29th August 2016 - Important Current Affairs updates

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International Affairs

• Today (29th August) is the International Day Against Nuclear Tests.
• Aim :  To raise awareness about the effects of nuclear weapon test explosions or any other nuclear explosions.
• Russia has lifted its ban on charter flights to Turkey.
• Earlier, Russia had banned such flights after a Russian air force jet was shot down by the Turkish military last November.
• Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has since apologised for the incident and the leaders of the two countries have reportedly started restoring bilateral ties.
• China has launched a cargo train service to Russia in an attempt to improve trade and commerce with the country.
• This will reportedly save 30 days in transport time compared to shipping services and will cost 20% of standard air transportation. 
• This is a part of China's multi-billion dollar project to revive the ancient Silk Route.
  

National Affairs

• Today (29th August) is National Sports day.
• This day marks the birthday of Dhyan Chand (29 August 1905), the hockey legend who won Three Olympic gold medals for India (1928,1932 and 1936)
• Note : The first National Sport Day was held in 2012.
• Sanskrit Diwas is being celebrated across the country.
• Today is Telugu Language Day (Telugu Bhasha Dinotsavam).
• This day is celebrated on 29 August each year in Andhra Pradesh & Telangana states.
• This date was chosen to coincide with the birthday of the Telugu poet Gidugu Venkata Ramamurthy Panthulu.
• The Tourism Ministers of BRICS countries will meet in Madhya Pradesh's temple city Khajuraho for a two-day long conference from 1st September 2016.
• During the conference, several presentations will be made and group discussions on Inter-Regional Tourism Promotion will be held. 
• Further, a session on implementing technology and innovation in the sector will be held along with various cultural programmes.
• Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has launched the Centre's UJALA scheme in the state with the distribution of LED bulbs to the people.
• Under the scheme, consumers can buy five LED bulbs at Rs.20 each by showing monthly electricity bills or ID cards. 
• Note : Prime Minister Narendra Modi had launched the National LED programme in 2015.

Business & Economy

• The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has announced that Unified Payments Interface (UPI) application has become operational. 
• The application will allow customers to make easier real-time payments via digital means using smartphones.

MOUs & Agreements

• India and Myanmar have signed four Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance cooperation and bilateral relations between the two countries.
• They are,
• MoU on cooperation in the Field of Renewable Energy.
• MoU on cooperation in the construction of 69 Bridges.
• MoU on cooperation in the field of Traditional Systems of Medicine.
• MoU on cooperation in the construction and upgradation of the Kalewa – Yagyi Road Section.

New Appointments

• Nine-time Olympic gold medalist Usain Bolt has been appointed as the 'Chief Speed Officer' in a lifetime deal with Caribbean cell carrier Digicel.
• Bolt will help Digicel market products, publicise partnership initiatives and hold mentorship sessions for young athletes. 

Sports

• President Pranab Mukherjee  presented National Sports Awards 2014-15 today on the occasion of National Sports Day.
• Here is the Complete list of winners : 
• Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award 2016
• P.V. Sindhu - Badminton
• Sakshi Malik  - Wrestling
• Dipa Karmakar - Gymnastics
• Jitu Rai - Shooting
• Dronacharya Award 2016
• Nagapuri Ramesh - Athletics
• Sagar Mal Dhayal - Boxing
• Raj Kumar Sharma - Cricket
• Bishweshwar Nandi - Gymnastics
• S. Pradeep Kumar - Swimming (lifetime)
• Mahabir Singh - Wrestling (lifetime)
• Arjuna Award 2016
• Rajat Chauhan - Archery
• Lalita Babar - Athletics
• Sourav Kothari - Billiards and Snooker
• Shiva Thapa - Boxing
• Ajinkya Rahane - Cricket
• Rani - Hockey
• Subrata Paul - Football
• V R Raghunath - Hockey
• Gurpreet Singh - Shooting
• Apurvi Chandela - Shooting
• Soumyajit Ghosh  - Table Tennis
• Vinesh Poghat - Wrestling
• Amit Kumar - Wrestling
• Sandeep Singh Mann - Para-Athletics
• Virender Singh - Wrestling (deaf)
• Dhyan Chand Award 2015
• Satti Geetha - Athletics
• Sylvanus Dung Dung - Hockey
• Rajendra Pralhad Shelke - Rowing

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