CURRENT AFFAIRS AUGUST 31 ENGLISH

1. International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances: 30 August

TheInternational Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances is observed every year on August 30 of every year.

• This day is created to draw attention to the fate of individuals imprisoned at places and under poor conditions unknown to their relatives and/or legal representatives.

2. DoT allocates two additional frequencies for Community Radio

The Department of Telecommunications has allocated two additional dedicated frequencies for running Community Radio - 89.6 and 90.0 MHz.

• On the lines of the recent hike in advertisement rates for print and electronic media, the advertisement rates for Community Radio will be revised by the Bureau of Outreach and Communication within two months.
• Information and Broadcasting Ministry will establish Community Radio Stations in every district of the Country.

3. Air India Express, Alliance Air to ban single-use plastic from October 2

Air India announced that the usage of single-use plastic on the flights of its subsidiaries Air India Express and Alliance Air will stop from October 2.

• In his Independence Day speech, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had urged people to shun single-use plastic and encouraged usage of jute and cloth bags to protect the environment.
• In the first phase, it will implement in all flights of Air India Express and Alliance Air flights.
• In the 2nd phase, it will be implemented in Air India flights.

4. Tamil Nadu's Dindigul locks and Kandangi sarees get GI tag

Tamil Nadu’s Dindigul locks and Kandangi sarees have received Geographical Indication (GI) tags.

• The Dindigul locks are known throughout the world for their superior quality and durability.
• It is unique as each is designed with different lever pattern.
• The famous bright-coloured Kandangi saree, manufactured in Karaikudi taluk in Sivaganga district got GI tag.

5. Rajasthan launches AB-MGRSBY health insurance scheme

The Rajasthan government launched a new health insurance scheme - Ayushman Bharat-Mahatma Gandhi Rajasthan Swasthya Bima Yojna (AB-MGRSBY).

• The scheme will be implemented after merging the Centre's Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojna (AB-PMJAY) and the state's Bhamashah Swasthya Bima Yojna (BSBY).
• With the merger of AB-PMJAY and BSBY, the number of families getting benefit will increase.
• The Chief Minister said that complaints of irregularities under BSBY were being received and these shortcomings have been taken care of in the new scheme.

6. BSE ties up with SUFI for steel futures

The Steel Users Federation of India has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Bombay Stock Exchange to help the later launch futures trading in steel.

• The BSE and SUFI will work towards enlisting steel futures in both long and flat steel to help industry players hedge the risk on the exchange platform.
• Currently, Indian Commodity Exchange is the only exchange that provides futures trading in long steel used largely in the infrastructure segment.

7. Government extends CBDT Chairman Mody's tenure

The tenure of Central Board of Direct Taxation (CBDT) Chairman P C Mody has been extended by a year.

• The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved "re-appointment" of Mody for a period of one year.
• Mody was to retire on August 31.
• A 1982-batch Indian Revenue Service (Income Tax cadre) officer, Mody, took over as the (CBDT) chief in February.

8. Virgil van Dijk wins 'Player of the Year' award

Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk created history after being chosen UEFA Men's Player of the Year.

• In May, Van Dijk was named Premier League Player of the Season.
• England footballer Lucy Bronze taking the Women’s Player of the Year award.
• Barcelona's Lionel Messi bagged the Forward of the Season award for the 2018/19 UEFA Champions League campaign.

9. Indian Sprinter VK Vismaya Wins 400m Gold In Czech Republic

Indian sprinter, VK Vismaya, claimed the gold medal at the International Athletic Meeting.

• She produced a personal best timing of 52.12s at the women 400m run, that took place at the Josef Seckár Memorial (MJS) in Brno, Czech Republic.
• Hima Das, who has recently won six gold medals in European races, didn't compete in this event.

10. India bags gold in 10-meter air pistol event in Shooting World Cup

In shooting, Abhishek Verma won the gold medal and Saurabh Chaudhary the bronze, in a dominant display by Indian shooters in the men's 10m air pistol event of the World Cup at Rio de Janeiro.

• Verma shot 244.2 in the eight-man finals, while Chaudhary's 221.9 was good enough to get him the bronze.
• India has already exhausted the maximum Olympic quotas available per country in this event.
• Now, India's quota holders are Sanjeev Rajput, Anjum Moudgil, Apurvi Chandela, Saurabh Chaudhary, Abhishek Verma, Divyansh Singh Panwar, Rahi Sarnobat and Manu Bhaker.
• India was placed at the top of the medals tally with two gold, one silver and a bronze.