Today's Current Affairs 8th August 2023

INTERNATIONAL

New Covid variant Eris spreading rapidly in UK

• A new COVID variant Eris or EG.5.1 is rapidly spreading across the country United Kingdom. Startlingly, one out of every seven COVID-19 cases in the UK is now linked to this variant.
• The spread of Eris is not limited only to UK but also across Europe, Asia and North America, marking its impact globally.
• The Eris variant is believed to have originated from the Omicron lineage of the COVID-19.

Cambodian king appoints Hun Manet as new PM

• Cambodia’s King, Norodom Sihamoni issued a royal decree appointing Hun Manet as Prime Minister, after Mr. Hun Sen had announced last month that he was stepping down and handing power to his eldest son.
• Hun Sen, one of the world’s longest¬serving leaders made the announcement days after a landslide victory in July polls that were widely decried as a sham, after main challenger the Candlelight Party was barred from participating.
• Cambodia Capital: Phnom Penh, Cambodia Currency: Cambodian riel, Cambodia Official language: Khmer.

 NATIONAL

GOI approved Rs 1.39 lakh cr for connecting 6.4 lakh villages with broadband

• The Union Cabinet has approved the final phase of the last-mile optical fiber-based broadband connectivity plan, covering 6.4 lakh villages across India under the BharatNet project. This initiative is supported by a budget of Rs 1.39 lakh crore.
• Through this enhancement, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) seeks to accelerate the endeavor of linking all 6.4 lakh villages within the upcoming two and a half years. The ongoing progress has seen nearly 1.94 lakh villages already integrated into the BharatNet project.
• BBNL (Bharat Broadband Network Limited) will provide customer premise equipment and additional fibre required for connecting homes while local entrepreneurs have been tasked with maintaining the network.

Chhattisgarh CM Transfers Rs 15 Cr Online To Beneficiaries As Part Of Godhan Nyay Yojana

• As part of the flagship Godhan Nyay Yojna (GNY) initiated by the Chhattisgarh government, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel conducted online transfers exceeding Rs 15 crore to support cattle rearers, women’s self-help groups (SHGs), and ‘gauthan’ committees.
• This initiative has empowered SHG women and surged farmer engagement in cattle rearing. The program has garnered national recognition, inspiring other states to adopt similar initiatives.
• Introduced in July 2020 by the Chhattisgarh government, the Godhan Nyaya Yojana involves the procurement of cow dung at a rate of Rs. 2 per kg within the state’s gauthans.

 SPORTS

Indian wrestlers claim 11 medals at World u¬17 championships 2023

• India ended their 2023 World Cadet Wrestling Championships, meant for under-17 grapplers, with a total of 11 medals, including a gold, at Istanbul, Turkey.
• Savita, who entered the event as the defending champion, won the only gold medal for India at Istanbul in the women’s 61kg weight division.
• India finished sixth in the men’s freestyle and fourth in men’s Greco-Roman team rankings as well. However, it was the women’s freestyle where India shone best by finishing third, only behind Japan and USA, with 118 points in the team rankings.

 APPOINTMENS & RESIGNATIONS

Musk's Tesla appoints India-origin Vaibhav Taneja as CFO

• Indian-origin Vaibhav Taneja has been named Tesla’s new Chief Financial Officer as the previous finance chief Zachary Kirkhorn announced his decision to step down.
• He was appointed Tesla CFO in addition to his current role as Chief Accounting Officer (CAO) of the US-based electric car major after Kirhorn, Tesla’s Master of Coin and finance chief for the last four years, stepped down from the post.
• Taneja is a commerce graduate. He did his Bachelor of Commerce degree from Delhi University between 1996 and 1999. His Tesla’s journey began in 2017 as he switched from a dynamic solar energy firm, SolarCity, which had been acquired by Tesla.

 IMPORTANT DAYS

Quit India Movement Day: 8^th August

• The Quit India Movement was a historic event in India’s struggle for Independence from British colonial rule.
• The year 2023 marks the 81st anniversary of this momentous movement that changed the course of India’s history. As we commemorate this significant milestone, it is essential to reflect the ideals and sacrifices of the past, drawing inspiration for the present and the future.
• The Quit India Movement, also known as the August Movement, was initiated by the Indian National Congress on 8th August, 1942, led by Mahatma Gandhi, who called for “Do or Die” in the struggle for India’s independence.

 BANKING AND ECONOMY

IndiaFirst Life Insurance launched new (Guarantee of Life Dreams) plan

• In a move to provide enhanced financial security and stable income to its policyholders, IndiaFirst Life Insurance Company has recently launched a groundbreaking insurance product – the Guarantee of Life Dreams (G.O.L.D.) Plan.
• This non-linked and non-participating insurance plan is designed to offer regular, long-term income to policyholders to ensure a prosperous and worry-free future.
• Policyholders can choose from premium payment terms of 6, 8, or 10 years, depending on their financial preferences and goals. IndiaFirst Life Insurance offers policy terms of 30 years and 40 years for the G.O.L.D. Plan.