Current Affairs - February 8, 2024 Current Affairs

The Reserve Bank of India has opted to maintain the repo rate at 6.5 per cent in its latest bi-monthly monetary policy announcement. This decision suggests a continuation of the prevailing lending rates, aimed at supporting economic stability and growth amidst evolving financial conditions.

The joint report on LNG adoption in Medium and Heavy Commercial Vehicles (MHCVs) was released by NITI Aayog and the Kingdom of the Netherlands during India Energy Week, highlighting collaboration efforts between India and the Netherlands in the energy transition sector.

Free bus travel for the transgender community was announced in Delhi, aiming to address societal neglect and promote equal rights for marginalized groups.

Farooq Nazki, a revered poet, broadcaster, and distinguished recipient of the Sahitya Akademi Award, passed away at the age of 83, leaving behind a legacy in Kashmiri literature. In 1995, he received the Sahitya Academy award for his book of poetry titled Naar Hyutun Kanzal Wanas (Fire in the Eyelashes) in the Kashmiri language literature. He was also awarded the State Cultural Academy Award for this work and Lafz Lafz Noha.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) forecasts India to become the primary driver of global oil demand growth by 2030, despite a projected decline in domestic production.

India has been ranked 38th out of 139 countries in the World Bank's Logistics Performance Index Report 2023, showing significant improvement from its previous positions of 44th in 2018 and 54th in 2014.

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), the leading IT services company, recently saw its market capitalization surge over 4 per cent, crossing the ₹15 lakh crore mark. This remarkable achievement contributes to Tata Group's historic ₹30 lakh crore market capitalization, highlighting TCS's significant role in the conglomerate's success.

Naveen Tahilyani, currently the CEO and MD at Tata AIA Life Insurance, is scheduled to take over as the new CEO and MD of Tata Digital, emphasizing the company's strategic focus on enhancing its e-commerce operations.

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy of Telangana announced the establishment of a specialized help desk for overseas youth, particularly students, to ensure comprehensive support for their needs, addressing safety concerns among Telangana citizens residing abroad.

The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA), the largest sovereign wealth fund in the UAE, is establishing a substantial investment fund totalling $4-5 billion through India’s Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City).

London is identified as having the slowest traffic in the TomTom Traffic Index 2023, with commuters facing considerable delays during peak hours, averaging just 14 kilometres per hour. Bengaluru follows closely as the second most congested city, highlighting the global challenge of urban traffic congestion.

Cameroon, situated in central Africa, has recently embraced the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing, an international agreement under the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity. This move aims to promote fair and equitable sharing of benefits from genetic resource utilization, safeguarding biodiversity and traditional knowledge.

National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is observed annually on February 7th. This day serves as a pivotal moment to raise awareness about the disproportionate impact of HIV/AIDS on Black Americans and mobilize efforts towards prevention, testing, treatment, and care within African American communities.

India and Saudi Arabia recently held discussions in Riyadh to explore avenues for strengthening bilateral defence and strategic cooperation. These talks emphasized potential collaborations in various areas, including joint military training exercises, underscoring efforts to enhance interoperability and readiness in addressing mutual security challenges.

"Kilkari" is the mobile health service providing weekly IVRS messages on maternal & child health, launched by Union Ministers of State for Health and Family Welfare to strengthen public health infrastructure in Maharashtra and Gujarat.