NATIONAL:
1. Him Drone-a-Thon
Why in news – The Indian Army has launched the ‘Him Drone-a-thon’ program on 08 August 22.
Key Points –
• Collaborating partner - Drone Federation of India.
• Aim – to support indigenous drone ecosystem.
• Home grown company like ideaForge demonstrated capability for military grade drone aircraft.
• Indian imported drone (Israel)- Heron I, Searcher MK II, Harop loitering munition
• On February 9, 2022, the Directorate Generate of Foreign Trade (DGFT) prohibited the import of drones in India in --Completely Built Up (CBU), Completely Knocked Down (CKD) and Semi Knocked Down (SKD) forms.
2. Indo-Israel COE for Vegetables
Why in news – Narendra Singh Tomar laid the cornerstone for the Center of Excellence for Vegetables in Chandauli, UP.
Key Points –
• Israel is providing the technology as part of the India-Israel Action Plan (IIAP).
• Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) is funding the construction of the infrastructure.
3. India Ki Udaan
Why in news – Google launched “India Ki Udaan” to mark 75 years of Independence.
Key Points –
• To be executed by Google Arts & Culture.
• It is “themed on the unwavering and undying spirit of India over these past 75 years”.
INTERNATIONAL:
1. Langya Virus
Why in news – On August 8, China confirmed 35 human infections with the zoonotic Langya virus (LayV).
Key Points –
• The cases were discovered in Shandong and Henan provinces.
• Symptoms - fever, fatigue, cough, loss of appetite, muscle pain, nausea, headache and vomiting.
2. The Chips and Science Act
Why in news – President Joe Biden signed a USD 280 billion bipartisan bill to boost domestic high-tech manufacturing.
Key Points –
• Aim – to incentivize investments in the American semiconductor industry.
• The law sets aside USD 52 billion specifically to bolster the U.S. computer chip sector.
3. AGM-88 HARM
Why in news – United States has supplied AGM-88 HARM missiles to Ukraine.
Key Points –
About AGM-88 HARM –
• HARM - High-Speed Anti-Radiation Missile.
• Air-to-surface missile.
• It is produced by Raytheon Corporation.
SECURITY:
1. Ex Vajra Prahar 2022
Why in news – India and the US commenced a military exercise named “Ex Vajra Prahar 2022” in Himachal Pradesh’s Bakloh.
Key Points –
• It is 13th edition of the exercise.
• 12th edition - Joint Base Lewis Mcchord, Washington (USA).
• The Indian Army contingent is represented by drawing Special Forces personnel under the aegis of SFTS.
ECONOMY:
1. Payment Gateway on TIN 2.0 Platform
Why in news – Federal Bank has become the first bank to list its Payment Gateway platform on the TIN 2.0 platform.
Key Points –
• The TIN 2.0 platform went live on July 1, 2022.
• TIN 2.0 was launched by Income Tax Department.
IMPORTANT DATES:
1. World Biofuel Day 2022
Why in news – It is celebrated annually on August 10 to raise awareness about the use of non-fossil fuels as an alternative to conventional fossil fuel.
Key Points –
• Sources of bio-fuel - Animal waste, algae, industrial and agricultural waste.
• On August 10, 1893, Sir Rudolf Diesel successfully ran his diesel engine on peanut oil.
• On June 5, 2022, India had achieved the target of blending 10% ethanol with petrol.
PLACES IN NEWS:
1. Saky Airbase
Why in news – The Russian Saky air base in the annexed Crimean peninsula was rocked by blasts.
Key Points –
• Location – Novofedorivka, Crimea.
• Novofedorivka and Saky are around 50 km (30 miles) north of Sevastopol, home of Russia's Black Sea Fleet.
OBITUARY:
1. Issey Miyake
Why in news - Japanese fashion designer Issey Miyake, aged 84,has died
2. Olivia Newton-John
Why in news - Singer Olivia Newton-John died at the age of 73 at her home in Southern California.
STATES/UTs:
1. Baansera
Why in news - L-G V K Saxena laid the foundation stone of Delhi’s first bamboo park ‘Baansera’.
Key Points –
• Bamboo produces about 30% more oxygen, consumes far less water and enriches the soil
• More than 25,000 special varieties of bamboo saplings, brought from Assam, will be planted.
2. 100% NEP in Higher Education
Why in news - Goa to implement 100% of the syllabus in higher education institutes along the lines of the National Education Policy (NEP) from 2023.
Key Points –
• Uttarakhand is the first state to implement NEP in primary education (July 12, 2022).
3. PARVAZ Market Linkage Scheme
Why in news – The government of Jammu & Kashmir launched the scheme recently.
Key Points –
• Aim – to create market linkage support for shipment of Agriculture & Horticulture perishables from J&k.
• Government will provide a subsidy of 25% on freight charges to carry perishable fruits through Air Cargo.
BIHAR:
1. Mahagathbandhan Government in Bihar
Why in news – On August 9, 2022 Nitish Kumar resigned from the post of Chief Minister amid the ongoing political crisis in Bihar.
Key Points –
• Nitish Kumar will take oath as the Chief Minister and Tejashwi Yadav the Deputy CM on August 10, 2022.
• 7 parties (164 MLAs) have come together to form the government.
• 164 MLAs (Party) – 79 (RJD), 45 (JDU), 19 (Congress), 12 (CPI ML), 4 (HAM), 2 (CPM), 2 (CPI) and 1 (independent).
• It will be Nitish Kumar’s 8th time swearing in ceremony.
A. 1st – Mar 3, 2000.
B. 2nd – Nov 24, 2005.
C. 3rd – Nov 26, 2010
D. 4th – Feb 22, 2015
E. 5th – Nov 20, 2015
F. 6th – July 27, 2017
G. 7th – Nov 16, 2020
H. 8th – Aug 10,2022
2. Herbal Park in Bhagalpur Jail
Why in news – The prisoners in the special central jail in Bhagalpur have converted small beds of medicinal plants into gardens.
Key Points –
• There are 25 varieties of medicinal plants in the garden, including gooseberry, turmeric, curry leaves, aloe vera, amla, mint etc.
POINTERS:
• Who has secured the world's largest social loan of USD 1 billion to finance affordable housing, underscoring the potential for stable financing – HDFC.
• In August 2022, Gustavo Petro became the President of which country – Colombia.
• Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Karnataka together account for how much rupees of power subsidy bill - Rs 48,248 crore (36.4%).
• In which year, National Handloom Day was celebrated for the first time in India – 2015.
• Who has become the first Indian to win gold medal in men's triple jump at the Commonwealth Games 2022 – Eldhose Paul.
• Recently, which Indian has been awarded the Knight of the Order of the Merit (Chevalier Award) by the French government – Kannan Sundaram.
• Which bank has been fined Rs 32 lakh by RBI for non-compliance of instructions – Indian Bank.
• Who has been appointed as the MD and CEO of Unity Small Finance Bank Limited - Inderjit Camotra.
• Which Indian golfer recently won the Mandiri Indonesia Open golf tournament - Gaganjeet Bhullar.
• Who released the Odia version of the book titled 'Modi@20: Dreams Meet Delivery' recently - Amit Shah.