NATIONAL:
1. Govt Releases ₹1.16 lakh Crores to States
Why in news - Ministry of Finance released two installments of tax devolution to State Governments.
Key Points –
• Two installments together amounted to ₹1,16,665.75 crore as against normal monthly devolution of Rs.58,332.86 crore.
• The 2021-22 devolution was also higher by 2.8 % (7.4 lakh crore to 8.1 lakh crore).
• Tax devolution is one of the core tasks of the 15th Finance Commission constituted under Article 280 (3) of the Constitution.
2. Centre Okays Corbevax as Booster
Why in news - The Centre approved Corbevax as a “heterologous” booster in adults (18 years).
Key Points –
• It means that those who have received Covishield or Covaxin as their 1st or 2nd dose can take Corbevax as the 3rd booster shot.
• Until now, the 3rd dose had to be the same vaccine that was used for the 1st and 2nd doses.
About Corbevax:
• Corbevax is India’s 1st indigenously developed Receptor Binding Domain (RBD) protein sub-unit vaccine against Covid.
• Instead of using the whole virus, a sub-unit vaccine platform triggers an immune response by using fragments.
• It is Hyderabad-based Biological E’s protein sub-unit vaccine.
• It contains the harmless S-protein.
3. No Upper, Lower Caps on Domestic Airfares
Why in news - Ministry of Civil Aviation removed the upper and lower limits on airfares with effect from August 31,2022.
Key Points –
• The restrictions were put in place in May 2020.
• The government had created 7 bands for domestic economy class travel based on the duration of flights.
INTERNATIONAL:
1. Commission for “Promotion of World Truce”
Why in news – Mexico to submit a proposal to the UN to create a commission for “promotion of world truce” for a period of 5 years.
Key Points –
• Peace panel would include Pope Francis, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, and PM Narendra Modi.
• Aim - to stop wars everywhere, and seek truce for at least 5 years.
• Mexican President - Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (AMLO).
2. Langya Virus
Why in news – A new zoonotic virus has been discovered in China.
Key Points –
About Langya Virus –
• It is also called Langya Henipavirus or the LayV.
• The LayV virus RNA is found in shrews (natural hosts).
• Henipaviruses are classified as biosafety level 4 (BSL4) pathogens.
• As of now, no licensed drugs or vaccines meant for humans.
• Other Henipaviruses - Hendra, Nipah, Cedar, Mojiang and the Ghanaian bat virus.
GOVERNMENT SCHEMES:
1. PMAY (Urban)
Why in news – Union Cabinet cleared PMAY (Urban) till Dec 2024.
Key Points –
• Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U) - Housing for all till December 31, 2024.
• Financial assistance is to be provided for the completion of already sanctioned 122.69-lakh pucca houses till March 31, 2022.
• (PMAY-U) - Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs.
2. SMILE-75 Initiative
Why in news – Social Justice and Empowerment minister Dr Virendra Kumar launched the 'SMILE-75 Initiative'.
Key Points –
• SMILE - Support for Marginalised Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise.
• Aim –
A. To make cities, towns and municipal areas begging-free
B. Rehabilitation of the persons engaged in begging.
• Budget - Rs 100 till 2025-26.
ECONOMY:
1. 2G Ethanol Plant
Why in news – PM Narendra Modi dedicated the 2nd generation Ethanol Plant in Panipat, Haryana.
Key Points –
• The plant has been developed by Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. (IOCL) (cost of >₹900 crores).
• It can utilise 2 lakh tonnes of rice straw annually to generate around 3 crore litres of Ethanol.
SUMMITS & CONFERENCES:
1. India – NATO Talks
Why in news - India held its first political dialogue with NATO in Brussels on December 12, 2019.
Key Points –
• Indian delegation discussed cooperation on regional and global issues of mutual interest.
• Until December 2019, NATO had held nine rounds of talks with Beijing.
• The NATO delegation was led by Bettina Cadenbach.
• NATO is a political and military alliance of 28 European countries and United States and Canada.
• Article 5 of NATO - Parties agree that an armed attack against one or more of them in Europe or North America shall be considered an attack against them all.
2. Asian Regional Forum
Why in news - The Election Commission has hosted the Virtual Conference of the Asian Regional Forum in New Delhi.
Key Points –
• Theme – Making our Elections Inclusive, Accessible and Participative.
• CEC Rajiv Kumar and EC Anupchandra Pandey have chaired the forum.
• The Chief Election Commissioners of Nepal and Mauritius co-chaired this session.
• It was attended by election management bodies from Mexico, Mauritius, Philippines, Nepal, Uzbekistan and Maldives.
SCIENCE – TECH:
1. Lumpi-ProVacInd
Why in news - Narendra Singh Tomar launched an indigenous vaccine for lumpy skin disease called Lumpi-ProVacInd.
Key Points –
• Developed by - National Equine Research Center, Hisar (Haryana) and Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izzatnagar (Bareilly).
