NATIONAL:
1. 76th Independence Day
Why in news - India celebrated its 76th Independence Day from on Aug 15, 2022.
Key points –
• PM Modi addressed the nation for the 9th time from the red fort on Independence Day.
• He identified corruption and nepotism as two key challenges for the next 25 years.
• He said the pride of women (naari shakti) will be a huge asset.
• He laid out 5 key resolutions (Panch Pran) –
• He added “Jai Anusandhaan” to the slogan “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan” to inspire innovation in energy sector.
2. Appointment of High Court Judges
Why in news - Collegium led by CJ I N V Ramana made more than 250 recommendations for HC judge appointments.
Key points –
• It brought vacancies to 380 against the sanctioned strength of 1,108 judges in 25 high courts.
• For the first time, the list included 3 women — Justices Hima Kohli, B V Nagarathna and Bela Trivedi.
• Justice Nagarathna is in line to be the first woman CJI in 2027.
• Average vacancy in HC since January 2016 - 418 judges.
3. Salman Rushdie Stabbed
Why in news - Author Salman Rushdie was stabbed in the neck on Aug 12, 2022.
Key points –
• Location - Chautauqua, New York.
• Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini called for his execution in 1989 because of his novel The Satanic Verses.
• The book was banned in India and Rushdie was barred for more than a decade.
• Rushdie has published a memoir, Joseph Anton, about the fatwa.
• Salman Rushdie pseudonym - Joseph Anton.
4. Paonam Brajabasi
Why in news - Amar Chitra Katha Executive Editor issued an apology for including Paonam Brajabasi in their collection.
Key points –
• He was included in “Tribal Leaders of the Freedom Struggle’’ collection as part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebration.
• He was a military officer in the Manipuri kingdom of Kangleipak.
• He fought against the British in the Anglo-Manipur war of 1891.
5. World’s Highest Railway Bridge
Why in news - The ‘golden joint’ connecting two ends of the overarch deck of the world’s highest railway bridge over Chenab river was inaugurated.
Key points –
• The bridge is located in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district.
• Cost - Rs 1,250 crore
• Length - 1.3-km-long.
• Height - 359 meters above the Chenab riverbed.
• It is 30 meters higher than Eiffel Tower in Paris.
INTERNATIONAL:
1. India Gifts Aircraft to Sri Lanka
Why in news - India gifted a Dornier maritime reconnaissance aircraft to Sri Lanka.
Key points –
• Vice Admiral S N Ghormade handed over the aircraft to the Sri Lanka Navy.
• It is in line with the vision of Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR).
2. American Citizenship for Afghans
Why in news – A bill has been introduced in both houses of US Congress to provide American citizenship for Afghan evacuees.
Key points –
• About 76,000 Afghans flown out in the 2021 evacuation operation and entered USA on humanitarian parole.
• Eligibility – Afghans who fought alongside US forces and Afghan women who served in special counterterrorism teams.
3. Universal Access to Sanitary Products
Why in news – Scotland became the first country in the world to ensure universal access to free period products.
Key points –
• The landmark legislation was passed in 2020.
SECURITY:
1. ATAGS
Why in news – Indigenously developed howitzer gun, ATAGS, became part of the 21-gun salute on Aug 15, 2022.
Key points –
• ATAGS (artillery) - Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System.
• It is developed by the DRDO.
• Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) is the nodal agency.
• In Aug and Sept 2017, a record target range of around 48 km was achieved at Pokhran Field Firing Range.
2. Army Dog gets Gallantry Award
Why in news – Army dog named Axel has been posthumously awarded the gallantry award.
Key points –
• In recent years this would be the highest gallantry award to an Army Dog.
• Axel was serving in the 26 Army Dog Unit in the Kashmir valley.
ENVIRONMENT:
1. 11 more Ramsar Sites
Why in news – The Union Ministry of Environment Ministry added 11 Indian sites to the Ramsar list.
Key Points –
• Total Ramsar sites in the country – 75.
• New addition – TN (4), OD (3), J&K (2), MP (1), MH (1).
• 28 Indian sites have been declared wetlands of international importance in 2022.
• The 75 Ramsar sites in the country cover an area of 13,26,677 hectares.
• New Delhi signed Ramsar Convention on February 1, 1982.
AWARDS & HONOURS:
1. Lisbon Triennale Lifetime Achievement Award
Why in news – Marina Tabassum became the first person from the global south and first south Asian to win the award.
Key points –
• She is a renowned Bangladeshi architect, researcher and educator.
• “The Bait Ur Rouf mosque” in Dhaka is one of her many celebrated works.
APPOINTMENTS:
1. William Ruto
Why in news – William Ruto has emerged the winner in the tight Kenyan presidential election.
Key points –
• He becomes Kenya’s fifth president.
• Ruto heads the Kenya Kwanza (Kenya First) Alliance.
Persons in News:
1. Rakesh Jhunjhunwala
Why in news – Billionaire stock investor Rakesh Jhunjhunwala passed away on Aug 14, 2022.
Key points –
• He is founder of the country’s newest airline Akasa Air.
• Akasa had its inaugural flight from Mumbai to Ahmedabad just a week ago on August 7.
• He is also known as ‘India’s Warren Buffett’.
• His investment since the mid-1980s have grown to $5.8 billion or Rs 46,000 crore as of August 2022.
PLACES IN NEWS:
1. Lake Garda
Why in news – Italy's Lake Garda shrinks close to record low due to drought.
Key points –
• It is the largest lake in Italy.
• Sirmione peninsula is located on the southern coast of Lake Garda.
STATES/UTs:
1. One MLA, One Pension Scheme
Why in news – Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit approved the state government’s ‘One MLA, One Pension’ Bill.
Key points –
• It is expected to save the state exchequer around Rs 19.53 crore.
• Every MLA will get only one pension of Rs 75,150 per month irrespective of the terms for which he is elected.
BIHAR:
1. Sale of Tricolor
Why in news – “Tiranga karyakram” is being run in every house on the occasion of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav.
Key points –
• In Bihar, from August 1 to 14, Tricolor worth about 7 crores was sold by KVIC, Khadi Board and various organizations.
2. Central Medals
Why in news – Bihar Police has received 27 medals from Centre on the occasion of Independence Day.
Key points –
• It includes –
A. Gallantry Medals (7)
B. President's Police Medals for Distinguished Service (2)
C. Police Medals for Meritorious Service (17).
• ADGP of Economic Offenses Unit, Nayyar Hasnain Khan has received the President's Police Medal for Distinguished Service.
POINTERS:
• “Unnati” housing loan is related to which bank – Punjab National Bank.
• Which state government has recently implemented the expansion of “Panchayat rights” in the scheduled areas - Chhattisgarh.
• Which country's satellite “Khayyam” has been launched by Russian rocket Soyuz – Iran.
• Recently, the central government has approved a booster dose of a vaccine named CorbeVax, who has manufactured it - Biological E Ltd.
• Who has become the new brand ambassador of “JK Tire & Industries” - Narayan Karthikeyan.
• Which state has recently passed the Freedom of Religion (Amendment) Bill 2022 – Himachal Pradesh.
• Where has the 'Agnostic Web 3.0' conference been organized recently – Goa.
• Which city will host the 2nd edition of North East Olympics 2022 Games – Shillong.
• Who has unveiled India's first 'Saline Water Lantern' – Dr. Jitendra Singh.
• Pulitzer Prize winner 'Gaub McCullough' has passed away, he belonged to which country – USA.
Click here to download Current Affairs English PDF
Click here to download Current Affairs Hindi PDF