26th August 2014 - Daily Current Affairs updates

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National Affairs

• The Chabad (Jewish learning centre) Centre at the Nariman House reopened today, nearly six years after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, in which six people were killed in the Nariman House building, including a Rabbi and his wife.
• 'Universal Identity Cards' would be issued to people with disabilities for which a survey would begin next month to ascertain the exact number of disabled people in the country, Union Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thawar Chand Gehlot said today.
• Micro Small and Medium Enterprises Minister Kalraj Mishra today said his ministry is working to bring out new policy for the sector and a committee with officials from Ministries of Finance, MSME and RBI has been formed to chalk out issues to be included in the new policy. 
• India today barred scam-tainted Italian defence firm Finmeccannica from participating in future tenders while deciding to carry out ongoing contracts with the group and its subsidiary AgustaWestland, more than a month after putting all deals on hold.
• Kerala Govt today announced a bonus of Rs.3,500 to its employees who draw salary upto Rs.18,150 for Onam festival which falls on 7th September 2014.

International Affairs

• Ukraine's president, Petro Poroshenko, has dissolved parliament and called for early elections in October as his country continues to battle a pro-Russia insurgency in its eastern regions, and Kiev again accused Russia of sending soldiers into its territory.
• Paris celebrated the 70th anniversary of its liberation after four years in the grip of the occupying Nazis, with President Francois Hollande saying France now has a moral obligation to answer the call of those under the boot of dictators or barbarism like the Islamic State group that has conquered large swaths of Syria and Iraq.
• External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj chaired a brain storming session with 15 Indian Heads of Mission in South East and East Asia  to chart out the foreign policy initiatives to be undertaken in the strategically important region by the new BJP-led government.
• This is the second Heads of Mission meeting that she has called for since assuming office in May.  
• US Congressman AaronSchock calls on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi today. 
• India, Pakistan DGMOs agree to hold flag meeting for maintaining peace at LoC.
• Ahead of his visit to Japan on 30th August 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said he was keenly looking forward to take the "time-tested" bilateral ties to a new level and increase cooperation in various fields.

Awards & Honors

• The 66th annual Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony took place at the Nokia Theatre in Downtown Los Angeles, California. Check complete list of Winners from here.

People in News

• BJP today announced the name of Vadodara deputy mayor Ranjan Ben Bhatta as its candidate for the Vadodara Lok Sabha seat, which was vacated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
• Sheila Dikshit has resigned as Kerala governor becoming the eighth governor appointed by the UPA regime to quit since the NDA government came to power in May this year.

Science & Technology

• India will get the dot Bharat .भारत (.Bharat) domain name from tomorrow. 

Business & Economy

• Country's largest bank SBI today slashed home loan rate by up to 0.15 per cent on housing loan, a move likely to be followed by other lenders.
• Reserve Bank (RBI) today released a note and a poster to increase awareness about Know Your Customer (KYC) norms for opening bank accounts.  
• Retirement fund body EPFO's trustees today decided to retain interest payment on provident fund deposits for 2014-15 at 8.75 per cent.  
• Kingfisher Airlines on Tuesday moved the Delhi High Court against Punjab National Bank's notice alleging the carrier has wilfully defaulted in payment of outstanding dues of over Rs 770 crore. 
• Air India will sell tickets for Rs 100 (taxes extra) for five days from Wednesday — which it will celebrate as Air India Day to commemorate the merger of erstwhile Indian Airlines and Air India on this day in 2007.

New Appointments

• The NDA government today named new governors for four states
• Former UP chief minister Kalyan Singh  - Rajasthan
• Gujarat assembly speaker Vajubhai Vala - Karnataka
• Former minister of state in Vajpayee government C Vidyasagar Rao - Maharashtra 
• Former BJP Mahila Morcha president Mridula Sinha - Goa  

Read more Daily Current Affairs updates from here

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