• He said that there are 30 crore livestock in the country.
APPOINTMENTS:
1. Justice UU Lalit
Why in news - President Droupadi Murmu appointed Justice Uday Umesh Lalit as the 49th Chief Justice of India.
Key Points –
• Article 124(2) - Every Judge of the Supreme Court shall be appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal.
• He will assume charge on August 27 and retire on November 8, 2022.
• He is the 2nd CJI to be appointed directly from the Bar without serving as a judge of a high court. (1st - Justice SM Sikri, Jan 1971 to Apr 1973).
• He hails from Maharashtra.
• He succeeded Justice NV Ramana.
AGREEMENTS:
1. Audio-Visual Co-Production Treaty
Why in news - The Union Cabinet has approved the signing of the treaty between India and Australia.
Key Points –
• Aim – To facilitate joint production of films between the two countries.
• India has so far signed 15 audio-visual co-production treaties with other countries.
AWARDS & HONOURS:
1. Karnataka Ratna Award
Why in news - Karnataka has decided to confer the Karnataka Ratna award posthumously to Kannada film star Puneeth Rajkumar.
Key Points –
• The award will be conferred on November 1.
• Puneeth Rajkumar died on October 29, 2021.
IMPORTANT DAYS:
1. World Lion Day
Why in news - It is observed on August 10 to spread awareness about lions’ conservation.
Key Points –
• Protection Status –
A. IUCN Red List - Vulnerable, Asiatic Lion - Endangered.
B. CITES - Appendix I for population of India, all other populations are included in Appendix II.
C. Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 - Schedule I
• Project Lion was announced in August 2020.
• The lion census is conducted once every five years.
PLACES IN NEWS:
1. Padang
Why in news - Singapore declared its iconic green open space Padang as its 75th national monument.
Key Points –
• Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose gave the slogan of 'Delhi Chalo' in July 1943 from here.
• It is the first green, open space on Singapore’s list of national monuments.
• It is one of the oldest open spaces continuously used since the 1800s.
SPORTS:
1. Chess Olympiad
Why in news - The 44th Chess Olympiad concluded in Chennai on August 10, 2022.
Key Points –
• It was held for the 1st time in India and after 30 years in Asia.
• Mascot - 'Thambi' (Younger brother).
• Open category winner – Uzbekistan (Gold), Armenia (Silver), India B (Bronze).
• Women's category winner – Ukraine (Gold) 2. Georgia (Silver), India 'A' (Bronze).
2. AIFF Footballer of the Year
Why in news - Sunil Chhetri has been named as the 2021-22 AIFF Men’s Footballer of the Year.
Key Points –
• He won the award for a 7th time in his career.
• AIFF Women’s Footballer of the Year - Manisha Kalyan.
• AIFF Women's Emerging Footballer of the Year - Martina Thokchom.
• AIFF Men's Emerging Footballer of the Year - Vikram Partap Singh.
• Best Referee of the Year - Crystal John.
• Best Assistant Referee of the Year - Ujjal Halder.
STATES/UTs:
1. Nethanna Bima Yojana
Why in news - Telangana has launched the life insurance scheme for handloom and power loom weavers.
Key Points –
• This is the first such scheme of its kind in the country.
• In case of any kind of accidental death or accident, the weaver's family will get an insurance of Rs 5 lakh.
2. Chief Minister Bal Ashirwad Yojana
Why in news - Madhya Pradesh government approved Chief Minister Bal Ashirwad Yojana.
Key Points –
• Under this scheme, care leavers (after care) above the age of 18 years leaving child care institutions and orphans up to the age of 18 years living with relatives or guardians will be given financial assistance (sponsorship).
BIHAR:
1. Migrate Resource Centres (MRC)
Why in news - All District Employment Exchanges/Under Regional Employment Exchanges have been identified as MRC.
Key Points –
• Bihar ranks 2nd in the country in terms of workers working abroad after UP.
• Purpose of MRC - To give proper information to the workers going abroad.
POINTERS:
• Which country's government has honoured 'Kannan Sundaram' with the Chevalier Award - France
• ISRO has recently launched the country's smallest rocket from which state - Andhra Pradesh.
• Which state government has announced to implement 100% NEP in education from the next academic year – Goa
• In which state will the National Sports Climbing Championship be hosted by NIM – Uttarakhand
• Which company has tied up with Israel Innovation Authority for cooperation in technological innovations - Adani Enterprises
• The 12th edition of Defense Expo will be held in which city – Gandhinagar, Gujarat
• ‘Unnati' housing loan is related to which bank – Punjab National Bank.
• Which company has been fined Rs 33 crore by RBI for non-compliance of instructions – Spandana Sphoorty Financial Limited
• Who has been appointed as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Power Grid Corporation of India Limited – Pramod Kumar
• Pradeep Patwardhan passed away in August 2022. He was related to – Acting