Current Affairs August 2024: Top News and Updates
Cyclone Asna: A Rare Formation Over Land
– Origin: Deep depression over Gujarat, now intensifying over the Arabian Sea.
– Historical Occurrences: Recorded only three times in August: 1976, 1964, 1944.
– Key Factors: Unusual monsoon winds, moisture from the Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean warming.
Tropical Cyclones Overview
– Definition: Rapidly rotating storm systems originating from warm oceans; known as typhoons, hurricanes, or willy-willies.
– Regional Impact: Bay of Bengal experiences more cyclones; climate change is increasing their frequency on the western coast.
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Prime Minister Inaugurates 218 Fisheries Projects
Key Initiatives
– Vessel Communication and Support System (VCS): Developed by ISRO.
– Modernization: Upgrading fishing harbors and markets.
– Integrated Aquaparks: Introduction of advanced technologies like RAS, Biofloc.
Benefits
– Economic Impact: Boosts fish production, creates 500,000 jobs, empowers women.
– Current Status: India is the 2nd largest fish producer with marine potential of 5.31 million tons.
Related Schemes
– PM Matsya Sampada Yojana
– Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund
– Kisan Credit Cards
Second Arihant-Class Submarine ‘INS Arighat’ Commissioned
– Fleet Addition: Joins INS Arihant in India’s SSBN fleet.
– Capabilities: INS Arihant carries K-4 and K-15 SLBMs.
– Strategic Importance: Enhances nuclear deterrence, supports blue water navy aspirations.
Challenges
– Comparative Analysis: China’s JL-2 missiles have superior range.
– Future Needs: Technological upgrades are required.
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Justice Hema Committee Report on Sexual Harassment in Malayalam Cinema
Findings
– Issues Identified: Power groups, couch casting, inadequate facilities.
Recommendations
– Portrayal of Roles: Advocates for influential roles for women.
– Additional Measures: Gender training, welfare fund.
Legal Framework
– Relevant Acts: Indecent Representation of Women Act, Vishakha Guidelines, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, SHe-Box.
Himachal Pradesh Assembly Passes Bill on Marriage Age
– Key Change: Raises marriage age for women from 18 to 21.
– Benefits: Promotes gender equality, reproductive health, and women empowerment.
Concerns
– Potential Issues: Illegal marriages, impact on marginalized communities, cultural norms.
Historical Context
– Legislation: Sarda Act (1929), Prohibition of Child Marriage Act (2006).
Cholera: Bharat Biotech’s Oral Vaccine ‘Hillchol’
– New OCV: Approved for children over one year.
– Disease Overview: Cholera is an acute diarrheal disease caused by *Vibrio cholerae*, linked to poor sanitation.
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India and US Sign Key Defence Supply Pact
Security of Supplies Arrangement (SoSA)
– Purpose: Priority support for defense goods/services.
– Memorandum of Understanding (MoU): Enhances information sharing, allows Indian officers to be posted in US commands.
Additional Initiatives
– Major Defence Partner Designation
– LEMOA, COMCASA, BECA, iCET, INDUS-X: Key defense agreements and collaborations.
Ministry of Education Defines Literacy and Full Literacy
Definitions
– Literacy: Ability to read, write, compute, and possess critical life skills.
– Full Literacy: Achieving a 95% literacy rate in a State/UT.
New India Literacy Programme (NILP)
– Target: Educating 5 crore learners.
– Components: FLN, life skills, basic education, vocational skills, continuing education.
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Union Cabinet Approves Unified Pension Scheme (UPS)
Key Features
– Assured Pension: 50% of the last 12 months’ average basic pay; minimum service of 25 years.
– Family Pension: 60% of the employee’s pension.
– Minimum Pension: ₹10,000/month.
– Inflation Indexation: Based on AICPI-IW.
Cabinet Approves BioE3 Policy
Focus Areas
– High-Performance Biomanufacturing: Innovation support, green growth, and job creation across six sectors.
– Industry Growth: Currently valued at $151.1 billion, projected to reach $300 billion by 2030.
Union Cabinet Approves Unified Scheme ‘Vigyan Dhara’
Scheme Details
– Components: S&T capacity building, R&D, innovation.
– Outlay: ₹10,579.84 crore.
– Alignment: Works with Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF).
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World’s First mRNA Lung Cancer Vaccine Trials Begin
Vaccine Details
– BNT116: Developed for non-small cell lung cancer.
– mRNA Technology: Utilizes mRNA to prompt immune responses, allowing rapid vaccine development.
Indian Prime Minister Visits Ukraine
– First Visit Since 1992: The first Indian Prime Minister to visit Ukraine since 1992.
– Agreements Signed: Focus on agriculture, humanitarian aid, and cultural cooperation.
Strategic Significance
– Diplomatic Relations: Strengthens India’s European diplomacy and showcases strategic autonomy.
Major Chemical Disaster in Anakapalli, Andhra Pradesh
– Cause: Reactor blast from solvent leak in a pharmaceutical company.
