28 August 2016 Current Affairs

NASA’s Juno probe completes first Jupiter flyby

NASA’s solar-powered Juno spacecraft has successfully executed its first flyby of Jupiter, our solar system’s most massive planet. During its first flyby, Juno passed just 4,200 kilometres above the planet’s clouds. It was the closest contact ever achieved by a man-made probe with Jupiter. During this flyby, it was for the first time Juno had its entire suite of science instruments activated. During this closest approach, Juno passed about 4,200 kilometres above Jupiter’s clouds and travelled at speed of 208,000 kilometres per hour with respect to the planet. There are 35 more close flybys of Jupiter planned during Juno’s mission scheduled to end in February 2018.


Unified Payments Interface introduced by banks

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. The payment gateway became operational after it received the Reserve Bank of India’s clearance that allowed banks’ UPI applications to go live on Google Play Store. Initially, the UPI will be available only on the Android mobile operating system. It will be going live with 21 banks in the first phase.


Mehbooba Mufti launches UJALA scheme in Jammu and Kashmir

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has launched the central government’s UJALA scheme in the state with the distribution of LED bulbs among people. The National LED programme was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in January 2015. Under this scheme consumer can buy five LED bulbs at the rate of Rs 20 each by showing monthly electricity bills or ID cards. In case of purchase of more than five bulbs, consumers need to pay Rs 95 per bulb. The scheme will be implemented in the state by Jammu and Kashmir Power Development Department in collaboration with Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL).


West Bengal Assembly passes resolution for State’s name change

The West Bengal Legislative Assembly has passed a resolution changing the name of the State to Bengal in English and Bangla in Bengali. Despite the Trinamool Congress government trying hard to arrive at a consensus of all political parties on the issue, the Congress, the Left Front and the BJP did not support the resolution. While representatives of all the three parties participated in the debate, Congress legislators walked out of the House during discussion, the Left Front wanted an amendment to the name change resolution and BJP opposed the resolution. In the end resolution was passed through voice vote.


Nico Rosberg wins 2016 Belgian Grand Prix

Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg from Germany has won the 2016 Belgian Grand Prix of Formula One. It was Rosberg’s overall tenth championship title of F1 in his career and the sixth win in the 2016 season. Earlier, he had won Australian Grand Prix, Bahrain Grand Prix, Chinese Grand Prix and Russian Grand Prix. 2016 Belgian Grand Prix was the thirteenth race of the 2016 season of Formula One in which total 11 teams had participated.


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