finance operations.

Prateek Aggarwal resigned as CFO to pursue opportunities outside HCLTech, with his resignation accepted by the board on 18 August 2024.

CEO & MD C Vijayakumar praised Shiv Walia for his financial acumen, international experience, and integral role in HCLTech’s success.

HCL Technologies reported a 6.8% rise in consolidated net profit to Rs 4,257 crore for Q1 FY25, but revenue from operations declined 1.6% to Rs 28,057 crore.

Ans (C)

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar inaugurated the 19th CII India Africa Business Conclave in New Delhi on 21 August 2024.

The conclave is being held from 20 to 22 August 2024.

Senior Ministers, policymakers, and business leaders from Africa and India are participating.

The conclave is organized by the Ministry of External Affairs, the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and the Confederation of Indian Industry.

The first edition of the conclave was held in 2005.

The 19th conclave focuses on areas such as Agriculture, Food Processing, Defence, Healthcare, Pharmaceuticals, Digital Partnership, Power and Energy, Financial Partnership, Infrastructure, Skill Capacity Development, and others.

Ans (C)

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has launched the Solar Village Scheme.

This program aims to power 100 villages with 100% solar energy.

Manyachiwadi has become the first village in Maharashtra to be entirely powered by solar energy.

The scheme will soon extend to Shivtirth Nagar in Kothrud and Sector 25 in Nigdi.

Ans (D)

M Suresh has been appointed as the interim Chairman of the Airports Authority of India (AAI).

M Suresh currently serves as the Member, Air Navigation Services at the Airports Authority of India.

Suresh will hold the post for three months or until a regular incumbent joins or until further orders.

His appointment follows the government’s decision to relieve Sanjeev Kumar.

Ans (C)

BCCI secretary Jay Shah is set to become the ICC chairman, replacing Greg Barclay in November 2024.

Shah has secured backing from key cricket boards, including England and Australia, ensuring his victory.

Jay Shah will be the third Indian to hold the position, following N Srinivasan and Shashank Manohar.

The chairman’s election comprises 16 votes and a majority of 9 votes is required (51%).

Ans (B)

Senior IAS officer Govind Mohan has assumed the role of Union Home Secretary, succeeding Ajay Kumar Bhalla.

Mohan, a B.Tech graduate from Banaras Hindu University and holder of a PG Diploma from IIM Ahmedabad, was previously the Union Culture Secretary.

He is a 1989 batch IAS officer from the Sikkim cadre.

Mohan has joined the Union Home Ministry as an Officer on Special Duty (OSD).