– Historical Context: Follows similar disasters in Chennai (2024), Vizag (2020), and Bhopal (1984).
– Regulations: NDMA Guidelines, Explosives Act, UNEP Framework, ILO Codes.
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Jal Jeevan Mission Progress
– Launch Year: 2019, aiming to provide Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTCs) by 2024.
– Achievements: Increased tap water coverage in households, schools, and Anganwadi centers.
Women’s Involvement
– Significant Role: Women are actively involved in water quality testing.
UN Framework Convention on International Tax Cooperation
Convention Goals
– Global Tax Treaty: Aims to address challenges such as digitalization and tax evasion.
– Focus Areas: Fair taxation and combating illicit financial flows.
Nanoparticles for Fungal Infections
– New Technology: Polymeric nanoparticles are now used to treat fungal infections safely.
– Broader Impact: Nanotechnology is enhancing fields such as healthcare, energy, and environmental remediation.
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Ministry of Health’s FIR Order
New Guidelines
– Mandatory FIRs: Heads of institutions must file FIRs within 6 hours of violence against healthcare workers.
– Objective: Address the rising incidents of violence impacting healthcare quality and worker well-being.
India’s Fuel Exports Route Shift
– New Route: India is now exporting fuel to Europe via the longer route around Africa due to Red Sea security concerns.
– Impact: This change increases shipping time and costs.
Krishi-Decision Support System (Krishi-DSS)
– Technology: A satellite-based system providing real-time agricultural data to support decision-making.
– Application: Utilizes remote sensing and space technologies to improve farming practices.
ISRO’s EOS-08 Satellite Launch
– Objective: EOS-08 is launched to develop microsatellite technology and support various applications, including environmental monitoring.
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WHO Declares Mpox a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC)
– Declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.
– Protection: Vaccines are available for protection against the outbreak.
Supreme Court Ruling on Bail
– Principle: Emphasizes that bail is the rule and jail is the exception, even under special statutes like UAPA.
– Reform Needs: Addresses issues like overcrowding in prisons.
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G4 Nations Call for UNSC Reform
– UNSC Expansion: G4 Nations advocate for expanding the UNSC to include more permanent and non-permanent members.
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PM Mudra Yojana Report
– Support for MSMEs: PMMY supports micro and small enterprises with financial inclusion and loan distribution.
– Challenges: The report highlights challenges and suggests improvements.
Tungabhadra Dam Crest Gate Collapse
– Cause: Heavy rains led to the collapse, raising concerns about dam safety in Karnataka.
– Focus: Aging infrastructure and safety measures for Indian dams.
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New Crop Varieties Released by ICAR
– Varieties Released: 109 new crop varieties focused on yield, climate resilience, and biofortification.
– Goal: Improve food and nutritional security.
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PM JI-VAN Yojana Updates
– Focus: Supports ethanol blending and biofuels from various feedstocks.
– Scope: The scheme is extended and expanded to boost energy security and reduce environmental impact.
India and Nepal Sign MoU for Munal Satellite Grant Assistance
– Purpose: The Munal Satellite will create a vegetation density database for Earth’s surface.
– Launch Vehicle: NSIL’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle.
Significance
– Global South Cooperation: Promotes resources and consensus, similar to the South Asia Satellite Project.
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Guidelines Issued for ‘Model Solar Village’ under PM-Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana
– Objective: Set up one Model Solar Village per district for energy self-reliance.
– Eligibility: Villages with populations over 5,000.
– Financial Assistance: ₹1 crore grant per village.
Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak 2024 Introduced in Lok Sabha
– New Bill: Aims to replace the Aircraft Act, 1934, to facilitate business and manufacturing in aviation.
Conventions: Empowering the Central Government to create rules for implementing international aviation conventions.
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National Green Tribunal Asks MoEFCC to Set Deadline for Declaring Western Ghats as Eco-Sensitive Zone
– Directive: The NGT has directed the MoEF&CC to finalize a deadline for declaring the Western Ghats as an Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ).
Coverage– States Involved: Six states: Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu.
Ministry of Health Releases SOP for Organ Transport
– Green Corridor: Expedites organ transport through authorized requests.
– Transport Means: Includes air, road, rail, and waterways.
Challenges
– Issues Faced: Donor shortage, illegal trade, certification issues.
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Centre Introduces Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024
– Key Changes: Mandatory registration of waqf properties on a central portal; inclusion of women and non-Muslims on councils.
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Finance Bill 2024: Key Provisions and Implications
– Tax Reforms: Revised tax slabs and new compliance measures.
– Corporate Tax: Changes in corporate tax rates and incentives.
New Education Policy (NEP) 2024: Key Highlights
– Curriculum Overhaul: Updated curriculum to include emerging technologies and skill development.
– Teacher Training: Enhanced training programs for teachers.
– Student Assessments: New assessment methods focusing on holistic development.
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